Cosplay: The Art of being someone else
It’s fun being someone else
– Gayatri Boro
Cosplay, a fusion of “costume play,” is more than just dressing up. It’s a captivating art form that allows individuals to unleash their creativity and show their love for a particular fandom.
In this realm, the lines between reality and fiction become hazy as passionate fans don intricate costumes to embody their beloved anime characters. This engrossing hobby has deep connections to the rich history of Japanese theatre and has now spread its wings to become a worldwide sensation, cherished both at conventions and in our day to-day lives.
“I started Cosplaying in 2021, the first character that I cosplayed was Abe No Seimei from the Anime/Game Onmyoji “Lapynhun Dkhar, 22 years old, Delhi and Shillong-based cosplayer and a student of Pearl Academy stated.
The roots of cosplay were planted in the fertile ground of Japanese kabuki theatre, where performers would dress up in elaborate outfits and apply intricate makeup to bring mythical characters to life. This custom formed the foundation for what would eventually evolve into a significant element of fan culture.
When questioned why they started cosplaying? Both Lapynhun Dkhar and Gayatri Boro said jokingly they wanted to be someone else because they were both tired of being themselves.
Gayatri also known by her Cosplayer name ‘Gin’ also added that she expresses her love for Anime and art through her art form.
Pushing forward and asking both whether cosplaying is hard. They both said “If you have daddy’s money it’s easy” not as an insult but rather as a question for a question. Stating that as an art form, people don’t understand the time and effort it takes to make such intricate customs and most players come into the game just for the fun and not for the art form itself.
“I want people to know that being a cosplayer means you have to be a seamstress, a makeup artist, a performer, and much more.” Gayatri Boro, a 23-year-old, Delhi-based cosplayer and UPSC aspirant stated.
“It’s an expensive Hobby,” they both said.
The expenditure includes but not limited to face paint, fabric, makeup, wigs, lenses, and so much more. A minimum of 8000 rupees is required to make one good quality costume.
But the community we are part of is amazing, and the support we were showered by the cosplay community is nothing but extraordinary. We would not trade it for anything in the world.
Cosplay goes beyond simply putting on a costume; it is a way to express oneself and build a sense of community. It requires skillful costume-making, artistic makeup application, and sometimes even role-playing. Cosplayers come together at conventions, engage in competitions, and showcase their love for cosplay on social media. This vibrant subculture embraces diversity and encourages creativity.
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