Have you ever stumbled through a crowd all dressed in costumes – when it wasn’t Halloween? Or maybe you remember Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Girls? Whether you knew you were seeing it or not, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of Japanese cosplay culture. At face value, Japanese cosplay is about dressing up in costumes, but there is so much more to it! We’re here to unveil the mystery for you.

Here’s what we’ll cover (click a topic to jump to it)

Origins & Meaning Trends

Japan VS US Cosplay

Famous Japanese Cosplayers

Cosplay Events in Japan

Origins & Meaning

What is Cosplay?

The word “cosplay” is a Japanese style contraction of the words costume and play. Put simply, cosplay is playing in costumes, but there is so much more to it than that. It’s a performance art in which the cosplayer takes on the physical and mental role of a character. This embodiment of a fictional character allows the cosplayer to escape into their favorite fantasies, bringing a character’s world to life.

Cosplay culture brings together thousands of like-minded people at events and conventions or “cons” in Japan and around the world. These cons are where cosplayers get to show off their costume creations, connect with others and even compete in cosplay contests.

Japanese Cosplay History

Japanese cosplay was born out of the love for a certain style of cartoon art called manga. Manga forms the highly recognizable drawing style of popular Japanese anime such as Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto and so many more. (Actually, most anime is adapted from manga.)

Origin of “Cosplay” 

Though much credit and influence is awarded to Japan for the cultivation of cosplay, the birthplace of cosplay is actually the United States. The first ever cosplay was documented in Ohio in 1908 when a Mr. and Mrs. William Fell attended a ball dressed as Mr. Skygack and Miss Pickles, characters from a popular newspaper comic. From there, costuming, as it was called then, slowly gained popularity in the US and eventually blew up with the science fiction wave of the 70’s and 80’s.
-Source: Geeks

This was also the time that manga and anime were growing in popularity in Japan. While Japanese youth were equally interested in donning the attire of their favorite characters as Americans, they did not yet have a word to describe what they were doing.

Then in 1984, Japanese film director Nobuyuki Takahashi attended the World Science Fiction Convention in Anaheim California where he was mesmerized by the American costuming trend. Upon returning to Japan, still floored by his experience, he coined the term cosplay by combining the Japanese words for costume and play.

Japan may not have invented cosplay, but the island nation has heavily influenced the global cosplay culture. Its mangas and anime are the staple of cosplay today.

 

Japanese Cosplay Culture Today

Today Japanese cosplay has exploded into a cultural phenomenon and creative outlet. Cosplay gives otaku (anime, manga and other pop culture crazed youth) a way to express creativity and uniqueness in a Japanese culture where conformity is encouraged. Strict societal norms in Japan often leave otaku to be stereotyped as distracted, reclusive and anti-social. Today, cosplay reverses that stigma and celebrates the otaku culture by bringing like-minded people together and showing the world that fandom can be something to be proud of.

 

Trends

Though anime and manga are still popular today, you’ll also find cosplay ranging from Marvel comics to the latest video game trends like Overwatch and League of Legends.

Let’s take a look at some modern Japanese cosplay trends.

 

Anime & Manga

Video Games

Kawaii

Lolita

J Fashion

Cosplay Restaurants

Cosplay Stores

The center of Japanese cosplay culture today is undoubtedly Tokyo. More specifically, the Harajaku and Akihabara areas. Here it is commonplace to see cosplayers roaming the streets or eating in restaurants in their cosplays. Regular cosplay parades are a thing and cosplay stores can be found around every corner. Here are some of the top cosplay stores in Akihabara and Harajuku:

US vs Japanese Cosplay Culture

There are many similarities to cosplay culture in the US and Japan. Both countries saw cosplay gain popularity around the same time. Conventions are popular outlets for cosplaying and many of the same types of characters are cosplayed in both.

Otherwise things are pretty different.

Japanese cosplay is influenced most heavily by manga and anime while Americans tend to cosplay more comic book, movie and video game characters. The Japanese love of manga far outweighs the Americans’ collective love for any of its media forms.

Cosplaying at conventions in America is a bit more open and accessible. Japan boasts strict rules at cons. Often requiring cosplayers to arrive in plain clothes and change into their cosplays inside. In America, you can wear pretty much whatever you want most places you go, be it kawaii, D.Va or Groot…

Famous Japanese Cosplayers

Cosplay has gotten so big in Japan a lucky few make a full time living out of it! Brands spend thousands paying famous cosplayers to promote their products or appear at their events. A few of the top pro Japanese cosplayers are:

Photo: Only in Japan

Cosplay Events & Conventions in Japan

• Comiket
• The World Cosplay Summit
• Jump Festa
• Tokyo Game Show
• Kyoto International Manga and Anime Fair

Global Cosplay Event Calendars

AnimeCons.com
Cosplayerslife.com
Cosplay.com/calendarOUR INBOX!