In today's world, there are a large number of subcultures that have their own rules and characteristics. Many people do not know, cosplay - what it is and what features there are in this direction. Every year the number of adherents of this subculture increases.
What is cosplay?
This term is understood as a relatively young type of subculture , which originated in Japan. Cosplay is a costume game or a form of the embodiment of actions that are realized on the screen. In simple terms, participants in this subculture begin to identify themselves completely with their favorite anime, cartoon, film, and so on characters. For this purpose, they not only copy their hair and clothes, but also adopt the manner of speech, intonation and behavior.
Finding cosplay - what is it, it is worth noting that originally this chip was used in costume shows, and through time began to emerge anime festivals with individual numbers of cosplayers. Often the participants in the subculture stage different role plays. After a while, cosplay became very popular and spread all over the world, so a large number of devotees of this subculture live in Europe and America.
Subculture has appeared relatively recently, so it can still progress and change. Psychologists, talking about cosplay - what this flow means, emphasize that it is based on the desire to escape from reality and to be shielded from everyday life. They argue that such a hobby is often chosen for individuals who have not formed and have not found their way in life . Male and female cosplay helps to open up and stand out among other people. Thanks to the fitting of images, young people feel more confident, and it is easier for single people to find friends.
Types of Cosplay
There are no specific rules that apply to different types of cosplay, but there are several varieties:
- The most common and traditional version means that you have to cosplay on anime or manga. There are a lot of characters that can be copied.
- Puppet cosplay involves the use of a certain doll, which serves as an additional character for the disclosure of the image. She depicts the companion of the hero whom the person has chosen. Many people use puppet cosplay to realize what they can not try on themselves.
- It will be interesting to understand the original cosplay - what is it, so in this case the person independently comes up and creates a character. There are no frames here and you can use the imagination to the fullest. The disadvantages of this option include the fact that the image is difficult to assess, since there is no way to compare with the original.
- Photocoscopy is popular because a huge number of people want to try themselves in different images to get original photos. It is important to note that here the main thing is to fully reveal the image, and not just to pose. You can consider videocoscopy as an option, which helps to show your actor's talent to a person. More often short films without words are made, where the participant of this subculture imitates the characteristic behavior for the chosen hero.
- J-rock cosplay this kind of fans choose this direction of music, copying the scenic images of their favorite performers. Note that such a female and male cosplay was distributed exclusively in Japan.
How to become a cosplayer?
If you are interested in this topic, then first you need to determine exactly whether the decision to join this subculture is deliberate or not. It is important to understand that the cosplayer often encounters a wave of misunderstanding that emanates from relatives and surrounding people. In addition, original and believable images require financial expenditure. To approach the study of cosplay - what is it, it is necessary responsibly to eventually become a part of this culture, and not a laughingstock.
Ideas for cosplay
There are a huge number of heroes, whose images can be copied, and each person chooses his pet. Finding out what is cosplay, you should stop your attention on the most popular characters:
- Japanese anime - Hatsune Miku and Seilo Moon;
- computer games - Kitana, Milina and Sonya;
- real people - Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson;
- fantastic movies - Cat Woman, Harry Potter, Joker, Jack Sparrow and others;
- cartoons - The Little Mermaid, Peter Pen, Aladdin, various princesses and Snow White;
- comics - Batman, Superman, Thor, Spider Man and so on.
How to make cosplay?
It is important to choose an object to follow and start collecting information in order not only to copy the external image, but also to adopt the characteristic features of behavior, to understand preferences, manners of speech and behavior, voice and so on. In the instructions how to make cosplay at home, it is indicated about the need to work out all the details of the image, so, you need to buy or sew a suit, make a make-up, hairstyle and so on.
Cosplay - makeup
To achieve maximum similarity, without proper make-up can not do. For many characters, the correct make-up is an important part of the image. Finding out what is needed for high-quality cosplay, it is worth noting that makeup can not only mean eyeliner and the use of unusual lipstick, but also include the creation of strips on the face, scars, tattoos and so on. Of great importance is the perfectly even tone of the skin, so without foundation and powder can not do. To create beautiful eyelashes, you need to purchase overhead options.
Hairstyles - cosplay
Few can boast of magnificent hair for creating different hairstyles. In addition, many images mean repainting the hair, for example, in red or green. One way out of the situation is cosplay wigs, but only if you want to create a beautiful image, you do not need to buy cheap options. Choose quality products without carnival shine. You can order a wig in China, the Internet or buy it in specialized stores. Cosplay of girls and guys implies still working with a wig, for example, often you need to cut or arrange hair under the chosen image.
Masks for cosplay
In order not to bother about creating makeup and working out complex details, many acquire masks. It is worth noting that in this case the final image can not be considered ideal. Cosplayers use masks to replicate the appearance of the heroes who have details on the face that can not be realized with the help of a foundation and shadows, for example, excrescences, various grimaces, and so on. Masks can be ordered on the Internet, and simple options are easy to do with their own hands.
Cosplay Lenses
Many images of cosplayers include an unusual color of the eyes and lenses that can be worn without even seeing problems can come to the rescue. It is important not to save, because when using low-quality lenses, it is possible to provoke the appearance of various diseases. Describing what is needed for cosplay, it is worth mentioning the presence of carnival lenses that change the image of the cornea. Please note that it is forbidden to wear them for longer than three hours.
Cosplay Wear
Great value has in creating the image - a suit. On the Internet, you can find a huge number of ready-made options in which the details are worked out. Fans of this subculture recommend making things for cosplay themselves, which allows you to get a huge pleasure. In addition, the quality of clothes sewn independently or in the atelier will be significantly higher. It is best to use gabardine or crepe, because they look good and are not expensive.
The most famous cosplayers
In many countries there are adherents of this subculture who live cosplay and even earn good money on it. Often describing the best cosplay of the world, the following names are mentioned:
- Danquish . One of the most talented cosplayers, who has been fond of this trend for many years.
- D-Piddy . The guy creates the most realistic costumes and carefully studies each image.
- Steven K. Smith Props . Stephen is known for original images, and he also creates high-quality requisites. His counter is a mask.
- Mark World . Many cosplay stars are known for their incredible costumes and include Mark, who is also an offscreen artist in Bioware.