(photo by Pavonis) Were you one of those kids that wanted to wear Halloween costumes every day of the year? If so, you may be interested in learning more about cosplay, a phenomenon that comes from the heart of Japanese anime culture. It involves groups of people dressing up in self-designed costumes and gathering to check out each others' attempts. For many cosplayers, the challenge and reward comes from designing the most accurate reproduction of their favorite characters, right down to the hair and makeup. Cosplay's presence has been growing steadily in America through cultural icons like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings. But if you want to get the full effect, plan a visit to Akihabara, Japan, where you will find a large number of cafes that are dedicated to anime and cosplay fans -- also known as otaku: fanboys, fangirls, and geeks. Whether they are in it for the costume design or the role playing, cosplayers always know when to strike a pose for the camera. Suggested Sites... Cosplay.com - check out the latest cosplay news and find out where you can catch the next convention. Cosplay Lab - make a profile and post pictures of all your cosplay attempts. RisingSun.net - check out cosplayer spotlights from a professional photographer. Anime Web Turnpike - if you're going to cosplay, you have to study your character.

Directory categories: Cosplay, Costuming, Costume Retailers

Archived under: Anime, Costumes, Cultures, Fanatics, Hobbies, Star Wars

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