How to Join Cosplay

Cosplay, a combination of the words "costume" and "play," is a culture in itself. Cosplayers dress up as their favorite anime, game, sci-fi and fantasy characters and attend conventions and events all over the world. Follow these steps to learn how to join in on Cosplay and all the fun.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Immerse yourself in the culture. Watch anime, sci-fi and fantasy movies and television shows. Play popular video games and dive into the popular Cosplay websites.
2. Choose a character. Find a favorite character that you would like to embody. Choose someone who looks unusual with a fun costume. You do not have to look like the character you will Cosplay.
3. Make or buy a costume. The better your costume, the more attention you will get. Research your character thoroughly and find pictures to use as a guideline. Choose a costume and put pieces together to create your look. Find used costumes on Ebay or have a costume custom made.
4. Know how to interact with other Cosplayers. Ask permission before touching or photographing another Cosplayer. Respect other players' props and be gentle with their accessories. Be kind and only say positive things about other players' costumes. Cosplay is considered art, and as such it is subjective.
5. Go to Cosplay events. People Cosplay in many places, such as video game shows, Cosplay parties, nightclubs and conventions. Find a list of events on Cosplay websites.

Tips & Warnings

• Never battle with another Cosplayer's prop sword, regardless of how sturdy it looks.