Anime Costume Tutorial
Costume play or "cosplay" has become an international frenzy. Today there are millions of followers impersonating their favorite anime personalities. Anime characters usually have exaggeratedly large eyes and unique, often spiky hairstyles while their noses and lips are ignored or even minimized. Originating in Japan, anime characters are representative of the aesthetics and conduct typical of Japanese culture. Arguably, gender roles are strictly defined and even female anime superheroes never lose their femininity in the face of danger. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- White eyeliner pencil
- Black liquid eyeliner
- Fake eyelashes (top and bottom)
- Q-tips
- Black eyeshadow
- Angled eyebrow brush
- Eyelash curler
- Mascara
- Blush
- Hairspray
- Colored hair spray
- Clothing in your character´s style
Instructions
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Some teenagers now emulate anime characters instead of movie stars. Choose the anime character you would like to impersonate. Find images of the character, analyze the distinguishing physical characteristics and forms of dress. Choose one or two images which you feel completely represent him or her. You will use these to refer back to as you create the costume.
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Anime fashion has become a worldwide fad. Decide if you are going to be merely in costume or if you are going to masquerade. Masquerade is not only imitating the character´s look, but also playing the part and behaving as the character would. This will entail that you do more extensive research into the personality, mannerisms and history of the character. On the Internet you can look up anime character biographies at any one of the major anime, manga and cosplay websites (See Resources 1). Also watch episodes of the cartoon series where the character appears.
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White eyeliner along the inner lids create the illusion of a larger sclera. Use make-up techniques to create the illusion of large eyes. Light colors highlight, dark colors recede. Line the inner lids in white and just the top lash in black eyeliner. Apply fake eyelashes and use an eyelash curler to curl them outwards as much as possible. Line beneath the lower lash with a dark eyeshadow to redefine the outline of the eye and finally apply dark mascara to the lashes. Use a little blush on the apples of the cheeks if desired.
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Use make up techniques to create the unique facial traits of your anime character. Apply scars and other distinguishing physical characteristics using makeup as necessary. Costume and theater stores sell special items such as makeup kits to create scars, horns or different shaped ears.
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Anime hair goes beyond traditional hair colors. Style your hair like your character. For spiky styles you can blow pieces up in the air with the blow dryer as you spray hair spray on them. Another way is to take pieces of hair around a brush and pull up as you spray. Create curls or waves use a curling iron.
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A wig is a quick way to achieve the hairstyle you want. Obtain the hair color of your anime character by using colored hair sprays. You can find less than common colors such as pink, blue, purple, fucshia and green at drugstores, costume shops and theatrical suppliers. If you are in a rush you may find a wig at one of these stores as well. For a more permanent emulation of your character you may even decide to go to a hair salon and get your hair cut and colored with permanent or semi-permanent coloring.
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Since anime originated in Japan the characters often wear Asian style dress. Check your local Asian store for outfits. Dress as similar to the way the anime character dresses as possible. If you are on a strict budget you can find a wide variety of inexpensive clothing at thrift shops. Do not be afraid to cut and restyle the clothing if necessary. Asian shops sell clothes similar to the ones some anime characters use. Otherwise you can find anime fashions at costume shops. Many anime cosplayers also take pride in sewing their outifts from scratch.
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A mirror will help you develop your anime character if you will be masquerading. Practice the particular quirks, mannerisms and gestures of the anime character in front of a mirror. Consider the use of the props your character commonly uses.
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Tips & Warnings
Cosplay is just for fun. If you will be using props such as ninja weapons or other arms, make sure they are made out of cardboard or paper. If attending a cosplay/anime expo you will not be permitted to enter with real weapons or even accurate replicas of weapons.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit manga styled samurai girl image by Anastasia Serdyukova from Fotolia.com teen girl image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com girls' secrets image by Lucy Cherniak from Fotolia.com eye make up image by Lovrencg from Fotolia.com set of make-up brushes and make-up box image by Marzeev Andrey from Fotolia.com casey,young,beautiful,teenager,actress,brunette,wo image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com asian face image by chinatiger from Fotolia.com Souvenir shop at Xihu, Hangzhou, China image by Yana from Fotolia.com mirror girl image by chinatiger from Fotolia.com
