Rant #2: Cosplay

[moonwise]

For ladyofthewood, who requested "People who cosplay characters they have no business cosplaying."



Most of you on my flist know that this whole business of cosplay goodness and badness is near and dear to my heart. There are a lot of qualifiers that tend to go with my cosplay rants, and I'll issue a blanket statement that says that cosplay is fun and silly and everyone has a right to enjoy it.

But for god's sake - some of it is like those tone-deaf contestants on American Idol, who really, really should have known better.

First off: the devil is in the details. Not everyone knows how to sew. That's fine. That's what ghetto cosplay is for. I didn't make one stitch of my Yukino Miyazawa costume. But hell, the joy of a cosplay is in the hunt for those props that complete your look. It's not enough to slap on a white shirt and glasses and call yourself Ginji. Put some effort into it! Find those little purple round glasses! Get clever about it! Or, don't do it. Son Goku might shop at the Gap, but can't you round the look out a bit?

Second, and I can't say this enough: WORK WITHIN YOUR LIMITATIONS. If you've got some extra, Princess Lum may not be the right look for you. There have been so many bad Faye Valentine cosplays that it ought to be outlawed. Faye's outfit looks great on her because she's animated. Keep this in mind. Sewing skills not quite there yet? No problem, choose something simple you can learn on. Utena cosplay is not a good starter - the Rose Bride dresses are very complicated and probably require a bustle, and the Student Council uniforms are very sharply tailored. A jacket hanging asymmetrically off your shoulders is not going to cut it.

Third, please realize that what is funny, clever, and/or sexy to you is not necessarily funny, clever, and/or sexy to everyone else. The Jewish Wolfwood was a stone riot, because it was just subversive enough and the cosplayer had personality in spades. Walking around in your underwear with Kuroneko on your head and a little red patch on your chest just makes you look dumb.

Last, DRESSING FROM HOT TOPIC DOES NOT MAKE YOU A COSPLAYER. End of story.

Comments

[ladyofthesea.livejournal.com]

Mwhaha! The last bit was great. I see so many damn Goths at Anime cons it makes me wonder if they even realize where there are. Oh and I have one thing to add to the list: throwing on cat ears and going 'Tee hee!' also does not equal cosplay. It just equals your need to be thought of as 'cute' and 'bouncy'. You insult the serious cosplayers with last Halloween's cat ears.

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

YOU WANNA TAKE THIS OUTSIDE?

>^..^

[arafel.livejournal.com]

The difference between you and catgirls is that you actually ARE a kitty! So, it's okay to wear ears.

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

Well alright then. :) Just so everyone knows.

>^..^

[ladyofthesea.livejournal.com]

Bring it! :p

[fadingembers.livejournal.com]

Hiss! Spit! Distracted by a shiny object that may or may not be a living creature but its moving and therefore I shall hunt!

>^..^