LUCINDA BENNETT

Lucinda Bennett is an art history and museum studies major in her final semester set to graduate in the spring of 2016. She is a member of the National Honors Society and the Golden Key International Honour Society, as well as an officer in her student organization on campus. The Undergraduate Research Award program at UMBC funded her research on American Cosplay. After graduating she plans to continue her education in art history by pursuing a doctoral degree with the goal of eventually teaching the subject at the university level. Lucinda would like to thank her faculty advisor, Dr. Preminda Jacob; without her support and guidance, this research would not be a success. THE ART AND CRAFT OF THE VISUAL CULTURE OF ANIME CONVENTIONS: AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN COSPLAY

Cosplay, a shortened term for costume-play, is the practice of dressing as characters from anime, video-games and comic books, at international, national and regional conventions. In this paper I argue that Cosplayers are talented and skilled artists who translate two-dimensional figures into three-dimensional costumes. As artists of imitation they take their own unique place in the world of performance artistry by using their skills in the mediums of painting, sculpture, sewing and acting to faithfully duplicate and even improve upon existing designs. As part of my research, in August 2014 and February 2015 I attended two major anime conventions, Otakon and Katsucon respectively, in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area. As an avid Cosplayer myself, I have participated in numerous such conventions over the years but this time I attended as researcher. I interviewed and photographed a total of eighteen Cosplayers. I found a wide range of ages, professions, skill levels and motivations among these Cosplayer individuals. Combining these interviews with research on the history and theory of subcultures, I demonstrate that Cosplay is a legitimate and important visual art subculture of the twenty-first century.

[LEFT] PAHB Music Hall, 2014. Photograph by Marlayna Demond, '11. [RIGHT] UMBC Production of No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre, directed by Alan Kreizenbeck, 1990, University Archives, Special Collections, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Photograph by Tim Ford. UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 178 Cosplayer is an artist who creates a unique form of wearable art, wearable art, of who creates a unique form Cosplayer is anartist Cosplay. Mostimportantly,social issues of Iarguethat the dedicated imitation. of mastering the art artists performance subculture of and then acting out their stories, the costumers are creating a unique these fictional anime characters,of crafting and theirgarments props, theircostumes.the physical Bytakingon appearance of the production the skills that manyanimefanshaveto apply and learned just a few of applying make-upprosthetic, or metal crafting with are and leather or sewing techniques,spray, and sculpting, painting with both brush can take months to create. Other thanperfecting these garments with skills insewingevenprofessional or making. prop Inmanycases, wearer mostoften crafts these costumes, sometimes a bought from character,its takingandacting on persona, out theirpersonality. The fictional a of costume a donning is Cosplay ‘role-play’. or ‘play’, and ‘costume’ is a combinationof convention is Cosplay. itself term The 2014 its highest attendance reached 34,892 participants. As of anime conventionBaltimore, isthe second largest the United States. in 61,000. Otakon, heldin whichattendance boastsan count of California, the United States. con is the inLos Angeles,Anime Expo largest The 2013, there were 335 cons held in year.the United States every Asof conventions, “cons”, or heldacross showcasedthe hundredsof in than fansbetter of Nowhere isthis demographic this animated import. critiques fan culture and has evolvedthe people thatconsume among series quality, standardof media, a certain in popular popular suit theirindividual inspirations. Withanimebecomingincreasingly who have developed to multiple genres, animation styles and formats artists of group a growing has inspired animation, for short term a the to imitating refers characters seen in Japanese anime, comic books andmovies. Anime, specifically Cosplay often, Most books. or dressing as characters frommoviesCosplay. Cosplay is the practice of craft evident and in the practice of study investigates This the art INTRODUCTION This research investigatesThis the culture, history, vocabulary, and Arguably, the most famous pastime associated with attending a 1

179 | Lucinda Bennett

In this research I planned to interview I planned to group research In this a diverse Cosplayer community, and explain the craftsmanship required for required craftsmanship and explain the community, Cosplayer costume construction. with my own schedule of schedule own my with a participantremaining while activities and conclusions research my divided In this paper I have observer. realms ofacademic into three and the gender roles, mimicry, study: argue I paper, In this community. Cosplay the within artistryinvolved is an original artthat Cosplay ofpractice through the detail mimesis, traditional genderchallengesto the norms the brought up within encounters with the subculture of Cosplay. of people and Icostumes. Specifically, looked to find Cosplayers of of levels ages, various artin the experience form, and varying genres, of levels this goal Achieving took up a fair sample. complexity in my amount ofI managed but interviewthe time, to intersperse session no more than twenty total, a fair balance ofa fair balance total, than twenty no more female to costumes male costumes, and a range of skill levels that reflected the environment of the used Wheninterviews, conducting I never convention. the interviewthe Only after “art.” subject and the complete was word subjects Some project. did I elaborate on my questions to ask free was gave short answers while others gave long narratives on their first D.C in 2015. I created a questionnaire to surveythat I used a questionnaire I created in 2015. a wide D.C of variety of con goersworld in the about their experiences Cosplay, learnedthey skills the construction costumes’ their through process, were there In total, and other social and artistictheir interests. Cosplay, age. middle to adult from young participantseighteen survey, in my ofupon a set based attendees these I chose set: I previously limitation Thisa combination of included project literary on subculture research theory a comparison of and anime, fan American and Japanese the base, and field research at anime conventions. I conductedmy field in the aforementioned Otakon large conventions: at two research and KatsuconBaltimore in 2014 ofoutside just located Washington costuming venture. Furthermore,is not venture. costuming that Cosplaying I argue is that a costume creating but work, original artist’s the copying just thus person, and and for a living by and altered crafted, imagined, is unique. METHODOLOGY because in taking a two-dimensional drawing and translating that that translating and drawing a two-dimensional taking in because in their success achieves Cosplayer the reality, into a costume work UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 180 but unknown overseas. Masquerade at a conwas The notthe masked the American convention and the famed Masquerade were staples of the convention scene in Japan. Imitation costumes,creations, original and directorattended Worldcon. heencountered was What unlike a youngNobuyuki Takahashi, to California, journalist, now a film editor trip a On time. first the for costume in con Japanese a attended alien girlLum from the then airing show bikini sporting American costume conventions. A Japanese woman dressed as the fur- Festivals. It was onlyin1984 that the anime world intersected with the began conventions Gradually, to increase in sizeandspawn related events, films. andhosts such asRenaissance animated goers of con series release to and prompted conventions large influence decades, popular the hugely science fiction fans togatherings mass like World Con. In subsequent Galactica, Fantastic Voyage, Cosplay. of thestart of were part they and costuming, embrace to attenders con first the among were talent showLey and isheld.Ackerman kind of a and judged are where costumes are contests alike, conventions fiction science and at earlyconMasquerades. Masquarades, heldtothisday atanime as well circles due to her attendance mainstream fashion,andhersuccess is in part fiction science in talent her for known became Ley career, her in Later costumer.” great first “the was Ley Resnick, to writerWilly Ley, “wonthe Most Beautiful costume.”of According the as floor ballroom popped.” the flashbulbs thronged ‘Things’ assorted and aliens, convention asfollows: “Monsters, mutants, scientists, spacemen, the convention,described and thecostumed presence at the 1956 of attendant annual an was Ackerman fiction. science of among popularity in figures costumed of hub wasattired the fans.ordinarily due to therise turnout large The a was York New in Worldcon 1956 the first Worldcon, the after years Seventeen Rogers. Buck for and ridingboots,jodhpurs was away Ackerman onestep frompassing convention-goer documented first to attend suchevent an in costume. the is later, horror years and sci-fi memorabilia of collection his for famous become would who Fiction Convention, inNew YorkCity in1939. Forrest J. Ackerman, the very first of Worldcon, the shortened name for the World Science theCosplayday canbetracedtotheopening of roots modern The HISTORY In the 1950s and 1960s,the 1950s In and movies suchas 3 Ackerman also reports that Olga Ley, thatOlga reports also Ackerman wife and odo the Rings of Lord Star Wars 2 Appearing in aleatherjacket, Appearing de nraignmeso drew increasing numbers of trilogy in the 1970s trilogy Star Trek, Star Urusei YatsuraUrusei

Battlestar

181 | Lucinda Bennett

6 Astro Boy Generation X , a television series a television , As the . However, children’s children’s . However, 5 with its late afternoonlate its with Pokemon Voltron , a series based on a team of on a team based , a series , triggered explosion the of , a fighting series aimed at boys, Toonami Cartoon Network Sailor Moon Dragon Ball Z Dragon Ball , a politically focused series based on the giant robot giant on the based series focused a politically , 4 , but anime truly gained its American fan base on the West truly anime , but gained its American fan base on the West With Takahashi’s reporting, the concept ofWith Takahashi’s came Cosplay Gundam Wing Gigantor non-heterosexual characters erased with narrative alterations and narrative with erased characters non-heterosexual translatedHardcore fans cut. inappropriate completely deemed scenes ofversions subtitled and circulated scripts original Japanese the the children’s simple be to thought were that shows Even popular shows. genre called “mech”. Each was popular in Japan and slowly gained and slowly a popular in Japan was genre Each “mech”. called correspondingly largeU.S. in the fan following ofsource Internet the grewan ever-increasing became older, facts eschewed how Theydiscovered quickly series. favorite about these storythe of claws in the had become lines American censorship. Changesrearrangingthe during translation included of episode order, dubbed anime aimed toward them by several networks. Three major networks. several them by dubbed anime aimed toward dubbed in English and channel, the bought by were anime titles ofcensored targettoo harsh for the deemed were that any elements Thosewere shows audience. super heroes, female and anime fans in the United States. This be one of might very well anime fans in States. the United the major for reasons observers ofbeing fans with anime to associate particularlychildish, popularity ofthe with and his adorable monster companion, as boy a young that follows the American cartoons are media for an underage demographic. For majority of English followed viewers these formative their years, and three next the countrythe across over way its made and slowly coast anime began running1980s, late In the slots on major time decades. as popular such with series on television, as such 1990s, in the channels ofblock called action shows to Japan from America. From this spark the two cultures began cultures to two this spark the from America. From to Japan However, up. of dressing fantasy the with offiction love their combine into their or styles titles adopted Western quickly Japanese the while anime and watch to likely far less were Americans culture, convention early A few culture. incorporate convention in their or styles titles of titles English under the 1950s, late ran during the shows skits before an audience and judges. When Takahashi returned to WhenTakahashi and an before judges. audience skits ofhe thought Japan magnitude the upon his readers to impress ways of have he did not already since However, he had what experienced. a new phenomenon, he created the describe adequately to a word Cosplay. word: ball that Westerners associated with the word. Rather, it was more akin more was it Rather, word. the with associated Westerners ball that groups where performed show individuals or variety a competitive to UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 182 conventions thatprecededthem. science-fiction the as scale same the on gatherings physical plan to and translations sites and started onlineforums communicate forming adults.and as complicated love triangles. For American fans, North shows such described as rivaling linesand operas withits many story soap of animated media with which up. they hadgrown the airing In particular adolescence and adulthood, lookingformoremature titles in the Generation X unprecedented an exposure toforeignmediaaswell.had As but, unlike their parents, domestic entertainment they of fair share 1990s the 1980s animeinhad their and childconsumers of The United States, still have avid fans that dress as and parodythem. DragonForceDonkey Kong, Japanese origin such as systems.game Titles of the of playing the early incarnations in Japan. showsimilar a roughlytranslated to“squadron”,of aterm genre, teens wasin giantrobots marital-arts-savvy takenthe “sentai” from of acostumed squad show’sfound ontelevision. The premiseof Power tobe Rangers this day there is always a new adaptation of aswell. Tothat country from entertainment based onstyles of not onlyplaying showsbegan from Japanbut producing them As time went by,in English animated form. more television stations their locallibrary,from provided access to stories not yet available borrowed stated that intheirchildhoodthe easy access to manga, theCosplayers of half than more my on-site interviews severalIn of media. givingof young fans easy access to yet another unique form local libraries,the 1990scouldbeborrowed from during and by astrictly youth-based audience. novels These became available inEnglish are unhampered Manga novel. fiction standard a than black andwhite Japanesenovel comic book moreakintoagraphic novels.stories aregraphic the manga, based upon Mostanimeare blocks likeafternoon captivated their young viewers, ratings of as seen in the growing characters heroic these ending, dismal a in end could ramifications displayed adult capabilities. faced with diresituations whose When contained complexplotswherein young charactersentertainment Robotech Robotech Some fans received their first exposure to videogames through Other than animated features, another medium for popular 7 filled a so-called gap in our media, animation forteens media, animation our in gap a so-called filled 8 , a mech series that originally premiered in 1985, was With the advent of the Internet, these fans began to these fans began the Internet, Withthe advent of grew older they carried their childhoodfavorites older they carried into grew Toonami and . Final Fantasy7 Sega, Playstation , allbest sellers in the Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Nintendo

183 | Lucinda Bennett ) Hebdige p.5 Hebdige ( . Halloween is considered the is considered . Halloween Rocky HorrorRocky Picture Show In fact, Halloween is not just for children going children for just not is out Halloween In fact, 9 Previous theories oftheories Previous main separated into two were culture “Culturea notoriously ambiguous concept...Refractedis through centuries ofword the acquired has usage, a number of quite different,often contradictory, meanings. Even as a scientific term, processand a project...Thetheory it of refers culture now ‘study involved the of to both a ofrelationships way between elements in a whole life.’” When one night a year is acceptable for an adult to dress in 10 hierarchal order and one that sought to bring culture down to one based to down bring culture to sought that order and one hierarchal — a sort in equality ofutopia. Theorists Socialist from eighteenth the it changes and how culture what creates debated century have onward century ofdefinition twentieth the mid the By time. over mainstream Early ventures into the study ofstudy into the Early ventures sociology on how views held multiple constructedwas society itselfand held as Philosophers such together. in and tensions groundwork lay Georg Hegel argued that that a culture’s produce opposing would sides contradictions and that dialog between truth. for a sortof one that strove branches: of pleasing society aesthetically costume culture? Whatculture? costume to be a partmean it does of subculture Cosplay for fans to participate? Hebdige, known Dick and what motivates ofsubculture on the his work United in the punk movement the the which and methods by ways various the Kingdom, enumerates greater defined historically. subculture was oddity but as a logical next stepbut oddity culture costume the in relation to established in mainstream society. already well to spread this how asses one can then no repercussions, with costume acceptance throughout the year. So the question is, what defines an of context anime fan in the American established the with Cosplay happened for for the reason that Americans in U.S. the holiday second most lucrative importantly, and most candy billions everyspend on decorations, year costumes. parties. costume themed throwing but also for candy adults collecting appears not an dressing up for context, In a societal this convention Costuming as artas Costuming form concept.is not a new or business Hollywood, from its earliest days of musical with its world-renowned silent Broadway, industry for costuming. film, hasalways beenthat and clothing sets fabulous with songs iconic has produced a respected theater, of Fans memorable. a show make to been known have musicals these dress the part when their favorite shows premier as feature films, as THE SUBCULTURE OF COSPLAY OF SUBCULTURE THE UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 184 but also had grown up aroundcostumed eventsbut also hadgrown in New York City. For Cosplayeronly beenattending two had cons for 3) This (Fig. years young mendiscovering in life. their purpose felt drawn to stories of as Jack Frost from the American film, they could relate to the character One attendee, they portrayed. dressed in theculture because their parentswere fans.fans attested Many that upattending had been brought conventions and becomingimmersed how they sparked theirinterest in Cosplay. Othersrelated stories of specific anime and costumed stumble congoers upon picturesthat of Fanshowexplained dedicated to a they would frequent forums online had friends already immersed in the practice and wanted to give it a try. assembling aCosplay. Often, the Cosplayer would the process of start I found considerable overlapand Katsucon, inthe reasons why a fan the dialogues at thetwovisual social.During conventions, Otakon fact in a subculture thatwas well established both therealms in attendees, theanswers thecosplayers gave revealed thatCosplay was convention with anime convention goers. Duringthe interviews of the world aroundthem. own,changing adaptingand according totheirspecialty interest and its totakelife of a on starts group fringe whena idealsarise certain sometimes and not. and social context fromwhence they came, sometimes deliberately mainstream ethics,they work and away the economic, from political the practices.or Formany subcultures, they operate outside do of customs andcantake on awide variety of this norm outside of morals, acceptable practices beliefs; and subculture resides set of subculture.associated with modern collected in groups, and self-identified as different became the aspects subculture. Individuals who shared like interests activelydefinition of neglected values,personal behavioralmore soa approach narrowed the it as limited was manner this But demographic. racial specific from was that identity emerged region, as the belief religion andgeographic within a in the 1940s, populationbegan itconcentrated skin color,on larger living groups outlying into studies first the When beliefs. nonconformist of does not allow for the easy integration normal how asocietywhatisconsidered and shouldappear of rules the greater subculture. by the presence of that isdisrupted concentration on hegemony, an increasing obsession with everyday life asociety. remains, What however, of science equaled to the progress isa culture entity is an preoccupied in with social order, where progress This fluidity of culture is mirrored in the diverse population diverse the in mirrored is culture of fluidity This defined broadly a from derives culture mainstream short, In 13 Interestingly enough,just as inthe mainstream, 12 ieo the Guardians Rise of 11 To belong,tofollow , said that he

185 | Lucinda Bennett

Rise ofRise Guardians the James Pethokoukis, a Pethokoukis, James Pethokoukis theorized that theorized Pethokoukis 15 There are no equivalents here in the There are no equivalents 16 The Week Magazine, In his opening statement alone, the reader is directed how how directed reader is the alone, opening statement In his 14 In an articlefor Just as some Cosplayers feel kinship with real life role models, so role models, real life kinship with feel Cosplayers as some Just costumes, a popular motif costumes, and Cosplay- characters, female for cute used famous Harajuku furthermore,Station, At the restaurants. themed are largethere gatherings for formal in public photoshoots with ofcosplayers and all styles. themes in Japan to that ofthat to in Japan ofout evolved two as the America, different vastly the begun have may Whereas Westerners fan cultures. and mainstreams phenomenon ofwho (Americans) not we was it costuming convention and brought it out into the mainstream. promoted merchandized it, On Akibahara the streets district ofone multitudefinds of a Tokyo’s a kind ofmaid-cafes, in maid waitresses by shop staffed or tea coffee at odds with outliers; the deviant groupdeviant the outliers; at odds with will then garnerfrom criticism the greater population. Ifgains a subculture the momentum though, carvedbe to a space the allow to forced mainstream is upon which out can perform.subculture United States, in the scene The convention relationship with has had a complicated origins, though old in its scene the convention it is unfair to equate the mainstream. However, scouring the classifieds for menial jobs.” menial for classifieds the scouring sharedthe economic depressions of have and United States the Japan a generationleft ofthe without collegetwenty-something’s educated of abundance their turned have they so and job decent a find to means ofinto the world free time in order the pain ofto ease make-believe of culture the stated, previously As reality. be often will mainstream the conservative bloggerconservative as a sign ofCosplay critiqued failing U.S. the economy. as a trio dressed title, the below pictured Cosplayers about the to feel Batman, Batgirl and their filmversion of the villain Bane: “Dressing Lannister is probably or Cersei than more fun Wolverine up like one can see why he chose Jack Frost. Frost. Jack he chose one can see why They seem to too do they connect to the fictional figures they follow. they what accomplish fact, in could, that of themselves element an find been have cosplayers reason that for this is It on screen. out playing see under attack. comes it when culture beloved their defend to known con’s main focus because a fan ofbecause focus main con’s in a be immersed to is likely anime rangeof The in sprite winter well. as media other is uncertain of going reason for his existence, the through a journey ofofforces the battling while self-discovery the what From darkness. man early in his interviewsaid young sortabout the of he characters to him, was community the Cosplay welcoming to and how drawn was this study it is significant that Jack Frost is not from a Japanese anime. anime. Japanese a from not is Frost Jack that significant is it study this In my experience it is not unusual to findcharacters outside of the UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 186 oetesm hn syu hssaeetcnb aiae noeo love the same thing statement as you.can be validated This in oneof out amongst otherswho something, passion for to let it inspire you togo and have fun.” quote describes what it means to be a fan, to have This Cosplay —you just have tolike somethingenoughtodress upasit designing, acting, etc.” But you don’t havemethod actorto tobea It combines make-up, form. art sewing, painting, sculpting, crafting, to belovedhomage characters. ForJonathan, Cosplay is “the ultimate creating an who said, “It’squoted an interviewee the of challenge she conducted with Cosplayers,During herinterviews Melendez handmadeandpurchased pieces. costumes are acombinationof their costumes while othersbuypieces.construct that Itiscommon thesubculture. Somecosplayers towardgeared a singleaspect of Cosplay cannot beunderstoodby watching ashow that the world of that Cosplay isnotonlyaboutthe competition. Instead, she states contribute tosociety.and jobs hold to explain on Melendezthengoes cosplayers most that costumes, and their fund to creative means find responded inthe absorbed. andself confused, weird, irresponsible Cosplay of scathing review, inthe Another by the following ajournalist. examplethisisdoneyet again group, a stereotyping its community, in inconsistent an picture of that claim the community society. offers no realvaluereports to greater of Cosplay often in the form clashes are seen in the context of These guidelines. mainstream culture because it does not follow the set of Therefore, according toWillis,everyone. subcultures arepredestined to clashwith the suit nor benefit not will guidelines these and guidelines with which toevaluatetheir creations,people and rank and of creativity can only beaccomplishedby establishingset a The marketing creativity. of nurturing still while profit a make to wishes society those outsideand the mainstream culture. Simplyput, mainstream “Hardcore,” between capitalism Susan Willispointsto this correlation In her work music onthe teenage and fashionsubculture, known as cultural inventiveness and unsolved contradictions. with a mixtureof with the event. Japan;American cosplayers restaurants unassociated freely patronize photo shootsheldby clubs occur in publicparks, city squares and unlike butattendees are notheldtoanyspecial etiquette. Organized con itself the is zone official Japan,the in States the areas while specialized and United States. Cosplay is confined to the the perimeters convention of Again, reactions from observing outsiders will often paint reactions observing from Again, Our contemporary era, deeply entrenched in capitalism, is filled airing on the on airing Cultist New York Post, , an Internet magazine, arguing that cosplayers magazine, , an Internet SyFy cablenetwork, described cosplayers as o areality television series of 18 Eliza Melendez Eliza Heroes Heroes 17 187 | Lucinda Bennett

The Fifth a reality show on the show a reality , and the characters they they characters and the , Bioshock Heroesof Cosplay, , dance clubs host Cosplay-themed nights, nights, host Cosplay-themed , dance clubs YouTube Several of Several participants the more concerned were with 20 Words like “nerd” and “geek” that were mean spirited in mean spirited “nerd” and “geek” were that like Words 19 this native of Quebec was at first shy to speak to me, citing Theofsubculture in increase a massive seen has Cosplay channel, was the first cable series to document the experiences community community in its first season, SyFy of cosplayers. of circuit the competition their while others sought to use the cons, exposure during the past ten years. Tutorials of Tutorials exposure during the past ten years. for guides how-to prop making fill professional and on national television, are hosted shows competition videographersvideos for stunning music creating cons as a source use the from While backlash meeting starringattendees. costumed the her choice in costume. Sometimes the exaggeratedthe Sometimes in costume. her choice ofanatomy female characters in the media of film, anime or video games are unrealistic appearance the of In mimicking to emulate. woman for a living the off show only not could opera singeralien Cosplayer this her artistic comfortablealso feel but skills impressive and accomplished costume. the in wearing and confident in their work. In the final hours I spent at Katsucon one Katsucon at I spent hours final the In work. their in confident and spectacularly. so dressed was she because eye, my caught Cosplayer As the Diva Plavalaguna from the hit science-fiction film Element, her graspthat of imposing (Fig.Tall, 5) be a hindrance. English might and mentioned to me explained her craft eventually she and beautiful, an event. Hostility such as these reviews experienced by con attendees con attendees by experienced reviews as these such Hostility an event. are deemed tastes different with those nothing new; is experience startinghazed or ostracized being to and are many relate eccentric a at age. young culture. new the pride to describe with used are now years childhood proud is costume person donning the the that means a Cosplayer Being worked, while the rest of her outfit was comprised of savvy purchases at purchases of savvy comprised was outfit ofher rest the while worked, contest; any in compete to out set not did Cosplayer This market. flea a a labor ofwas project rather the mother and between shared interest for not a prerequisite up is dressing fan base, anime the For daughter. in those who come experience own In my a convention. attending population ofthe do not roughly divide who and those costume such had selected were a frightening little girl called “Little Sister” and Sister” a huge“Little called girl a little frightening were had selected daughter the was It 4). Fig. (See Brother,” “Big almost robot creature, fan a ofher mother, who had introduced to manga, horror then movies, a was 40s, mid her in woman a mother, The finally gaming. and anime Cosplayer of five years and a dedicatednurse. Much of her costume came from equipment unused; fromoverflow the hospital where she my interviews Theirmy Otakon. during daughter and a mother with was horror the from were costumes game UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 188 is often defined as one that ‘has not received from others nor one nor others from received not ‘has that one as defined often is art work An original from theirinspiration. distancing the artist of merit is now linkedthe emphasis hasshifted. Artistic to originality, in art. new works of echoing, quoting, and mimicking that results in the originality of of recognition to the artist’s knowledge. isaconstant stream There of emulate incenturies past purposefully the purpose for one another art the past. Many works of movementstheir creators hold forartistic of theappreciation workswho camebeforethem. ‘Original’ of those born are by influenced are artists all precise, be To imitation. of form issome he argues that allart imitationandmimicry extensive study of In HillelSchwarz’s while valuea prized copying was castigated. in art was originality arts fine of world the In them. made who person the worksproducing singular of the talent imagination thatrodeon and flow the control to work.” and (Symonds) and face of workforce, his among tasks production level, Wedgwood’s assembly-line approach allowed himtodivide apprenticedcraftsmen. a practical “On by workers, withoutof the aid desire were machine-made in factories, constructed or onlypartially All these objects of art. famousworks of need, including prints of just about anythingonewould and upholstery clothing,and furniture, ready-made the Industrial Revolution facilitated the production of of period,beginninginthe late eighteenth century,modern innovations In the being an artist. tightly woven with the notion of together originalityhasbeen very of erathe concept In the contemporary COSPLAY AS MIMICRY analreadypopularvisualart. this emergingfacetof as academic world its eye toward the artistic shouldturn the attention of themselves identify cosplayers followers With this title slowly gaining “artist”. within the community, many Significantly, accounts. these categorize to needed is title some pages, non-profile are they products; such asthe Cosplayercited Lialina As later inthisarticle. finished display and progress, their followers,post gather they where costumes. Manycosplayers even have theirown are constantly asked how they made their for reports interviewed those Cosplay on awhole as many of public’sgeneral of acceptance the practice are rightbehindthe aspects of the artistic Recognition of Cosplay isslowly but surely making its way intothe mainstream. of costumingor business. indicate examples thatthesubculture These with which to begin their ownhobby special effects as aplatform 22 Beginning in the contemporary period, however, Beginning in the contemporary 21 Teeoe rit aeapito made a pointof artists Therefore, Facebook fan pages fanpages 189 | Lucinda Bennett 25 23 Schwartz Schwartz 24 , warm, on taking bodies home I have witnessed deeply researched and accurate recreations and accurate deeplywitnessed researched I have In his book, Schwarz mentions historical re-enactments as as historical re-enactments mentions Schwarz In his book, Through garmentsaim to recreate careful analysis they as as accurately forging ofin the specialize re-enactors Other possible. reproduction and pistols to swords from functional, muskets that are fully weapons and spears. ofMy parents are historycommunity. re-enacting American in the ranging from French the clothing for re-enactments in the specialists ofthe studied War the to have they years For 1812. and Indian War density from the produced, was clothing historic which by methods ofofseam folds into the a pleat in which way fabric to the the a skirt. interpretations. Divestment presents the visual culture ofculture visual the presents Divestment interpretations. building the ofhistories and the said analyzes how investiture while objects its in historical recreation, Both are used artifactspeople. with interact engagesonly onethough an observer would antiques the how with be the then would Investiture new. were they when utilized been have history learning living which is based. method for interactive furnished with a variety offurnished a variety with replicasheirlooms. and pasts unique of Investiture: artifacts with Creation, as a dated house the equally old; ofand impeccably as a house the and coronation, other ceremonies this is high theater.” Like airs. its same arraythe with ofsame house, the use methods Thesetwo opposite on but concentrate eras, rangethat objects from various addresses the phenomenon ofphenomenon the addresses reproducing of wartimeincidents, life, in civilian activities more mundane as the as well as battles, such categories occurred. generations living those said events after Two by can be past from the something in which ways the to assigned are then of reproduced.“Divestment: hodgepodgethe gathersa house unto ofitself; ofincoherence that well-offcommon to styles households from our constant reviewing of reviewing from our constant ofcase In the past. the re-creating history we seek to fill in the blanks leftby we artifacts, cannot repeat to reconstruct can attempt the past, but we can. From we it as best ofa measure there be examined, what paths we can our playfulness in our of process chose appropriation of into something original works even entertaining. our present culture will find fulfilling or their lifetime. Even art of futility the are noting Even critics lifetime. their claiming art,in creating total uniqueness in truth that of all works art are an of to the world or intellectual response emotional the artist. ofan example an artform and mimicry based in valid still was that replication with obsession stems that humanity’s He argues respected. copied based on the work ofwork the on based copied impossible it all actually in this others’; during else someone from influence received has alive person every as UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 190 characters is a frequent consideration. Duringmy time at Katsucon canonical changing the visual appearance of Cosplay the matter of own work where originallythere was none? then have their artist or incorporate the right to make corrections Does throughseveralthe present incarnations? the object has gone or defined clearly not are object the of aspects certain when happens costuming. What the communitymany differentiations there are of inside practice and a particular for is based.Cosplayterm broad isa from which it orgame the anime,original manga an exact copy of art. in the context of mimicry His work of introduced a new concept toproducean entirely new idea basedonanexisting concept. managed the Warholsame image, color scheme various and repeating versions of he utilized them tocreate his ownunique vision. Byplaying withthe thealuminum can, the shapeof the productnor up withthelabelfor art. the famous Hughes questioned whether taking analready existing suchimage, as creativity. Criticssuchhaveas Robert its lack for of critiqued his art observers worthown, millionsinour contemporary bothhistoricand quickly comes to mind.Exceedingly famous inhisown time with works butalsoexpectedandrespectedwithinourculture.only acceptable acharacter. of crafts that enable them to takethe on persona certain of knowledge manner aside or boring absorbed intotheir historic hobby or display their in astale knowledge famousclashes re-enactors who areoverly of Gettysburg. Myths of such asthe Battle of see recreations to year every tourists with filled WarCivil are demonstrations; battlefields military eighteenth-century July often have to manyAmericans.the Fourth Celebrationson of re-enacting is familiar practice of might be applied. The “folk artists” their historicorrecreationalsetting, the perhaps term the context of this re-enactors might becalled “imitative or, artists” in Because of because not original. designs theircopied and are who cometogether reverence forhistorical orantiquatedacts. (Robert Blackson) empathy andeven audiences with a dramaticsense of general theirsculptural equivalents, istoinstill likeperformances, thatof these theatrical essentiallyare moving memorials. of purpose The almost daily and life Williamsburg, are performed in Colonial and of 29 InWarhol’s defense one would arguethatthoughhedidnotcome oereatet,lk hs f h ateo Gettysburg the battle of Some reenactments, like those of In Cosplay, to know costume is that not every it is important Andy Warhol highart, intheworldof mimicry thinkingof When I have known blacksmiths tanners,and whittlers cobblers and Campbell’s Soup 28 I eeatn eseafr fimitationthatisnot of Inre-enacting we see a form 27 hr saclueo people defined by their , there is a culture of cans,changing and schemeits color was 30 I h otx f Inthe context of 26

191 | Lucinda Bennett

published Vogue Avatar:Last Airbender. the Thisof element Cosplay with has combined theatrical the was a genrewas of as “kigurumi”known Cosplay Cosplayer the where the whole head and wig in a mask that cover full body suit, dresses Shot in character. the hidden by so that their whole body becomes kigurumithe a largehome, appear they as though brick cosplayers Cosplayer transform Cosplayer camera from a giggling for the woman young theory ofincarnateto evil Schwartz’s substantiates theatrical, the aspect ofperformative and creative mimicry. in a mainstream art of publication. In March 2014 Her subject artist by Laurie Simmons. an articlework latest on the a specific moment in the character’s life to portray, adding accoutrements accoutrements adding a character, in selecting However portray, fall under divestment. would it to life character’s the in moment specific a in a display culminating or original artistic taste own designs, to one’s of calls Schwartz performance, be categorized can as investiture. this category the example ofgiving ‘high theater’, actors in historical the Azula Watching garb leading visitors as in Colonial Williamsburg. crafting improvements for her costume. Thisof practice for her costume. crafting improvements taking an into material reality character and translating that animated character to attempts Cosplayer the more so when even can be a challenge, of or which divestment categories, To alterations. Schwartz’s make investiture does this aspect of costuming recreate and to time on over incarnationsthe takes follow to a character fit? It would seem that the whole costume. Despite these transformations these Despite whole costume. was the Cosplayer the big such see to as fans love more so, Even recognizable. immediately the quite was woman this them, before life brought to personalities ofcopy not an exact The was costume well. as actress clothing the turn my While to interviewwaiting series. the television in the seen in her talent many people complimenting I overheard Cosplayer, changes. changes. Where once only a central flame decorated the mantel ofthe fictionalcharacter, now two phoenixes flewtowards the fire on of apron hung from an obi belt that A plain black blazing wings. a goldenpainted with cartoonthe now dragon was edgedin scarlet tassels. At least five different textures, patternsand fabrics madeup and trims that comprised sleeves kimono-style skirts, voluminous the (See Fig. 6) In the show Azula is always dressed in dressed tones of Azula is always 6) In the show Fig. (See red, black garments Her Nation. Fire the from ethnicity her befitting as gold and audience. Western to a read as Japanese that way a in such are styled Whilegoldenthe is embellishment only the and design, in hue striking her interpretation ofFor hem. and mantel trim around collar, the Azula, the interviewee some drastic the character to make decided 2015, I interviewed a woman dressed as Azula, the villainous princessvillainous the as Azula, dressed I interviewed 2015, a woman popular from the series animated American UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 192 stretchone’s wings. artistic Alternately, thechoice canstem from the in redesigning a well-known challenge and the persona need to of such logicbehind canbelinkedchanges The alternate. totheallure the character to its the latter actively of the changes canon gender the opposite sex, occurs when aCosplayer a character portrays of being “gender-bending”most popular “cross-play.” and former The the arose within the costume worldto labelthese sub-genres, some of lifestyle choices by not previously accepted the mainstream. Categories sexuality and identity, gender theexpressingof of with therealm exists. Over thelastseveraldecades therehave strides made been great participants Within the Doller community,diverse another of mix COSPLAY AND GENDER ROLES and indeedviable, art. being considered mainstream, shouldbe considered worthy of form a manner, which echoes theater but pushes beyond art the stage. The in reality into characters fictional these bring them around those and fansbetween themselves acharacter. interactions of The presence of another,life real new visionand butcreatinga the “originality” of costuming is notjust playing dress up,merely or imitating slavishly Convention artist. recognition, at least for this particular realm of then be can themainstream this time placed alongline, intothefoldof brought Cosplay generation. next the influencing imagination the evolutionwith one artist’s in art; is natural state of such mimicry imitation by arguing that Keane to Dollers, Simmons elevates of art theirbodies. of the By iconic art comparing save forthe motion of expression staring back attheir audience almost impermeable with an eyes childhood her girls withhuge that depicted Keane paintingsof the culture. masks remind herof Simons recalls how the kigurumi how a costumed impressioncanachieve heights in performance great taken its place among the theatrical arts, isaperfect for comparison since long having acting, Masked art. fine and fashion of realms the this subculture into toelevating value in regards the role of great of is one this concept Cosplaying as a visual demonstration of use of posing intheir costumes- excitement to take on anotheridentity Simmons zeroes in onafeeling many cosplayers experience when wellcould very bedisplaying anemotionthatiscompletely different. theirfaces beneath the mask performance, a kindof bodies through though they may be outwardly expressingoneemotionutilizing their that is known, explainedtothe artist “Dollers”, as the group The toysare dollhouse,a in theme Simmons’ artwork.dominant in a .31 The The 193 | Lucinda Bennett an online The MaryThe Sue, The costumed woman is given lots is given Thewoman costumed 32

33 was the character; originally a man, the artist a man, the originally character; the portrayed was Within cross-play the costume is kept as faithful to the original original to the as faithful is kept costume the Within cross-play When it comes to gender-bending Cosplay, the male-to-female male-to-female the When Cosplay, to gender-bending comes it Firefly conducting research on sexuality within Cosplay, Alexis Truong Truong Alexis within Cosplay, on sexuality research conducting more interviewedWhat an even across came she participants in Japan. complex system of categorizing and gender identification within the term practitioners, Japanese the for Cosplay “Layers”, community. What has emerged is a call for acceptance of choices all costume ofeffects the community, the within in can be found especially which demographic. the cross-play person living factor being that the outlying the as possible, design wearing the persona is not the gender of the canon figure. When artistic choice, yet many male and female fans question the necessity necessity the fans question female many male and yet artisticchoice, ofThe with. to begin the character sexualizing opposite of this can of parody Cosplay found in the be Again the women. as dressing men and some genderclad characters, scantily done with bending is usually viewers find the impressions humorous, others Whichever offensive. conclusion. defining a never is there ofon, is side person a debate the conventions, there is a mixed reaction, but not a noticeably negative negative reaction, but not a noticeably is a mixed there conventions, of Polarization one. rather has lead to some Cosplay gender-bending Double standards do indeed geekwithin the loud debates community. exist everywhere. Memes and message boards are filled with photos ofsex the hype which in costumes, gender-bending cosplayers female appeal ofwoman’s are the costumes Gender-bending character. the same? Would the male Cosplayer be met with just as much excitement excitement as much with just be met the male Cosplayer same? Would photographedand be constantly counterpart? female his like The As there is still a deeply ingrained stigma so. author did not believe to constructscomes it when culture of Western within masculinity, into a categoryplaced fan is male a gender-bending more is that and observations research at on my Based humorous than coveted. Reynolds as a woman, with the entire devil-may-care swagger devil-may-care the entire with for as a woman, Reynolds good the which Captain is known. ofoffans by taken pictures for many poses and attention show, the author ofone point the At as a success. welcomed is costume the the query: articlea hypothetical asks if goers with met were convention the reaction be the the would a male bending a popular character, female portrayals are visibly the more popular choice whereas female-to-male female-to-male whereas portrayals popular more the are visibly choice portrayalsare more of an articleIn for a rarity. journal in geek specializing fans, on female an emphasis with culture they gave a specific example. Malcolm Reynoldsseries of television the Cosplayer’s deep-set identification ofCosplayer’s thecharacters or themselves to Cosplay. through then express they which gender, chosen their UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 194 turned female, from burlesque-style costumes turned to swimsuits and malecharacters include a hyper-feminizationof the for most popular physical appearance andmannerisms. their inhabiting the character of andproducingafaithful reproduction crossplaying lies in the of challenge American cosplayers the appeal of fan.”as a expression means toexplore theircapacityartistic a for playing not necessarily due to a desire to playidentity, with gender but as even in cross- moreinteresting is the that notion cosplayers engage ability toconvey femininity. makes process What thistransformative is self-assured about his masculinity, but also very confident about his confusion. Lialina, forexample, gender rather thananexperience of cosplayers, the desire to crossplay derivesas afan, theiraspirations from their heterosexuality. most crossplayersdrag performers, assert For United States practice cross-play.though both AsLengfound,“...unlike in sexual preferences between difference those males in Japanand those in the blatant significant a is there culture Cosplay Western In with crossplayera popular known bywith an interview his alias Lialina. the globe Leng conducts her own research combined opposite side of the West,those foundin female at leastcostumes.those in for the On in Truong’sparticipants much study differed very incomparisonto all experiences in joso, the was not the staple of attained. While self of sense and comfort outside the crossplay environmentlevel untila of identity. identity as awoman This notphysically was internal, displayed to whichher eventual built a bridge transitionto a female body/female foundcrossplay to bethe hobbywho hadbeenassigned male atbirth experiment with sexuality.one case Truong In documented, womana crossplay/joso a manmight be free to culture. But within the realm of menwithin Japanese Such isnotthe expected mainstream role of with threeexpressinginterestinothermenwhenjosowas involved. five men interviewed during her research all identified as heterosexual, the Of specialized circumstance sexuality the expression for emerged. specificgenre is referred to as “joso” in Japan. From these interviews, a male-to-female cosplayers, Truong’s this study of were the subject of The gender-bending genre within Cosplay gender-bending genre subculture seems to The heterosexual desire.” desire.” heterosexual joso. for In other words, accounting for sex categories was not aprerequisite was the partners doing when and one of beingwithother men if desire of terms in gender than sex categories,performed makingitpossible for these men to more defined was desire Heterosexual joso. in interest an “I found that this was not uncommonamongst male layers who had ( Alexis HieuTruong ) 34

35 For 195 | Lucinda Bennett

At the heart ofartistry is the Cosplay that goes into translating aesthetically pleasing while still retaining the motion ofaesthetically a real human of laws to obey the Theirhave clothing does not being. as physics artist and so the craft patterns must that will lay in reality, must they on a human body while still retaining the exact image of its fictional artistry of costumes. Cosplay of imageworld into the a two-dimensional A three-dimensional. the flat figure canhave anatomynot likely to be found in the real world; garmentsthe therefore, natural a suit to drawn are not wear they human figure. The flowing lines of animated figures drawnare to be photographed on the red carpet. I was the outsider, from the music music from the photographedoutsider, the red carpet. on the I was Moreover, and I wore. the clothes cartoons the I watched to, I listened ofnone Since worse. even situation the made which Cosplayed, have I had little work my original design own my were I made costumes the The but with road to acceptance is a long one, peers. for my interest this study, I am making the first strides in bringing attention to the this connection between artists feat. has not been an easy between this connection and Cosplay — accept a Cosplayer artTo most people, is housed in a museum. For a geek and a member of an social groupoutlying — as an artistis when example, For an ideological barrier that is hard to overcome. greatcollege,the in community fashion design I studied majority of a gown designed they or peers aspired to open have a boutique my groups in the largerof scheme genres. Cosplay THE ARTISTRY OF COSPLAY goal Throughout subculture the that my study this to show has been of establishing However, artists. populated with is one richly Cosplay greater concept ofas art, Cosplay fracturing only look to the one need ofof artisticmovements time, grows over As a movement past. the and so they to all involved, to be applicable cease tenants basic the groupnatural reaction to the In the movements. splinter into smaller greaterthe body incites branches, smaller, breaking apartinto new, branch such two are but cross-play and Gender-bending reaction. and genderform for a unique bending allow of performance. The core of perspective a new them same but to bend remains the character the on their story from same others dressing the with out can be acted artist for the to costume the allow can as crossing canon, just wearing portrayal of their physical in mastering stakes up the opposite sex. the As to how this fluidity of outward gender presentation ties into the alluring alterations to well known canon costumes. Such changes are Such costumes. canon known well to alterations alluring an art,As crossplay designs. out thought well are but taken not lightly UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 196 at Otakon and Katsucon. at Otakon andKatsucon. voices the from cosplayers I interviewed I have provided a samplingof for theirendeavors.a complexreasoning below Inthe paragraphs to dress as nostalgic heroes whereas others offered the opportunity sessions, Ifoundsome cosplayers simply expressed satisfaction at invest on their costumes.countless hours unpaid my During interview thosewho positive feedbackthe mindsof their peers isoftenon from craving celebrity. Havingtheir workin pride instead of earning and explain their presence in costume culture is passion forthe media con she attends. sohighset; most will Cosplayer Notevery has goals cat ears, wings and accessories, angel at any merchandise, a variety of as both boss and mascot. One can purchasebusiness her and serves in the Cosplay common world. Following her rise in popularity, now Han hasbuilt a industry film the in used thermoplastic a worbla, crafting with makeup, wig and styling but armor fabric construction con she attends.costume to every Her skill set includes not only television,on givenin anew hostedappears panels and interviews, successful Cosplayer basedinthe UnitedStates. Yayabeen has Han launch a professional career. For example, Yaya Han is an extremely using it to reaches a highenough point, he or she has the chance of aCosplayer’scould be used to describe their new popularity status. If usually through extensive “cos-famous” visibility online, the term which take hourstocomplete. applied forcostumes, someof the prosthetics scales, are just a few examples of beards andhorns special effects makeupskill tocultivate. became a popular Gills, burns, human species, or unique facial construction, with extra appendages the commissioned to create a wig for the buyer. For characters not of iconic in anime, there are tutorials on styling or sellers who can be for purchase at conventions. For hairstyles so the gravity-defying needles, thread, clip-on extensions and shampoo, are alsoavailable styles. one needs fromwefts,products,These accessory along with every and fibers custom in specialize which of many Internet, the in Cosplayuniquely shaped eyes. wigs has risenon industry Ahuge colored contacts nonprescription for characters with or unnatural the physical attributes many vendorsspecialize in prescriptionand stiffener card stock and with horsehair replicated are inserts. For channels inthe fabric.tailcoats Extremeanglesinshoulderpadsor that garments can beachieved through tiny with thin, lightweight wires inserted flowing have often powers magical with characters comes challenge in recreating those effects.origin. The Gods or Should aCosplayer become well knownher work, forhisor

197 | Lucinda Bennett

I like stepping into a personality so opposite ofI like my own.” “I’m actually a blogger,“I’m artabout the people to talking love I of Cosplay. a combination ofis costume This recycledparts from and cosplays older days oflast on until the worked I and my pieces new boyfriend week.last learn had to actually I reasonThe to sculpt how this. for this chose I top and and the complex over They’re villains. I love because character is “I actually reused an old Halloween costume for this and it’s kinda last actually “I reusedan old Halloween and for this it’s costume trenchminute. The coat I alreadycame from magnifying glass had, the a fromlight hat I bought the the improvement a home dollar store.store For wings I made out ofand helicopter the liked craft foam. I just always some get could costume Halloween year’s figured last and Gadget Inspector I’m at a con.” extra use when make them human. So after we picked our our characters we started human. So after we the them picked make got these one day and house he’s his on our own. Then I go over costumes ofand so lights these and all wings huge and starthome go I course from crazy more The up. light to thing,everythinghas our that’s now So scratch. affects the better.” and I’m twenty-eight.When I got into Cosplay at the I got into anime and growing up Con Comic to went I con, rememberfirst myI time. same throughtransitioned into anime that.” We Cosplaying and do it together. we year is our always second “This figured wewanted to doPokemon, and we decided early wewanted to it, like, what’s Cosplay? And we clicked on the link and there’s these these there’s and link on the And weCosplay? clicked what’s like, it, dressedpeople ‘We and Kurama. character Hiei And as the we were, like, just we Cosplay, called was it know didn’t we first at And that.’ do wanna to do it.” knew we wanted feelI heroes, can relateI like “I actually reallyI’m to them. goofy but when years for ten Cosplaying been feelI serious I get done. I’ve things I can get “Back when we dial-up had Internetstill when for websites fan these on “Back was I and my Hakusho wereand I sister at looking Yu Yu called anime this siblings and friends formingin complex groupand clubs attending asking about individuals, these with down in sitting But cosplays. and how subculture Cosplay into the drew them which the process wide therein, brought how to light just honed the skills involved they In conducting these interviews with my fellow cosplayers I found interviewsthese In conducting cosplayers fellow my with breadth ofthe that expectations. surpassed their experience all my Theofsurface of vastness the to hints subculture the unique each demographic, parents with children, teens attending their first con, UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 198 esetv nta niiulsvso fhowperspectivedesign thatoriginal that individual’s on visionof new comes a designentirely,not from as artist a unique butfrom coveted whichoriginality isused to solidify a person’s occupation so manycreative facetsasthis. fineof arts today, there is no comparable medium, which encompasses traditional media, tospecial effects, dancinganddesign. In the realm individuals with talents from ranging subculture isfullof This tangible costume to theatricalinaconventionapplication setting. from arts applicable into amateuractor,fan completing the circle of the connection then transforms This improvisational performance. of fromthe mundane in anew form worldand engage herself or pre-existing designs, the wearer isabletoremove him imitation of masks and impromptuacting skills. stage the Through in the use of theater and art fine in employed craftsmanship artisan masquerade, traditional requirement. of CosplayerAs artists, inherits ahistory the modern final this fulfilling iconic, and inseparable gatherings, these Cosplay hasbecome synonymous withthe visual culture of culminates rise innotoriety and in ameeting with mainstream society. a origin, movement subculture artistic or Every requires a pointof twenty years, the most recent additions to a seventy-five year tradition. havefor the last the country been a steadily rising demographic at the numerous conventions participants The held across form. art ahistoricaltime line establishes Cosplay asan establishmentand of research literary interviews, These an artist. and Iconsidered myself Cosplay mythe world life in of of portion I hadspentgood a art. of Prior toinitiating this project I considered Cosplay to be a form CONCLUSION scene cancompareto. disciplines, genres,talent which mediaand other contemporary no a creative movement outlet, but a new artistic which calls on many conventionsdesigners notfashion themselves? Cosplay isnotjust their designers hailed ascreative masterminds. Arethe attendees of dollars, and from the silver screen are auctioned for thousands of the anime fan? Costumes panels, then why of not the wearable art comic book prints of andlarge logos recognition, with its paintings of Pop from the 1960s can achieve Art global If form. position asanart are the most obvious its rightful evidence that Cosplay has gained the convention and the emerging presence in mainstreammedia popularity andsatisfaction, the notoriety both inside ability togain present in thisfanculture. Andthe mastery artistic of the range r a lasbe aeo iiain h seto the aspect of imitation. The has always of Art been a game

199 | Lucinda Bennett ”, Eliza ”, Melendez New York Post New York Pethokouis, “Economy” Pethokouis, Nicolle Lamerichs Identity in Cosplay”, “Stranger than Fiction: Fan “Hardcore: Subculture American Style”, Susan Willis to the Not Crazy: An Open Letter is Creative, “Cosplay “Subcultural Theory”,Williams, p.3 Velasquez, “Japanese Invasion” “Japanese Velasquez, Auskick Paul $2.6 Billion on Candy”, to Spend $6.9 Billion on Halloween, “Americans Williams p.3 J. and Concepts”,“Subcultural Theory: Patrick Traditions Hedbige, “Subculture” p.17 “Subcultural Theory”,Williams, pp.6-7 Hedbridge, “Subculture” p.76 Pethokoukis James Economy”, the Rise of“Why Is a Bad Sign for the U.S. Cosplay increases among its target kid demos, according to Nielsen Media Research. Among to Nielsen Media Research. according increases among its target kid demos, grew 9-14, the block (734,000) and 21% in rating (2.9), 24% in delivery tweens gained9-14, the franchise 34% With boys compared to the same time period last year. (629,000) and 32% in rating (4.9). in delivery Brenda Velasquez in the U.S.”, Popularity Explosive Anime’s Invasion’: “The ‘Japanese “Secret Origins of Rangers”, James that Became Power Superhero Show the Japanese Whitbrook with Japanese culture. He finally settled on “Cosplay” by using the Japanese habit ofby using the He finally settled on “Cosplay” culture. with Japanese Thus born was Cosplay. bits on “Costume Play.” into easier to say shortening words “Cosplay: Bruno, the founder of Michael Takahashi, Nov Mr. Created by Cosplay.” The Illegitimate Child of Masquerades” SF (Monday- Toonami afternoon franchise, weekday action-packed Cartoon Network’s introduced brand new episodes of 5-7 p.m.), Dragon top-rated Friday, Ball Z and a and ratings double-digit delivery that rocketed new animé series direct from Japan “...He could use the word “masquerade” as the direct translation to Japanese is as the direct translation to Japanese “masquerade” “...He could use the word original meaning in English, “a costume partyessentially the same as the held by so the that in Japan, that there are no people like says Takahashi Mr. aristocrats.” and many others [I can’t Acting”, “Costume Play” not work...“Costume would word too long everything he came up with was However, really remember what they were]. and remember the word something shortand he wanted in hopes that people would nor American, neither Japanese something that was begin to use it. He also wanted but a combination of the blending of both to show the American costuming tradition “Ten Largest ofNorth American Anime Conventions “Ten Delahanty 2013”, Patrick of A History“75 Years of Paint: Capes and Face Adam K. Raymond Cosplay”, “History”Raymond, 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 6. 7. 5. 4. and thus recognizes Cosplay as a legitimate art. as a Cosplay and thus recognizes ENDNOTES 1. 2. 3. Cosplay began century Cosplay twentieth the in has trulybut own its into come of birthplaces the between pollination cross the As twenty-first. the in itselfentrench to anime continue and convention the another in one offans the where knows who subculture. their take will Cosplay of only a matter is popular and it increasingly becoming is Cosplay effort,time, the recognizes and required skills world the before time applies to themselves. In expressing oneself In expressing to themselves. applies persona the through of a fictionalcharacter, thewearer becomes an actor of improvisation. UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 200 Delahanty, Patrick. 6Jan. 2014“AnimeCons.com: Ten AmericanAnime North Largest Gender-BendingChambers, inGeek Becky. Ol’Switcheroo: “The AConsideration of Bueno, Mario. isCosplay?” 2011.“What SFMasquerades”and Bruno, Michael. 2002.“Cosplay: Illegitimate Childof The Blackson, Robert. “OnceMore…withFeeling: and Art Reenactment inContemporary Bertschy, Cosplay”” From Zac. SyFy’s ILearned “5Things “Heroes of Benesh-Liu, Patrick R.2007.“Anime Cosplay inAmerica.” Ausick, Paul. “Americans toSpend$6.9 Billion onHalloween, $2.6 Billion On Candy.” BIBLIOGRAPHY 35. 34. 33. 32. 31. 30. 29. 28. 27. 26. 25. 24. 23. 22. 21. 20. “The Culture of theCopy,” HillelSchwartz p. Cultureof “The 309 “Beyond theIndustrialRevolution”, James Symonds Cosplay’”, ZacBertschy From SyFy’s ILearned “5 Things ‘Heroesof of_2013. articles/article.shtml/1474/Ten_Largest_North_American_Anime_Conventions_ 2013.” Conventions of bending-in-geek-culture/. Culture,” http://www.themarysue.com/the-ol-switcheroo-a-consideration-of-gender- news/Cosplay glitzglitter/1002articles.html Newsletter, MillenniumCostumeGuild, “Costuming aWorld Cosplay inAmericaandJapan.” Apart: pdf/clausen/Blackson%20Once%20More.pdf Culture.” Network. americans-to-spend-6-9-billion-on-halloween-2-6-billion-on-candy/. 247wallst.com. Male-To-Female“Gender, Sexuality and Cosplay: Cosplay”, A CaseStudy of Rachel Leng Play”, AlexisTruong “From Cosplay: How BodyandSubjective ‘Layers’ Negotiate ExperienceThrough Chambers, Ol’Switcheroo” “The Culture” Gender-Bending inGeek Becky Chambers, Ol’Switcheroo: “The AConsiderationof MaskingBeautyAndAge,” LaForce. Thessaly Of “Laurie SimmonsDiscussesHerNewShow OnCosplay –AsWell Metaphor AsThe Schwartz, “Culture,” p. 273 AndyWarhol”, Robert Hughes Riseof “The tourists. andcuriosityof totheawe theircontingent of defer tohimasheadof callhim“Your theBritisharmy Lordship”and addressing himinthefieldmenof LordDunmore. Hespeaksandwalks, asanoblemanshould.When accounts of now. andwritten fromhisclothestobearingismodeledafterportraits Everything VirginiaduringtheAmericanRevolution, foryears Dunmore, Royal Governor of of a fewinfactdo. Myfather’s John friendhasbeenportraying theFourth Murray Lord Most inthefield,menand women alike, aspecificpersonbut donotmeantoportray “Once More”,Blackson Blackson “Once More…WithFeeling: andCulture”,Robert Art Reenactment inContemporary Schwartz, “Culture,” p. 226 Schwartz, “Culture,” pp. 311-312 BrianSherwin originalityinart”, stoneof stepping The OriginalArt: Originsof “The 10 Sept. 2013. Web.http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2013-09-10 10Sept. Art Journal Art 18 Oct. 2015. Web. 5Jan. 2016. http://247wallst.com/retail/2015/10/18/ (2007):28-40.Web. http://pages.akbild.ac.at/kdm/_media/_ AnimeCons.com. October. http://millenniumcg.tripod.com/ Brooklyn BotanicGarden. Brooklyn Web. 19Nov. 2014.http://animecons.com/ Ornament 31.1 Ornament http://www.bbg.org/ Glitz andGlitter Anime News 201 | Lucinda Bennett New New York New York

18 Feb. 1982. 18 Feb. Transformative http://www. Chicago 22.1: 43. Critical Inquiry 1st ed. Cambridge, UK: Polity, 1st ed. Cambridge, Polity, UK: Vogue, Culture-Art. Vogue, 31 Mar. 2003. Web. http://www. 2003. Web. 31 Mar. Journal ofJournal Research Consumer The New York Review ofThe New York Books. London: Methuen, 1979. Print. London: Methuen, Intersections: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Web. 16 Nov. 2014. http://criticalinquiry.uchicago. 16 Nov. Web. 2002. 1.1: 73-88. Journal of Journal 2002. 1.1: 73-88. Social, Cultural and Anime News Network. 1, no. 1 (2013). Accessed Februaryhttp:// 21, 2015. 1, no. http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/cultist/2013/08/open_ 15 Sept. 2013. http://asianavenuemagazine.com/2013/anime/ Critical Inquiry. no. 7. http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/ no. Subcultural Theory: and Concepts. Traditions 6 Aug. 2015. http://io9.gizmodo.com/secret-origins-of-the-japanese- 6 Aug. The Culture of Unreasonable Facsimiles. the Copy: Striking Likenesses, https://www.yahoo.com/movies/75-years-of-capes-and-face-paint-a- The Phoenix Papers Subculture, Meaning of the Style. Fine Arts Views, 24 July 2011. Web. http://faso.com/fineartviews/33317/ 2011. Web. 24 July Fine Arts Views, Io9. N.p., 9 Oct. 2014. Web. 12 Oct. 2014. http://theweek.com/article/ 9 Oct. 2014. Web. N.p., Social Movement Studies Social Movement Miami News Times. http://intersections.anu.edu.au/issue32/truong.htm ” edu/pastissues/issue/winter1993v19n2/. Rangers.” superhero-show-that-beca-1722551968 Pacific. Asian Avenue Magazine. 2011. Print. 19.2: 365. Journals FASO.com. the-origins-of-original-art-the-stepping-stone-of-originality-in-art animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-03-31/toonami-ratings-information Experience Through Play.” Subjective history-of-Cosplay-92666923267.html 1996. Print. Zone, York: Ethnography Of 2011. The New Bikers.” 2014. http://designmind.frogdesign.com/files/blog/ 16 Nov. Designmind. Web. brian/ethnography_of_new_bikers.pdf. Post. letter_to_the_nypos.php The Week. index/269570/why-the-rise-of-Cosplay-is-a-bad-sign-for-the-us-economy Movies. Yahoo Web. http://www.nybooks.com/articles/1982/02/18/the-rise-of-andy-warhol/ Web. and Cultures, Works article/view/246/230 Crossplay.” fansconf.a-kon.com/dRuZ33A/?p=269. Studies.” Studies.” http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy-bc. 2014. 16 Nov. Protest. Web. Political researchport.umd.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=8179e1b7-3c57-443f- 8489-c04094288f8e%40sessionmgr4004&hid=4205 Well as the Metaphor of as the Well and Age.” Masking Beauty vogue.com/1280545/notebooks-for-fashion-week/ Whitbrook, James. “Secret Origins Of Whitbrook, James. That Superhero Show Power Became The Japanese Velasquez, Brenda. “The “Japanese Invasion”: Anime’s Explosive Popularity in the U.S.” in the U.S.” Popularity Explosive Anime’s Invasion”: Brenda. “The “Japanese Velasquez, Patrick. J. Williams, American Style.” Susan. 1993. “Hardcore: Subculture Willis, Sherwin, Brian. “The Origins of Art: Original The Stepping Stone of in Art.” Originality Information.” Ratings “Toonami Negotiate ‘Layers’ Body and How Cosplay: Alexis Hieu. 2013. “Framing Truong, Schwartz, Hillel. Schwartz, “Subcultures Of H. McAlexander. and James Consumption: An W., John Schouten, Melendez, Elisa. 2013. “Cosplay is Creative, Not Crazy: An Open Letter to the Not Crazy: An is Creative, Melendez, Elisa. 2013. “Cosplay Economy.” the Rise of “Why James. U.S. Is a Bad Sign for the Cosplay Pethokoukis, of A History Adam K. 2014. “75 Years Raymond, of Paint: Capes and Face Cosplay” Lamerichs, Nicolle. 2011. “Stranger then Fiction: Fan Identity in Cosplay.” Identity in Cosplay.” 2011. “Stranger then Fiction: Fan Nicolle. Lamerichs, A Case Study of Sexuality and Cosplay: “Gender, Leng, Rachel. Male-to-Female Martin, Greg. “Conceptualizing Cultural Politics in Subcultural and Social Movement and Social Movement in Subcultural “Conceptualizing Cultural Politics Martin, Greg. Hebdige, Dick. “The Robert. Rise ofHughes, Andy Warhol.” Force, Thessaly La. 2014. “Laurie Simmons Discusses Her New Show on Cosplay- As on Cosplay- ThessalyHer New Show Discusses Simmons 2014. “Laurie La. Force, UMBC REVIEW VOL. 17 | 202 Azula – Lisa Lou Who CosplayAzula –LisaLouWho https://www.facebook.com/LisaLouWhocosplay Diva Plavalaguna by –photography Amy Fowler byBig Sister–photography Amy Fowler Jack Frost by –photography DanielHolokai Lum –createdby Rumiko Takahashi /http://uruseiyatsura.wikia.com/wiki/File:Lum.gif Forrest J. -AdamK.Raymond Ackermann /https://www.yahoo.com/movies/75-years- APPENDIX of-capes-and-face-paint-a-history-of-Cosplay-92666923267.html 203 | Lucinda Bennett , Katsucon 2015 , Katsucon , Otakon 2014 , Katsucon 2015 , Katsucon , Otakon 2014 The Fifth Element The Bioshock Rise of the Guardians Avatar: the Last Airbender Avatar:

TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT LEFT TO BOTTOM, TO TOP from Frost Jack Big "Sister" from Diva Plavalaguna from Azula from