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Cosplay Meet-Up at Clackamas Town Center 2023

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Kumoricon 2023 Day one part 1#kumoricon2023 @Kumoricon #cosplay #videogames #anime #animeconvention #convention

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Source: Getty Images

Part of the allure of the annual Comic Con is the cosplay aspect of it. Even if you're not big into cosplaying, many of the convention's attendants will dress up as some of their favorite characters - and there's no shortage of creativity on display.

A quick YouTube search will bring up tens of thousands of hours of videos from attendants who make their own costumes, sometimes pouring months of work into their handmade looks.

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But anyone who's cosplayed before knows that it's not the most sustainable hobby in the world. Between the cost of shipping specialty items, and the trial and error that comes with DIY, crafting these costumes can easily lead to a lot of unnecessary waste.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to still craft cosplay costumes while being mindful of the environment, and before 2022 Comic-Con International: San Diego rolls around on July 21, here are some more sustainable ideas for your next cosplay.

Source: Getty Images

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Go shopping... in your own closet.

If you've never been to Comic Con before, the best place to start is to see what materials you already have in your closet. Maybe you have pieces from previous Halloween costumes you can repurpose, or you have some of the basics necessary for the full look. Alternatively, you could re-wear an old costume with a new twist.

Try to be open-minded with the pieces you already have in your closet. There are plenty of creative ways to style a piece to make it work for the look you want to achieve.

Thrift what you don't already own.

This should really go without saying, but thrift and secondhand stores will become your best friend in this process. You should start scouring them as far in advance as you can for the pieces you're missing from your costume. If you're planning to DIY a more complicated project, there are plenty of thrift stores that also have fabric, bed sheets, and other materials that can be repurposed for your costume.

You should also shop small and local when thrifting just doesn't cut it to further reduce your impact.

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Use smart shopping habits.

While it's tempting to buy anything you think you may need for your costume - even if you're not certain - this not only leads to overspending but also a lot of waste. Try to get samples of fabrics and paints before committing to buying the whole product, and when you make your supply shopping trip, be sure to get only the things you need.

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If you're a frequent crafter, then it may also be a smarter decision to buy some of your materials in bulk. Not only will this reduce your cost over time and decrease packaging waste, but if you often order materials online, this will also reduce your environmental impact as you'll contribute to fewer emissions that come with shipping.

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Save your scraps or trade them with friends.

If you're DIYing pieces of your costume, make sure to save your scrap materials to be reused in future projects - this is especially true if you're crafty. Believe it or not, there are plenty of ways you can reuse fabric scraps and other pieces you'd often be tempted just to throw away.

That being said, if you're completely certain that you won't be reusing the materials you purchased for the costume, you can donate them or trade them with friends.

Gather your cosplay friends together and all of you can bring materials from previous costumes you're no longer using - or you can even swap pieces of the costumes so as to further reduce your waste.

While cosplaying is often thought of as a less-than-sustainable hobby, so long as you're smart and intentional about it, there are plenty of ways to reduce your harm to the planet while still going all out for conventions.

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International Comic Con Falls on July 21 - Here Are Sustainable Tips for Your Next Cosplay

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Cosplaying is not the most sustainable hobby, but if you're planning to DIY your next Comic Con costume, there are some ideas you can implement.

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Kumoricon 2022 in Portland Oregon at the Oregon Convention Center

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When you think of cosplay, you might picture people dressed up as anime characters - annnnd you'd be partially right. Most think it's a Japanese trend that America adopted. Heck, even I thought so before digging a little deeper. Surprisingly, cosplay didn't start onlyin Japan. It rose in popularity alongside cosplay in the US. The history of cosplay involves the blend of both cultures: anime and sci-fi. Although, the EXACT origins are still debated among cosplayers. It's so intertwined, it's hard to pinpoint each person or event that helped influence the trend. Especially once social media became a thing - buuuut let's try our best!

COSPLAY HISTORY OF JAPAN

People have been dressing up as characters since the 70s. Mainly as their favorite characters from comics known as manga. For example, girls' manga called shojo, were a type of fashion magazine that also told stories. They had full-body fashion illustrations for the characters. Shojo artists designed their own lines of clothing, stationery, and accessories. This made it super easy for girls to dress as the characters and create their own narratives. Girls left a prominent mark on anime and manga culture, as well as the beginnings of cosplay.

The first fan convention in Japan was Comiket, held December 21, 1975. A dōjin circle (group of artists) created the event. Including Yoshihiro Yonezawa, Teruo Harada, and Jun Aniwa. The most popular content there was doujinshi, which are non-commercial, self-published manga. They're often based on anime, video games, and other media. Kinda like fanart and fanfiction comics. Cons in Japan were more like a huge Artists' Alley compared to the spectacle at US cons. The first Comiket only had about 700 attendees at Nissho Hall. After that, it only continued to rise. The event now averages 500,000-750,000 people per convention. As expected, they attract a TON of cosplayers. Tokyo Big Sight has hosted the event twice a year since 1996. The 90s brought even more cosplay as manga turned into animated cartoons, anime. Shows like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, and Neon Genesis became widely popular and are still cosplayed today.

Despite cosplay being a growing trend in Japan it wasn't as accepted as it was in the US. Certain areas didn't welcome cosplayers outside conventions. Some cons even asked cosplayers not to wear their costumes beyond the convention. They were seen as individualists in a culture that focused more on the community as a whole.

But now cosplay is a professional job! Franchises are using cosplay models to promote games, anime, and manga. Including food, beverages, and fashion stores. Like how influencers get paid to promote certain products. Cosplay merged with advertising to attract younger audiences. There are even cosplay themed restaurants...?! Like what?

Ok, nowww let's move on to the US..

COSPLAY GROWING IN THE U.S.

Now there WERE a handful of people dressing up at science fiction conventions as early as 1939. Forrest J. Ackerman attended the first World Science Fiction Convention in New York. He wore a futuristic-looking costume with the help of his girlfriend, Myrtle R. Douglas. There were a few sci-fi costumes over the decades, but "true" cosplay didn't start to pick up until later...

Cosplay owes a big thanks to Star Trek fans who started dressing up at sci-fi conventions. They cosplayed as the Enterprise crew and aliens from the show. This encouraged others to start branching out to other titles. Comic book superheroes started to mix within the science fiction theme. Star Wars and Doctor Who characters soon followed. Star Trek fans held their first "official" convention January 23, 1972.

1970s

The 70s had a larger boom in cosplay than previous decades. The beginning of San Diego Comic-Con probably helped. (Originally called San Diego's Golden State Comic-Minicon.) The judging of costumes became a fun event. 'Masquerades' were smaller versions of the cosplay contests we know today. Short skits or runway shows were often part of the judging. As you'd expect, cosplays became more detailed and intricate. With the release of new movies and TV shows, Star Wars and superheroes continued to grow in popularity.

Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society photos from the Westercon convention of 1980
1980s

San Diego's Costume-Con made cosplaying the main attraction in 1983. They openly invited costumes from "anime, comics, video games, fantasy, sci-fi, theatrical/film/TV costumes, millinery, fursuits, and more."

The following year, Nobuyuki Takahashi created the word 'cosplay' after attending LA's WorldCon. Mainly because the word 'masquerade' didn't feel right... It was different than the type of costuming you would see in say, something like Phantom of the Opera. He decided on the Japanese word kosupure, a contraction of kosuchūmu purei - meaning costume play (cosplay) in English. Back in Japan, he published a cosplay article in an issue of My Anime. It took a few years for the word to catch on and be commonly used at conventions.

1990s

Like Japan, the US saw a rise in anime cosplay. Anime like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z aired in the US from the mid-90s through the early 2000s. Small anime conventions began in the late 80s into the 90s, including the San Jose AnimeExpo in 1992. There were about 1,750 attendees - rising to an estimated 100,000 in 2019! There was also a surge in superheroes at this time. A wave of new cartoons came out, such as Batman: The Animated Series, Spider-Man, and X-Men.

Photos from AnimeExpo '94-'99
Star Wars fans finally got theirown event called Star Wars Celebration in 1999. Lucasfilm held the Celebration in Denver, Colorado to promote the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Since then, following Star Wars Celebrations would honor milestone anniversaries and celebrate upcoming movies.

Some photos from Star Wars Celebration 1999 (Last photo by Rhonda Brown)
2000s

The Oxford English Dictionary added the word 'cosplay' to its vocabulary in 2008. Being defined as "the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game." Finally, people recognized cosplay as something more than simple costume-wearing. New businesses popped up in response. Now cosplayers had more access to common materials and supplies!

ITS POPULARITY TODAY

Cosplay continued to grow from 2000-2009. Then it took off like a rocket. Movies like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Batman Begins, and Iron Man made 'nerd culture' mainstream. People who never read the books or comics were now introduced to these great characters. Thanks to the internet, fans were able to find each other and connect, creating 'fandoms'. Conventions and cosplays became popular as Nerd Culture blended with Pop Culture.

The sharing of cosplays on social media expanded the community even more. As a result, cosplayers gained thousands to millions of followers, making them famous. (Mostly through Instagram and YouTube.) People are now making a living through their hobby. Ads, sponsors, paid appearances, selling crafting tutorials, being models for others' costume/prop stores... the possibilities are endless.

Even though cosplay is a large industry, it's separated from everyday American life. In the "real world," it's considered weird and unprofessional for adults. Cosplay stays within cons unless you spot a cosplayer out in the wild doing photoshoots. Going out to restaurants in costume after a con will either get you compliments or rude stares. Most people still don't know what cosplay is, but it's understood and accepted more as the years go by.

TO WRAP THIS UP...

Cosplay has definitely changed the pop culture landscape. The cosplay community has brought together all types of people around the world! Anyone can be who they want to be and let their creativity shine. It's a place for fans to appreciate each others' work and nerd-out over favorite characters. I believe it's still a positive community, where people help and support each other. Cosplay allows different fandoms to overlap and exist together - where all nerds, dorks, and weirdos hang out. So come join the fun!

When you think of cosplay, you might picture people dressed up as anime characters - annnnd you'd be partially right. Most think it's a Japanese trend that America adopted. Heck, even I thought so before digging a little deeper. Surprisingly, cosplay didn't start onlyin Japan. It rose in popularity alongside cosplay in the US. The history of cosplay involves the blend of both cultures: anime and sci-fi. Although, the EXACT origins are still debated among cosplayers. It's so intertwined, it's hard to pinpoint each person or event that helped influence the trend. Especially once social media became a thing - buuuut let's try our best!

COSPLAY HISTORY OF JAPAN

People have been dressing up as characters since the 70s. Mainly as their favorite characters from comics known as manga. For example, girls' manga called shojo, were a type of fashion magazine that also told stories. They had full-body fashion illustrations for the characters. Shojo artists designed their own lines of clothing, stationery, and accessories. This made it super easy for girls to dress as the characters and create their own narratives. Girls left a prominent mark on anime and manga culture, as well as the beginnings of cosplay.

The first fan convention in Japan was Comiket, held December 21, 1975. A dōjin circle (group of artists) created the event. Including Yoshihiro Yonezawa, Teruo Harada, and Jun Aniwa. The most popular content there was doujinshi, which are non-commercial, self-published manga. They're often based on anime, video games, and other media. Kinda like fanart and fanfiction comics. Cons in Japan were more like a huge Artists' Alley compared to the spectacle at US cons. The first Comiket only had about 700 attendees at Nissho Hall. After that, it only continued to rise. The event now averages 500,000-750,000 people per convention. As expected, they attract a TON of cosplayers. Tokyo Big Sight has hosted the event twice a year since 1996. The 90s brought even more cosplay as manga turned into animated cartoons, anime. Shows like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, and Neon Genesis became widely popular and are still cosplayed today.

Despite cosplay being a growing trend in Japan it wasn't as accepted as it was in the US. Certain areas didn't welcome cosplayers outside conventions. Some cons even asked cosplayers not to wear their costumes beyond the convention. They were seen as individualists in a culture that focused more on the community as a whole.

But now cosplay is a professional job! Franchises are using cosplay models to promote games, anime, and manga. Including food, beverages, and fashion stores. Like how influencers get paid to promote certain products. Cosplay merged with advertising to attract younger audiences. There are even cosplay themed restaurants...?! Like what?

Ok, nowww let's move on to the US..

COSPLAY GROWING IN THE U.S.

Now there WERE a handful of people dressing up at science fiction conventions as early as 1939. Forrest J. Ackerman attended the first World Science Fiction Convention in New York. He wore a futuristic-looking costume with the help of his girlfriend, Myrtle R. Douglas. There were a few sci-fi costumes over the decades, but "true" cosplay didn't start to pick up until later...

Cosplay owes a big thanks to Star Trek fans who started dressing up at sci-fi conventions. They cosplayed as the Enterprise crew and aliens from the show. This encouraged others to start branching out to other titles. Comic book superheroes started to mix within the science fiction theme. Star Wars and Doctor Who characters soon followed. Star Trek fans held their first "official" convention January 23, 1972.

1970s

The 70s had a larger boom in cosplay than previous decades. The beginning of San Diego Comic-Con probably helped. (Originally called San Diego's Golden State Comic-Minicon.) The judging of costumes became a fun event. 'Masquerades' were smaller versions of the cosplay contests we know today. Short skits or runway shows were often part of the judging. As you'd expect, cosplays became more detailed and intricate. With the release of new movies and TV shows, Star Wars and superheroes continued to grow in popularity.

Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society photos from the Westercon convention of 1980
1980s

San Diego's Costume-Con made cosplaying the main attraction in 1983. They openly invited costumes from "anime, comics, video games, fantasy, sci-fi, theatrical/film/TV costumes, millinery, fursuits, and more."

The following year, Nobuyuki Takahashi created the word 'cosplay' after attending LA's WorldCon. Mainly because the word 'masquerade' didn't feel right... It was different than the type of costuming you would see in say, something like Phantom of the Opera. He decided on the Japanese word kosupure, a contraction of kosuchūmu purei - meaning costume play (cosplay) in English. Back in Japan, he published a cosplay article in an issue of My Anime. It took a few years for the word to catch on and be commonly used at conventions.

1990s

Like Japan, the US saw a rise in anime cosplay. Anime like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z aired in the US from the mid-90s through the early 2000s. Small anime conventions began in the late 80s into the 90s, including the San Jose AnimeExpo in 1992. There were about 1,750 attendees - rising to an estimated 100,000 in 2019! There was also a surge in superheroes at this time. A wave of new cartoons came out, such as Batman: The Animated Series, Spider-Man, and X-Men.

Photos from AnimeExpo '94-'99
Star Wars fans finally got theirown event called Star Wars Celebration in 1999. Lucasfilm held the Celebration in Denver, Colorado to promote the upcoming release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Since then, following Star Wars Celebrations would honor milestone anniversaries and celebrate upcoming movies.

Some photos from Star Wars Celebration 1999 (Last photo by Rhonda Brown)
2000s

The Oxford English Dictionary added the word 'cosplay' to its vocabulary in 2008. Being defined as "the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game." Finally, people recognized cosplay as something more than simple costume-wearing. New businesses popped up in response. Now cosplayers had more access to common materials and supplies!

ITS POPULARITY TODAY

Cosplay continued to grow from 2000-2009. Then it took off like a rocket. Movies like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Batman Begins, and Iron Man made 'nerd culture' mainstream. People who never read the books or comics were now introduced to these great characters. Thanks to the internet, fans were able to find each other and connect, creating 'fandoms'. Conventions and cosplays became popular as Nerd Culture blended with Pop Culture.

The sharing of cosplays on social media expanded the community even more. As a result, cosplayers gained thousands to millions of followers, making them famous. (Mostly through Instagram and YouTube.) People are now making a living through their hobby. Ads, sponsors, paid appearances, selling crafting tutorials, being models for others' costume/prop stores... the possibilities are endless.

Even though cosplay is a large industry, it's separated from everyday American life. In the "real world," it's considered weird and unprofessional for adults. Cosplay stays within cons unless you spot a cosplayer out in the wild doing photoshoots. Going out to restaurants in costume after a con will either get you compliments or rude stares. Most people still don't know what cosplay is, but it's understood and accepted more as the years go by.

TO WRAP THIS UP...

Cosplay has definitely changed the pop culture landscape. The cosplay community has brought together all types of people around the world! Anyone can be who they want to be and let their creativity shine. It's a place for fans to appreciate each others' work and nerd-out over favorite characters. I believe it's still a positive community, where people help and support each other. Cosplay allows different fandoms to overlap and exist together - where all nerds, dorks, and weirdos hang out. So come join the fun!

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Cosplay History: Blending of Cultures - CosplayerJourney

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Surprisingly, cosplay didn't start only in Japan. It rose in popularity alongside cosplay in the US. The history of cosplay involves the blend of both cultures: anime and sci-fi.

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The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on cosplay conventions and events, including Anime Expo, leading to the implementation of health procedures and the adoption of new safety protocols to reduce the risk of virus transmission. Some cosplayers even themed masks with their cosplays or picked characters that are already masked for these new protocols.

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There have been concern and confusion over proper ettiquite in the cosplay community, and especially within recent years have people tried to make cosplay more about attention through the gains of social media popularity, rather than just enjoying their time.

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Cosplay can be a stressful hobby with convention deadlines, crafting struggles and social media. So, is the hobby still about having fun?

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Website to local anime convention in Portland

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Well, at Kumoricon we celebrate all things anime and manga. Which are words that really just sum up any "cartoon" or comic book from Japan. Popular examples are Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Ponyo, Speed Racer, and Pokémon. But to say anime is only for kids is like saying American sports are only for men.

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If cosplay is not your particular thing but you would like to help, volunteering and staff positions are always appreciated at conventions!

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Jump to:

So you wanna work for Kumoricon?

Staff volunteer vs. attendee volunteer

Change to titles and levels for 2024

Joining staff FAQ

When does staff registration start?

What is the difference between "staffing" and "volunteering"?

When I join staff, how long is my commitment?

Am I automatically staff for the next-year convention, or do I need to renew each year?

If I join staff, do I need to register as an attendee also?

If I already registered as an attendee, what happens if I join staff? Do I get a refund?

Do staff work only at the convention, or do preparation work year-round? Or both?

Are any staff paid?

What is the deadline to join staff?

Can I register as staff at the convention?

Do staff just help out where needed, or do I need to join a specific position?

Joining staff sounds interesting, but I'm not sure where to start. What kinds of positions are available?

I completed my application for staff. Am I now staff?

I received an email saying I was approved for a staff position. Am I now staff?

How much work is involved in being a staff member?

If I work for 16 hours, does that mean I have fulfilled my staff commitment?

Do staff have any free time at the convention to have fun?

Can staff cosplay while on duty?

Can staff join more than one position at the same time?

What is the minimum age to staff?

What is the difference between "staff" and "organization member"?

What is the difference between "convention member" and "organization member"?

If I am a staff member, when does my position officially end?

If I am a staff member, when does organization membership officially end?

I'm a current staff member and have some more detailed questions about organization membership, organization governance, or elections.

So you wanna work for Kumoricon?

Kumoricon is an organization designed, staffed, and held together by volunteers. Everyone who puts their time and effort into the production of this convention is a volunteer! From the board of directors and executive staff of Altonimbus Entertainment (our corporate name and the organization that holds Kumoricon) to the people who come to the convention every year and help out with line control or checking in attendees. All of these people get no monetary compensation for their hard work and dedication to the convention, making them all amazingly valuable volunteers.

Staff volunteer vs. attendee volunteer

Staff volunteer

Within Kumoricon, when we say "staff", what we mean is somebody who takes on a position with a title, is a member of Altonimbus Entertainment, and has the right to vote at membership meetings. By working the convention to fulfill all the requirements of a certain position, they receive access to the convention, expanded benefits, many other fun opportunities, as well as the benefit of being a part of an incredibly loving team of anime fans dedicated to putting on a great show! It's hard work, and it takes a lot of patience, perseverance, and the ability to take direction and use good judgment, but the joy you get from becoming a part of such a strong community is priceless. Your opinion matters and has weight in the overall structure of building the convention each year as you hold voting rights within Altonimbus Entertainment. This means you have a say in who is elected to the member-elected board positions, and if any other matters are brought before the staff to vote on, you have a say in those too. When you staff our convention, you have volunteered yourself to be an asset to Altonimbus Entertainment, and you have decided that you wish to help shape the convention by letting your opinions be counted toward any changes proposed!

Staff benefits include:

Free entry into the convention

Additional discount on your hotel room beyond the standard attendee discount

Provided snacks and/or meals at the convention (when possible/available)

Staff T-shirt, lanyard, and custom badge image

Voting rights in the organization to elect next year's directors (and occasionally other business such as bylaws amendments)

Help shape the organization and see how it works behind the scenes.

Attendee volunteer

Within Kumoricon, when we say "volunteer", what we mean is somebody who has purchased a regular attendee membership for Kumoricon and is willing to donate at least 4 hours of time to the convention.

None of our volunteers are paid, but we do have rewards based on the number of hours registered attendees are willing to volunteer. Rewards for volunteers are as follows:

For volunteering your time you will receive a ribbon for you badge

After four (4) hours you will receive a Kumoricon-branded lanyard

After eight (8) hours you will receive a limited gift item.

After twelve (12) hours you will receive a Kumoricon T-shirt.

After twenty (20) hours or more you will receive either a membership refund* or a Kumoricon prize bag.

*Refund amount will be the cost of a regular membership at the time of purchase, not to exceed the amount actually paid. Checks will be mailed after the convention (typically 2-3 weeks).

How to register as staff

1. Browse the open staff positions. You can peruse our entire organizational chart (list of positions) and choose one, or several, that appeal to you.

2. Fill out the staff application form online. If you prefer, you can also come to one of our monthly membership meetings, open to the public, and talk to our staff and department heads to see what might work best for you. You can also apply by emailing your direct lead or department head if you've been in contact with them.

3. Review the staff member policies. These policies apply in addition to the Kumoricon convention code of conduct.

4. Once you're approved for a position, complete your staff registration. You can complete your staff registration either online, or via a paper form in person. If you're approved online, you'll receive a personalized link in your email to complete your staff registration.

Staff membership registration paper form (in most cases, please wait for the online registration link instead of filling these out):

If you are under age 18 (at time of registration), you must submit a parent permission and liability release form before your staff registration will be ratified as complete. This must be submitted before the convention in most cases, because staff registration for most positions closes before the convention. Please email a scan or photo of the form to staff.registration@kumoricon.org.

Parent permission and liability release form:

Staff members (Altonimbus Entertainment members) need not separately register as attendees (Kumoricon event members). If you have already pre-registered as an attendee, you can change from an attendee to staff if you decide later to become staff and are approved. This is considered an upgrade, and in that case, your Kumoricon event membership cost will be refunded to you.

How to register as a volunteer

1. Pre-register for a Kumoricon membership.

2. Fill out the volunteer registration form (link to become active closer to the convention).

3. Please review the Kumoricon convention code of conduct.

4. Wait for review by staff; this may take some time. An email will be sent when the application is approved.

5. Once approved, set your schedule preference and select your preferred teams.

6. Wait for your schedule.

1. Your selected teams may pre-set your schedule and if they do, you will receive an email notification by the Wednesday before the convention.

2. If you do not receive an email notification by the Wednesday before the convention, please report to the Volunteer Booth in the Registration Hall for your volunteer assignments.

Change to titles and levels for 2024

Starting with Kumoricon 2024, we are making changes to the way our staff organization chart works:

Levels instead of ranks

We are no longer using the "general", "coordinator", "manager", "executive" rank system.

Instead, we are using a level system with five levels: L1, L2, L3, L4, L5.

L1 is the most entry-level and L5 is the most involved.

The level is a classification of a position's work and responsibility level, experience, and time commitment.

When a staff member is signed up for a position, it will be at a specific level. Staff who hold more than one position might have different levels for each of their positions.

For many staff positions, the same position will be able to be filled at different levels by different people. This allows different staff members to work in the same role but with the best level of commitment and expectations for each person.

The level is not shown in the position title.

In public credits and on staff badges, level will not be shown, but level will be viewable in the internal staff directory.

The meaning of "executive" is changing slightly:

"Executive" status now means a tier of access, long-term planning, and cross-team participation instead of a rank.

"Executive" status does not correspond to any specific level. Specific L3, L4, and L5 positions may be designated as executive, and not all L5 positions will be designated executive.

We are mostly phasing out the difference between "executive" and "executive access", as "executive" is no longer a rank. In nearly all cases, positions that we previously considered "executive access" will just be called "executive".

Separating team and title

Staff positions will now be identified by a team and by a title, displayed together. Both team and title will show on staff badges and in credit lists. On staff badges, team will be larger than title.

This means that titles can be duplicated across different teams, and use more industry-standard names.

Position titles will no longer include words for ranks (such as "coordinator" or "manager"). These words may appear in some titles but they no longer indicate a rank or level.

Example changes to position titles

Registration Staff → Crew, Registration
KumoriMarket Staff → Support, KumoriMarket
Cosplay Repair Coordinator → Specialist, Cosplay Repair
Cultural Coordinator → Cultural Facilitator, Industry and Sponsorship
Registration Software Development Staff → Developer, Registration Software
Panel Mod Staff → Monitor, Panels

Levels explained

Level

Summary

Differences from previous level

Work and responsibility level

Approximate annual time commitment

Entry-level at-con position.

Meet expectations for a certain amount of work at-con.

Very limited (if any) pre-con preparation.

Typically at-con position with prior experience and/or pre-con preparation.

Differences from L1

Prior experience

Higher skill level

Pre-con preparation

Meet expectations for a certain amount of work at-con.

Provide assistance to other staff in the same area.

Some pre-con preparation.

Typically overseeing an event or project, a key facilitator of a larger project, a major contributor pre-con, or occasionally a low-level executive.

Differences from L2

Larger work commitment

More preparation

Success measured by task completion and work quality rather than at-con hours

Take ownership of a specific area.

Train or provide assistance to other staff.

More substantial pre-con preparation.

Availability commitment for parts of the year important to the position.

Typically overseeing a major area, a large-scale contributor year-round, or in some cases a more involved executive.

Differences from L3

Spearhead large projects

Management duties or mentoring expectations

Facilitate work or decision-making with other teams

Larger time commitment and availability expectations

Take ownership and significant responsibility of a large area.

If you have staff reporting to you, provide training, growth opportunities, and performance reviews for those staff.

Mentor other staff.

Availability commitment for most of the year as fits the position.

Often a very involved executive, board member, or deeply dedicated and involved non-executive staff contributing substantial work year-round.

Differences from L4

Larger scope of decision-making

Planning with a horizon of multiple years

Even larger time commitment and availability expectations

Responsible for a very large area or full department.

Strategic decision-making.

Planning for organization growth and change.

Training, growth opportunities, performance reviews, and mentoring for staff.

Finding and creating promotion paths for lower-level staff to enter management and executive levels.

Year-round availability.

Joining staff FAQ

When does staff registration start?

Staff register for Kumoricon on a year-to-year basis. When you're approved for a position, it applies for the upcoming Kumoricon, and doesn't automatically renew for the next year.

Staff registration is open for most of the year. Staff registration runs up until the convention, and in certain limited cases, we accept staff registrations during the convention. However, registration for most positions closes earlier, based on the needs of each individual position. We encourage you to sign up early to provide you with the most options for positions.

What is the difference between "staffing" and "volunteering"?

Before we get into the differences, there's one big clarification: Both "staff" and "volunteers" are unpaid. So in that sense they are both volunteers. But we do use the words differently.

If you are a "volunteer", that means you hold a regular attendee badge, and help out at the convention as much or as little as you'd like. It's a good way to test whether you want to make the bigger jump to staff the next year. If you'd like to volunteer, look for the Volunteer Booth at registration. We're happy to have you!

If you are "staff", that means you have made the commitment to join our organization's team. You sign up for a title, sign an agreement to follow our staff policies, become an organization member with voting rights, and make a commitment to the needs of your position.

When I join staff, how long is my commitment?

We sign up staff on a year-to-year basis. Your commitment lasts up through the next convention, and in some cases has some duties a little bit past it.

Am I automatically staff for the next-year convention, or do I need to renew each year?

Staff positions do not automatically renew for the year after. Staff need to be approved, and officially register, every year.

If I join staff, do I need to register as an attendee also?

No need! Your staff registration also serves as your convention registration, and is all you need to enter the convention and get your badge. (Make sure to pick up your badge at the staff registration booths, not the regular registration area.)

If I already registered as an attendee, what happens if I join staff? Do I get a refund?

If you already registered as an attendee, then your staff registration is considered an upgrade, and you are eligible to get a refund. However, our systems won't detect this automatically-you must request your refund. Please email membership@kumoricon.org to request a staff upgrade refund.

Do staff work only at the convention, or do preparation work year-round? Or both?

This depends on which position you join. Most positions require at-con duties, and some additionally require pre-convention (or after-convention) duties. On our open positions page, positions list whether they are more at-con focused or pre-con focused.

All of the year-round convention planning and at-con hosting are done by the same group of people, who we call "staff", who work for a single organization (Altonimbus Entertainment).

Are any staff paid?

Altonimbus Entertainment (the organization which produces Kumoricon) is an all-volunteer organization. No staff are paid, not even our executive staff or board members.

What is the deadline to join staff?

There is not a single deadline, but the sooner you register, the more likely it is that the position you're interested in will remain open, and the more choices you'll have.

Can I register as staff at the convention?

For most positions no, but sometimes, yes.

If you are interested in joining staff but haven't yet by the time the convention starts, please stop by the staff registration booths (in the registration hall) and ask, and there's a good chance we will have some positions that are understaffed and will be happy to have you!

Do staff just help out where needed, or do I need to join a specific position?

All people who are joining staff (instead of just volunteering as attendees) need to join a specific titled position. We sometimes ask staff to help outside their position if emergencies arise, and for dedicated staff you can seek out opportunities to help out beyond your position, but as a staff member your primary and first duty will be to the position(s) you signed up for.

Joining staff sounds interesting, but I'm not sure where to start. What kinds of positions are available?

There are some great ways to get started!

Browse our open staff positions.

Start the online staff application, select "I'm unsure which position is best", and answer some survey questions of your interests. Our system will show search results tailored to your choices, and you can change your choices and see the results change in real time.

Attend one of our monthly membership meetings (open to the public) and join the breakout sessions after the official meeting ends. In recent years, these meetings have been online (simulcast on Twitch and Discord), but we are also hoping to return to some in-person meetings soon.

I completed my application for staff. Am I now staff?

Not yet. Submitting a staff application does not guarantee you a staff position. (Also, applying for staff and registering for staff are not the same thing.) If you have not heard back after a few weeks, please feel free to reply to the email receipt or reach out to staff.registration@kumoricon.org and we may be able to give you an update.

I received an email saying I was approved for a staff position. Am I now staff?

Not yet. You must still complete your registration. Only when you receive the email saying you are "ratified" are you officially staff.

How much work is involved in being a staff member?

This varies a huge amount based on the position you choose. Some positions are primarily at-con (and this can range from 16 hours to a full-convention commitment) with very little outside-of-con work. Many positions have a pre-convention commitment. This can be a little bit of training at the low end; planning an at-con event at the mid-range; and working year-round to run a department at the high end.

Our organization has five levels of staff positions (numbered L1 to L5) which correlate to an approximate level of time commitment, experience, and responsibility. The open positions list will indicate the available levels for every position. Different positions have a wide range in the amount of work they entail, and we encourage everyone to choose the right level of staffing for them!

If I work for 16 hours, does that mean I have fulfilled my staff commitment?

Not exactly. The "16-hour rule" is probably the most misunderstood part of Kumoricon's staffing rules.

Every position has its own requirement to fulfill its duties. For some positions it may be 16 hours, for others, 20 hours, for others, 24 hours, and quite frequently, both for lower-leveled and especially for higher-leveled positions, requirements are not measured by amount of time, but rather, by whether the work is done.

The misunderstanding arises from the fact that the organization bylaws has a governance rule that says "the organization must structure its requirements such that no person holding a Kumoricon staff position is subject to a combined requirement of less than 16 hours of volunteer work associated with each Kumoricon event". In other words, the "16-hour rule" is a rule intended to be followed by the board of directors when it approves the annual org chart (roster of available staff positions), and is not a rule that is directly presented to individual staff members. Rather, if you are a staff member: You need to fulfill the individual requirements of your staff position, whichever number of hours or list of achievements it may be.

Do staff have any free time at the convention to have fun?

Usually, yes! As staff, we are fans too, and your duties can often be scheduled around things you want to do at the con. (Having said that, emergencies can arise, and even off-duty staff are occasionally needed to fill in if they are on-site at the convention.)

Can staff cosplay while on duty?

Usually, yes! As long as it doesn't interfere with the needs of your position. Attendees love to see staff cosplaying, and it gives the con the by-fans, for-fans feel.

Can staff join more than one position at the same time?

Usually, yes. However, it's your responsibility to make sure that your supervisor for each position knows about the other position, and it's your responsibility to raise any conflicts that may occur between the two positions to ensure that you're fulfilling the duties of each position.

This can work well if one of the positions is primarily at-con and the other is primarily pre-con.

What is the minimum age to staff?

There is a general requirement to be age 16, and many positions have an age-18 requirement. A small number of positions have a minimum age of 21 if they require being in alcohol-controlled space (such as staff for the Late Night Lounge, or guest of honor liaisons).

Staff under age 18 (at time of registration) must submit a signed parent permission and liability release form (see links above) prior to their staff registration being complete.

We sometimes make case-by-case exceptions for the age-16 requirement.

What is the difference between "staff" and "organization member"?

These are almost the same thing. When you join staff, you become an organization member (as defined by Oregon nonprofit corporation law) which means you have organization voting rights. Members are eligible to vote for the 7 out of 9 positions on the Altonimbus Entertainment board which are designated as elected by the members, as well as any organization bylaws amendments that may be proposed and come to a vote.

Organization membership lasts a little bit longer than your staff status (see question further below).

What is the difference between "convention member" and "organization member"?

"Convention members" are people who have registered to attend Kumoricon. They do not have organization voting rights.

"Organization members" are people who have joined staff. They have voting rights.

If I am a staff member, when does my position officially end?

Staff positions for a given convention end 30 days after full staff registration opens for next year. This means that staff terms overlap with each other. This is intentional, so that important staff positions are filled year-round, and also so that staff at all levels are given the opportunity to maintain uninterrupted staff membership, if they wish, if they want to staff Kumoricon year after year.

For a convention held in November, this means that your official staffing end date (if not yet renewed) would usually fall in the February-to-April range, though the date will be determined and announced each year.

If your staff position primarily consists of at-con duties, then the exact end date of your position may be more symbolic than practical. But it determines your official status in our records, and your access to some of our online systems. In certain situations, whether you are officially staff or not on a given day could also matter under our staff policies such as an incident under the staff harassment policy or conflict of interest policy as these govern how staff behave outside-of-convention when talking to other staff members or if they appear to be representing the organization.

When in doubt, you can check your current staff status by checking your profile page from the staff directory. Your profile page shows all credited positions you have held in the past. Currently active positions are marked with "(active)" after their name.

If I am a staff member, when does organization membership officially end?

Organization membership lasts a little bit longer than staff status.

If you satisfactorily completed your position, then your organization membership lasts an additional 180 days after the last day of your staff status (see previous question). (Otherwise, it usually ends 10 days after the last day of your staff status, with certain exceptions.)

I'm a current staff member and have some more detailed questions about organization membership, organization governance, or elections.

Certainly! Please visit corporate Q&A (staff login required), policies and corporate (staff login required), and elections process (staff login required) for detailed information.

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Kumoricon - Staff and Volunteer Registration

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Jump to: So you wanna work for Kumoricon? Staff volunteer vs. attendee volunteer Change to titles and levels for 2024 Joining staff FAQ When does staff registration start? What is the difference between "staffing" and "volunteering"? When I join staff, how long is my commitment?

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Charity auctions at anime conventions are events where attendees can bid on items donated by individuals or businesses, usually merchandise signed by voice actors, with the proceeds going to a charitable cause. These auctions are often organized and hosted by convention organizers or volunteer groups, and they serve as a way for the anime community to give back and support worthy causes. These causes may include organizations that support mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental conservation, disaster relief, or other social and humanitarian causes.

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Crossplay is something that opened up both cosplay and further gender identity expression to me when I was younger and it makes me more than happy to see more people being able to embrace whatever identity it is they find they relate to and be able to express themselves and find others in the community who share their interests and views.

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Expressing yourself through gender-bent creativity

Toronto Comicon was in full swing this year. As with any con, at Comicon, you can expect to see a parade of photo-worthy cosplayers with intricately designed get-ups, complete with makeup and prop-making skills that rival those of million dollar movie productions. However, among the crowd of foam armour and unrealistically coloured wigs stands an interesting type of cosplayer, like me: the crossplayer.
What is cosplaying and crossplaying?
Cosplaying aims to bring specific characters from your favourite franchises to life, with detail in mind. You can either buy a ready-made cosplay or make one from scratch, but the key factor that sets it apart from a Halloween costume is that cosplaying is a year-round hobby that isn't locked to a specific celebration or holiday. The term 'cosplay' is a simple portmanteau of "costume play," and has a history in geek and nerd conventions. Before the advent of online retailers, when these conventions were solely for 'geeks,' you'd have to have extensive prop making and crafts skills to make these outfits and potentially extend that knowledge into creating prop weapons.

And what about 'crossplay'? It combines the previous idea of cosplay, but adds 'crossdress' into the mix. It goes both ways - you'll often find men dressing as women and women dressing as men.

Crossplay isn't as easy as it sounds - though anyone can throw on a dress or wear a wig, it takes considerable effort to mask certain features typical of each end of the biological spectrum in order to fully immerse yourself as a character that may identify as another gender.

As a cisgender man, I had to learn how to effectively use a contour palette to narrow my nose, and raise my cheekbones and chin to better exaggerate a feminine face shape - or so I was told by the drag queen makeup tutorial I watched on YouTube. Another hurdle was my body - I've taken the liberty to learn how to properly tuck so the dreaded bulge doesn't show up when I'm in those uncomfortably tight-fitting anime girl outfits. Others may also opt to look into breast forms.

So crossplaying adds an extra few layers of process to the already demanding and time-consuming hobby of cosplaying, emphasizing better makeup skills and some temporary alterations to your body that may be uncomfortable for prolonged periods.
Why is crossplaying special?
I had no idea crossplaying was an actual thing for a long time. Most of the examples I saw on the internet were bearded men in Sailor Moon seifukus - not exactly an appealing look to me. However, deep inside, I've always wanted to cosplay women characters because I could always see myself as them; their personalities and aspirations always resonated with my own. I've also always found lolita fashion, a sub-genre of fashion from Japan that takes heavy inspiration from Victorian-era dresses, to be way more endearing than a gentleman's formal attire of a suit and tie.

Eventually, the omnipotent YouTube algorithm exposed me to people like YouTuber Natt or the professional League of Legends player Zach Scuderi, who did crossplay regularly, and that got me thinking. If only I could be a girl and just wear what they were wearing! But wait - Zach and Natt were wearing them, and they're cisgender men, as far as I'm aware. So why couldn't I?

So one day, after weeks of debating and saving money, I went to my local drugstore and filled my basket with eyeliner, lipstick, contour, and some cheap brushes, and I ordered a wig from AliExpress. I asked my friend if she had any unused makeup and I swooped them out of her hands. After an hour of cursing and foundation-crusted fingers, I finally put on my wig. And what do you know - I actually liked how I looked! Although my eyeliner was completely wonky, my friend was there to support me and her kindness and positivity motivated me. For the first few months, I crossdressed in my room, before I eventually went outside and let others see me in a wig and makeup.

My first cosplay outside closed doors was Killjoy from Valorant, a cosplay built completely from thrift store finds. My friends were super supportive and complimented my skills, and I kept pushing myself to try new things. The first cosplay I brought to a con, Anime North, was Sucrose from Genshin Impact. Despite the appalled looks of con-goers when I replied to their photo requests with my husky, masculine, "Sure thing, man," many of them were still overjoyed to get a photo with me.

Crossplaying let me discover a passion that I never knew I had. I mean, I knew I enjoyed lolita fashion thanks to Pandora Hearts, but I was never really able to justify channeling or expressing that aesthetic appreciation anywhere. This art form has allowed me to break free from the gender norms hammered into my head - that only women should wear dresses or makeup - and turn that into something that lets me meet wonderful new people at cons and school clubs. I've found myself to be more confident and happier once I had the chance to dress like my favourite characters or in what people often see as girls' clothing, whether it be a miniskirt, stockings, a lolita dress, or skinny jeans.

Initially, I thought makeup would suffice, but it turns out learning to shave with a straight razor or foamsmithing - a fancy word for cutting and shaping EVA foam, a type of foam used in interlocking gym mats, into costume parts - is a nice skill to have, too.

It's a never-ending journey of learning new skills and improving my craft, and that's one of the many things I love about crossplaying. The road to self-discovery and burning myself with hot glue has been arduous, but it's made me into a happier, better, and more confident person with lots of supportive friends and strangers and a cool new cosplay Instagram to boot.

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Crossplaying: a fun subgenre of cosplay that helped my well-being

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Cosplay is not consent" is a slogan and movement within the cosplay community that seeks to raise awareness about the issue of harassment and inappropriate behavior towards cosplayers, emphasizing the importance of respecting boundaries, personal space, regardless of their costume or appearance. The #MeToo movement has also intersected with this slogan, with hopes to recognize the importance of respecting cosplayers' boundaries, personal space, and autonomy, regardless of their costume or appearance. The movement aims to combat the normalization of harassment within the cosplay community and promote a culture of respect, inclusivity, and consent. It encourages convention attendees, organizers, and community members to speak out against harassment, support victims, and take proactive measures to prevent misconduct from occurring.

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Conventions provide opportunities for artists, vendors, and small businesses to showcase and sell their products, including costumes, accessories, and fan merchandise. Economic conditions can impact the demand for these goods and the ability of artists and vendors to participate in conventions, affecting their livelihoods and opportunities for exposure and sales. AI art has also participated in destroying the beautiful expression of artists, and it is important to remember to support artists when you can and that the support is always appreciated and helps to contribute to more content in the community.

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This article goes over the sociology of cosplay, emphasizing its self-segregated and cliquish nature and how cosplayers can choose to be less cliquish.

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Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

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When I was twelve, my grandmother, a prolific seamstress, helped me sew my first cosplay costume. Her elegant fingers guided my inexperienced hands as she taught me how to identify the right side of a soft satin weave, cut a pattern to my size, and thread a sewing machine. Together, we replicated the traditional, black Japanese kosode robe, pleated hakama trousers, and white haori jacket worn by the character Tōshirō Hitsugaya in the fictional Japanese manga and anime series . I wore this homemade costume to my first of many anime and sci-fi conventions.

As a young girl, I didn't think twice about my desire to dress up as one of my favorite male characters. Back then, I didn't know how to alter my appearance with a wig, makeup, colored eye contacts, or by binding my chest-skills I integrate into cosplaying now as an adult. However, as soon as I stepped inside the convention hallways wearing my first cosplay, the convention community recognized me as one of them: a fellow anime fan and cosplayer.

At my first convention, many cosplayers were far more skilled than I was. Some carried five-foot-tall, handmade props or wore body armor made from EVA foam. Regardless, friendly attendees stopped to talk about Bleach or compliment my outfit. Because of our shared interests, con-goers with varying levels of creativity, gender expression, and costuming skills communed together in one place. In a time when being a "nerd" was uncool, I felt validated and elated to show my love for the character and anime.

To cosplay (a Japanese portmanteau of "costume" and "play" coined by Nobuyuki Takahashi in 1983), a fan of any fictional character dresses up to look like them. While the term started in Japan and spread through fans dressing up as manga and anime characters at events like Comiket, leading television shows and magazines to feature the subculture, this costume tradition is much older. According to Nina B. Huntemann in the book Gaming Representation: Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Video Games, the first cosplay at a fandom event likely occurred at the 1939 science fiction convention WorldCon, where people wore handmade "futuristic costumes."

By the 1990s, Japanese enthusiasm for anime and manga crossed the Pacific, birthing anime conventions in the United States. It is probable that Western fans learned the term "cosplay" from their fellow fans in Japan, and the word has now evolved into a more general term for dressing up as characters, while still retaining some nuance toward East Asian media.

Cosplayers learn their costume, props, makeup, and acting skills from one another or through online tutorials. In addition to attending events, they may post photos or videos online of themselves in costume posing or acting in character. Professional cosplayers make money by creating social media content, receiving commissions for costumes and wigs, modeling for vendors at events, participating in contests, selling products like photos, or making sponsorship deals.

Some cosplay groups do charity work, like the 501st Legion, which is a volunteer-only, international fan-based costuming organization of over 14,000 members dedicated to celebrating Star Wars through accurate replicas of villain costumes. Legion members have participated in a variety of charity efforts around the world, from fundraising for the World Central Kitchen to partnering with organizations like the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

While there are clubs and conventions dedicated to it, cosplay is not limited to a specific time and place. Zip up a costume and hairspray a wig for a TikTok dance alone in your room. Or plan a group cosplay for Halloween-maybe you've already been doing it for years without using the term. There also aren't any rules about making the costume, wig, or props yourself-feel free to order a complete set online.

"The main reason why I love cosplay so much is because it provides some sort of escape from reality," shared Morgan Looney, a special effects makeup artist and cosmetology student who has gained confidence through the cosplay community. "As someone who hasn't been the strongest person and has often felt alone in the world, cosplay and going to conventions brought me into a whole new atmosphere of supportive and accepting people that I didn't know existed."

Cosplaying strong characters whom she looks up to has boosted Morgan's confidence in her everyday life. "I started not caring what other people thought of me and my interests. If it makes you happy, it doesn't matter what other people think of you."

While meeting cosplayers at conventions and through my research, many told me that when they're with other cosplayers online or at conventions, they find it easier to express parts of themselves they ordinarily keep hidden.

"I consider cosplay as safe-it's like a shell where I can be attractive, sexual, feminine," explained Ace, a cosplayer from China currently living in California. "And the real me is inside there somewhere, but I'm safe. Because when you are looking at a cosplay picture and then you look at the real me, oftentimes you don't even recognize that it's me. I look so vastly different in a cosplay picture. I don't even recognize myself."

However, many are painfully aware that there is still work to be done to combat harmful behavior in our community. The biggest issue Cas Campbell (aka C.G. Myth), a Florida-based cosplayer, writer, and poet, faces in the cosplay community is ableism.

"As a young adult, I have more problems with my disability than when I was younger," they said. "And this is something I face both in and out of conventions. I've had people at cons accuse me of faking my disability and ask me what's wrong with me because I use a cane when walking long distances. People have also accused me of using my cane as a prop. I shouldn't have to list to you my medical history for you to believe I should be using this piece of equipment. I know a lot of other cosplayers who face this stuff. It sucks that it seems to be a consistent thing. Just because the character is able-bodied doesn't mean that I am."

Looking Inward-Gender, Confidence, and Consent

While writing about this community and talking with fellow cosplayers, I reflected on why I enjoy cosplaying for conventions and Instagram. Despite being a woman, I've only been interested in cosplaying male characters. I believe the reason has to do with the type of characters I admire and the freedom to present myself as a different gender. While I could play with gender through other hobbies, cosplay lets me simultaneously express my love for anime and video games and meet fellow fans in a space where I won't be judged for my interests.

There are common factors that draw me to the male characters I cosplay: their journeys to become more confident in themselves, their energetic and playful attitudes, and their comfort in their bodies and in how they exude femininity. Not only can I explore what different forms of masculinity may outwardly look like, but I also gain confidence when I've successfully "pulled off" looking like the character-even if it's my own rendition of him rather than an exact replica-through the makeup, photography, and wig techniques I've learned from cosplayers on Instagram over six years.

Many in the cosplay community blur gender lines. Through various types of costumes and embodying characters of different genders, cosplayers learn more about their own identities and those of other fans they meet while boosting their body confidence.

"Cosplay has been really important to me in figuring out my gender because I questioned it so much growing up," Cas explained. "And then I got to a point where I could cosplay, and I cosplayed almost exclusively male characters for years and years because it was like: I'm cosplaying as a woman all the time in my everyday life."

Cas explores their feminine side in cosplay, too. They've created costume designs that gender-bend male characters, imagining female counterparts. Without cosplay as a means to experiment with different types of clothing, Cas believes they wouldn't have learned about their own gender fluidity.

Ace identifies as a queer woman and switches from she/her to they/them pronouns when in cosplay. She uses cosplay to work on her body confidence and as a statement to push against society's expectations of women. At the same time, she faces criticism from social media users who comment that she doesn't look enough like the characters.

This type of criticism, Ace has witnessed, can turn into racism, such as claiming that a fan shouldn't cosplay a character of a different skin tone. Many of us view this as going against the spirit of cosplay being for everyone. Ace also noticed differences between the cosplay communities in China and the United States. For example, she explained that in China, where there are few people of African descent, it's common for Chinese cosplayers to darken their skin with makeup or photo edits to match a character. It is not considered problematic. As she became active in the United States community, she learned why such practices are unacceptable.

For a time, Ace hated it when other people considered her body attractive. She refused to embrace her feminine side. Through cosplay, she was able to improve her relationship with her own femininity by playing characters with a broad range of body types and backgrounds. However, because of the way a lot of anime exaggerates the female body, Ace feels pressure to measure up.

"Although I'm a feminist, constantly challenging [female stereotypes] and expressing my own queerness, cosplay still leads this anxiety back to me: not feeling confident about how my sexuality and body will compare to all of those big-breasted female characters," she said. "It definitely poses a challenge for me. When I want to cosplay these characters, I face self-questioning, and I think that hinders me from exploring my full potential in cosplay."

At her first comic convention, Ace felt encouraged by seeing people cross-dressing, not following the typical gender binary, and dressing as non-human and non-gendered characters. But as she grew older, she noticed it's more common to see women cosplaying male characters than men cosplaying female characters. Ace heard con-goers call men "cross-playing" as female characters pathetic and accuse them of dressing up as girls in order to more easily approach and flirt with women.

"There's a growing transphobia being embedded in the cosplay community," Ace explained. "But that's against the idea of cosplay because cosplay really should be disregarding your own reality-a fantasy world where you go there and don't get limited by what you are like in reality. You take a one-day break from your own body, and you get to live someone else's life. So, it's really sad to see people starting to say, 'Okay, but you don't look like this character so you can't cosplay that.'"

For many years, movements like Cosplay Is Not Consent have protested the sexual harassment of cosplayers, especially of women. As fictional media fans continue to use cosplay to express their love for a character or series, resist gender expectations, and wear outfits that show skin or scars they may not reveal in other settings, some are subjected to stalking, coercion, or sexist remarks from fellow fans and event staff.

These experiences happen across society, but cosplayers have come to value their art for how it builds confidence and community, leading us to work together toward a safer experience for all. The Cosplay Is Not Consent slogan affirms that wearing a costume, no matter what type of outfit or character it may be, is not consent for harassment, photography, and other unwanted attention.

Empowerment within the Virtual Cosplay Community

Fandom conventions involve more than dressing up as characters. In addition to events such as voice actor autograph sessions, video game tournaments, and workshops that teach skills like building scale models, there are panels hosted by cosplayers in costume and in character, such as skit performances, Q&A sessions, trivia, and group discussions about a series.

However, in 2020 and 2021, many conventions didn't convene due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some held virtual events instead, and cosplayers weren't deterred from showing up to their computers in costume as well as supporting artist vendors and professional cosplayers who typically rely on in-person business. Some cosplayers became more active on social media to maintain the feeling of a larger community and stay up to date with their "con family."

Morgan Looney cosplayed more often during the pandemic because it provided an escape and helped when she felt depressed. She turned to platforms like Instagram, Discord, and TikTok to stay connected with her con family and meet new cosplayers. Before this hobby, she wasn't very interested in social media. However, when she started cosplaying, she immediately created a cosplay Instagram account, where she made friends with people from all over the world and ones close to home whom she visits in person.

"Social media in my life became a way to show other people my cosplays and inspire other people to start cosplaying," she reported. "I have gotten messages from people who have told me that I inspired them to cosplay, and it makes me really happy."

Ace also enjoys showing people her cosplays on social media because weeks or months of work go into the costumes, props, and photos, including photoshoots sometimes twelve hours long. After cosplaying for nine years, she feels like the practice is far more meaningful than the misconception of the hobby as a useless playtime.

"It's a part of my personal growth, part of the way I connect with the rest of the world," she said. "I think cosplay is a window for the world to see a part of me that's outside of my appearance."

By participating in cosplay through social media, Ace noted a different perspective in China: it's more competitive and focused on professional, flawless photos rather than on the "play" aspect. She has stopped posting her cosplay pictures on Chinese social media, not only because of censorship but also the negative comments that accuse her of not being skinny or cute enough.

"I want to post in a community where people actually appreciate my work and don't judge my body," she said. "I'm not saying Instagram is the perfect heaven to post on. I'm sure there's still a lot of negativity and criticism in the U.S. But I want to keep cosplay at a level where it makes me happy instead of bringing me more anxiety than I need."

While Cas has their share of negative comments on TikTok regarding their body and gender-bent character cosplays, many users also express their admiration. Cas explained to me that since their first cosplay, they have gained almost a hundred pounds, partly because of an eating disorder.

"In our society, it's so frowned upon to have certain bodily features," Cas said. "But in cosplay, people are like, 'No, give me plus-sized Oikawa! Give it! I want it!' The community has all been so chill and open with it, so it's been a body confidence booster in more ways than one. I think that's the most important thing for me personally. As a plus-sized person, there is hardly any 'rep' in things like anime. Cosplay is for every body type."

Through Instagram and cosplaying at conventions, I've gained my own con family whom I meet up with at events each year. The feeling of being myself while sharing my love for a character and the anticipation of connecting with other fans has kept me, and many others in the cosplay community, returning to the fandom convention and cosplay social media spaces year after year, transformed into characters different from our everyday selves.

"Cosplay has to be above and beyond the reality we're in," Ace firmly said. "It has to embrace the fantasy, both on the literal level of dressing up as a fictional character but also on the level of people not thinking that someone would spend so much time, money, and effort on making something even just for one day, one convention. And I think that's the beauty of it."

Ace shared how she wants to continue cosplaying as a way to express her own sexuality and gender and in opposition to the stereotypes about women. "I want to challenge you," she said. "I want to bring a little more creativity in to show that there are people who can do different things with cosplay. I want people to be impressed with the bravery to challenge things that they previously didn't think about."

Her words took me back to a sweltering summer's day in 2018 at the MetroCon anime convention in Tampa, Florida. I remember pushing my way into the air-conditioned hall, looking for a place to rest. A woman speaking loudly into her phone took the seat beside me. At first, she told her friend, she hadn't wanted to be at this event, but her daughter had begged to come. Now the mother couldn't help but watch the cosplayers. The talent, she said. The creativity. The joy on people's faces. The mother explained that she usually would have dismissed costumes as childish and cross-dressing as eccentric, but now she would have to find a way to tell her daughter that she understood it a little better now.

I rose and joined the flow of con-goers down the hallway. For a while, I leaned against the wall, watching the convention crossroads. A cosplayer wearing a silicone prosthetic male chest beneath their open swimmer uniform jacket turned the corner. A cosplayer using a mobility aid paused to pose for photos for a couple passing by, excited to meet someone cosplaying their favorite character.

Something occurred to me. While conventions and online cosplay accounts are unique community spaces where costume and fandom celebration are acceptable, cosplayers are also part of the outside world. Some began their journey to reimagine gender constraints and challenge stereotypes through cosplay but must surely continue to do so in all facets of their daily lives. For them, the effects of their efforts don't end at the fringe of wig or tip of a sword.
Amanda Ellard is an intern at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. With a master's in folklore studies and an MFA in creative writing, she is now working toward a PhD in English. She studied Japanese language and culture and multimedia writing and editing as an undergraduate. She's a fiction writer, editor, and artist from Florida interested in queer stories and exploring the roles memory and digital communities play in our sense of identity.

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When Escaping Reality Helps Define Identity: Expression and Empowerment in the Cosplay Community

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It is probable that Western fans learned the term "cosplay" from their fellow fans in Japan, and the word has now evolved into a more general term for dressing up as characters.

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Here's how "cosplay" helps people become the best version of themselves by becoming someone else.
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If you've ever dressed up for Halloween, you might have gotten a taste of the excitement of portraying a famous character, if only for a single night. However, some people make it a lifestyle. These individuals are part of a vibrant subculture known as cosplay, short for "costume play," where donning elaborate costumes and embodying fictional personas is not just a once-a-year event but a regular passion and art form.

While cosplaying, individuals dress up as characters from various forms of media, including comic books, anime, manga, video games, movies, television shows and more. For many cosplayers, the appeal lies in the opportunity to immerse themselves in the worlds of their favorite media franchise.

Popular cosplay characters include Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Harley Quinn, Joker, characters from Disney, the Harry Potter world or from Star Wars such as Darth Vader, Princess Leia or Luke Skywalker.

Anime and manga also provide rich source material for cosplayers. Popular choices include Naruto Uzumaki from "Naruto," Goku from "Dragon Ball Z," Sailor Moon from "Sailor Moon" and Luffy from "One Piece."

Cosplayers often meticulously recreate the costumes, hairstyles, makeup and accessories of their chosen characters, striving for accuracy and authenticity. Cosplaying also involves embodying the personality, mannerisms and unique traits of the character being portrayed.

Here are three reasons why people cosplay, according to research.

1. Creative Self-Expression

Research shows that authentic self-expression is associated with greater life satisfaction. Cosplaying is an outlet for creative expression that allows individuals to celebrate their favorite fandoms and express their passion for fictional characters and stories.

Many cosplayers view cosplay as a means of exploring different facets of their identity. Through embodying different characters, individuals can experiment with various personas and aspects of themselves that they may not feel comfortable expressing in their everyday lives.

A 2015 study published in the journal Fashion Theory examined the cosplay subculture in Hong Kong and found that the ability to shift identities plays a key role in pursuing cosplay.

"Cosplay allows enthusiasts to momentarily change their identity in order to create an exciting, extraordinary and contented self rather than attempting a real-life transformation. It is a form of role/identity-transformation from an ordinary person to a superhero, from a game player to a performer and from adulthood to childhood," the researchers write.

In fact, cosplayers may experience nostalgia for their childhoods and wish to " recapture a cute childhood innocence. "

"Being a cosplayer, I can transform myself into many different characters-a heroine, a cute little girl or even a beautiful boy. I'm no longer a passive reader or video game player. I'm a producer and performer," says Po Yin, a cosplayer interviewed by the researchers.

Po Yin's experience highlights how cosplaying can be an empowering activity that boosts one's confidence by allowing them to choose their identity and take on new roles.

"I don't mind if people misjudge me as gay or abnormal. I know what I'm doing. I only dress like a girl in cosplay events and my friends understand that I'm cosplaying. By wearing this outﬁt, I feel like I am the character-sweet and lovely. It gives me a chance to fulﬁll my dream," says Keung, a male cosplayer from the study.

2. Escaping Reality

In a world often fraught with stress and uncertainty, stepping into the shoes of a beloved character offers a temporary reprieve from reality. Cosplayers transcend the confines of their everyday lives and appreciate the chance to be anyone or anything they desire.

A 2018 study found that one of the strongest motivations to engage in cosplay includes it being an escape from everyday life. By immersing themselves in their favorite fantastical worlds, cosplayers can experience a sense of adventure, excitement, wonder and popularity that may be lacking in otherwise mundane routines.

"Cosplay provides young people with dreams, pleasures, romances and fantasies that cannot be fulﬁlled in their daily lives. In fact, for a short moment, cosplaying can make the participants feel like a star or celebrity. Many cosplayers admit that cosplaying is not merely a hobby that they love but also an outlet for performance and exhibition. They want to be recognized, photographed and admired," the researchers explain.

3. A Sense Of Community

Researchers of the 2018 study found that apart from the ability to escape reality, "belongingness" was one of the strongest motivations behind cosplaying. Cosplay fosters a sense of community among like-minded individuals and fulfills the fundamental human need to belong.

Conventions and gatherings serve as communal spaces where cosplayers can come together to share their passion and forge lasting friendships. The acceptance and camaraderie found within the cosplay community, although sometimes selective, can create a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and understood, regardless of their background or differences.

Moreover, social media has amplified the reach and impact of cosplay, transforming it into a global phenomenon that transcends geographical boundaries, helping cosplayers connect with fans and collaborate with fellow enthusiasts from around the world.

This is a significant motivator for many cosplay enthusiasts. Many individuals join these communities to make friends and build social skills.

"I love cosplay because I have met so many cosplayers through various events, activities and websites/blogs. We have exchanged information and ideas, shared experiences and enthusiasms and have supported each other in cosplay performance and costume production. It's absolutely fun to communicate, interact and mingle with other cosplayers," says Po Yin.

Cosplay allows individuals to step outside the boundaries of their everyday lives and become someone else, if only for a fleeting moment. Whether it's the thrill of embodying a beloved hero, the challenge of mastering new skills or the joy of connecting with like-minded individuals, the appeal of cosplay is as diverse and multifaceted as the characters themselves.
Are you a dedicated fan curious about your level of interest or obsession with celebrities or characters they play? Take this test to find out: Celebrity Attitude Scale

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3 Motivations Behind 'Cosplaying,' According To A Psychologist

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Here's how "cosplay" helps people become the best version of themselves by becoming someone else.

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The first time I heard of cosplaying, I was thirteen years old. It sounded like the greatest thing ever-dressing up and acting like your favorite character sounded like a dream to me, though I soon realized there were many skeptics. My mom, who is totally cool with the art of cosplaying now, didn't understand the point of it. And, to be frank, she thought anime conventions were for "furries and weirdos." Five years later, I re-addressed the issue of attending an anime convention to my mother who, at last, accepted the situation with open arms. I don't know where the change stemmed, but it just seemed to happen.

Cosplaying, short for costume-play, is the art of putting together an outfit in representation of a character of fiction. Though dressing up in a costume may sound simple to some, it's definitely hard work-you have to put together an outfit, make the accessories, maybe even buy a wig... in all honesty, it's probably the most challenging and stressful thing a person can do (well, besides giving birth). Accepting other people's opinions and feedback, as well, may be hard to take in.

I remember going to the mall with a friend and walking past a cosplayer in Lolita dress. I applauded her courage and sense of style while my friend practically ripped her outfit to shreds, calling it "attention seeking" and "unnecessary." Katie Mellema, a Bob Jones student and an experienced cosplayer, shared some insight into this issue. "In terms of social issues, people look down on us because we're "immature" for wearing costumes at some of our ages. We're considered weird for liking anime and dressing up like characters. But most of us continue to do what we do and say to people looking at us weird in public places 'your face looks funnier than what I'm wearing right now'."

To take it a step further, many cosplayers get shamed for what they cosplay in regards to their height, weight, gender, or even skin color-which is ridiculous, in my opinion, because it's 2013 not the 1950s. Cosplay, in no way, should have anything to do with how you look before you dress up. Sara Maywhether, a junior from Duluth High School in Georgia, said, "I got a lot of 'side eyes' from my friends when I told them I wanted to cosplay as Misty from Pokemon. Not only because we are of different body proportions, but Misty isn't Hispanic. Though I've learned not to limit myself when it comes to race and body sizes."

Another fact to consider is cosplay sexual harassment and shaming. Many cosplayers have reported unwanted catcalls and photographs taken of them at conventions. Some may argue that because they're dressed "skimpy," they "deserve to get subjected to unnecessary sexual comments," but, no, they really don't. Using the phrase "Costumes Are Not Consent," many of us are taking a stand against those who think cosplay is an excuse to harass women for their choice of dress.

Though cosplaying is the act of attempting to embody a certain character, it is important to note that it can be done regardless of your weight, gender, or skin color. Skeptics will be skeptics, but it's important to not let them get in the way of your cosplay.

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Cosplayers vs. the World: Social Issues (Volume I)

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The first time I heard of cosplaying, I was thirteen years old. It sounded like the greatest thing ever-dressing up and acting like your favorite character sounded like a dream to me, though I soon realized there were many skeptics. My mom, who is totally cool with the art of cosplaying now, didn't understand the...