Cosplay facts for kids

Cosplay (コスプレ, kosupure) is a short way of saying of "Costume Play". It is an act of dressing up to look like an anime, manga, video game, Japanese rock, or Jpop character. A person who does this is called a Cosplayer.

Cosplay can be divided into two parts, basic cosplay and masquerade cosplay. Both types of cosplay involve trying to physically look like the character, including speaking like the character, memorizing quotes and so on. Masquerading, or "The Masquerade," usually refers to a cosplay competition where cosplayers demonstrate their skills in creating costumes, putting on skits, and in technical matters.

Even though cosplaying is originally from Japan, there are a number of cosplay communities in Malaysia, China, the United States, Indonesia, and the Philippines, because of the popularity of Japanese animation, movies, and popular culture in those countries.

Cosplay communities often hold events such as parties and conventions. Some of the best cosplayers can be famous amongst otaku.

Images for kids

Cosplay of the Yu-Gi-Oh! character "Dark Magician Girl"
A Mr. Skygack – an early modern costuming or cosplay outfit, Washington state, 1912
Costuming at the 1982 San Diego Comic-Con.
Padmé Amidala cosplay at Japan Expo 2012 in France
A cosplay of Raiden at Anime Expo 2013
Ginny Weasley cosplay from the Harry Potter franchise
A crowd including many cosplayers at Comiket 84 in 2013
A cosplayer at the 2011 Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong contest dressed as a character from Gantz
Cosplay in Gamescom 2015, Cologne
The Jingūbashi (Jingū bridge) which passes over the Yamanote Line south of Harajuku Station, Tokyo, at the Meiji Shrine gate is a famous gathering place for cosplayers. Pictured, a group of people dressed as visual kei style musicians in 2006
Bombshell Harley Quinn Cosplay