^Cosplay is an abbreviation for "costume roleplay" and basically can be described as a kind of performance art where cosplayers outfit themselves as a specific character, normally an icon from Japan's or East Asia media - like anime, manga, tokusatsu or video games. Of course, to cosplayers wearing the costume is usually not enough. The real art involves reenacting scenes or inventing likely behavior inspired by their chosen sources.

As the object of cosplay is to literally to become one's character, the intricate details of the costume's construction are critical. Attention is provided not only to the suit but for all the accessories that will help to give authenticity to the cosplay.

Being a complex art to master, there is a lot you can learn in order to be a great cosplayer. Besides the publications on the right I also recommend the newest and english translated digital version of Japan #1 Cosplay Magazine, Cosmode!

Costumes must meticulously adhere to the designs of the characters' attire, so stringent attention to detail is essencial. It is common for cosplayers to cultivate themselves in all sorts of likely relevant areas of crafting, such as tailoring, fiberglasswork, sculpture, among others, to achieve the necessary looks and textures of a costume.

Rigorous attention to detail may include ensuring the seams are aligned properly and finished, thread colors are appropriate, and fabric colors precisely match the character and their attire.There are many tutorials in the World Wide Web about this art, created by cosplayers to aid members of the community. Above there's a great example! Also visit Cam Anju's Hub for more great tips!

Of course, while many cosplayers may spend months creating the perfect cosplay outfit, there are others who don't have the skills or patience to learn them, and that buy the costumes from talented artists. There are several sites that allow you to buy quality hand-made costumes, for instance Cosplay Closet, Cosplay Magic or Moon Costumes.

Being the costumes so elaborate and their creators so fervorous about it, it's quite usual for cosplayers to gather to see other's costumes, show off their own detailed handmade creations, take lots of pictures, and even to take part in best costume contests at different cosplay events.

Possibly the single largest and most famous event attended by cosplayers is the semiannual doujinshi market, Comiket. This event, held in summer and winter, attracts hundreds of thousands of manga otaku and many thousands of cosplayers. But there are many other cosplayevents held every year, not only in Japan but in most of eastern Asia.

But also in westen countries, cosplaying and Anime Cosplay is seeing a boost, especially after the late nineties when Anime started to be more widely known and gathered a lot of followers in countries like USA and UK. Soon anime conventions started to happen and, no surprise, typical japanese cosplay with contests was part of the program ^_^'

It's in Japan that you'll see Cosplay taken to an extreme. It's very usual for Japanese teenagers to gather in several venues, like Tokyo's Harajuku or Akihabara district to engage in cosplay, on a daily basis. This last district even has quite a large number of cafés, with waitresses dressing as game or anime characters, catering to devoted anime and cosplay fans.

In this country you'll see regularly cosplay parties held in amusement parks and nightclubs, you'll find cosplayers showing their art in video game shows and other public events, alas you'll find that Cosplay has indeed become a part, like it or not, of the Nippon culture!

Now that you know a little more about Cosplay and what a Cosplayer is all about, delight in some of the best examples and costumes that the Cosplay community has to offer!