The Term named Cosplay
Cosplay is a part of Harajuku style where people dress as a fictional or iconic character from a band, game, movie, anime, or manga.
Cosplay is a term that originated in Japan but is based on the English words “Costume Play,” essentially play-acting in costumes. It is not exactly same like western halloween culture, costuming tradition where people dressing as random urban legends character.
In Japan, Cosplay is not limited to anime/manga, but also a staple of many other entertainment industries such as science fiction and horror. In North America, the term CosPlay is reserved for anime/manga related costuming.
Cosplay mean dressing to look CERTAIN character, that's the main rule for make a NICE cosplay.
Anime/manga Cosplay has become very popular among fans in Japan and North America. Some Cosplayers make their own costumes, investing large amounts of time and money in the process, while others buy their costumes from professional costume designers. The end products are generally shown off at Anime conventions. Many Anime conventions hold contests for Cosplay and for Masquerade. Some successful cosplayers have become very popular and are considered celebrities in their own right.
Cosplay Categories
~Anime/Manga: dress up like manga or anime characters, ex Cardcaptor Sakura, X, Chobits, Sailor Moon, Naruto, etc
~Game: dress up like character from game like Lineage, Suikoden, Final Fantasy, etc
~Tokusatsu: dress up in superheroes tokusatsu character costume. Like Daikajuu(Giant monster) serial, Ultra serial(Ultra Q, Ultraman, Ultra Seven, Ultraman Ice, Ultraman Tiga, etc), Kaijin(Weird creature), Kyodai Hero(Giant Superheroes), Giant Robot, Kamen Rider, Sentai, Metal Hero, etc
~Gothic/Lolita Cosplay: dress up in late age costume, like victorian era, use much lacy dress and accesories. for dark version called Gothic Lolita and light version(usually in pink) called Lolita cosplay.
~Doll: Ball Jointed Doll trend make this cosplay categories be popular in Japan, Korea, and China.
Now, not all cosplayer makes their own costume, lots of fashion shops or costume maker that have been developed and provides manufacturing services costume, accessories. Some make their own trends, such as Takuya Angel, Angelic Pretty, etc, and several others provide looklike costume. Just professional cosplayer want to make all themself or combine that. But, essentially cosplay always make for fun.^^
