Chiharu's Creative Corner

This is one of the problems I see often in the cosplay community. These are very good tips. Follow all of them when you're facing a bully whether it be a cosplay bully, a normal bully at school, or even one over the net.

It's okay to get help! Just because you want to try and deal with this on your own, you can always talk to others! I'm here for anyone who just wants someone to talk to, even if it's not about the problem, I can at least try and cheer you up!

Everyone should take a look at this and read everyone's story/messages linked in Crystal Rose Creations gallery folder: Cosplay Bullying Project. Mine are included. The cosplay that I chose to represent with my answers was by far the most liked photo in my gallery and I feel that Jack is also a good character to support against bullying because he's a guardian, of course!

Cosplay Bullying Form #4 WEIGHT:

Weight does not matter in Cosplay. Even if you're under or over weight. If you wish to Cosplay a character who’s body image doesn’t match your own, then do it regardless!

However, many people who have a serious passion for a muscular character, such as Superman, some will try to get into shape! And there is nothing wrong with that! Our heroes are our motivation! But if you do go on di...et or try to improve yourself, please do it safely! Your health is more important then Cosplay!

But if image and accurate is really important to you, some men do wear muscular suits to help improve their image for a character. And there is no shame in that!

Some women do use spandex slimmers to have more slim curves. Some even wear corsets. And there is nothing wrong with that either!

But keep in mind, if you are waist training with a corset, please follow all directions carefully and talk to your health care provider to make sure waist training is right for you. See More

Cosplay Bullying Tip #1: Don't blame yourself. Know that it’s not your fault. What people call “bullying” is sometimes an argument between two people. But if someone is repeatedly cruel to you, that’s bullying and you mustn’t blame yourself. No one deserves to be treated cruelly. Do not blame yourself. No matter what someone says or does, you should not be ashamed of who you are or what you feel.

Cosplay Bullying Tip #2: Don’t respond and don't retaliate. Sometimes a reaction is exactly what aggressors are looking for because they think it gives them power over you, and you don’t want to empower a bully. As for retaliating, getting back at a bully turns you into one – and can turn one mean act into a chain reaction. If you can, remove yourself from the situation.

Cosplay Bullying Tip #3: Save all of the evidence. The only good news about bullying online or on phones is that it can usually be captured, saved, and shown to someone who can help. You can save that evidence in case things escalate. [Visit Connect Safely for instructions on how to capture screens on phones and computers.]

Cosplay Bullying Tip #4: Reach out for help – especially if the behavior’s really getting to you. You deserve backup. See if there’s someone who can listen, help you process what’s going on and work through it – a friend, relative or maybe an adult you trust.

Cosplay Bullying Tip #5: Use available tech tools and resources. Most social media apps and services allow you to block the person. Whether the harassment’s in an app, texting, comments or tagged photos, do yourself a favor and block the person. You can also report the problem to the service. That probably won’t end it, but you don’t need the harassment in your face, and you’ll be less tempted to respond. If you’re getting threats of physical harm, you should call your local police (with a parent or guardian’s help) and consider reporting it to school authorities.

Cosplay Bullying Tip #6: Take action, help others. If someone you know is being bullied, take action. Just standing by can empower an aggressor and does nothing to help. The best thing you can do is try to stop the bullying by taking a stand against it. If you can’t stop it, support the person being bullied. If the person’s a friend, you can listen and see how to help. Consider together whether you should report the bullying. If you’re not already friends, even a kind word can help reduce the pain. At the very least, help by not passing along a mean message and not giving positive attention to the person doing the bullying.


Here's my answers to Crystal Rose Creations cosplay bullying survey in which I partook. The photo representing my answers is my Jack Frost cosplay. What better character to support against cosplay bullying than the notorious guardian of fun?


1) Have you ever been bullied?

Not really saying that I have, but I guess I never really noticed it as a form among the whispers and gossip that went around on campus. I was always the socially awkward and quiet one in middle and high school, but fun and loud in my small group of friends who were also as nerdy as I was. I've most likely had jokes being made and snarky comments behind my back, I know for sure.

I bought my first yukata and given a lolita dress (a present from my aunt) in eighth grade and clearly remember wearing both the day after I got them. The normal comments that I caught from time to time never really seemed to bother me like "Hey, samurai girl." or "Isn't it a bit early for Halloween?" 

I made my first cosplay my sophomore year by the help of my animation teacher who was also the representative for the anime club and made two more the years after for the Halloween contests. I remember hearing about comments from my group that other students mistook my giant bow from my Shirahime (Angelic Layer) cosplay for me being pregnant. I never really understood why even to this day. I know there must have been talk about my Dorie (Magical Doremi) and Ichigo (Tokyo Mew Mew) cosplay, but never heard any of it or I guess I don't really remember anything.

When I started my cosplay page I received negative comments about my breast size and I felt it was unnecessary and uncalled for. Someone once told me to get implants soon to become cosplay famous and another told me that I wasn't a real cosplayer because my bust wasn't a C cup or higher.

Yes, I have a small chest, so what! I don't see a problem with it. Sorry, but what you see is what you get. Having a small chest only broadens my horizons on cosplay to where I don't have to always cosplay a girl. I can cosplay a guy if I wanted to, so I have to say it's quite beneficial.

2) Have you ever witnessed someone being bullied? If you have, did you do anything to help out the victim?

Yes, I have during my school years and online. I confronted the bully, gave them my two cents, then tended to the one who was bullied by giving them some positivity, reassurement, as well as gaining a friend in the process.

3) How has the bullying affected who you are today?

Personally, I think it's made me more of an assertive person, one that can easily go up to someone and defend my opinion and what I've got to say. I don't run away and I won't back down from an argument until I've won, until I've gotten some sort of justice out of it. One of my closest friends, back then, told me to grow a backbone or I'd get trampled over because she thought I was too nice and I'm guessing she could see a side of me that was vulnerable.

4) How did you overcome the bullying? Or how did you cope?

I'm a happy-go-lucky person, so I can't really stay angry or sad for long. It'll have a small affect me for a while, but then I easily get over it by occupying my time elsewhere or with someone.

5) What advice do you have for others who are bullied?

Cosplay is a hobby that's meant for everyone to have fun and express a creative outlet from their everyday lives. Keep cosplaying no matter what people might say! Be happy with yourself. If you're happy, then that's all that matters.

People who bring others down have either jealousy, low self esteem, or might have something else going on in their life. Just be sincere to those people, kill them with kindness if you will, because you're the bigger person. Hold your head up high an be proud of who you are.

In 1993, a small group of volunteer and career firefighters from the community of Pedley began supporting families with toys... and food during the holiday season. Within a few years, firefighters from the communities of Pedley, Glen Avon, Mira Loma, Rubidioux, and West Riverside joined together to support the greater community of Jurupa Valley. As the community grew, so did the need and by 2005 the program began to transition into a community based 501C3 organization. By 2009, the annual holiday adoption program was providing food, household supplies, health and beauty aids, and toys to over one hundred families and one hundred and fifty senior citizens. Partnering with the County of Riverside Fire Department Spark of Love program, the organization began to lead collaborative efforts to support numerous local non-profits and today provides toys to as many as seven thousand and five hundred children a year.

Over the years, the board of directors began recognizing they were supporting different generations of the same family. Knowing that while their annual efforts brought joy to families during the holidays, it didn't truly address the cycle of poverty keeping families dependent on assistance from generation to generation. In 2015, the vision and mission of the organization changed and the program became known as the Jurupa Valley Adopt a Family Program. The new program would include two elements: the annual Santa Express parade,Adopt a Family program, and the newly commissioned Opportunity Development program.



Twenty years ago, the firefighters of the Jurupa Valley organized an Adopt a Family program that has become an annual event where we provide food, clothing, hygiene aids, school supplies, Christmas decorations, and of course toys to the needy families of the City of Jurupa Valley. Today, with active community support, we join Santa Claus in delivering the items to these families over several days just prior to Christmas. Families are chosen only after meeting strict eligibility guidelines. Since its inception, we have supported over a thousand families and brought holiday cheer to tens of thousands of children. We also were able to provide toys for the County Foster program that can be used to provide birthday and special holiday presents for over five hundred children.

In all, we filled over one thousand six hundred grocery bags with food, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, and other general household necessities. Children in each of the adopted families received school supplies as well. We provided bicycles and helmets to numerous children and met some special needs that were identified. This program wouldn't be successful if it weren't for the help of the wonderful community it serves, our family and friends, and to each of you that donated your time, money, or merchandise.


After the Santa Express had passed by my neighborhood smack dab in the Indian Hills golf course, I was eager to know if the organization that showed each year accepted participants/volunteers. Especially one that just so happens to be a cosplayer with a specific and favorite costume to go about in the winter season for some good old holiday cheer. I was super ecstatic to hear that they did after a fast response on Facebook and couldn't wait for the week after.

Before heading out towards the bus that would take us to our parade destination, I meet North AKA Santa Claus while snagging a couple of chocolate peppermint fudge cookies. After that small chat with him, it made the beginning of my night even better.

Santa: "Oh, you're at the very top, but for tonight, I'm wiping you a clean slate."

Friday, the Santa Express was scheduled for Glen Avon and the far north portion of Indian Hills. They were all amazing! For my first night, I was put on the Frozen float due to lack of characters: Hans and Kristoff with only Elsa and Anna to perform to selected songs while I just did my thing of being in character. Elsa was freezing in her dress with such sheer fabric and was surprised by how I was handling the weather, feeling my face and frowning that my cheeks were still really warm.

We started off in the bus lane of my old middle school JMS and went down my boyfriend's neighborhood. He had told me the morning after that he didn't see me nor heard the sirens of the firetrucks. I thought possibly he was too exhausted from work and that he had crashed on his bed. He's the type that knocks out quick and is a heavy sleeper. Perhaps Mr. Sandman gave him a good dream? Then we hit my friend Matt's neighborhood. Luckily, he did see me! I couldn't make out anyone in particular for going blind and not wearing my glasses, but he did mention that his house wasn't decorated yet and had no Christmas lights up, thus the reason why it was so dark. Coming back to the middle school, there was a large crowd that awaited us. I'm guessing that the choir students had a holiday field trip and didn't get back till later that evening. Young boys and girls cheered at our float and snapped photos. I had the most awkward request to whip and nae nae from a section. I did so anyway and the crowd went wild.

I started to feel the cool kiss of air nip at my nose and seep through the layers beneath my costume somewhat near the end of the block and walking to the bus stop to be picked up and brought back to headquarters. I rushed inside feeling the blast of the heater running then after a while I saw everyone off and walked my way home in the darkness. It wasn't that far since I live relatively close by, but the chilling breeze made walking tough.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out and supported us. We were excited to see so many very large groups waiting to greet us. We also have a new "most generous neighborhood for 2015". Congratulations Glen Avon route, you're the new leader for being so awesomely generous.



Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad. Sky Country had a wonderful crowd and I had so much fun waiving to the crowds that lined up the streets and seeing the kids faces beam when they saw that Jack Frost actually does exist and that he's indeed real. Though I practically shivered the entire time clinging on the back of North's sleigh, I wondered how the hell Jack Frost does it then instantly remembered; oh yeah, the cold doesn't bother him. Did you get that reference? Even though, I was more than happy to fill in his shoes... Oh  wait! That's right, he doesn't wear shoes.

Riding behind North, he did occasionally make jokes and poke fun at me.






I most definitely think Saturday, the second and final night of the Santa Express for me was even more frigid than the first. Oh my goodness. Brrr! It was so cold, I actually had to take a break in the trailer cab up ahead from North's sleigh and slowly warm myself back up for that little half of the three hour duration. I had been gracious enough to get a heated blanket from one of the supervisors that had quickly checked up on my condition and felt my shaking hands and numb barefoot feet.

A big thank you for the generosity and kindness of delicious cupcakes, cookies, hot chocolate, and a nice hot fire to keep even the coldest person in the world warm and kindled. You not only touched my heart, but filled my belly for I hadn't eaten a single thing that day and only had a mug of butterscotch toffee coffee that morning and later walked out of the house garnered in cosplay headed towards headquarters down the street. I was grateful enough to get a ride home by one of the supervisor's who was also concerned about my well-being and safety.

This question was asked by North AKA Santa Claus to the mischievous Jack Frost in Rise of the Guardians. According to North, a person’s center is what makes them eligible as a guardian of children. He demonstrates to Jack what his own center is. He grabs a Matryoshka (nesting) doll and Jack opens it to reveal all the different facets that make up the man, North.

In the last tiny doll, we see a tiny baby with huge blue eyes. This, according to North, is Wonder. "Big eyes, very big, because they are full of wonder. That is my center. It's what I was born with, eyes that have only seen the wonder in everything! Eyes that see lights in the trees and magic in the air. This wonder is what I put into the world, and what I protect in children. It is what makes me a guardian. It is my center, what is yours?" 




Throughout the movie we watch as Jack discovers himself. He starts out as a mischievous winter spirit who thinks a snow day is the best thing ever, and is jealous that children believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, Sandman, and the Tooth Fairy — even the evil Boogie Man — but not in him. They look and walk right through him; he's invisible to them because they don't believe let alone know that he even exists.

His journey is to find out who he is. Through a memory of his tooth box, he then realizes he was a human boy once. He loved his family, particularly his little sister. One day when they were skating on the ice, they hit a thin patch that began to crack and crumble under her feet. She was petrified with fear. Jack encouraged his sister by telling her that getting off the ice would be just like playing hop scotch. This helped her to move and he was able to reach out with the long branch he’d been playing with and flung her to safety. However, his selfless act put him in danger and he fell through the ice.

Fast-forward through the rest of the movie where Pitch, the Boogie Man, is turning all the children’s dreams into nightmares and snuffing out their belief in the guardians. We come to the scene where it finally dawns on Jack what his center is. Pitch has him, the guardians, and Jamie, the last boy on earth to believe in the guardians, boxed into a dark alley way. As Pitch advances to finish off his mission, Jack assures Jamie that everything was going be okay. Then he remembers how he had used a game for his sister to save her from falling through the ice. He creates a snowball in the clutch of his hand and threw it in Pitch’s face mid-threat. This shocked Pitch and made everyone start to laugh. Jack knew now that he is the guardian of Fun. He rallied the other children and they defeat Pitch with a good, old-fashioned snowball fight. Even the Boogie Man is no match for a child intent on having fun.



How can we find the center of our characters? If you search out the center, you will find who they are at the core of their very being, and this in turn will help them discover what their own strengths are. You might argue that Jack’s center is heroism, but all of the guardians have that — yet each one has their own unique center.

The center of a character’s being can help you determine who they are. This their essence. To determine their essence, you must also determine their identity. "How can I know who I am... until I find out who I was?"

Jack’s identity is his mischievousness. He’s been having "fun" for three hundred years, often at other’s expense. This is what he uses to protect his true essence.

In the end, we see Jack’s essence is his ability to protect the children by removing their fears through fun and games. This is who Jack Frost is. The guardian of Fun. Once he embraces his true center, the children can see him now, and he is no longer alone.




"You are something else altogether! Your center is Imagination! This is a result that is very rare and difficult to have because it's a balance of all the other centers: Fun, Memories, Wonder, Hope, and Dreams. You can't have Imagination without these combined! Full of life, laughter, and ideas! You love nothing more than a good laugh, adventure, and games. You are strange and mysterious. No matter what, in light or darkness, you tend to see beauty in everything, and you believe it's the little things that matter. You're very loyal to those important to you and you're often looked to for given wisdom, strength and advice.  Others don't always understand you or your motives, but in the end, you are usually right. You're calm, relaxed, fun-loving, and kind at heart, but when you're fighting for something, you're always determined for a cause. While others may back down, or be afraid, you stand firm and strong until the battle is won. You defend the imaginations of children. 

I'm sharing my opinions and also giving objective reasons why I feel cosplayers should be paid if they are invited or recruited to 'work' for an organisation/club/any form of media. The 'work' discussed here can be defined as menial tasks such as giving out flyers, being a party entertainment, or appearing on any form of media for interviews or as background decorations. In case you haven't sensed my drift. I'm all for it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against commercialism, I’m just against exploitation. I believe labor should be paid regardless of who the individual is. Unless of course, if it's for a charitable cause.

Making costumes is expensive.
It's not hard to see how those elaborate costumes with yards of cloth can cost a lot. A lot of people will justify not paying the cosplayers by assuming that since the costume is already made, it doesn't make any difference to them. No extra cost is induced thus the cosplayers have no right to be paid. Following this theory, does it mean if you own a car and paid up all the installments, you should just lend it to someone (you don't personally know) for free? Cosplayers purchased their costumes with either cold hard cash or through their manual labor. To deprive someone else the rewards of their hard work is unreasonable. Especially if you're earning through them.

Cleaning costumes is expensive/troublesome.
It's easy to understand that costumes don't come easy, but few understand that these special costumes require maintenance too. Some costumes require dry cleaning while others need to be hand washed. Regardless of the way it will be cleaned, we can all agree that every wear will contribute to the “withering” lifespan of a costume. And if the work requires entertaining a crowd or walking near slippery mud. There's a fair chance some nasty strangers will help soil it. While some can argue that the diminishing of a costume is inevitable, oxygen and dust alone can help break it down. Please bear in mind that cosplayers wear their costumes to have fun and fulfill their own desires. Why should they risk their costumes to promote you?

Wearing a costume is exhausting and time consuming.
While I agree, not all costumes are uncomfortable, but I'm sure most seasoned cosplayers will agree with me that no cosplay is ever really comfortable. Even if it's not the bulky armor or heavy sword, it's the skimpy bust line. Even if it's not the 4 inch killer heels, it's the winter boots in tropical climate. Even if it's not the heavy hair piece, it's the skull constricting wig net. Even if it's not the spiky accessories, it's the dropping ribbon on your thigh. I don't know about you, but it takes me an average of two to three hours to get everything on and makeup done. Those few hours are always a panicky and stressful period for me.

Each of us is given twenty-four hours per day and the recommended sleeping hour is eight hours. Three divided by sixteen (24 - 8) hours in a day is more than sixteen percent of your entire day. Below is an estimation of the time a cosplayer would need to dedicate.

0.5 hour – Packing, prepping, and ironing a costume
1 hour - Transport time to and fro
2.5 hours - Prep time
2 hours - Work time

A whooping total of six hours! Effectively, that is half a work day and thirty-five percent of waking time. After the cosplay, more time wasted on cleaning the costumes. Why should anyone go through the hassle of dressing up to fulfill the desire of an organisation they don't personally know? Would you exchange six hours of your time for someone you don't know?

Time is money.
Time is precious. People always tend to undermine the importance of something they can't see, but really, if there's one thing you should cherish in life, then that's time. Time is an appreciating asset that grows more and more important as you realize you have lesser and lesser of it. The cruel fact is, everyone was born to die. When the ending is the same for everyone, the only difference comes in the way you live it. Time, unfortunately is something a lot of people assume cosplayers have a lot of. Henceforth, cheap. Many people assume all cosplayers are teeny students. Which is not entirely wrong because the majority of the cosplayers demographics are students, but as the hobby progresses and mature, many of the teenagers have now become young adults with a job. Even if they really are students, their time is better spent revising their textbooks.

I've mentioned many times on different accounts that maintaining this blog, social media pages, and my own cosplays has been very challenging. Writing this entry alone has taken me a few days to complete because I usually have spare time to blog only a few hours. I'm not extremely busy, but I'm not exactly keen to volunteer my time to insincere individuals/organisations either. I don’t know how to put my honest opinion across more politely but no, I’m not interested in helping out in your event and "promote cosplay to the public" for free. That said, if both parties can come to an agreement that benefits both sides then all is great. I don’t know how a cosplayer can benefit from a commercial organizer in any ways other than cash and products, but you get my drift.

Someone is earning through you.
Probably the one most important and teeth grinding point. The event/TV station/media parties are paid big bucks to create entertaining content. Depending on the time slot and channel, a single thirty second advertisement can easily cost more than six digits! Event organizers are paid by their clients to make sure everything for the event runs smoothly and there is sufficient attention on it. To put it simply, event organizing companies are also paid to create hype for the event. If their content includes and some times that hype is you, shouldn’t you get some sort of compensation for your involvement?

....Or anyone outside of the active community (Photographers, avid Animanga fans, etc) for that matter because they always ask me questions that I find difficult to answer and I always find myself unable to justify and uphold the hobby.

Am I the only one that gets mildly irked when asked, "Why do you cosplay?" from normies? People who don't interact in the cosplay community. I understand that they're curious but, I've explained it so many times that I'm pretty much sick of it. It's not like they'll really get it. Then I get asked what characters, like they'll know exactly who or what I'm talking about. If I don't tell them, they get offended. Why do you want to know if you have no interest in art, anime, or games to begin with? Because that's where most, if not all my characters are chosen or originate from. I don't think cosplay needs to be explained for them to take interest? I just started doing it on my own. Having to repeat myself over and over is a problem. Simply saying it's a hobby I enjoy isn't enough anymore? And for the main reason I get annoyed is because when I do explain, they respond with, "I don't get it, you're just weird". Okay thanks for wasting my time.

Person: What do you do when you cosplay?

Me: I go to the nearest conventions, events, and gatherings and take photos with the occasional RP.

Person: Oh, I see. What do you guys do when you attend events?

Me: We mingle with other fans, attend panels, watch the stage activities, and take pictures.

And it's not like they are even trying to bring the hobby down, they were just being inquisitive! Double fun is how everyone always asks the same questions. I guess they really don't have a clue, huh? Strangely, no matter how much I enjoy the hobby, every fun factor in the hobby suddenly pales and withers when a non-Animanga fan queries about it.

I mean, taking pictures is fun to me, but explaining that to someone else never fails to put a rock in my throat. I think I need some help in coming up with some intelligent answers. The next dreadful comment would be this: “Oh, I think the Japanese cosplayers are awesome, but Caucasian ones are far from it”. Seriously, sometimes I wonder what's the purpose of telling me that. Were they expecting me to bow in agreement and do a cheers hug with them? Are they trying to prove that they know something about this hobby. Or are they trying to imply I won't ever be as good as my Japanese counterpart?

Person: So you cosplay?

Me: Yes.

Person: I've seen some really awesome Japanese cosplayers, they really look like the characters! But the ones in the States can't really match up.

Me: I can't say that I agree. There are actually a lot of really good cosplays from people here.

Person: But the Japanese ones are REALLY good! The ones I've seen are astounding!

Me: Ummm okay, personally I really admire Western cosplayers.

Person: Hahaha, the Caucasian ones are, I'm sorry to say, far from good.

Me: Actually there are a lot of talented Caucasian cosplayers. Have you seen some of their costumes? 

Person: Well, maybe they win by their costume, but appearances is another thing.

Me: That's where you're wrong! If a Westerner can do a good job on their costume as well as be of the right physique, they'll look even closer to the characters!

Person: Hmmm, but I still think the Japanese are better. If you've seen the pictures I've seen.

Me: Of course I'm sure. I've seen a lot of very amazing Japanese cosplays, but I don't claim them to be the best.

Person: I still think they are the best. I think it's a personal preference thing.

My point is, can we STOP generalizing!? Yes, there are some very good Asian cosplayers and some not so great Western cosplayers, but who's to say a specific race is better than another when the hobby itself is so varied in presentation? The same cosplayer can be awesome as Character X, but fail desperately as Character Y. There is no such thing as a "1-person-fits-all" nor a “1-race-fits-all”!

I have nothing against Japanese cosplayers and yes, a lot of them are really awesome. I definitely wouldn't reign them as my personal throne master. It could be due to the fact that my language obstacle has stopped me from seeing more of their cosplays. From my admittedly skewed and shallow perspective, I find their cosplays too made-up and lacking in variety. Then again, I guess I don’t see enough of it as a whole to judge. I guess I should schedule a trip to Japan soon, huh? Yet, why is someone who has never cosplayed before giving me his/her critics and comments and expecting me to take it?

What I dislike most is the jab in the back by a supposed "outsider" implying I should know less than them! Every time one of them tells me: "If only you've seen the pictures I've seen." I pulled a muscle restraining myself from retorting: "What makes you think I've seen any lesser than you?". That’s a lot of anger and bitching going on above. I hope nobody takes what I say personally. As usual, I’m not being vindictive nor am I discriminating anyone/any race. My objective here is to share my observation of the reaction from non-cosplayers and start a discussion with like-minded cosplayers or at least people in this community. Am I the only one who gets responses like these when someone finds out you cosplay?

Before anyone jumps into any conclusion, I'm not hating on non-cosplayers for being curious and I'm definitely not hating on cosplay itself. If I was, I wouldn’t be doing it and even going as far as having social media pages about cosplay. The point of this entry is to share my very truthful experience and anxiety as a cosplayer who's also very much human. I know not everyone has the same experiences as me and I understand experience is what the individual makes of it. I also admit I haven’t been superbly confident and I’m still learning the ropes of living gracefully.

Ironically, this entry is simply put out here for non-cosplayers to get an insight into what a cosplayer really thinks when they ask questions like “What characters do you cosplay?”, “What is your most successful cosplay?”, “Why didn’t you choose a sexier costume?”. This is to remind everyone, cosplayers and non-cosplayers alike, that we're all just PEOPLE not a category of something based on our hobby of choice.

I just want to focus on talking about cosplay because that's what this blog is clearly about. It seems like some feel that it can be a problem in my life. Not because of the hobby itself, but the fact that the hobby itself takes up too much time and effort that otherwise would have been better used elsewhere. Some times I look back and wonder to myself , if I never found cosplay would I have become a more accomplished individual? Would I have spent my time on something more worthwhile that can better help the society or elevate my social standing? While we can go on to debate that this is an outcome nobody can predict henceforth theoretically incorrect to discuss for there is no basis for comparison... What I mean to say is sometimes I have these "What if's " in me too.

Many people and some cosplay newbies mistake wealth, fame, and glory as the main point of cosplaying. They see certain cosplayers who are often very popular with the crowd as the ideals in cosplaying and assume that the cosplayer is a "professional" due to the huge numbered stats of their social media followers, the costumes that they wear are very well-made, and are sometimes if not all awarded large sums of cash and material prizes for their efforts. But this is a potentially disastrous assumption to make in the enjoyment of a hobby such as cosplay.

Cosplaying is paying tribute to your favorite character/design concept/idea by dressing up and acting out this character as accurately as possible. Some cosplayers are quite devoted to this idea that they take great lengths to produce the best cosplay of their chosen character. They may employ their own knowledge or hire professionals to help them make their cosplay come true. These fan-made efforts are sometimes so well done that the untrained eye may mistake the effort as something done on the professional level akin to Hollywood or theatrical levels in dressing and acting. But in the case of cosplayers, this really isn’t the point, because they were just doing their best to give tribute to their favorite character.


Are there really these so called "professional cosplayers"? I don’t know about you, but I raised my eyebrows when the media started labeling very popular cosplayers with that term a few years ago. Something just doesn’t sit right. Might be the whole fandom versus commercialism thing that strikes me as queer.

Dictionary.com defines a "Professional" as below:

pro·fes·sion·al (adjective)

1. Following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain: a professional builder.

2. Of, pertaining to, or connected with a profession: professional studies.

3. Appropriate to a profession: professional objectivity.

4. Engaged in one of the learned professions: A lawyer is a professional person.

5. Following as a business an occupation ordinarily engaged in as a pastime: a professional golfer.

 As described above by the term, a professional cosplayer should be someone whose livelihood is wholly sustained by cosplay from a legitimate degree from pertaining experience or studies. Or at least, it should be a medium for them to gain substantial financial/material benefits from. Make sense? By strict definition, it's pretty impossible to have a professional cosplayer. By strict definition, a professional cosplayer would have to be someone who is paid to cosplay. Somewhat like a professional actor who is paid to act.

If you want to earn while doing something cosplay related there are ways:

Professional Costume Maker and Props Maker

• Aside from clients who are cosplayers, there are commercial production groups who are in need of clothes and costumes for their actors and models for theater, TV commercials, TV shows and etc. 

Professional Hair/Wig Stylist and Make-up Artist

• There are many characters who require extensive facial or prosthetic make-up and the make-up skills you honed in cosplay are going to be really useful in related occupations.

Cosplay Model

• But mostly if you’re appropriate enough for the particular role.

Cosplay Mascot

• There are many companies who need people who can wear full-body costumes while being able to dance and/or act and not every standard actor can accomplish such a feature.

Professional Photographer/Videographer

• If you began as a hobbyist you may expand your skills in photography by taking shots of cosplayers! Take it a step further by practicing portraiture, fashion and event photography, videography, or even journalism.

Cosplay-related Events

• If you have a background in public relations, marketing and other related roles and if you have enough manpower and resources to assemble a quality event which people (cosplayers, enthusiasts, and the curious) will annually attend.

Yes, you might argue that Ivy Doomkitty, Jessica Nigri, Liz Katz, Nicole Marie Jean, and Yaya Han are doing it. They're all models that make their own costumes with a history of convention attendance before being paid. If you allow me to comment objectively, I'd say they're earning their bread not directly from cosplay itself, but from their merchandise and presence. And this is the part that gets grey. Even though the above mentioned cosplayers don't get their money from doing the hobby itself, it's definitely their jumping board, trademark, and selling point. So, that makes it hard to separate both entities. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to shoot the above mentioned cosplayers down, I admire them and think they are all awesome in different ways. I'm just analysing objectively. So begs the question, is the term "professional cosplayers" valid?

There are many talents and skills involved to make a successful cosplay. Some of the basics are honed through practice, some are learned in school or in apprenticeships, and higher education. If one were so inclined, and when you’ve learned and experienced enough to be confident in your skills you may be able pursue a career which is related to cosplaying. Remember there is no single educational course to take for it and it isn’t necessary that one stops being a cosplayer when one takes up a professional career. But there's just no such thing as a "professional cosplayer", only professionals who are involved in cosplaying.

When I post photos on my social media pages (Deviant Art, Facebook, Twitter, and Vampire Freaks) from my recent shoots or cosplays I've done in the past, people are mostly cool and respectful, because they know that the sharpness of my tongue is quite legendary and they had best not mess. While the majority of the comments are tame or rather expected, I see a lot of ignorance seeping out of the woodwork. It occurred to me just how many assumptions people make about cosplayers, and just how incredibly incorrect they are. I’m going to address a few of those. Here's five big ones that I'd like to cover.


Assumption #1: "Cosplayers want to be hit on, ogled, or fetishized. Otherwise, why would they wear what they do!?"

This attitude is so prevalent, even among other cosplayers. This is slut-shaming at its finest. The assumption that someone is “asking for it” by dressing a certain way. If you've somehow managed to exist on Deviant Art, Facebook, Twitter, Vampire Freaks, the internet, and the planet in general without being aware that this attitude is considered wrong. Allow me to direct you to some important information on the subject. The bottom line: No one is ever “asking” to be abused, harassed, hit on, fetishized, or otherwise treated as a sexual object. With the exception of the person in question actually walking up to you and saying: "Please sexually harass me. You can touch my boobs. Grope me all you want. Do you want to take souvenir pictures of my ass?" It's never okay to assume that they want any kind of sexual attention from you, or anyone. Period.

And sure, there are plenty of male characters who wear nothing but a pair of briefs. But somehow, it’s not considered slutty or attention-seeking for guys to dress like that. They’re not “asking” to be sexually harassed just for having a body that they were born with and allowing it to be visible.

Well, I could continue on about this topic for ages, but that’s not what this entire piece is about. Let’s move on to the next assumption.


Assumption #2: “You guys have no lives. Get a job or something, and stop spending all of your time on this.”

For some odd reason, people seem to think that all cosplayers are useless leeches who mooch off of their parents, guardians, or relatives and don’t have jobs, school, or anything “better” to do with their time than dress up like their favorite heroines, superheroes, villains, or characters in general.

How do you think we support this hobby of ours? Of course we have jobs. We're adults with responsibilities just like anyone else, and we have no more spare time than anyone else. We just choose to spend it differently. Instead of spending our time and money at the bar or a nightclub, we work on costumes (or sometimes, work on costumes and then go to the bar or club as a reward). Everyone has some type of hobby that they enjoy. This is ours. So no, we don’t have “too much” time on our hands. Most of us would argue that we don’t have nearly enough.


Assumption #3: "So, this is like, a sexual thing? Like a fetish? You guys are kind of like furries, right?"

No disrespect to the furry community here, but people often associate their community with intense sexual undertones (or overtones…or tones in general). And for some people within the community, that’s certainly the case. For some people in the cosplay community, that’s probably true as well, but only a very small percentage of cosplayers do it for sexual reasons. If you ask the vast majority of cosplayers if they’ve ever had sex in their costumes, their answer is going to be “Hell no! I spent way too much time and money on that to risk it getting torn or stained!” People cosplay for a multitude of reasons, but it’s very rare because they’re turned on by the idea of strutting around for hours in a skin-tight, sweaty, pleather or spandex onesie. While superhero and villain costumes are frequently sexy, and yes, nerds do have sex, it’s generally not the prime motivator for cosplay, and it’s almost never an actual fetish. Most people don’t even know the real definition of fetish.

Basically, this analogy sums it up: There are people who are turned on by the sight of a woman’s feet in heels, but not every woman who wears heels is doing so because she’s turned on by it or wants to attract those kinds of people. Some people just like wearing heels. Same goes for cosplay. Yes, cosplay porn exists. No, Anime Expo, Comic Con, etc isn't one giant four-day orgy. Moving on.


Assumption #4: “You have to be in perfect shape or a super hottie in order to cosplay. I’m too short/tall/skinny/fat/ugly/old/etc.”

The short answer to this question: No... just no.

The long answer: There are people of every age, gender, nationality, religion, size, shape, thereupon who cosplay. Literally anyone can do it. Never ever let your gender, race, or weight stop you from cosplaying. Never let anyone tell you that cosplay is about looking good or being exactly what the anime had in mind. If you want to do a head-canon version of a character, do it and have fun. That's what it's all about.

It legitimately does not matter at all. Can it be nerve-wrecking getting suited up for the first time, worrying that people are going to judge you? Absolutely. But if anyone tries to give you shit, kindly direct them to me, and I will give them a piece of my mind. It won’t be a good piece. After you take the first plunge, you’ll be surprised how much fun you have, and how little anyone else cares about what you perceive as imperfections or flaws.


Assumption #5: “Cosplayers are judgemental bitches. If you're not pretty enough, popular, or your costume isn’t up to par with their view or standards, you’ll be shunned. It’s just like high school.”

I can’t begin to tell you how misleading this is. I've met some of my absolute best friends through this hobby and have gained a second family seems like.

This community is awesome. Yes, it has crappy moments. There are assholes, elitists, and sexist douche bags. But for every jerk being a dick, there are plenty of people waiting to take you into their fold, make you feel comfortable, and at home. Don’t focus on the negativity, focus on the positives. We're all nerds here. We all know what it’s like to feel shunned and alone, to be awkward and uncomfortable in your own skin. Cosplay is about getting past all of that. If you’re hesitant or nervous about trying it, don’t be. Just take that step forward and jump right in. Trust me, the first time someone asks for a picture, wants a hug, or squeals and fangirls/fanboys over your costume because they love the character and see you as a hero in their eyes, you’ll realize what you've been missing.