Ask John: Should Americans do Cosplay?

Question:
There are a lot of people out there who feel that cosplay in general should be exclusive to Asians and people with smaller body frames. What do you think?

Answer:
Comparison between American and Japanese cosplay reveals an interesting difference in cultural perspective. The generally held axiom is that Japan maintains cosplay at a higher level of excellence than America. There are certainly unimpressive Japanese cosplayers and exceptional American cosplayers, but Japan seems to reveal rather few cosplayers that appear obviously unprepared or unsuited to their costuming intentions while America seems to be rife with costumers whose efforts seem either unimpressive or inappropriate. This actually seems to signify an interesting difference in social philosophy. Japan’s otaku seem to adhere to a philosophy of only costuming if the cosplay can be done “right.” American otaku have adopted cosplay as a means of self-expression. Particularly anime like Genshiken and Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu seem to explain the Japanese philosophy that cosplay is an homage to the character portrayed, thus the costume and costumer should refrain from disgracing the character with a poor likeness. American costumers seem to approach cosplay as a method of expressing their affection for certain characters or franchises, thus an accurate portrayal is less important than clearly expressing the costumer’s interests.

Whether in Japan or internationally, cosplay is a personal expression which I, personally, am loathe to discourage. Objectively, I have to concede that there are countless American anime fans who appear embarrassing, or who may even offend observers with grossly inappropriate or inadequately prepared costumes. But the argument is one between the right of the individual to express his or her own enthusiasm and the comfort of observers. As a supporter of democratic rights, I’m happy to sacrifice some momentary superficial comfort to allow others the freedom to express themselves. As an anime fan, although I’m sometimes bothered or annoyed by jubilant otaku, I’d still rather see excited, expressive, devoted, and proud anime fans than fans who keep their interests hidden and private.

Japanese cosplayers seem to take pride in maintaining a very high level of authenticity and faithfulness to their portrayals. American cosplayers don’t seem to take cosplay so seriously, instead approaching it with a greater sense of fun than responsibility. That attitude, I think, characterizes the whole spirit of the American anime fan community, so imposing de facto rules through peer pressure and self-restraint is a betrayal of the communal and expressive spirit of the American otaku community. I concede that seeing a 300 pound woman costume as a 90 pound high school girl isn’t conventionally attractive, but nothing at all about anime fandom in America is conventional. I’d prefer to see that 300 pound woman reveal her love for anime and feel comfortable and able to express herself thusly in a community that shares her interests than participate in an oppressive anime fan community that designates what and how fans should like and act.

Now, on a tangential and especially personal closing note, I’d like to state a personal plea. The Japanese word “cosplay” may be a portmanteau of “costume” and “play,” but it’s not literally a reference to acting in a stage play. Cosplay is the practice of exhibiting a costume. For the love of God stop performing those terrible and over-long skits! Costume contests are an opportunity to show off your costume, not your terrible acting.