Cosplaying Alone & Confidence
I find it really fascinating how people receive others in costume/cosplay. I’m always leery when I cosplay in public on an average day with no event as an excuse. I always think people would think of it as childish, annoying, or embarrassing. Especially in the workplace.
But over the summer, someone let it slip at work that I am into cosplay. I was scared how my coworkers, and especially my boss, would take the fact that one of their employees dresses as other characters for fun - even going as far as dressing as the opposite gender.
However, the opposite happened: they were overly excited, and wanted to see all my cosplay photos. I was really surprised and admitted I thought they would think I’m childish, but they said, “No, it’s super creative! I’d never be able to make costumes like that!” And they only saw my Shizuo cosplay, which is basically a bartender suit with a pack of cigarettes and a sign. They loved how I got in character, and they even mentioned how I should get into acting or professional costume making as a side job.
Then, this week, I’ve been cosplaying for the week of halloween. Yesterday, in my Rin Matsuoka costume, people were surprised to see me - mostly because of my different hair - but they thought I had simply cut and dyed my hair. Some of my classmates didn’t even bat an eyelash at it.
Today I wore my black cat kigurumi, and I expected to get a few stares, which I did, but I got a reaction I didn’t expect: I made people smile. And I don’t mean the type of smile like “oh, they’re an idiot,” I mean a smile that meant I had brightened their day. Some faculty members even thanked me for dressing up because I made their bad day good again. In the elevator, when I had my hood down, people would ask what I was dressed up as. I would turn and show them my hood with a cat face, and when I turned back they seemed happier than the second before. One guy even said that he really likes seeing people dress up in costumes because of all the creativity used, admitting he doesn’t dress up himself but to looks up to those who do.
Overall, just be you! I am slowly coming to realize that it doesn’t matter what others think of you while in cosplay, since you do it for fun and for yourself because it is your hobby, not theirs. Before I refused to cosplay alone in public, but now I am the one trying to convince my friends that it’s okay to cosplay alone, as long as you are safe, smart, and respectful of others and your environment.
Awa-chan
A cosplayer who cosplays for fun.
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