Cosplaying has risen in popularity since the pandemic despite starting as a niche hobby from the 1990s, so with the popularity of anime and manga it’s no surprise that some of MHS’ students like to cosplay as well.
Sophomore Lara Kulkarni goes to panels and cosplay conventions to meet other cosplayers and take photos, Kulkarni said. Cosplaying is not just an extension of Halloween, but is more personal, she added.
“I’d say cosplay is like if you’re trying to immerse yourself into that character and show people, ‘I like this character. I want to represent them,’” Kulkarni said.
Senior Eron Escobar attends cosplay conventions with clothes that he already owns or buys from Amazon, Escobar said. He was inspired over the summer to get into cosplaying because his friend learned how to DIY his cosplay props using a 3D printer and foam, he added.
“He did a ‘Cloud’ cosplay, and he 3D printed all the parts for the Buster Sword,” Escobar said. “He also 3D-printed a magnet so that he can stick the sword onto his back.”
Escobar has been impressed ever since he saw the photos his friend posted, he said.
“So I’ve always thought that was really cool, and I’ve always wanted to emulate that,” Escobar said.
Senior Amy Phan was first inspired to cosplay by the various photos posted on social media, she said.
“With how prevalent it is online, if you’re in communities that involve gaming or anime or that type of stuff, you’re going to see it,” Phan said. “And honestly, it’s just so cool. It’s fun. I like to see how professionals do it.”
Even if you’re not rich or experienced, you can still utilize what you have and learn the skills to make your own cosplay, Phan said.
“I lean more towards closet cosplays (cosplays that are created using clothes and accessories you already have) and making things myself, because I am a high school student, and I don’t have the money to purchase them,” Phan said. “So you learn skills like, ‘How can I turn cardboard into a potential weapon or a piece of armor?’”
Kulkarni buys her cosplay pieces online as long as it’s within her budget, she said.
“I always buy them off of Amazon,” Kulkarni said. “Everything’s kind of expensive, so I’m just safe with Amazon.”
But Kulkarni also cautions about the dangers of being in cosplay in public, she said.
“If you’re cosplaying a character that is often known for having fan service, then beware of that, because there’s also a lot of creepy old men at cosplay conventions,” Kulkarni said.
People should remain respectful of the boundaries of people who are cosplaying; do not attack them and treat them like you would treat anyone else, Kulkarni said. An example was in the early 2000s when people hit cosplayers with a paddle that has been banned since the 2010s because of the injuries the paddles caused, she added.
“So, people would get this paddle and they would start whacking other cosplayers with it, just because they shipped them (supporting a romantic relationship between two characters) with this other one,” Kulkarni said. “One cosplayer broke their neck because of it, and another was paralyzed from the neck down.”
It is important to ask for permission before getting close to cosplayers, regardless of who they are, Kulkarni said.
“If you see someone cosplaying a character, that does not give you the right to touch them, and always ask for photographs,” Kulkarni said.
Escobar believes that there are no guidelines for cosplaying besides being respectful, he said.
“There are no rules to cosplay, except for, of course, the usual: Don’t be weird and don’t be gross,” Escobar said. “You can be anyone.”
Escobar has met many kind cosplayers who are there just for fun, he said.
“Really, the best compliment you can give to a cosplayer is, ‘Hey, can we take a photo with you?’ or ‘Hey, can I take a photo of you?’” Escobar said. “And they always feel so elated, so happy to do so and to comply.”
