In the world of fiction, there are some super fans that transform into the characters they love; these fans are called cosplayers. Part of this cosplay world are freshmen Phoebe Chute, Keila Waddell, and Alexander Ortiz. These cosplayers dress up as their favorite characters from different movies, television shows, and books. The term cosplay is a combination of the words costume and play, and is a performance art in which participants wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character or idea from their favorite fandom.

Cosplayers attend conventions, show off their costumes, and enjoy the artistic side of the activity, like the exotic and extravagant makeup that is worn to get into character. Some popular conventions include Cosplay Con, Comic Con, and AnimeCon.

During cosplay events, there are themed meet-ups where fans of the same shows, comics, books, and video games meet up to talk and make friends. Unlike conventions, themed meet-ups are specific to a certain fandom. Freshman Phoebe Chute started cosplaying a little over a year ago and she cosplays as whatever character is currently interesting and relatable to her.

“My favorite parts are spending time with my friends and being able to relate with them over something,” Chute said.

When cosplaying, one of the most important components is the costume. This informs everyone of what character is being portrayed and makes the person into art because it changes a normal person into an interesting, detailed character.
“It is actually very fun to put a costume together. If you make it, then you have to spend a lot of time on it otherwise you’re shunned at conventions. But if you make your costume very high quality, then the conventions will be much more satisfying,” Ortiz said.

The costumes that people wear are solely decided by the fandom or the character that the cosplayer most wants to embody.

“I cosplay because I am a very shy person, and it’s great to become these characters who are much stronger and cooler than I am,” Waddell said.

Cosplaying helps some people break out of their shell to become who they want to be by allowing them to become a different person. Many times, cosplayers are asked for pictures from fans of the characters they are dressed as because of how admirable their costume is and that is an honor for all cosplayers. Being asked for a photo means that the costume that they have worked so hard on has gained attention from a fan.

“My favorite part about cosplaying is being a different person for a short time. Taking a day or two to not be Alexander Ortiz and being Kaneki Ken the one eyed ghoul or Kirito the Black Swordsman,” Ortiz said.

Cosplay allows people to be who they actually are or who they want to be. For many CHS students, cosplaying is a fun part of their lives. Cosplayers take the identity of different characters, which is the beauty of it. Simply said, cosplaying is absolutely rad.