My head was already boiling under my heavily pinned wig. I struggled to untangle myself from my staticky homemade cloak. I was carrying a lute even though I’m as musical as a brick.
I had never felt so alive.
The local library was filled with folk from every conceivable comic, TV show and book. Rey chatted happily with Batman. A woodland fairy checked the day’s schedule side by side with Solid Snake. In the foyer, a group photo was being amassed of various anime characters whom I am sadly too uncultured to identify.
The convention attracted all ages, from a tiny, stroller bound Spiderman to the gray haired gentleman who perused the yellowed comic books as if they were old friends. But the bulk of the attendees, at least the costumed ones were, like me, teens, or thereabout.
One could surmise several reasons for this. Excess of free time, irresponsible use of pocket money (I’ll present my lute in agreement of this idea), outright refusal to leave Halloween to just one day of the year. To most, it could all be summed up as simple immaturity, just kids, still playing pretend.
But when I recall my fellow attendees, the concentration as they focused on mirroring their character’s mannerisms for photos, the way their faces lit up upon finding someone also from their fandom, and the easy conversations that followed. I wonder, is our hobby pure escapism, or is there some part of it that, actually, serves as a vital stepping stone in our path of self growth?
It’s easy to see the appeal of cosplay. Everyone has their beloved characters, the ones we adore and idolize. These fortunate fictional folk lead lives far more glamorous than our own, in realms filled with adventure and fantasy, far from the dull, uncomfortable world we inhabit. To think we too could have that, even just a taste of it, for the small price of donning some odd clothes and acting a little strange. It’s a siren call that some, especially the more *ahem* obsessive among us, find hard to resist.
The idea of taking on a new persona, indicated by a drastic change in appearance, is a common stage for all teens, both geek and otherwise. Some might choose suddenly to wear a full face of makeup and name brand clothes in order to appear more fashionable and hip. They might want to join the punk rock culture and decide to dye or shave their hair and dress in “edgy” fashion. Both of these changes are a way of exploring different identities to try to find one they’re most satisfied with. It’s a method of self discovery. Cosplay comes from the same desire, though different inspiration.
The benefit of cosplay over other kinds of exploration is the fact that one can step directly into a clearly defined, pre-existing part. One can choose a character that represents qualities they wish they had, and try being them to learn how to eventually be LIKE them.
For example, if someone has been shy and self conscious for a long time, they will have developed a persona that enforces their mindset. They might want to become more confident, but because they’ve lived so long as an insecure person, it can be hard to see how to change. By cosplaying as say, Deadpool, who’s very outgoing and assured, they can practice confidence without needing to reconcile it with their existing personality. With that practice, they’ll eventually be able to act confidently as themselves as well.
In contrast, some people instead choose characters that are very similar to them. By dressing as a character that represents the qualities one is proud of, they can find validation for that part of them. Say the aforementioned person liked being quiet and unassuming, they might cosplay as Fluttershy, who is known, and very much beloved, for exactly that. This gives them the chance to be acknowledged and appreciated for their own gentleness, by highlighting it.
Finally, regardless of the character chosen or the reasons why, cosplay brings people together and creates appreciation for hobbies often brushed aside as too geeky or too childish. It’s nothing short of an art form in itself, and the conversations and bonds it helps create can go further than anything in helping young people to feel proud of their interests and realize they can be admired just for doing the thing they love, and doing it with love.
“Hey! Are you Kvothe?” a passing pirate approached me. I smiled, with a jaunty air that I wouldn’t have dared a year ago, and confirmed that yes, I was Kvothe, at least in part, and in that moment, I was. And it felt good. In a few hours, I’d hang up the cloak, and pack up the lute, and I’d be me again, which would feel, just a little, disappointing. But in a few years, I know I’ll be a better me, truly someone I’m proud of. And I have no doubt the time I spent being Kvothe, and all the others, will have helped me get there.
