Cosplay Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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cosplay
[หkษspleษช ]
Definition
costume play
Cosplay is a performance art in which participants, known as cosplayers, dress in costumes and accessories to represent a specific character from a film, video game, comic book, or other forms of media. This activity often involves role-playing as the character, including mimicking their mannerisms and behaviors. Cosplay can be a solo endeavor or done in groups and is often showcased at conventions and events. The culture surrounding cosplay also includes the creation of costumes, crafting skills, and a sense of community among enthusiasts.
Synonyms
character dressing, costume play.
Examples of usage
- She spent weeks preparing her cosplay for the convention.
- Cosplay events attract fans from all over the world.
- He won the award for best cosplay at the anime festival.
Translations
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Origin of 'cosplay'
The term 'cosplay' is a portmanteau of the words 'costume' and 'play,' first coined in Japan in the 1980s. The practice of dressing as characters can be traced back to earlier fandoms, but it gained particular traction with the rise of anime and manga culture. The first recorded instance of the term appeared in a 1984 article by Nobuyuki Takahashi, who described fans at science fiction conventions dressing as their favorite characters. This new subculture began spreading globally in the 1990s alongside the growing popularity of Japanese pop culture. Today, cosplay is not only prevalent at anime conventions but has also expanded to include characters from various media, including movies, video games, and even original characters designed by fans themselves.