The Memoir of a Cosplayer

The Memoir of a Cosplayer

Introduction

Growing up as a teen who harbored a passion for the Japanese culture, it's animations, music and art, I found a great liking towards cosplay and I struggled to make my parents realize my dreams of becoming a cosplayer.  It was difficult explaining to my parents for the first time that I had wanted to attend an Anime Convention, to go to the different events held within it, it's panels and shops in the dealers room, but I finally convinced them that this is what I wanted to do, that this is something I wanted to experience and if I didn't enjoy it, then I didn't, but if I did, I did.

I may not be a widely recognized cosplayer, though I hope to one day make a name for myself in this community, and I thought that I could start by sharing my story.  Not only sharing my struggles of becoming a cosplayer, but by sharing my experiences of becoming who I am today.

Part I

A good place to start would be at the very beginning, I don't mean from when I began cosplaying, but at the very roots in which my love for Japanese culture, animation and games was born.  

Growing up as a toddler, I always played "Super Mario World", "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past", "Donkey Kong Country" and other games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.  Even though I had no idea what I was doing or what was going on, it was always a joy and entertaining for me to play these games.  I mostly had a fascination for "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past" and I believe it was truly this series that started my fascination for Japanese culture, always pretending I was a comrade of Link's (or Link himself) and it actually lead me to want to become a knight, despite the fact Link had no such status.  As I grew older and watched the television with more understanding, I began watching shows such as Sailor Moon and Dragonball and I was extremely devastated when they were no longer aired on the television, in which case, I would always play my SNES.  At the time, I had no idea that those shows where of Japanese origin until I was at least ten years old.  A few years went by and I was in middle school when my love for anime resurfaced with Yu Yu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Inuyasha, Fushigi Yuugi, Neon Genesis Evangelion and much more.  And that marked the beginning of my dream to become a cosplayer.

Part II

I remember looking up online different anime shows and characters when I would constantly come across pictures of people dressed up as characters that I was both familiar and unfamiliar with.  At this point, I became rather curious and eventually stumbled across the term "cosplay".  Not knowing what it was, I looked it up and that's where it began.  Looking at all of the wonderful, extravagant costumes that people made from countries all over the world intrigued me and I decided that I wanted to be just like them.  At first I thought they only did it for fun with their friends or Halloween, but then I came to realize that these people attended Anime Conventions annually.  I then began dreaming of going to conventions and cosplaying but I knew that would never happen.  Or so I thought…

Part IV

Two classmates in my acting classes during middle school happened to be interested in anime as I found out during an acting exercise.  We shared manga and talked about what shows and games we liked and then they told me about an anime convention they were attending that was nearly an hour away from where we lived.  They gave me the website and after some research, I approached my mom about it.  She was extremely hesitant at first, but I eventually was able to convince her into saying "yes".  She helped me make my very first cosplay, Nuriko from Fushigi Yuugi being that I strictly forbade myself that I would not attend the convention unless I was cosplaying.  My mom had very little sewing skill, so the costume wasn't of the greatest quality, but I really appreciated what she did for me between taking care of my sisters, me and working.  The day finally came of the convention and she took me, not quite sure how to handle all that was going on.  It was an experience like never before and it is something I will never forget and always hold dear to me.

Every year after that, I would attend the same convention and either my mother or father would take me.  They hated it though, claiming that there was nothing for them to do there except take pictures, but they signed up for this the day they decided to be parents.  They would have to and will continue to have to do things for their children that they themselves may not like, and I always used this against them and it always worked.  One year, however, my parents couldn't take me and I couldn't find anyone to go with and that was the worst year of my career as a cosplayer.  I didn't a single costume that year.  I stayed home and was beyond depressed, especially when my friends who were at the convention called me, asking me where I was.  After that experience, I stood up for myself and made a vow to attend at least one convention a year, mostly because they are very expensive, especially when you make costumes.

For two year in a row, I went with my friends (no parents – this was very difficult for my dad to accept, but my mother was fine with it).  I had a blast with them and then the next year I went with some different friends because neither of my friends from the previous years could make it to the convention.  Still, it was equally as pleasant, attending conventions with them for a few years!

Part V

Putting aside conventions for a moment, I would like to talk about my cosplay experience.  I tried learning to sew by myself from books, online tutorials and videos, but nothing seemed to work for me.  I looked in the local newspaper, craft stores and other places for sewing classes, but they were far too expensive and I eventually had to settle making my costumes with whatever skill I had.  Though I would like to say these costumes never existed, I can't because they do, and because of these horribly made costumes, I have learned and my skills have increased from them.

Around Halloween 2009, I found out that my neighbor knows how to sew.  She sewed my little sister's friend's costume and I approached her about teaching me sewing skills, how to read patterns and other things.  She was more than happy to help me and I am eternally grateful for her aid!  In January 2010, we started working on my Princess Garnet cosplay.  The most sewing she did on the costume was to show me how to do a new stitch, she helped me read the pattern I purchased for it, how to patterns and, most importantly, she taught me how to embroider by hand.  Because of this wonderful woman, I am now able to create works of art I never have dreamed I could.  I decided to participate in the Masquerade at the convention I attended that year.  I simply did a walk on, but I won Best Craftsmanship Novice Division and it was all because of that wonderful woman who taught me so much.

Part IV

I didn't write this mini-memoir simply to share my experience with everyone, but because I know a lot of people who are making their first steps into the cosplay community have a lot to deal with, especially with their parents.  I wrote this to tell those future cosplayers to never give up hope, keep pushing yourself and you can do wondrous things with your life.  If you cannot find any places that give sewing lessons, ask neighbors, friends and family members because you will probably be able to find someone to help you.  If you cannot, I will try my best to help those who need it.  I know I am not the best cosplayers and I never will be, there will always be those who are greater than I, but I try to do my very best and I will continue to do so.

I hope this mini-memoir will inspire those cosplayers who struggle with themselves and with their family to go to conventions or simply cosplay.  If you have any questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability.

Show the world and yourself what you can do, and always look on the bright side of life.

I love you all and good luck!

Love,
Euphoria