What is Cosplay? Cosplay (pronounced Ko-Su-Pu-Re in Japanese) is actually short for "costume play." There are many websites dedicated to cosplay. (See my links page.) Some of them can probably explain cosplay better than I can. Basically, cosplay is the act of dressing up as your favorite anime character. It's a lot of fun!
I started cosplaying in 2001. But my interest in cosplay actually started a years before that, in 1997. I became interested in cosplay when a friend of mine - we were both in the Davis Anime Club - came to our weekly anime club meeting dressed up as Nuriko from Fushigi Yuugi for Halloween.
Cosplay is a pretty expensive hobby. Materials and sewing machines don't come cheap! In 1997, I was a poor, nearly broke, college student who could barely afford textbooks. *shrugs* I didn't have the money to spend on cosplay until 2000 - when two things happened: I graduated and I got a job. ^_^
In early 2000, I took a 10 week sewing class for $80. But my first few sewing projects were a mess. They came out terribly! Don't laugh... In the beginning it was a struggle just to sew a straight line! You don't know how hard it is to sew straight until you try it! *pouts* I'm a perfectionist and I refuse wear crappy costumes! However, my sewing skills improved with time and practice. By 2001, I made my first successful costume!
I only have a few finished costumes now - since costume making is very time consuming! Between work, my family, and all my other hobbies, I don't have as much time to devote to cosplay as I would like. But my cosplay costume collection is growing steadily!
I guess I'm just an anime fanatic! I don't just watch anime. I have to live it, too! ^_^;;
Someday, I'd like to start my own cosplay costume shop. For now, please take a look around my cosplay closet. Enjoy!
