Frequently Asked Questions
By Karen Wang
19 May 2013
19 May 2013
What are anime and manga?
Manga refers to Japanese comic books. Anime refers to Japanese animated cartoons. The majority of anime series are adapted from manga, while there are exceptions such as Mobile Suit Gundam. Anime can also refer to animated movies, such as Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki. And more recently, successful American anime series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender have broadened the definition of anime.
Is cosplay difficult and/or time-consuming?
Like any hobby, cosplay can take up as much time as you want. There are definitely cosplayers who dedicate a lot of their lives to cosplaying, and maybe that's not what you want to do. There is no need, however, to compare your cosplays to other people who have been doing it for years or who invest way more time in cosplaying. You don't have to be able to make a full-body robot suit or ultra-elaborate costume to have fun cosplaying!
What are anime conventions like, and how can I attend one?
Anime conventions are extended, usually 2 to 5-day-long events hosted in an indoor venue where anime fans gather to discuss their favorite shows, attend live performances, listen to guest speakers, and of course, show off their cosplays. Anime conventions are generally run by non-profit organizations. Beyond anime, they can encompass a variety of categories and themes such as video-gaming, comics, cosplay craftsmanship, music, and East Asian culture. Convention attendance can range from hundreds to tens of thousands. In addition, each convention has its own unique traditions and events. Con attractions may include a cosplay masquerade, video rooms, a dealers’ hall where you can buy unique and hard-to-find anime merchandise, a game room, fan-hosted panels, karaoke, and raves.
Conventions typically have programming 24 hours a day, so attendees often stay in hotels near the convention center in order to not miss out of any of the exciting things going on throughout the day. This means that attending conventions can be very tiring. This also means that there are a lot of costs involved, including for hotel, transportation, food, a budget for the dealers’ hall, and the price of convention admission itself.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to break the bank or tire yourself out by attending an anime convention! Use this guide to save money and make the most of your experience: Planning a convention trip.
What is a cosplay masquerade?
Cosplay masquerades are cosplay competitions where participants perform a short, typically humorous skit, and are judged based on their costume and performance quality. They are an opportunity for cosplayers to show off their work and receive positive, supportive feedback from the audience through applause and cheers.
What is the difference between cosplay and Halloween costumes?
The purpose of Halloween costumes and other costumed events is tied to the event or date itself. The purpose of cosplay, on the other hand, is creating and wearing the costume itself. Events such as cosplay gatherings are held for the sake of cosplay, and for cosplayers to learn how to improve their craft. In addition, cosplay must have necessarily have a narrative in the form of an anime plot-line or character bio, while Halloween costumes do not.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime
https://muse.jhu.edu/journals/mechademia/v005/5.rauch.html
Manga refers to Japanese comic books. Anime refers to Japanese animated cartoons. The majority of anime series are adapted from manga, while there are exceptions such as Mobile Suit Gundam. Anime can also refer to animated movies, such as Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki. And more recently, successful American anime series such as Avatar: The Last Airbender have broadened the definition of anime.
Is cosplay difficult and/or time-consuming?
Like any hobby, cosplay can take up as much time as you want. There are definitely cosplayers who dedicate a lot of their lives to cosplaying, and maybe that's not what you want to do. There is no need, however, to compare your cosplays to other people who have been doing it for years or who invest way more time in cosplaying. You don't have to be able to make a full-body robot suit or ultra-elaborate costume to have fun cosplaying!
What are anime conventions like, and how can I attend one?
Anime conventions are extended, usually 2 to 5-day-long events hosted in an indoor venue where anime fans gather to discuss their favorite shows, attend live performances, listen to guest speakers, and of course, show off their cosplays. Anime conventions are generally run by non-profit organizations. Beyond anime, they can encompass a variety of categories and themes such as video-gaming, comics, cosplay craftsmanship, music, and East Asian culture. Convention attendance can range from hundreds to tens of thousands. In addition, each convention has its own unique traditions and events. Con attractions may include a cosplay masquerade, video rooms, a dealers’ hall where you can buy unique and hard-to-find anime merchandise, a game room, fan-hosted panels, karaoke, and raves.
Conventions typically have programming 24 hours a day, so attendees often stay in hotels near the convention center in order to not miss out of any of the exciting things going on throughout the day. This means that attending conventions can be very tiring. This also means that there are a lot of costs involved, including for hotel, transportation, food, a budget for the dealers’ hall, and the price of convention admission itself.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to break the bank or tire yourself out by attending an anime convention! Use this guide to save money and make the most of your experience: Planning a convention trip.
What is a cosplay masquerade?
Cosplay masquerades are cosplay competitions where participants perform a short, typically humorous skit, and are judged based on their costume and performance quality. They are an opportunity for cosplayers to show off their work and receive positive, supportive feedback from the audience through applause and cheers.
What is the difference between cosplay and Halloween costumes?
The purpose of Halloween costumes and other costumed events is tied to the event or date itself. The purpose of cosplay, on the other hand, is creating and wearing the costume itself. Events such as cosplay gatherings are held for the sake of cosplay, and for cosplayers to learn how to improve their craft. In addition, cosplay must have necessarily have a narrative in the form of an anime plot-line or character bio, while Halloween costumes do not.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anime
https://muse.jhu.edu/journals/mechademia/v005/5.rauch.html