Is Cosplay Color Blind?

Started by The_Only_BlackGuyin_Anime, January 21, 2014, 01:47:38 PM

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

The_Only_BlackGuyin_Anime

This has never happened to me, but every once in a while I hear some ignorant person at famine who sees a cosplayer of color and says something along the lines of "Why are they cosplaying as that character, they are not Caucasian or Asian." I just wanted to hear people's opinion  or experiences on the topic of "Cosplay Being Color Blind"
*Link Removed*

Valcust

I, too, have come across this issue before. Being of native descent myself, my darkened skin isn't exactly "accurate" to some characters I choose to cosplay, although people tend to forget that the entire reasoning behind cosplay is fun, pure and simple.
I wonder, what do people who find this "lack of accuracy" think of people cosplaying as dark elves, or aliens, or orks and things of that nature? "Oh, their skin's not REALLY green, they can't pull that off!"
The entire notion behind that way of thinking is just ignorant and awful /)_=
So long as a person is putting true EFFORT into a piece and is having FUN with it, they deserve nothing other than praise and respect~
Cosplays planned for 2014~:
Aimless Renegade~ 50%
Ja'Sajek the Khajiit~ 25%
Return of P-Body~ 75%

SkylerKarashi

Who cares if theyre the right color or not. People chose the character because they like him or her foe who they are, not nessesarily what they look like. Let the cosplayers have their fun!!! :)
My Cosplay For Fanime 2024:
Thursday: Closet Kaminari/Yuri (BNHA/Yuri On Ice)
Friday: Goth (Boyfriends)
Saturday: Red (Pokemon & Smash Bros)
Sunday: Casual Kaminari (BNHA)
Monday: Goth (Boyfriends)

The_Only_BlackGuyin_Anime

Quote from: Valcust on January 21, 2014, 02:42:57 PM
I, too, have come across this issue before. Being of native descent myself, my darkened skin isn't exactly "accurate" to some characters I choose to cosplay, although people tend to forget that the entire reasoning behind cosplay is fun, pure and simple.
I wonder, what do people who find this "lack of accuracy" think of people cosplaying as dark elves, or aliens, or orks and things of that nature? "Oh, their skin's not REALLY green, they can't pull that off!"
The entire notion behind that way of thinking is just ignorant and awful /)_=
So long as a person is putting true EFFORT into a piece and is having FUN with it, they deserve nothing other than praise and respect~

I agree with both of you. Cosplay should be fun! It is a sad fact that some can not see this light.
*Link Removed*

Anix

Only the ignorant choose characters by skin color. One of my best friends cosplay as Mario and he's black. I'd slap anyone that dared say something like that to him. Doesn't mean we don't push him towards characters like Dutch and Coach because he can pull them off better than us.
We are a little mad here.
The question is are you going to use your powers for good or for awesome

echoshadow

There will always be those poeple that will judge cosplay by skin color. The sad part is that those are the same people that never have cosplayed before.  They just bitch about what they see.

In all honestly no matter how cheap or bad your cosplay is to someone, your having 100x more fun than the same people that try and mock you.
Not your typical anime junkie.
MAL:Echoshadow's Anime List

The_Only_BlackGuyin_Anime

Quote from: echoshadow on January 21, 2014, 06:14:22 PM
There will always be those poeple that will judge cosplay by skin color. The sad part is that those are the same people that never have cosplayed before.  They just bitch about what they see.

In all honestly no matter how cheap or bad your cosplay is to someone, your having 100x more fun than the same people that try and mock you.

Preach it brother!!!!
*Link Removed*

Admiral Donuts

Cosplay isn't modelling. Anybody of any color, size, or shape can dress up as anyone else.

mikasa-san

I saw a great article online about a black cosplayer who got a lot of hate for no reason. Her outfits were top notch and she was absolutely gorgeous.

I don't understand people who have hate over cross-race cosplaying, or even cross-gender, etc. It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like, if cosplaying is something you enjoy then have fun and don't let anyone else's negativity discourage you.
FANIME 2015 COSPLAYS:
Maleficent
Poland (for Gong Show)

domofudge

Personally, I think anybody of any size, gender, or color should be able to cosplay anyone they'd like. Cosplay is supposed to be a hobby and for fun.

However, being someone who's a dark skinned asian, I've gotten some backhanded comments about how I "should have picked someone better for my skin tone". In one case when I was a young teen cosplaying Tomoe Mami it was especially bad because a few guys thought it would be funny to tell me I was a wonderful "black Mami" and tug off my wig and say "oh man, we just ripped out yo weave". And this is in California. We're supposed to be liberal as hell. Since then, I've stuck to cosplaying tanned characters for the most part just to avoid a scenario like that again.

Sunara Ishi

#10
There will always be someone that will snob other people's cosplays. Unfortunately with hardcore fans, they sometimes get too carried away and forget that cosplayers have feelings too. Unless they are just jerks.
But anyway...you should just ignore them, cosplay who you like, and have fun.

I don't really like the whole "You should cosplay based on your race & body type" line of thought. I don't think it is very fair as certain races and body types are very rare. I could probably count, on my hand, the number of plus sized female anime characters. However, as someone who's a little chubby (not plus sized & I hope to never be...), I've noticed that people tend to focus on the skinnier ones more. But that won't stop me from cosplaying who I like, even if I'm not no size 6.

I also have friends, of different race than said character, that have pulled off better versions that those of character's "supposed" race...

@Anix: I believe we might have the same friend. XD; Either that or you are friends with my friend's cosplay doppleganger.

@domofudge: You shouldn't let jerks like that keep you from cosplaying who you want. You need to tell people like that to back off and if they continue to harrass you, I believe you can report them to con staff. Especially if they destroyed your wig (if I'm understanding you right?) Besides, no one should ever touch you or anything on you without permission.
るう~
o(≧∀≦)O
"Doesn't break even when run over by a tank! The most durable ballpoint pen in world!"-Nebula

ZeroBudgetGamer

Cosplay elitism will almost never fade, and it will always be a little ingrained in our psyches.  As Sunara mentioned, when given the same cosplay, same quality, people will naturally gravitate towards the person will the more "accurate" physique.  This does not mean that the person with the "less accurate" physique shouldn't try, they just have to work a little harder to make their cosplay shine.

Personally, I am a large person, I'd look perfect as Chouji or the Heavy from TF2, but I'd be ill-suited to the more standard of gaming and anime fare.  And, again, personally, I'm OK with that.  I'd rather cosplay a character that I loosely resemble than try to don some lighter character's wardrobe and pretend I'm them for a weekend.  But that's me.  I have no problems with people cosplaying characters that they don't perfectly match.  Do what brings you the most enjoyment.

JaimeKetchum

i never had this happen before

for me im very picky myself

i want to cosplay people which i have skin color close too n same eye color so i don't need contacts
fanime 2018 cosplay list:
saturday-
nico yazawa school uniform (for love live gathering)
sasuke uchiha
female sasuke uchiha

Captain Marvelous

As long as you're respectful, you should feel free to cosplay whatever you want without molestation.
Next Con
????

KakashiUK

Is it only me or I see more naked cosplay than cosplay which takes time to create items, costumes and even custom made wig.. ? :(
Life is too short to be normal.

RyanMurray

#15
Quote from: KakashiUK on July 19, 2018, 01:09:30 PM
Is it only me or I see more naked cosplay than cosplay which takes time here to create items, costumes and even custom made wig.. ? :(

Unfortunately yes, 100% true.