Non-anime costumes at an anime convention?

[sailor tweek]

Just out of curiousity, what do you all think of peeps who cosplay as their fave sci-fi/comic book/movie/non-anime characters at anime conventions?

Personally, it doesn't bother me a bit. I say showcase your love for a character in a convention setting. I figure that anime fandom seems closely linked to other forms of fandom such as sci fi and the like.

I'm just wondering what you all think. ^_^

oh, and if this subject has already been discussed, I apologize for the repeat! :bigtu:

[Ami Yuy]

I was going to go to the Lord of the Rings gathering at AX, but one of the reasons I decided not to (besides being exhausted and not wanting to cosplay today) was that I didn't want to deal with the people who thought it wasn't the place to do it. My friend (the maker of the costume) repeatedly said that she dislikes it when people cosplay other things at ANIME conventions, I kind of have to agree with her about that. However, if it's done *shrugs* more power to ya! I'm saving Eowyn for Comic Con instead. ^_^

[Yunalesca]

That's kind of my view of it too.

I really don't like the non-anime at the anime cons. But ont he flip side, it pisses me off that one will get those people who don't want anime at generic cons like Wondercon.

I was going to go to the Lord of the Rings gathering at AX, but one of the reasons I decided not to (besides being exhausted and not wanting to cosplay today) was that I didn't want to deal with the people who thought it wasn't the place to do it. My friend (the maker of the costume) repeatedly said that she dislikes it when people cosplay other things at ANIME conventions, I kind of have to agree with her about that. However, if it's done *shrugs* more power to ya! I'm saving Eowyn for Comic Con instead. ^_^

[daguru]

I sometimes wear my Biker Scout armor at anime cons. Many people have never seen anything like it in their lives and I'm happy to display my love of star wars for them, but they later mention that they're scared of me getting beat up because I wore a sw costume to an anime con. This odd comment came up most frequently at ACEN. Uh, maybe Chicago is just full of anime nazis or something (no offense).

Btw, the comment seemed odd to me because we're friggan anime otaku! We're mostly friendly teenage girls that obsess over vash cosplayers! WE DO NOT BEAT-UP PEOPLE!!!

[Dexter]

I actually enjoy making my own costumes and bringing them to conventions. There is something exceedingly stimulating about wearing your own thing, and nothing else seems to be able to compare to it. I’m much more fond of what my own imagination has in store more than anything else I’ve come to known, so I find it best to use it to the best of its ability. At any rate, I don't mind at all. Dress how you like, no matter who it is or where it came from. I wouldn't even mind if a apodysophilia came by without wearing one at all.

[Supremeronin]

At the events I go to probably 99% of the people there are anime cosplayers, with me and the occasional Pirate of the Caribbean or Matrix'ers as the exception...the events aren't strictly anime but that's what most people cosplay here anyway (though Harry Potter is on the increase)...no one's ever had a problem with my Matrix or SW cosplay...

I think the most important thing is the quality of the costume and the work/effort put into it. Why bitch at someone's costume and spoil their day?
I guess I can understand if the majority of cosplayers aren't in anime costumes, at a strictly anime event...that'd be kinda weird. :)

[Isaboo]

I suppose it all depends on the con. If someone were to say go to Otakon dressed as Star Wars people, they would kinda get bashed or rude glares. But if you go to something that's a Sci-fi/Comic-con/Anime-con together, then it's more appropriate to wear a costume not from anime. IMO, if you really like the costume, wear it. Who cares about anyone else ^^.

[Genki Chan]

Honestly, while they're not my favorite thing to see... who cares? You don't go up yelling at people for wearing normal clothes, and THOSE are non anime. Besides, a lot of the stuff, like harry potter, star wars, and lotr... have doujinshi based on them! so stop the cosplay prejudice! And I think I spelt that word incorrectly but I'm too incoherent right now to check...

[Pirate Usagi]

I don't mind it. ^^ People wear normal clothes to conventions. So I guess it's kind of like that to me, only better. A lot of people make original costumes or cat girl/boy or ninjas.
And like Genki Chan said, those popular movies and such do have doujinshi and fanart based around them.

[the_tennyo]

I can say that I dont like it at all :D (I personally really dont like HP and lotr there...)
I mean...anime con! ANIME CON! hahaha ah well :D I guess I can't stop them.
the only other thing that I would want to see is video game cosplay and japan things like samurai's and stuff, and j-pop/rock stuff. And I don't care if you look at this and disagree :P

[Chiri]

It doesn't really bother me much, I like seeing the different costumes. :D

[Claireon]

I love seeing other costumes at anime cons. It reminds me that we're all fans together, and it feels like we're getting a special visit from another con or something. I have the same kind of love for sci-fi movies as I do for anime, so I like seeing that link demonstrated.

[beyond_cute]

Oh! I think it's great! Especially if it's Jpop or Jrock oriented. It's always fun to see the different costumes whether it be anime or anything else asian. <3

[Adrienne]

Yeah. I don't like it either. I mean, I don't complain about it, and I would never bitch at someone at a con for wearing a non-anime/manga/jpop/jrock costume... It just irritates me. But whatevz, ::shrug::

[AM Chair]

At Ani-Magic, we kind of encourage it. As long as it cinema, comic or anime related, it's all good, and does extend some variety. Being as it's an anime cosplay con, these folks can't be in the masquerade, but hall cosplay is quite fine. The only thing we get bent out of shape about is renfaire gear showing up, which hasn't happend yet.

[ayn*chan]

I have one comic-book related costume (Dark Phoenix) and it's definetely the most well-recieved of all of my costumes. I think conventions nowadays are becoming more and more culture-related, meaning that stuff that is generally liked by the people attending the conventions is what is acceptable, as opposed to what the "guidelines" are. The old-school people love the X-Men cosplayers, and I don't mind seeing the diversity. We're all just fanboys/girls at heart anyway. ;)

[senshi_meiousei]

I'm kinda on the fence for this one. I mean, it's an ANIME convention, meaning anything that's anime-related is welcome. Also, since it's JAPANESE anime, I welcome kimonos, school-girl outfits, etc. that are from the Japanese culture. But, I HATE going to a convention and find Harry Potter characters, Spiderman, Batman, Catwoman, or Darth Vadar (this was before they had the odd little animated Stars Wars show). I mean, yeah it's nice to show off costumes, and sometimes they are great costumes, but these are ANIME conventions, not Star Wars, not comic book conventions, ANIME conventions. But, these people do have the right to be there and be there they always will be. I'm one of those people that sees it, brushes it off, does not pay attention, and keeps going. But it does irk me to some extent.

[Neko Cathy]

It all depends. It's an JAPANESE Animation convention. BUT at the same time I love seeing original costumes. Renaissance costumes are ok since there are Anime characters that wear garbs like that. They represent time period, not a genre. Like Pirates! Pirates and ninjas are cool! But someone coming in like Darth Vader, Harry Potter, Spiderman ,or anything like that, please find a different convention.

[aikoe]

I don't know if it would bother me or not, seeing as I've never seen anything but Japanese culture costumes at a con. I don't know that I'd much care for it, but where do you draw the line? If Japanese culture is allowed, where does that put EGL?
Besides, it's their life, if someone wants to dress up as Harry Potter, they can go ahead, they're just going to have to deal with the consequences.

[Chocochick]

I like the idea of people bringing aspects of American culture into Japanese culture; I think in most cases, it is a nice clash. I mean, most movies like Harry Potter and The Matrix were shown in Japan, so it's not like the concept of American culture in Japanese culture is so far away. Also, I've been to a lot of Japanese sites that have pictures of cosplayers at anime conventions in Japan, and there is a decent amount of Matrix Cosplayers (keep in mind The Animatrix). I think it's really neat that you can go to a con and see a group of Japaneses style school girls talking to Hogwart cosplayers. So, I'm for it.

[Reiko]

cosplay = costume play....

its doesnt say anything about.. "YOU NEED TO COSPLAY ANIME OR DEATH!!"

[Hanyaan]

I like seeing people cosplay whatever. It's all cosplay, it's all good. ^___^

What I don't like so much is accidentally wandering into the CrowdOfStormtroopers. They scare me in large numbers.

[Supremeronin]

Does the existance of Star Wars manga change anyone's mind...?
http://members.aol.com/reichan200/swmanga/swmanga.html
:)

[Susumari]

whatever floats their boat. i've done that. shows what other interests you have also then anime.

[Tiara]

I don't mind. I had someone on the acen forums tell me I was wrong for cosplaying an original character. Quite frankly I don't think it's a big deal. Let people wear the costumes they want. And on Star Wars, there is a Star Wars manga series (and no it's not doujinshi).

[Kagematsuri]

It does bother me a little to see non-anime/japanese costumes at an ANIME convention, but I'm not going to get all bent out of shape about it. Heck, if a group of Harry Potter cosplayers walked past I'd probably chase them down for a picture. We're all uber-dorks here, just because someone has a Lightsaber instead of a Fuku doesn't mean anything. Let the people have their fun.

[JacksUsername]

I enjoy wearing other costumes to anime cons, even though sometimes people will say something, its worth it in the end for me. I've been to sci-fi cons and stuff, and there's ususally not as many people dressed up and there seems to be a certain energy and enthusiasm to dressing up that's lacking at the sci-fi cons I've gone to...where as at the anime cons I've been to, cosplay is much more widely accepted, and people appreciate the costuem itself more.

I could understand how it might annoy some people, but meh, things like that really don't bother me.

[Darth Takeo]

Here is a post of mine from a previous thread with the exact same topic a few months back:

As a non-anime cosplayer, it is my personal goal to invade your "Anime" conventions, plant the seed of discontent and totally take control! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Hehehe, I'd argue that some people may actually believe that....

To me, it's all in good fun. I'm a casual anime fan and love every costume I see, anime or otherwise. Unfortunately I have no clue about who lots of the anime characters are. I always love spotting the ones I actually know.

I consider if I'm there, most likely there are others who are casual fans like myself who won't know the more obscure characters. However, they will know Star Wars, or Ghostbusters, or LOTR, etc. Having those cosplayers there seems to make it overall a more fan friendly environment to ALL people. I also read in this thread "non-anime cosplayers are not taking over" and I agree. Perhaps 5% of the cosplayers are non-anime related. Could be less. If that small percentage makes it a more enjoyable experience for 75% of the attendees (since the majority on this thread did not abhor it) then why take issue?

I've been to many football games and I do see people wearing NBA and/or MLB or NHL gear. Did they get razzed cuz of it? No. Only if you were wearing the other teams stuff, like I did when I wore my Buffalo Bills gear to the Bills/Packers game at Lambeau Field. For anyone that thinks they get razzed at anime, try doing that! :thumbsup:

In response to:
If someone were to say go to Otakon dressed as Star Wars people, they would kinda get bashed or rude glares.

Done it and seen it at Otakon, more than once, no overwhelming rudeness or glares, just tons of flashbulbs. Those who have huge issues with this, I doubt it is ever going to change and I personally wouldn't let 2 or 3 peeps with bad attitudes influence my costuming decisions. I've gotten 100 times more positive vibe than negative.

[Supremeronin]

:bigtu: I'm with my fellow Darth.
Said it far better than I could.

[Cat-chan]

I think it's totally cool, and it's great to see how people portray characters other than anime ones... my favorite was my good friend going as Captain Planet-- he was a huge hit!

[Avian_Firefly]

Last year at Otakon there was someone dresses as Snow White and I just have to wonder.....why? I mean some cons are made for several different groups of obsessiveness. But I wouldn't wear my anime stuff to the ren. faire (though I've seen it done), so I don't see why people can't just wait around for the next SW/Disney/StarTrek/B5/HP or whatever-con to wear their non-anime gear. I'm all for multiple types of cosplay, but if it's strictly an anime con, please wear anime-related costumes.
I agree that J-rock/J-pop, EGL, and traditional Japanese garb is also acceptable at anime con because they are all wrapped together.
I would never diss someone b/c they wear a non-anime-related costume to an anime con, but I don't think it makes sence and its not something I would do.

[Lil_Sexy_Yuna]

I see tons of people at con's as LOTR people... my friend is being Morton Rainey from Secret Window in his robe at Metrcon '04. loL! I think you should be able to dress up as Who Ever you want to. My other friend is being a Punk Alice, not from and Anime, Game, Manga, or J-Pop/J-Rock group... my idea... kinda'... loL!

[scandia]

I don't really like it either.

It is one thing to cosplay as a Harry Potter character at a generic N con that includes sci-fi, anime, fantasy, and other things. It is another thing to cosplay Harry Potter at an anime convention meant for JAPANESE animation, comic books, and video games.

[Lil_Sexy_Yuna]

Harry Potter is also a Japenese movie and book, loL!

[Grencia Mars]

People go to sci-fi and comic cons as anime characters all the time. Why some anime con attendees are so uptight about it going the other way is beyond me. We're all geeks in costume, why try to divide us into categories? Cosplayer is just another way to say costumer.

[Mr. Lupin]

I think some of us dislike them wearing NON anime or Nippon culture related costumes because IT took so dang long for us as a fandom to be recognised, and furthermore our costumes are snubbed by these folk's conventions (the ones they should be wearing their costumes to) for years. If we are more tolerant theen goody for us, were a more advanced understanding fandom, there is a time and a place for everthing, I know its all about fun, but some of us revere the Japanese culture with our garb and recreations, and we frown when someone outside of the culture throws out a non-Japanese costume and crowds in along with us. Right or Wrong, we just do.
It doesn't seem fair that all those great anime costumes with months of design work and planning , and hundreds of hours of seamster work, be crowded in with costumes
that came from a non-anime or Japanese related Hollywood blockbuster...Everything has a place, but as long as they are willing to put up with the conflicts and risk ridicule, God bless 'em! That's what some of us cosplay pioneers did before anime cons.

[Dany]

Harry Potter is also a Japenese movie and book, loL!

..and they get all the good Harry Potter cosplay merchandise that America doesn't get

Let's see.. Japan gets the POA robe replicas, the replica Time Turner, the only-500-being-made-ever Lucius Malfoy canes..... just take a look at harrypotter.co.jp to see more

..and the stuff SELLS.

Now mind you, it's not anime. However, it can be said that Harry Potter has a big place in Japanese culture, even if its origin is not Japanese.

The beef seems to be that because it's not made by a Japanese person, that it shouldn't be there. Well, using that logic, no one should go to San Diego ComicCon wearing any costume that is not in a DC or Marvel comic, or some derivative thereof, and no one should wear anything but fantasy costumes to a sci-fi/fantasy convention. Translation: leave your anime costumes at home.

I won't say that it would not be -preferred- to wear something that is appropriate to the convention, but my head isn't going to split open if someone wears something different.

[Flippy]

When going to a Anime Convention I really enjoy seeing drako from Harry Potter and a giant chicken from that "place name here" movie but I could how it could bother people but it's all fun to me. I can see how people would want to shun not so anime related costumers from anime cons but the two subjects are somewhat intertwined. Personally I enjoy Sci-Fi cons better than Anime Cons...it opens a person up to new forms of strange pieces of the worlds culture. I really enjoy seeing klingons, a group of jedis, Ren Fair and furries at them.....hehe.....You get more bang for you buck there.

[Resuka]

I think you should be able to dress up as Who Ever you want to.

Wear what ye wish, just realize that it may be off-topic in the context of an anime con.

Some people may think your costume is spiffy, but others will be nonplussed by your costume choice. There is probably a more receptive audience for these costumes at other types of events. I personally don’t go to anime cons to see LOTR characters roaming the halls- while I have no intention of stopping people from wearing such garb, I’m there for the costumes that are on-theme (as loose as this theme may admittedly be!).

“For every time there is a season, and for every costume there is an appropriate place to wear it.” XP

[Lil_Sexy_Yuna]

Yeah, like at Jacon '04 me and my friends were stalking this guy who did a FABULOUS Jack Sparrow costume. and at Megacon, there was a FANTASTIC pirates of The Caribbian group! And as Saeto said, they stick out more, and that's good for getting compliments and Hall Awards and pix. Same with being a Character not commonly done, like when i was Diana in Human Form at Jacon '03... DAMN!!!

[Cactuarsama]

i was thumbing through the ax 04 pics and SOMBODY DID THE HAMBURGLER! i dind't lok at it that long but it looked pretty much like the hamburgler to me. not that i had a problem with it. i don't mind people dressing up as non anime chars, theres lots of non anime stuff that poeple do , like harry potter, linsers dawn, home star runner, pirates of the carribean, kill bill, ninja turtles, ive seen kim possible and teen titans and stuff like that.

every con that ive been to anime based those kinda of costumes seemed to go down alright, the only thing i think that non anime costumes arn't welcomed was the costume contests where you had to have a japanese popculture or anime costume

[Dany]

I saw that too! I was highly amused, actually. But those who know me know I am easily entertained ;D

[Bobbi]

I don't see why there's a huge issue with non-anime/japanese related cosplay.

First of all, nowhere in any convention guide, rules, or regulations that I've seen to date says "Do not wear costumes that do not have anything to do with japanese culture, or you will be ejected from the con". It seems kind of silly.

I find nothing wrong with cosplayers who want to wear things outside of the anime genere at an anime con. Many cosplayers who have Harry Potter, LOTR, Star Wars and what have you, costumes also have Japanese related costumes... and usually bring them along. I would say a vast majority of people who attend anime conventions in costumes that aren't japanese are also anime fans. So how could it be logical to shut the door to those cosplayers?

Furthermore, not every cosplayer who has non-anime costumes can attend other conventions. Sometimes they are limited to the conventions in the area. I know here in Ohio, there are four anime conventions, a sci-fi con, and a muliple fandom con. Some states or other locations aren't that lucky. Somtimes cons are far and few, or are too expensive to go to. Either that, or they may only have the finances to attend one or two cons a year, if they're lucky. If the person enjoys making all kinds of costumes, why should they hide them away in their closet and never show them because some people don't like to see that at anime cons?

Also, just because someone doesn't like something, it doesn't mean that they are obligated to listen to them. If someone told me at an anime convention that they didn't like my costume because it wasn't anime related (provided I had some ^^), I would tell them to bugger off because I'm here to enjoy myself in my peticular hobby of choice. I've never listened to people when they told me that I'm doing something they don't like, so why would I start now?

Notice how we have a forum here entitled "Other Cosplay". Then we have a 3 forums listed under convention forums that those costumes could apply to. Now me, having the lack of fundage, I'm not going to go all the way to Georgia so I can wear a costume that isn't related to anime (providing Marcon wasn't an option for me). It just seems kind of silly.

So if you have a costume that isn't related ot japanese culture and you want to wear it at an anime con, I say more power to you.

[sefie_tilmitt]

My question to people who are irritated by non-anime costumes at an anime con:

What if you're someone who can only afford to go to 1 con a year and that con is a closeby anime convention? What if you simply love your costume and want a chance to show it off to some friends who live out of state and only come to a certain convention? There are so many reasons why we should just accept the non-anime costumes.

It is SO MUCH MORE FUN to wear any costume to anime conventions. I live in a state that has a regular star trek/sci-fi con plus an anime convention, and the way people cosplay is completely different at each. I find that anime crowds are much more receptive to having fun in the costume, while less costuming goes on in sci-fi crowds. (This is just my experience.)

Why should cosplay be so critical of the people in it? Aren't there many people in this hobby because it builds confidence, makes friends, and teaches new skills? Who cares how those skills are used - just enjoy what you see. I've been made fun of for wearing my Harry Potter robes at a Convention (AX 2002), but I don't see why people put the negative effort forth to hurt other people. Someone slaved over that costume. Appreciate it.

[HybridTwist]

Me, personally I think that any character that has been an in anime/manga/video game/j-pop is ok. I really don't care if other people decide to wear their costume that isn't related to their con, but still come on. For all the people that attended AX this year, does anyone remember the Aqua Team Hunger Force cosplayers? They did a good jobs on their costumes and I actually watch the show sometimes as well. However, I really don't think that they should have cosplayed it at an Anime Con, they could have easily waited for Comic con for that or any other comic/sci-fi con.

However, I can't tell them what to do, so they can do cosplay whatever they want, I just think that it anime/manga/video game/j-pop related cosplays should only be worn at anime cons.

P.S. this is only my opinion, only one mans opinion. If you or anyone that you know did what I mentioned, remember I'm not trying to put you guys down at all. Do whatever you feel like doing, as long as no one gets hurt in the process, :) .

[Tygo]

Honestly I didn't even realize until now that I did non-anime cosplay all through AX.

Saturday: 8 bit theater Fighter (in black armor)
Sunday: Uruk-Hai
Monday: Original character

The thought just never ocurred to me that I wasn't in an anime costume. I think when the spirit of cosplay gets in you all of the genres just kind of blend together.

I actually got some really funny picks of my Uruk-Hai doing battle with a Jack Sparrow cosplayer.

[Hikaruchan]

Last year at Otakon there was someone dresses as Snow White and I just have to wonder.....why?

That was me. For the Kingdom Hearts photoshoot. We are doing it again this year. Deal

http://forums.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=28081

[Gainax Boy]

Yeah, there really shouldn't be any problem with non-anime costumes.

I mean, we're all Otaku right?

The word Otaku has a broad range of definitions of fandom. There are plenty of things that we as Otaku generally like that are not specifically anime. Things like Harry Potter, Kill Bill, Invader Zim, LoTR, Matrix, Disney, etc.

Even the Japanese Otaku like some of these things and they're cosplaying them at their own cons. They're not ashamed of dressing as non-anime characters and we're trying to pretty much emulate them, so why shouldn't we do the same?

Another thing that should be realised is that alot of non-anime stuff that we Otaku like are either inspired by Anime or created by fellow Otaku who like Anime.

Geddy Tartakovsky is an excellent example. He's a major anime fan who tries to incorporate anime elements into everything he does. I certainly consider things like Samurai Jack and SW: Clone Wars to be "American Anime".

Even movies like the Matrix and Kill Bill were inspired by Anime.

The Anime genre is reaching further and further into the American culture. Anime roots can be found in alot of things and that more than makes them worthy of being considerd a relative to Anime itself.

That alone should make it worthy of being worn to an Anime convention.

[GaijinGanguro]

Personally, I have no problem with it. But I'm a n00b, so who the hell cares. It brings variety!

[Hyena]

Let's just say I totally agree with Bobbi 200 percent. I figure it would be fun to bring these things together. Spike Spiegel meets Jack Sparrow. Vash meets Ash (Evil Dead series). Blade meets Alucard. Roger (Big O) meets Riddick. Seems like alot of fun.

[Kaijugal]

I don't mind Non Anime costumes at anime conventions, just like I do not mind Anime Costumes at Sci-Fi/Comic Book/Horror Etc conventions.

I'm happy just to see costumes that people have put effort into period. I've been wearing anime costumes at Sci Fi conventions for a long time and have been well recived.

As far as the costuming community and masquerade goes there is generally alot of cross pollenation of media types. It seems that being ridgedly divisional is something that is more recent.

Personally I don't understand why certain people are so irritated when they seen non anime costumes, (or costumes that they percive as non anime), at these conventions.

RELATED RANT HERE (http://forums.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=38393)

[avskull]

Human nature people like to categorize and separate thing. Anime is labeled as Japanese related so we ignore the American and etc… some people see an underlining code of rules. But thing change over time and rule that are not absolutely enforce will change. Its not painful if you don’t think of it as a corruptions of anime cons but more as an fusion of different cultural things. don’t worry about what other cosplay as because that out of your control

[Lil_Sexy_Yuna]

Yeah, like my friend, she makes Furry costume aka (kind or like) Mascot costumes, that have NOTHING realy to do with Anime, just big foxes, big dogs, big otters, ect. walking around, yet they still win stuff in the costume contest, they are always VERY popular at con's. even though they arn't Anime Related usualy! SOme of the character mascot's she makes, are form anime's though... loL!

[CorazonAzul]

(Note: I use the term 'geek' as a positive, even complimentary one)

Broader Common Interest

I think we have to look at the roots of why people cosplay non-anime costumes. You'll find that several people who like anime, well, DO tend to like the same kinds of other non-anime 'geeky' stuff that we see cosplayed at cons. Fact: there are now non-anime costumers at anime conventions nation-wide: it just naturally happened out of the common geeky interest of us all. Fact: These geeks who may have done anime costumes may be the same geeks who show up in non-anime ones. We're the same kind of folks, folks!

"Anime" Conventions

Another point to consider is that the conventions themselves sport VERY non-anime events and products. Have you taken a stroll in the dealers' room lately? Or perhaps you've been a part of the console, table-top or CCG gaming rooms. Clearly, these "anime" conventions are now more than just anime - they're bringing more people together who want to have a 'common' sort of fun!

The best thing you can do is keep an open mind and have fun. Anime will always come first in anime conventions. They're not mutating into something else - they're simply drawing in more people and exploring new possibilities and fun!

[Supremeronin]

I agree that having pics of diverse, or different genre characters together is great fun!
At my first con we got photos of my Maul fighting a friend's (DMC2) Dante...none of my J-friends had ever done this before and it was great! :)

[Lil_Sexy_Yuna]

Yeah, like this group of guys where i live that go to con's dressed up in the STRANGEST costumes, just outfits they made up, and they do tehse BIG Gatherings at the Con's and they have fights, wheel chair jousts, meeting's loL! The meetings are so fun... and so what if it's not anime?! It's still fun, and everyone got a good laugh out of it! And i swear everyone at that con. was stading around where the "meeting" was taking place... and on risingsun.net you can see those pix, from Jacon '04!

[Cactuarsama]

i think thats those martini gendo and drunk fuyutski guys i dunno if it was them but I think i was the same group they just had suits on and like ..umm pinatas and deflated basket balls on their heads, later they where walking around looking like natzi's and they where being followed by this guy in what looked like a store bought wizard outfit and i was like "oooh its hitler meets merlin!"

i saw their little gathering in the atruim i couldn't see anything but it looked like they where break dancing. yeah they're a weird bunch.

[Lil_Sexy_Yuna]

i think thats those martini gendo and drunk fuyutski guys i dunno if it was them but I think i was the same group they just had suits on and like ..umm pinatas and deflated basket balls on their heads, later they where walking around looking like natzi's and they where being followed by this guy in what looked like a store bought wizard outfit and i was like "oooh its hitler meets merlin!"

i saw their little gathering in the atruim i couldn't see anything but it looked like they where break dancing. yeah they're a weird bunch.

They wern't break dancing... wait... if it was Saturday then no, they wern't break dancing, loL! Yes, that's them! I first saw them at Anime Express VII (This years) they are SO funny, i got right up front and was asking them "Who Killed Juses?!" and they kept relating everything to my question after that! loL!

[Vitamin T]

A friend of mine groused when he saw a Draco Malfoy cosplayer at AB. I didn't mind because I thought it was a good costume.

[Priestess_Kikyo]

Well, I'd rather that there would only be anime at an anime convention but that only exists in a perfect world right? So let the people do as they please if they're brave enough to do so cause the world isn't perfect.

[sorrow]

Alright...a friend of mine and I are thinking about doing some...Magic card...cosplay...and competing with it....
would this be going to far?
Just thinking, people do video game cosplay all the time, FFX is not anime, and no body seems to care, they flock to them instead and jump on the yuna's and squalls.
I know its japanese, but is there really any difference from cosplaying that and doing a Magic card??
I dont think it matters if the costumes are really good. I could care less.

[Con Queen]

I think that people should be able to go to any convention in any genre costume they want. At anime con in Atlanta I have cosplayed as Storm, but my friend that it was o.k because there is a Marvel comics game out that is owned be Sony. I didn't really care if it wasn't owned by a Japanese based company. All I knew was that I was wearing a costume that I loved.

:heart: :heart: :heart:

[Majin Buu]

Non-anime characters do not bother me. In fact, I think non-anime costumes make the conventions more interesting. So, I don't care if one dressed up as Harry Potter, Hamburglar, Darth Vader, Snow White, or even Homer Simpson......have fun with the cosplaying experience.

[sorrow]

besides its a celebration of art anyway..so...WHAHA!
I mean, things like..Strong Bad cosplay is just great!

[SupperMick]

Personally, I would love seeing other ideas rather than 9320498320498 Vashs/Wolfwoods/Inuyashas etc...

[Cactuarsama]

dude there was a green blob that claimed to be "old lobster from the back of your refrigerator" at metrocon.

[Captain Jack]

I DON't LIKE IT ONE BIT!!!11!!1onetwelve

J/K, it must not bug me because I was Jack at AX, but I can understand some ppl not seeing non-anime at an anime convention fit in. The way I see it is some ppl will hate it, some wil love it, some won't care.

I'm just there to enjoy myself and check out all the other cosplayers costumes, whether they be the 9 millionth Vash the Stampede, or Indiana Jones. In the end, fun is what it's all about, right?

[kyojin_alex]

I love non-anime cosplayers. Thats what got me into cosplaying. I dont watch anime. Im more into video games so thats what I like. :bigtu:

[Francesca-Dani]

I really don't like the non-anime at the anime cons.

Me too. I don't really like non-anime cosplay but I have seen some of them came out really good.

[keri1966]

I make and like to wear original historical costumes at conventions I go to. I agree with the people that are saying to rigid minded folks- "quit whining!" cosplay= costume play, not just anime costumes, but ANY costumes.

Funny, I don't get folks whinging about my historical costumes at cons. Actually I get more people complimenting and taking photos of me in those costumes than I do in my anime or manga related costumes. I even had a cosplayer judge at one con beg me to enter the costume contest. (I didn't because I'm too shy to enter contests, and unlike hall costuming, I do feel costume contests at anime cons should be limited to anime, manga, j-pop/rock, japanese computer games, and one thing I haven't seen anyone do yet in the contests- Japanese historical costuming (original costumes, that look authentic)

Why do I get the feeling the same people whining about people just walking around in non anime costumes at anime cons are the same people that would be cutting down plus size cosplayers like myself....

[sheepsarai]

i think aniome and videogame sutff at an anime con. While i dont think wearing a movie costume fits, I dont care if someone does it, I know I wouldnt. Though being that some people feel so strongly about it it makes me worry about wearing an ulala costume to a con since though she sa videogame character im not sure if she's a very japanese character like the ff characters would be considered okay. I dont know i think overall i dont care what others do but because some people care so much about what costume others wear i feel like it sorta ruins it for other people...

[yuki-usagi]

Last year at Fanime some girl came up to me with a nasty "wrong costume, wrong convention" because I was cosplaying as Hermione from Harry Potter. It was the weekend that the fifth book was coming out (that's why I wore that costume!) and there were lots of HP cosplayers there! She caught me so off guard with her attitude that I didn't know what to say... but just then, someone came up to me and asked to take my picture :bigtu: and nasty girl walked away. She was also in cosplay - I'm not sure what character - but her costume wasn't even that well made!

Most of the time I don't do non-Japanese-origin characters at anime conventions because I'd rather wear a costume to a convention where more people are likely to recognize it. But, as far as other people - I'd rather see someone wearing a nice costume than street clothes at a convention. I appreciate seeing the effort and skill that people put into ANY costume.

[WolfwoodSC]

well there is always a Jay and Silent Bob at conventions.......well the few i have been, actually there was 4 at AWA last year.....................................

[sailor tweek]

Thank you everyone for the responses. ^_^

[deekblues]

Some of the more interesting costumes I saw at A-Kon were the Ghostbusters and "Aliens" Colonial Marines. Woo, smart guns and proton packs.

Y'know, I'd really love to see Ronald Mcdonald's pal, The Grimmace.

[FoxPhyre]

A-kon eh.. so funny you should bring it up....the winners of the cosplay contest at akon were the mortal kombat characters.... funny since mortal kombat is neither an anime... nor is it even a japanese game...yet we.. i mean they.. lol won the contest... i was absolutely surprised as i mostly entered in jest and just to see what happened.... such pure pure irony..

[gokitefly]

These conventions are an ideal place to show off any costume, especially if it's of a related genre - i.e. Sci fi, superhero, or anything Asian.

I enjoyed the Kill Bill stuff at the recent Anime Expo. Even the furry costumes didn't bother me.

[WolfwoodSC]

i was thinkin as dressing as a random Crazy 88 for my next con but changed my mind

[Sabbath Angel]

I dont mind things from Japan at cons. But some US cartoons shouldn't be cosplayed unless at a party or at home. I would hate to see a Kim Possible cosplayer (unless the skit is she's beat up!) Being a Jrock star or Yuna isn't bad.

[Sabbath Angel]

I might as well finsh something i was trying to say after reading a few more posts.
Some costume are fun to see they are silly and are funny like if they are in character like Jay and Silent Bob. Kill Bill, Harry Potter. But some costumes are way too easy like the ones I said before.

[Maryssa]

Me, personally I think that any character that has been an in anime/manga/video game/j-pop is ok. I really don't care if other people decide to wear their costume that isn't related to their con, but still come on. For all the people that attended AX this year, does anyone remember the Aqua Team Hunger Force cosplayers? They did a good jobs on their costumes and I actually watch the show sometimes as well. However, I really don't think that they should have cosplayed it at an Anime Con, they could have easily waited for Comic con for that or any other comic/sci-fi con.

However, I can't tell them what to do, so they can do cosplay whatever they want, I just think that it anime/manga/video game/j-pop related cosplays should only be worn at anime cons.

P.S. this is only my opinion, only one mans opinion. If you or anyone that you know did what I mentioned, remember I'm not trying to put you guys down at all. Do whatever you feel like doing, as long as no one gets hurt in the process, :) .

This pretty much sums up how I feel as well.

I mean, we're all Otaku right?

Whoa there... dont go categorizing all of us like that. I'm definitely NOT an otaku. Its amazing to me how many people throw around that term in this country not knowing how derogatory it really is ~_~ I'm a gamer, and I enjoy some anime, but I'm far from being an otaku (or even a 'fangirl' at that)

[hikura]

To put it simply.Everyone at a con is there to have one thing and that is FUN.It doesn't matter what they wear wether it is anime,manga,jpop,sci-fi,or fantasy.So enjoy the diversty of different costumes and what not.