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THE
BENEFITS OF COSPLAY
TOWARDS
THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE
A
Research Paper Presented to
The
Faculty of the English Resource Center
School
of Multimedia Arts
Asia
Pacific College
Magallanes,
Makati
In
Partial Fulfillment
Of
the Requirements for the Course
ERESWRIT
– Research Writing
Kevin
Ferrer
April
2014
Chapter
1 - Introduction
A.
Background of the study
Cosplaying
is something that cosplayer does when they have problems in their life. The
researchers agree that cosplay is a form of Escapism or Self-Expression. They
used it as a mental diversion by means of entertaining or recreation, as an
escape from perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life.
Angela
Berico wrote an article about the Escapism regarding in cosplaying entitled,
“Cosplay a form of Escapism or Self-Expression: Ways of a person when they
escape from their problems. In this article she discussed that cosplay is now
become a part of modern escapism based on her observation. Many of cosplayers used it to overcome their
depression.
She
quoted, “Even if you’re not a
card-carrying psychologist or sociologist, you can tell them roughly on the
observations you made that cosplay is now a part of the modern escapism.”
Although
cosplay originated in Japan, it is currently known as one of the most popular
known sub-cultures even in other countries. In Japan, most of the Japanese
cosplayers can be seen in the streets of Akihabari and Harujuku (The famous two
districts in Tokyo known for its cosplaying community). There are a lot of
Japanese that become popular cosplayers and are visiting in the Philippines
during cosplay events. Because of the Japanese cosplay culture, their country
had been widely known. People of different countries have also learned to adapt
and accept it. They are really into cosplaying that seems like it’s their
trademark.
Joy
Alari wrote an article about the origin of cosplay entitled, “What is cosplay?”
In this article she discussed that the cosplay in Japan become popular because
more people have embraced it. The cosplay in Japan expands until the other
countries were influenced by it and then they imitated it. Now, the cosplay
community had been increasing in number due to the world wide trend of
cosplaying. Different countries have their representatives in International
cosplay competitions that are being held in Japan.
She
says, “One can really get lost in cosplay
world in Japan, as there are a lot of cosplay cafes, and cosplay parties that
held in park and streets.” (http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11228.asp)
Nowadays,
cosplay is considered as a hobby. Just like other sports, it can help improve
one’s abilities that are something useful in his/her daily life. Like being
educated by their selves. This will expand their imagination in creativity and
it will also improve their social life. One can’t pinpoint an abnormality on
that. Don’t judge them on how they look because it’s no different than someone
who plays in a band or play sports.
Lisa
Granshaw wrote an article about psychology in cosplaying entitled,
“Investigating the Psychology of Cosplay.” In this article she discussed that
dressing up as an anime or any character was a sign of mental illness. But the
survey that they made tells them that their theory was wrong. The reason why
people cosplay is because it is fun.
She
says, “They cosplay for creativity, to be
social and hang out with friends because the identify with the character and
that’s meaningful to them.”
(http://www.dailydot.com/fandom/psychology-cosplay-survey-results/)
Since
cosplay is so expensive, one can spend a lot of money however they earn from it.
Having this as a hobby will drain out a lot of money. But on the other side, some
of the cosplayers are utilizing their interest in cosplay in making up their
own business. Some of the cosplayers buy cheap raw materials and make their
costume out from it. Others buy and sell their costumes and even do rentals for
a fee.
Florence
Wong wrote an article about the benefit of cosplay entitled, “Dress for
success: enthusiast turn hobby into business.” In this article she discussed a
person who makes interest into a career and shows to other people. The person
earned a lot of money just to make customized costumes to the buyers. It
requires a lot of hard work, depending on the materials that will be using.
Because of that the person will also improve his/her knowledge in creativity.
She
quoted, “It’s not just about spending money
but also it can make a lot of money if you come up with good ideas or plan from
cosplaying.” (http://www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/varsity/0405/people_costume.htm)
The researchers observe that cosplay is
one of the ways of a person when they escape from their problems. The researchers also observe that people
improve their creativity and social life when cosplaying. The researchers
believe that cosplay can be helpful to a person to have a better life.
Background info on cosplay: can help the
readers to know the benefits of cosplay to help them decide whether is to
cosplay or not.
The purpose of this paper is to explain
how the people benefits from cosplay towards their life.
B. Statement
of the Problem
This study aims to answer this question:
1. How
does cosplay gives benefits towards the life of the people?
C. Significance
of the Study
To
the cosplayers. The result of this research paper will improve their knowledge
and attitude towards the effects of cosplaying. It will also serve as an
evaluation of the impact of cosplay in their lives. It can also help to avoid
the risks or negative effects.
To
the audience and fans. The result of this research paper will provide
information regarding the effects of cosplay among the people. It will also be
a guide for preparing future plans of involving oneself in cosplay.
To
the parents and relatives. The result of this research paper will be able to
increase the awareness of parents and relatives knowledge regarding the effects
of cosplay. It will also be a source of information to help them understand the
cosplayers situation.
To
the future researchers. The result of this research paper will serve as a reference
or guide for the researchers that will be conducting similar studies. It will
also be a basis for comparison for the development of more improved results. So
that the people will be familiar with the benefits of cosplay.
- Scope
and Delimitations
This
study focuses on the benefits of cosplay towards the life of people. Cosplay
has been widely accepted since nowadays, the number of people cosplaying is
getting bigger in number as time goes by. Cosplay is also playing a part not
only locally but also internationally that had become popular among people of
different ages.
Due
to limitation of the study, this study will no longer discuss about some other
causes or reasons of the people in cosplaying. It will also not include the
Lolita fashion as a cosplay. Therefore, this study would be essential to the
increasing cosplay enthusiasts. There were limited resources both local and
international; therefore it will only give ideas on the benefits of cosplay
among the people.
- Materials
and Planned Methods
This
research uses an online article since the researcher will discuss some
information of cosplay. It will focus on the fact that cosplays gives benefits
to a person towards his/her life. It consists of several information to make
the reader learn more about the benefits of cosplay. It can also help the
reader to expand their knowledge about this research.
Chapter 2 – Discussion
How does
cosplay give benefits towards the life of the people?
I.
Definition of Cosplay
Cosplay
is defined as, short for "costume play". It is a type of performance
art in which participants dress in costumes and accessories to represent a
specific character or idea. The early 90s saw
the rising of cosplay into popular culture, although it probably originated
initially in Japan. It is the practice of portraying a fictional character – at
times completely identifying as that character while in costume. The
performers of this type of art are called "Cosplayers". Sometimes,
people who naturally look like or idolize someone who’s famous mostly either an
anime character or a famous Asian Celebrity.
Molly
McIsaac wrote an article entitled, “What is cosplay and why do people do it?” It
is about the cosplay. It’s a word that’s been on the lips of almost every geek.
It’s surrounded by controversy, currently a major representation of the misogyny that women encounter in the geek subculture.
People love it, hate it, live it and breathe it, or merely accept it. It’s a
fundamental part of conventions, and as the years have gone by cosplay has gone
from the few and the hardcore to a massive net of costume enthusiasts spreading
across the globe. If a person goes to a convention and not in a complex
costume, he/she is part of the minority. Image sharing websites like tumbler
explode with cosplay photos, and it has made its way so dominantly into pop
culture that “cosplay” has even been trending on social websites.
Molly quoted that, “It
is of my own opinion that cosplay is not merely costuming, but a very unique
form of performance art. It is most widely associated with comic books, anime,
video games, and most things that are geeky in nature. It has become such a
massive subculture within the geek world at this point that is essentially
synonymous with the idea of a convention or a gathering of individuals who
subscribe to more “geeky” interests.” (http://ifanboy.com/articles/what-is-cosplay-and-why-do-people-do-it/)
In the quote it says that cosplay is not only about wearing
costumes but it requires acting when imitating a character, since it is a kind
of a performance art. The characters are usually based on comic books or anime.
Those are the things that are unusual to other people. It is the same as the
event in convention, which cosplayers attend to their unusual interests.
II.
Benefits of Cosplay
The knowledge of sewing, fabric and crafts netted a very
coveted for cosplayers job. If you tend to sew your own costumes,
fix your own wig styles, make your own accessories props and weapons: you can
learn different skills. While having an
enjoyment in cosplaying it also improves your knowledge in creativity thus,
letting your imaginations expand.
Bitter Bebang wrote an article entitled, “The
benefits of cosplay” The article discussed that a person can learn several
skills that can be used from a person’s life. This will help a person to lived
in a easy way and help confront problems.
Bebang quoted that, "You may learn new skills in arts and
crafts, handle your own finances, become more outgoing and less shy,
and new aspects of yourself thus self-realization and identity comes more
easily!" (http://bitterbebang.blogspot.com/2011/10/benfits-of-cosplay.html)
These benefits can help a person improve their life and gain more
knowledge from themselves as a cosplayer. They can use this advantage when
encountering a problem. Thus it will make their life easier and comfortable.
Example they got problems in their life, they are not confident on themselves
but if they try cosplaying it will make their self overcome from being shy or
nervous. And also as a student it will make their grades good by having these
benefits.
III.
Function of Cosplay
A.
Entertainment
There was a time when people didn’t
know much about cosplay, that they have a lot of misjudgments regarding how it
is done. Cosplayers were labeled as “a bunch of people wearing silly costumes.”
But things have changed since cosplayers from our country became famous because
of cosplaying.
Boy Abunda wrote an article about the benefits of
cosplay entitled, “The face of cosplay” In this article he discussed about a
certain person who made the cosplay become so famous in our country. Because of
her cosplay a lot of people was encourage also in cosplay. Meaning that our cosplayers
expand in our country. Furthermore, they entertain a lot of people and they
also inspired them.
He quoted, “What
Alodia finds so fascinating about cosplay is that it fuses so many different
art forms and allows people to be creative in imagination and her fascination
with cosplay led so many inspired.”
(http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2012-12-13/885365/alodia-face-cosplay)
Cosplay really did make an impact to the life of
cosplayers and also to the people. Some famous cosplayers did a very good job
on inspiring other cosplayers of becoming good on it and also make a lot of
people to do the same thing. Because of that, more people will enhance their
skills and also will improve their social life and also cosplay helps them to
achieve what they’re dreaming of.
B.
Fame
Cosplay is now becoming to be well known to several
countries. Every country has different event in cosplay. Because of that bunch
of people watching in competitions in cosplaying and also a lot of cosplayers
goes by to compete with other amazing cosplayers. They compete to get fame and
to be recognized by people.
Chaka Cumberbatch wrote an article about the profit that a
person can earned entitled, “The Pursuit of Cosplay Fame” In this article she
discussed about the profit that a person can received when being a famous
cosplayers. She tells that cosplayers that cosplay can become famous and make a
lot of fans or friends once they joined in competitions. Once a cosplayers won
in a competitions will make him/her popular and also will received good prizes.
She quoted that, “Receiving
some profits in cosplaying will make you become known, to play cosplay more,
and to make your relatives proud to you.” (http://nerdcaliber.com/the-pursuit-of-cosplay-fame/)
People lived to survive to poverty and to have a better life.
We do everything to pursue our dreams. The cosplay gives a lot of benefits in a
person. It helps a person to become popular, to receive incomes and to make a
person happy. Therefore, because of cosplay, the cosplayer improves their
knowledge and also earned a better life.
IV.
Conclusions
Being a cosplayer makes a person become creative.
One can apply their talent of creativity in cosplaying. Like for example, when
making they own costumes. He/She are the one who designs, decides what color or
style it will be. Also, in cosplay they can show your talent in acting,
singing, and modeling and they don’t care no matter what other people think
about them. Well, people do everything
to support their expenses in their hobby, just to have fun. So if you want to
try to cosplay and they’re a little short of budget, they might want to
consider buying cheap raw materials to make your costume, its more affordable.
Therefore cosplay can develop their skills in imagination and creativity.
Cosplaying creates fun not only to the cosplayers
but also to the people who sees them. Seeing Cosplayers will get them entertain
and also be amazed by them. There are many benefits that a person will gain by
just cosplaying. While having an enjoyment in cosplaying it also improves their
knowledge in creativity thus, letting their imaginations expand. It really has
a lot of benefits that a person needs. Like uses it to have a good social life.
Making friends, their own costumes, choosing to imitate, and choosing to wear. Even
though you look weird’s to other people they still continue to cosplay because
it is really fun. It is really full of excitement and discoveries.
It is right to have a cosplay in the Philippines
since the people have already accepted that kind of culture. Children that are
cosplayers and are attending cosplay conventions must be accompanied by their
parents.So that they will be guided on what they will see in those cosplay
events. And they will not have misconceptions on cosplay. Enriching other
country's culture will also enhance harmony between the local and foreign
cosplayers. Having a cosplay here in our country can also make more tourist and
can be helpful in our economy.
Chapter
3 - SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
SUMMARY
This paper attempted to know how
does cosplay give benefits towards the life of the people. The research design
used in this study is the observational research method where in the data from
all the articles and documents that gathered were used to answer the questions
that is posted. The research findings are the following:
1. Cosplay can help escape from problems.
2. Cosplay can make one popular.
3. Cosplay can enhance creativity and social life.
4. Cosplay can help to earn money to have a better life.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of the study, the following
conclusions are drawn:
1. Cosplay is a very
unique form of performance art and becoming acceptable to most of the people.
2. Cosplay can help you improve your life and gain more
knowledge.
3. Cosplay can give entertainment and fame.
RECOMMENDATIONS
After drawing the conclusions of the study, the
researcher hereby make the following suggestions/recommendations:
1. Cosplayers should
continue in cosplaying to inspire others and show the good qualities that they
possessed.
2. For the people or
audience, they should increase awareness on the reasons of why people cosplay
and how it benefits them.
3. Non-cosplayers that are
attending cosplay conventions must have understanding and respect among the
cosplayers.
REFERENCES:
- Electronic Media
Angela Berico (March 4,
2013) “Cosplay: form of Escapism or Self-Expression?” Retrieved April 2014 from
http://angelaberico.blogspot.com/
Bitter Bebang (October 11,
2011)"Benefits of Cosplay." Retrieved April 20 2014 from http://bitterbebang.blogspot.com/2011/10/benfits-of-cosplay.html
Boy Abunda (Decemmber 13,
2012) “The Face of Cosplay” Retrieved April 20 2014 from http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2012-12-13/885365/alodia-face-cosplay
Chaka
Cumberbatch (March 18, 2013) “The Pursuit of Cosplay Fame” Retrieved April 20
2014 from http://nerdcaliber.com/the-pursuit-of-cosplay-fame/
Florence Wong (August 10,
2011) "Dress for success." Retrieved April 20, 2014 from http://www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/varsity/0405/people_costume.htm
Isaac Molly (December 6,
2012) ”What is Cosplay and Why do people do it?” Retrieved April 20, 2014 from http://ifanboy.com/articles/what-is-cosplay-and-why-do-people-do-it/
Joy Alari
(December 2, 2013) “What is Cosplay?” Retrieved April 20, 2014 from http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11228.asp
Kevin Ferrer (February 12,
2014) "Psychology in Cosplay." Retrieved April 20 2014 from http://ferrerkevin.blogspot.com/2014/02/psychology-in-cosplay.html
Lisa Granshaw (November 11,
2013) "Investigating the Psychology of Cosplay." Retrieved April 19,
2014 from http://www.dailydot.com/fandom/psychology-cosplay-survey-results/
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