Cosplay

Cosplay is an abbreviation for costume role-play, people who dress up and act out character fantasies derived from movies, games, comic books and cartoons. Cosplay debut started with the Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975. The movement took a leap forward in Western culture beginning in Japan during the 1990s and has steadily grown into a worldwide phenomenon. One of the biggest conventions held annually featuring cosplay is Comic-Con held in San Diego, California.

Cosplay is most often seen in anime conventions. The most popular forms of cosplay are reflected in the most popular animes, as well as popular Western series such as Batman, Superman, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who. Contests are usually held at such conventions, wherein the winner is primarily judged on how home-made their costume is, and how convincingly they roleplay in said costume.