Is cosplaying really all about the costume? Or is there something else? Personally, I believe a good costume doesn’t necessarily make you a good cosplayer. This coming from someone who likes competition. For me, a good cosplayer must possess the following traits. See them after the jump!1. A decent costume - A really impressive costume is a good thing, but it does not necessarily make you the best. Sometimes, you can get away with just decent costumes and still play the part well.
2. Knowledge and confidence in the character you are portraying - Even if you’re wearing your uberly-detailed high class costume, but you don’t play in character or at least close to, you might lose the audience’s interest.
3. The ability to effectively deviate from the character you’re portraying - This is my favorite. A good cosplayer can deviate from the character he/she is portraying in a creative way. Let’s say you are cosplaying a High Priest from Ragnarok. The stereotype character for a High Priest is usually serious, kind-hearted samaritans who like to help those in need, but if you can twist that character a bit and make it look funny and humorous, then you my friend, are a real artist.
4. Resourcefulness - I guess this is quite self-explanatory but I’ll elaborate anyway. I’m a more impressed everytime I see a costume that is self-made using found objects rather than manufactured ones. For example, I am more amazed when I see a wizard staff made from PVC Pipes and rubber sheets than a manufactured staff that was made by a professional craftsman.
I originally posted this at the cosplay.ph forum, but anyway, these are some of my thoughts on what makes a good cosplayer on the overall. How about yours?
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