The anime cosplay industry has continued to grow over the years as more and more people become interested in it. It is likely because anime continues to evolve into a popular genre, and cosplay allows people to express their love for their favorite characters uniquely.
You might be one of the people looking to join the community. Perhaps you’ve seen some fantastic cosplays online or at a convention and thought you wanted to try your hand at them. Or maybe you’ve been cosplaying for a while but want to take your hobby to the next level.
No matter your reason, if you’re considering entering the anime cosplay industry, there are a few things you should know first.
Identify Your Pegs
One of the first things you need to do when trying to enter the anime cosplay industry is to identify your pegs. These are the characters you will portray in your cosplays. It’s vital to choose characters that you not only love but also feel comfortable with showing, which means you might have to watch episodes where they
It would help if you also considered the practicality of the cosplays you want to do. Some costumes can be complicated and expensive to make, so it might not be worth your time if you’re starting. There’s nothing wrong with starting small and working your way up to more complicated cosplays.
One way to start cosplaying your favorite characters is by sewing the specific clothes that match their appearances. It might include sewing accessories, too, such as hats, belts, and purses. It can be a great way to get started in the anime cosplay industry and will help you become more familiar with the process of cosplay creation.
You don’t need to be an expert sewer to create cosplays. Plenty of tutorials online can teach you the basics of sewing. And if you run into any problems while making your cosplay, other cosplayers are always willing to help. So don’t be afraid to ask for advice or help when needed.
When cosplaying as a character from an anime, it’s crucial to capture all the details of their appearance. This includes any jewelry they might wear. If you’re not sure how to go about customizing or modifying your jewelry for your cosplay, don’t worry. There are companies out there that know how to do this for you.
It can be challenging, but companies that know how to edit jewelry photos can do a fantastic job ensuring that your cosplay looks as accurate as possible. By hiring a company like this, you can rest assured that your jewelry will look perfect in all of your photos. So if accuracy is essential to you, consider hiring a professional photo editor to help you out.
Start With Simple Patterns
Another way to ease your way into the anime cosplay industry is by starting with simple patterns. These patterns are usually found in costume-making books or magazines and are friendly for beginners. They typically involve simple shapes and construction methods, making them an excellent place to start if you’re new to sewing.
Once you feel comfortable using simple patterns, you can move on to more complicated ones. Make sure you take time and understand all the steps before you begin. You don’t want to end up with a cosplay that doesn’t look like the character you were going.
Choose Your Events
The next thing you need to do is choose the events and conventions you want to join. There are all sorts of anime conventions and other gatherings happening worldwide, so there’s bound to be something near you. You can also look for online events if you don’t want to leave your house.
Do the research and find out which events would be the best fit for you. Once you have a list of potential events, look at their websites and see if they have any guidelines for cosplay. Some events might not allow specific cosplays or might have restrictions on props and weapons.
It’s essential to ensure you understand and follow the guidelines set by the event organizers. Not doing so could result in you getting thrown out and banned from future events.
Engage with Other Cosplayers
One of the best ways to enter the anime cosplay industry is to engage with other cosplayers. There are all sorts of cosplay communities online and offline that you can join. These communities are great places to meet new people who share your passion for cosplay.
In these communities, you can get advice and tips from more experienced cosplayers, learn about upcoming events, and find resources for making your cosplays. You might even make some friends along the way.
Some of the most popular online cosplay communities include Cosplay Amino, Reddit’s r/cosplay, and Coscom. Numerous Facebook groups are also getting dedicated to cosplay, where you can engage with other members.
Conclusion
Entering the anime cosplay industry can be daunting, but it’s also an exciting and rewarding experience. By following the tips above, you’ll be well to becoming a successful cosplayer. And who knows, you might even enjoy it more than expected.
