{"id":11048,"date":"2022-07-12T17:49:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-12T09:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/?p=11048"},"modified":"2025-11-26T10:57:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T02:57:23","slug":"shining-light-on-the-dark-side-of-cosplay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/index.php\/2022\/07\/12\/shining-light-on-the-dark-side-of-cosplay\/","title":{"rendered":"Shining Light on the Dark Side of Cosplay"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Shining Light on the Dark Side of Cosplay<\/b><\/p>\n

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CHERYL JUAN<\/strong> explores the dark and less talked about side of cosplay, delving into what one should be wary of and sharing some precautionary tips from fellow cosplayers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-194px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”84px” custom_margin=”-67px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-145px|auto|-100px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” custom_margin=”-30px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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The bustling crowd of cosplayers and fans at Alternate Universe SG, a cosplay event that took place in June of this year. Photo courtesy of Nur Ameerah.<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About Us” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”1463px” custom_margin=”-136px||-385px|||” custom_padding=”107px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-55px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-35px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”2px|0|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px||true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|104px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-40px|79px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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BY
Cheryl Juan<\/b>
Section Editor<\/strong>
Hype Issue #55<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Published on<\/h5>\n
July 12, 2022<\/h5>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/sad-girl.png” title_text=”sad girl” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ width=”423px” custom_margin=”8500px|-422px||-132px|false|false” custom_padding=”|12px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Donning bright wigs, eclectic costumes, and coloured contacts, cosplayers pay homage to their favourite characters by dressing up as them. <\/span>Cosplay<\/span><\/a>, short for costume play, originated in Japan and is <\/span>one of the many ways the influences of Japanese culture<\/span><\/a> can be seen in Singapore.<\/span><\/p>\n

To the uninitiated, cosplay is viewed as a fun and bubbly activity where people dress up, make new friends, and share their love for their favourite characters in fandoms they adore. However, within every community lies some form of toxicity – so what exactly lurks behind their cheerful smiles and animated personas?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_4836.png” title_text=”IMG_4836″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”48%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/anxiety-girl.png” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Ameerah enjoys directing, content creating and making cosplay related TikToks on her @sapphire_cos account which has garnered a total of 21.6K followers. Screenshot taken from @sapphire_cos<\/a> on TikTok<\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Nur Ameerah, 19, otherwise known by her cosplay name \u2018Sapphire\u2019, is a cosplay TikToker with a following of 21.6K on her <\/span>@sapphire_cos<\/span><\/a> TikTok<\/span><\/i> account. She shares that cosplay is not always wholesome.<\/span>
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\u201cWhat people see nowadays is just a sugar coated version of [cosplay] on <\/span>TikTok<\/span><\/i> because they\u2019re like \u2018Ooh cosplayers! Wow!\u2019 but they don\u2019t really know what kind of nitty gritty stuff goes into cosplay itself and the whole social aspect of it. [It\u2019s] insane,\u201d says Ameerah.<\/span><\/p>\n

After speaking to various cosplayers and ex-cosplayers, many brought up a number of overlapping issues arising within the community which need to be strongly addressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cosplayers getting sexualised<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, this is one of the issues many of my interviewees brought up due to them having experienced it before, with some of them even quitting cosplay because of this.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rae Ong, 20, a cosplayer who only started cosplaying in March this year, shares that she has already encountered such instances happening to her despite being new to the scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Rae-Cosplaying-as-Beidou-from-Genshin-Impact.jpeg” alt=”Keshi-vinyl-release-debut-album-gabriel” title_text=”Rae Cosplaying as Beidou from Genshin Impact” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Rae cosplaying as <\/span>Beidou from <\/span>Genshin Impact<\/span><\/i><\/a> at the recent Arc Market convention which took place in June of this year. Photo courtesy of Rae Ong. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI had dudes come up to me and ask why don\u2019t I make <\/span>OF (OnlyFans)<\/span><\/a>, for example, [or] why I don\u2019t make lewds,\u201d says Rae.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

OnlyFans is a platform where people pay to see exclusive content in the form of pictures, videos, and live-streams from creators, usually on the more sexually explicit side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/photo_2022-07-05-14.14.47.jpeg” title_text=”photo_2022-07-05 14.14.47″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”59%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px||26px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Rae had to resort to posting a public service announcement on her <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/i> story highlights due to numerous people overstepping her boundaries and hitting on her. Screenshot taken from <\/span>@error_rae\u2019s <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/i> story highlights<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Rae mentions that she often tries to approach such situations nicely at first, but has had to put her foot down when they don\u2019t stop.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m CREEPED OUT and slightly disgusted too. Because as much as I feel honoured that someone would see me as worthy for their feelings, it also makes me uncomfortable – especially when they won\u2019t stop even after I say things like I have a boyfriend,\u201d says Rae.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”- Rae Ong, 20″ job_title=”Cosplayer” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

I’m CREEPED OUT and slightly disgusted too. Because as much as I feel honoured that someone would see me as worthy for their feelings, it also makes me uncomfortable – especially when they won\u2019t stop even after I say things like I have a boyfriend.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-10px||-1px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Valerie Mah, 19, an ex-cosplayer who cosplayed from 2015 to 2018 when she was 12 to 15 years old, recounts similar experiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Screenshot_2022-07-08-18-49-00-49.jpg” title_text=”Screenshot_2022-07-08-18-49-00-49″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”31px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

14-year-old Valerie cosplaying as <\/span>Megurine Luka<\/span><\/a>, a <\/span>Vocaloid<\/span><\/i> character at Game Start 2017. Photo courtesy of Valerie Mah.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cI recall how many more men took photos [with] me compared to the number of girls\/women. Additionally, in school, I [heard] a lot of weird comments from my guy friends who gave me cosplay suggestions when I told them I was thinking about who I\u2019d like to cosplay next. I got recommendations like <\/span>Jinx<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Katarina<\/span><\/a> from <\/span>League of Legends<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Ryuko Matoi<\/span><\/a> from <\/span>Kill la Kill<\/span><\/i>, and even just wearing a maid costume version of a <\/span>Sword Art Online<\/span><\/i> character, <\/span>Sinon<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>It is scary how I didn\u2019t even realise how I was sexualised, and even worse that I was barely in my teens when all this all happened,<\/span>\u201d says Valerie.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”- Valerie Mah, 19″ job_title=”Ex-cosplayer” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

It is scary how I didn\u2019t even realise how I was sexualised, and even worse that I was barely in my teens when all this all happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” custom_margin=”-35px||-1px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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She says that it was actually her mother who advised her to quit at the time, concerned with how revealing some cosplay costumes were and how it opened up room for danger.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>\u201cI didn\u2019t realise how right she was until I got older, and realised I have encountered quite a few scenarios that I didn\u2019t find creepy or weird at the time due to [the fact that I was too young to see it],\u201d says Valerie. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>This highlights yet another concern:<\/span><\/p>\n

Minor Endangerment<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Cosplay is a hobby any age group can take up, adults and minors alike. As Valerie mentioned, she was barely in her teenage years when she was already an open target, leading to her mother having to step in out of concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ms Han Chin Chin, 55, Valerie\u2019s mother, says \u201cCosplayers, with what they do, [tend] to attract some attention at conventions when dressing up as a character, as it stands out. I mean, some with revealing attire and bright coloured hair, [might be likely to attract the wrong type of attention], whether it\u2019s perverts or creeps who could pose potential harm to those who do it – [either] verbal[ly] or physical[ly]. I’m especially worried because my daughter is a girl, and [she] was quite young at that time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Similarly, Ysabel B, 18, who has been to multiple conventions since she started cosplaying in 2020, shares her concerns regarding younger cosplayers. She has seen some donning revealing cosplay outfits and \u201cjust walking around in panties in public\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThere have been instances of cosplayers wearing inappropriate [costumes] to conventions. And not to mention that a handful of these people are literal kids. An example of this would be people cosplaying a character from <\/span>My Dress-Up Darling<\/span><\/i>\u2019s Rizu Kyun<\/span><\/a>\u201d, Ysabel explains. Minors dressing up in such revealing outfits is an obvious red flag, \u201cdue to the possibility of child predators roaming within these conventions knowing that young children are dressing up in such clothing,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The scary thing is there are also people within the cosplay community (coscom), from cosplayers to photographers, that have been charged for malicious acts. Unfortunately, although they have been blacklisted, some cosplayers, especially the newer and younger ones, are unaware of who they are and what they have done.<\/span>
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<\/span>\u201cThe thing is, the guy is back in coscom. People are shooting [photographs] with him and a lot of people who are shooting with him are actually minors. He has a history of actually sexually assaulting someone,\u201d says Ameerah, referencing a photographer who has been charged with sexual assault twice but has since gotten back into the cosplay scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Danielle Tay, 14, who started cosplaying two years ago when she was just 12 years old, shares that she has had her share of distressing instances happening to her during her coscom journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/photo_2022-07-12-16.25.44.jpeg” title_text=”photo_2022-07-12 16.25.44″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”78%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px||26px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Danielle cosplaying as <\/span>Marin Kitagawa<\/span><\/a>, the protagonist of anime and manga series <\/span>My Dress-Up Darling<\/span><\/i>. Photo courtesy of Danielle Tay. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThere was once where someone took photographs of me without my permission at a convention. [I] felt very annoyed and angry,\u201d says Danielle. \u201c[I\u2019m] concerned that there would be more predators attending cons, sometimes they assume cosplaying [equals] consent which isn’t true at all. Cosplayers are still humans and deserve to be respected.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It is of utmost importance that cosplayers <\/span>need to<\/span> be wary<\/span>, as there are malicious individuals who are active in the community. Younger cosplayers who lack awareness of the dangers lurking about, need to seek advice from those who have been in the scene longer, to know the ins-and-outs of the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, Ysabel shares that she has also seen some people cosplay as characters from <\/span>hentai<\/span><\/a>, which is anime and manga pornography. This can be worrisome as it introduces such characters and hentai shows to other cosplayers – especially the young. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve also seen cosplays of characters from hentai, like <\/span>Yarichin B**** Club<\/span><\/i>, which is a R21 (Restricted 21) anime series that has sexual scenes. I believe such cosplay costumes should really only be worn at home or at studio shoots. Wearing them in public and to conventions will expose them to children attending the same event,\u201d says Ysabel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you thought the issues ended at that, sadly, there\u2019s more to come.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bullying within the Community<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

One of the more common issues brought up would be bullying within the community – not just from the general public, but also from fellow cosplayers themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ashley (not her real name due to request for anonymity), 19, is an ex-cosplayer who cosplayed from 2017 to 2019 and had a following of 18K on Instagram prior to shutting the account down. Although she did establish a name for herself within the community, she shares that the environment was way too toxic and was taking a toll on her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI quit due to the toxicity in the community. At the time, there were a lot of people who liked to gossip and talk bad about others who [they’d] never even met or spoken to before. So it wasn’t a good place to be during that period,\u201d says Ashley. \u201cSome people in the community have the tendency to accuse others of \u2018social climbing\u2019 or \u2018acting like sl*ts\u2019.\u201d<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>She also shares that some people in the community even go as far as making fake profiles of a cosplayer and using the account to attack others in order to bring down the reputation of another cosplayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMany will be surprised at the lengths others would go when they simply don’t like you. It can be absolutely not your fault and you still get things like this happening to you. Cosplaying is great when you do it for yourself, but always be aware that in every hobby, sport, [and] job, there’s bound to be toxic people. It’s something we can’t deny exists in almost every sector,\u201d says Ashley.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, Ysabel shares that she knows a fellow cosplayer who has been a victim of bullying for a few months now.<\/span>
<\/span>
<\/span>\u201cA friend of mine has been a victim of cyberbullying and harassment from other cosplayers in a group chat who are making fun of the way he cosplays. <\/span>Even though cosplay is just a hobby, an expression of art, people still find a way to make people feel bad about themselves for absolutely no reason<\/span>,\u201d says Ysabel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”- Ysabel B, 18″ job_title=”Cosplayer” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Even though cosplay is just a hobby, an expression of art, people still find a way to make people feel bad about themselves for absolutely no reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

As for Ameerah, she witnessed first-hand how her close friends, whom she had known for a decent amount of time, had changed as they got increasingly involved in the cosplay community.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI realised that, as they get more involved in coscom, the more they change. All they talk about is coscom drama now and they’re not fun to hang out with [nor] fun to talk to anymore, because all they’re talking about is like ‘Oh, have you seen this person? Have you seen their wig? It looks like sh*t’. Stuff like that which is messed up,\u201d says Ameerah. <\/span>\u201cAs someone who has known them – it’s very disappointing and I hope that in time they end up sobering up because this isn’t cool. It really goes to show how this toxic culture really, really spreads because so many people are doing the same thing as well, so you know the whole herd mentality [where] one person does it [and] everybody [follows].\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”- Nur Ameerah, 19″ job_title=”Cosplayer” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

As someone who has known them – it’s very disappointing and I hope that in time they end up sobering up because this isn’t cool. It really goes to show how this toxic culture really, really spreads because so many people are doing the same thing as well, so you know the whole herd mentality [where] one person does it [and] everybody [follows].<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

With all these worries, what are some safety precautions cosplayers can take and what advice could they give to other cosplayers and the general public?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Advice from Cosplayers<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

For cosplayers, it is of utmost importance to bring a phone and a trusted companion to any cosplay related event, be it a convention or a photoshoot to ensure better safety (and it\u2019s even better if that friend is a trusted adult who can be on the lookout for danger).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to wardrobe, it is highly advised to not wear costumes that are too skimpy, for one might not know the creeps that lurk the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re an attractive person, someone is going to harass you. It\u2019s an unfortunate fact. But try to go with friends! Tape up the parts of your cosplay that might be more revealing and don\u2019t wear costumes that are overly sexy. Unfortunately, people will use any reason to justify being a pervert,\u201d says Rae.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, Ysabel says \u201cwhen wearing short skirts or dresses, always wear safety shorts underneath\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for the general public, seeing someone don a spectacular costume would definitely attract attention. It\u2019s no surprise that some people may want to take pictures with these cosplayers or even touch their costumes. However, it is key to respect these cosplayers\u2019 boundaries and ask them what they\u2019re okay and not okay with.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you’re someone who wants a picture or just a chat, always ask the cosplayer politely before touching or doing anything. That’s just basic etiquette,\u201d says Ashley.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ameerah adds how she\u2019s \u201cpretty sensitive when it comes to [her] wigs because [she\u2019s] very particular about how [her] wig stays on [her] head and [she\u2019s] very particular about how it remains styled\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/b506483a3ba7ba3ccadb24cf9c24a7df-2-2.mp4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”67%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px||26px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Ameerah styling a wig for her <\/span>Rosaria from Genshin Impact<\/em> cosplay<\/span><\/a> for a photoshoot. Photo courtesy of Nur Ameerah.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, cosplayers are still human beings with thoughts and emotions, hence it is important to be respectful and treat them just as one would treat another human being.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf we say no to taking a picture, it means no. Do not pressure us into doing things we are not comfortable with,\u201d says Ysabel.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the negatives, cosplay can still be a fun and fruitful experience where one can discover new fandoms, make new friends, and express themselves in a creative manner – be it through content creation, makeup, <\/span>et cetera<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/banner-image.jpg” title_text=”banner image” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px||26px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Ameerah (bottom left) cosplays as <\/span>Albedo from Genshin Impact<\/em><\/span><\/a>, taking pictures and having fun with friends at Arc Market. Photo courtesy of Nur Ameerah.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\u201c[Although] these issues are very disturbing and might be hard to deal with no matter the age, if you surround yourself with good people that watch out for you and keep these people away, cosplaying is truly enjoyable,\u201d says Ashley.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/IMG_20220708_184752_080.jpg” title_text=”IMG_20220708_184752_080″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”60px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px||26px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Ysabel (left) dressed as <\/span>Historia Reiss from Attack on Titan<\/em><\/span><\/a> with her friend and her father at Anime Flea Rakuen, a cosplay event where they sell anime merchandise that took place in April of this year. Photo courtesy of Ysabel B.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”fc11c624-29d0-4bb0-90fa-a99635dac95a” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Additionally, Ysabel adds \u201cthe cosplay community as a whole cannot be blamed for the actions of a few\u2026 If we deter people from cosplaying due to the sole reason of minors wearing revealing clothing or predators roaming, people will form a false impression that that is all there is to cosplay, when in fact, there is so much more than that. Cosplay in itself is a hobby, it is a set of skills. You need to know how to style wigs, sew, craft, pose, act, and perform. If we reduce cosplaying to these negatives, that destroys the reputation and misrepresents the cosplay community as a whole\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

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CHERYL JUAN explores the dark and less talked about side of cosplay, delving into what one should be wary of and some precautionary tips from fellow cosplayers. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":11067,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[946,453,943,942,947,945,678,944,948,47,120],"class_list":["post-11048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nptribune","tag-anime","tag-cosplay","tag-cosplayers","tag-cosplaying","tag-costumes","tag-dark-side","tag-fandom","tag-japan","tag-japanese-culture","tag-singapore","tag-youths"],"yoast_head":"\nShining Light on the Dark Side of Cosplay - 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