Hello WAWA World,
Today’s WAWA is a return to all things Otaku, as we review Cosplay for the young and the old.
What is Cosplay? Cosplay is a portmanteau (Mr. Dante using his fancy language) of the words costume and play. It is a performance art in which participants called cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent iconic characters from movies, shows, anime and manga. Cosplayers often get together to create a subculture and a broader use of the term "cosplay" applies to any costumed role-playing in venues apart from the stage.
The epicenter for cosplay here in the US is of course San Diego Comic-Con International. Founded as the Golden State Comic Book Convention in 1970 by a group of San Diego residents, Comic-Con has moved to San Diego and become the largest comic book convention in the world. Entertainment companies unveil their latest games, movies and shows at the convention, and it’s attendees wear some of the greatest cosplay around.
Here’s the best cosplay from Comic-Con 2014:
The rapid growth in the number of people cosplaying as a hobby has made the phenomenon a significant aspect of popular culture in Japan, most of Asia and in the Western world. Cosplay events are common features of fan conventions and there are also dedicated conventions and local and international competitions, as well as social networks, websites and other forms of media centered on cosplay activities.
For some local cosplay fun, check out the upcoming Los Angeles Cosplay Contest in Torrance at the 20th Bridge USA Summer Festival 2015 (LALAMAMA will also be at the event supporting Nepal relief with partner 31Bits).
Here are the sites:
http://bridgeusa.com/sp/sf2015.php
Some famous celebrities have even visited cosplay conventions…dressed in disguise as themselves. “Breaking Bad” lead actor Bryan Cranston wore a mask of his own face at Comic Con in 2013! The Emmy Award winning actor walked around San Diego Comic Con in a Heisenberg mask and no one knew. He simply walked through the convention center and blended in with the crowd. Here’s a video of the amazing occasion:
Cosplay can be pretty useful, especially if you use it as misdirection. And that’s exactly what John Boyega, star of the upcoming “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, did at a convention recently. Boyega visited a Star Wars Celebration as a Clone Trooper and nobody noticed:
http://kotaku.com/force-awakens-actor-roamed-star-wars-con-disguised-as-c-1699275963
For a little more Star Wars love, with "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" on the way; here is a hip-hop Storm Trooper rockin’ his Adidas:
Here’s a Star Wars throwback to the WAWA: Jim Henson Magic:
On another Sci-Fi tip, anyone who has seen "Interstellar" knows that this TARS cosplay is just insanely amazing:
Now, enough with the kid in all of us trying to get out; let’s see some actual kids doing cosplay. Kids have HUGE imaginations and love to pretend. Dressing up in costume, ala cosplay, is a great way to make believe!
Here are some amazing cosplay kids:
Here’s a girl dressed up a Chun Li from Capcom’s “Street Fighter” series of video games:
And here’s a boy as the hero from Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.”:
Here’s a huggable Russell from Disney’s “UP”:
My favorite cosplay from all time are these two little cuties dressed up as characters from 1985’s “The Last Dragon”:
Here’s the trailer for the EPIC movie that was their inspiration:
Parents can also join in on the fun. Here are some truly inspiring father/daughter cosplay couples that bring a tear of joy to Mr. Dante’s eye!
Here is a father and daughter as a Big Daddy and Little Sister from 2K Game’s “BioShock” videogame:
Here’s a fearless dad and daughter combo as Elsa and Olaf from Disney’s “Frozen”:
Cosplay can of course be sexy too MAMAs. Some of the best cosplay stars even become international celebrities.
A real local favorite and possibly the most famous cosplay star is Linda Le, known as Vampy Bit Me. “Vampy” was born in Oklahoma to Vietnamese immigrants and now travels the world performing cosplay, often in her own designs. She has even graced the cover of Singapore’s FHM magazine.
Here she is as Morrigan from Capcom’s “Darkstalkers”:
Check our more of Vampy Bit Me’s work here:
http://vampbeauty.deviantart.com/
Another favorite, growing notoriety here in the US, is Angela Bermúdez. Hailing from Costa Rica, Bermúdez has a rich cosplay portfolio, and even does her own paintings!
As a nod to our father/daughter BioShock cosplay from above, here she is as Elizabeth from 2K Game’s “BioShock Infiinite” videogame:
Check out more of Angela Bermúdez’s art here:
http://angelabermudez.deviantart.com/
I haven’t forgot about the WAWAs. Cosplay can be sexy for the WAWA men too.
Here’s an ironically huge cosplay of Pokémon's Misty:
Till next time MAMA NATION. – Mr. Dante