A special feature REPOSTED from fellow cosplayer and a friend of mine, Patricia Sy (with her permission). THIS IS NOT MY ARTICLE. Read on:

I started cosplaying around 2008. And although that isn’t as long as my other friends, I am proud to say that I still got to experience the ‘ideal’ cosplay community. Today however, the community is full of kpop, attention-seekers (“Look at me, I show boobs and panties”), Alodia-wanna-bes (Q: Bakit ka nagcocosplay? A: Nakita ko nagcosplay si Alodia sa LOL gusto ko maging ganun). I blame cosplay going mainstream. Although its quite good because people don’t give us weird looks anymore, it’s sad because we have plenty of those who only cosplay to become a model or the next Alodia.

Anu yung ‘ideal’ (what is the Ideal)? Let me describe my first con experience:

• Con-goers and cosplayers alike fan-girl/boy over their favorite characters whether or not they are good-looking or not.
• Everyone (generalizing here) appreciates your effort to cosplay even if your costume isn’t as accurate.
• People ask for the names of cosplayers and befriend them, leading to real friendships outside cosplay.
• People ask for the names of the characters they find interesting but do not know about. This leads to a small talk about the anime and later the person who asked will watch it online upon the recommendation of the cosplayer.
• People ask for permission before taking pictures.
• People who take photos with cosplayers keep personal distance and seek permission before touching the cosplayer or his/her props.
• Event area is not crowded with non-related stuff like endorsements of random foods, gadgets, and etc.
• Event area has minimal human traffic.

I became an active cosplayer in 2009 and went into hiatus because of school. When I returned to the cosplay scene for Ozine 2011, I noticed a huge change. In fact you don’t have to observe to find what’s wrong because it’s already thrown at you. What do I mean?

• Walang paki. While it is the responsibility of the cosplayer to say “excuse me” and watch out before moving backwards or turning in order to make that the parts of his/her costume won’t hit someone on the face, it should also be part of the con-goers’ intiative to walk properly and not run into a cosplayer and ruining parts of his/her costume.
• Tactless. My friend and I were seating on the floor by a column while we waited for our cosplay catwalk numbers to be called. While my friend dozed off, I covered my face with my helmet which was a part of my costume. People were still taking photos of us and we didn’t mind. A group of girls came by and each took turns posing on the floor with us. They were talking so loud when one of them said sarcastically, “Bakit sila natutulog? Anung drama nila?”
• Pedo. Manyak. Bastos. While we were resting seated on the floor, a group of guys came and took photos with us. One of the grabbed the legs of my partner in an attempt to lie down on her legs. Of course, being my usual motherly protective self, I reprimanded him.
• Demanding photographers. Many photographers in cons today are not otakus. Some photographers exploit the cosplay community because they’ll find ‘free’ models who are already in make-up and costume. To them, it’s not enough that they get to shoot for free, they even demand a variety of poses. If you tell them that you are being in character and your character does not do ‘poses’, they twist their faces in disgust and walk away.
• Too many scantily-clad underage girls. No matter what you say about being in character and doning accurate costumes, scantiliy-clas characters are not for underage girls to cosplay.
• Too many kpop cosplays. The fact that the kpop dance competition has been scheduled on a different day from the cosplays means you should keep the kpop cosplay for Day 1 and not loiter around in KPOP get-up.
• Too many original cosplays. You have the funds to design your own outfits, why not cosplay a REAL character. If you’re here to showcase how awesome you are in designing and sewing, why don’t you go to design expos or work hard and register yourself for the Philippine Fashion Week?

So…. A lot of people already blogged about the proper cosplay con etiquette. Let me add and reiterate a few…

For Cosplayers:

• Mind your costume/props/parts. Make sure you don’t hit anyone while you move.
• The place isn’t all yours, do not leave your bags lying around (including the CR, the mirror isn’t all yours too).
• Change in restrooms as quick as possible. Don other props and do your make-up outside the cubicle. Some people need to pee right away and unfortunately, girls can’t pee while facing the wall.
• Girls, please don’t choose sexy characters if you’re underage. It’s just wrong. And later you complain about pervs.
• Guys with huge weapons. We know how you’re so into your character but please watch out where you’re swinging that sword. Even if it’s made of rubber/foam sheets, a jab to the stomach or any body part still hurts.
• Stop doing asian poses if your character is not cutie cute. Seeing Enma Ai or Saya doing hearts and kyon-kyon is blasphemy!

For Photographers (Amateur and Professional and Wanna-be):

• Do not demand poses from cosplayers and walk with a snarl if you don’t get another angle. Some characters are really shy.
• No low angle shots for those in skirts please.
• Do not ask cosplayers to pose while they are fixing their costumes or talking to someone or eating. If you really want a photo of the character, wait patiently.
• Do ask permission to take photos.
• Do say thanks even if cosplayers don’t reply “welcome”.
• They say that a photo tells a story. So it doesn’t hurt to ask the name of the character, anime, and role in the series. This will help in your photo’s angle.
• Always show the cosplayer the photo you took and see if they are okay with it. They can notice details like closed eyes, weird anatomy, or wigs askew. Respect their decision if they want the photos to be deleted. You wouldn’t want to be photographed while yawning either.

For Con-goers:

• Ask for permission before taking photos. Many cosplayers don’t mind their photos being taken but a good “Please and thank you” makes us believe that mankind hasn’t lost its morals.
• Before having a photo WITH a cosplayer, make sure you don’t smell. As if we aren’t dizzy enough with the contact lens and tight wigs. Don’t make us faint with your body odor.
• Do not lean too close to the cosplayer or tilt or turn your face too close to the cosplayer’s face. You are taking a photo with a character you (supposedly) idolize not your girlfriend or boyfriend.
• Do not put your arms around our waists or on our shoulders. Armor is heavy enough without your heavy hands and again, we are not your bestfriend/girlfriend/boyfriend for you to touch our love handles.
• Do not grab cosplayers’ props without permission. It’s the same feeling when random people start browsing your inbox or playing with your iPad.
• Do not mock cosplayers within their earshot. You truly can’t please everyone. And not all cosplayers are gifted with pleasing aesthetics or crafting skills. So if you don’t find us or our characters appealing, please express your opinions discretely. It hurts enough that people think we are weird because we cosplay. And it hurts more if people express dislike about how we look while doing our hobby. (Credit to: Devian Grey)

I admit I once hugged an Akatsuki without permission and forced a cosplayer for a photo while she was eating. Being on the other end made me realize how wrong I was. So this is posted to inform those who haven’t experience being the receiving end of don’ts and for those who are just unethical.

Patricia Sy

Have something to add? Comment below. I will edit.  This note is open to all. Please share to cosplayers and photographers and con-goers.

Katz – Seriously, I coudn’t agree with you more Ms. Patricia. I started out almost the same year as her and the longer it grows, you will discover the difference from that year till today. It’s not all pretty anymore. This hobby has been featured in the media recently last year and I seriously want to tell them to feature the veterans & professionals other than the random cosplayers who can’t really give an example to those who need it. Because what they describe on TV, is not “always” what you see in reality now.

Penny for your thoughts? Do share.

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