Cosplay is an art-form that involves people or “cosplayers” dressing up and portraying fictional characters from video games, anime, series, movies and other pop culture mediums. It’s a way for people to geek out over their favourite characters and media. Cosplay can be enjoyed by anyone from any background. There are no limitations as to who can and can’t cosplay. However, this ideal situation is often overshadowed by racist behaviours. Often, it’s these behaviours that can be harmful towards cosplayers of colour making them question whether the cosplay community is as inclusive as they were hoping it would be.
Discriminatory behaviour is commonly found on social media like Instagram and TikTok, where cosplayers share their work and develop a strong following. If you’re new to cosplay or are looking to better support diversity in the cosplay community, it’s important to know some of the common ways in which racism impacts cosplayers of colour. Sometimes people aren’t aware they’re being racist and don’t mean to be, and racism takes many forms for different ethnic groups. Being aware is the first step in this crucial discussion ahead.
Being “accurate” is a very harmful excuse
Blackfacing and cultural appropriation are still ongoing in the cosplay community. Instances where popular cosplayers decide to darken their skin to be “accurate” to the character is very offensive towards Black/darker-skinned people, especially considering the history of blackfacing and the extreme racial tension it caused in the 1800s where white people would perform in blackface to dehumanise Black people. It’s a very sensitive topic for POC cosplayers. Some cosplayers continue to blackface and post on social media or attempt to enter cosplay competitions. One major example of this was in 2019, where avid cosplayer, Alice Livanart black-faced when cosplaying Pyke from League of Legends. She initially won the France Cosplay Cup, only to be banned after being called out for insensitivity on social media.
From a POC perspective, we don’t lighten our skin to cosplay lighter-skinned characters. It’s about embracing ourselves and being the characters we want to be at the same time. I’ve heard many POC cosplayers say that they’re happy for white people to cosplay POC characters, but don’t blackface/darken their skin for it. This should act as common respect for each other. It’s amazing to celebrate everyone’s cultural and ethnic backgrounds, but you must do so respectfully, as cultural appropriation is definitely not respectful. Comments such as “Naruto isn’t black” are not only harmful, but also disregards the fact that many anime characters, like Naruto, are Asian and not white. This certainly doesn’t stop white people cosplaying anime characters.
Cosplay is about celebrating a character because you love them, and you can cosplay whoever you want, just think twice before doing so. Ask yourself the questions: Will elements of my cosplay offend anyone racially, ethnically or culturally? It might not just be blackface; it could be a type of wig you wear, like an Afro or a certain cultural outfit, like a kimono, worn in an inappropriate way. It’s always a good idea to do some research beforehand if you’re uncertain.
How the cosplayer feels
It’s not just racial discrimination that’s present in the cosplay world. Sexism and ableism also take place too and can be significantly harmful if cosplayers (and even members of the public) don’t take this discrimination seriously. To prevent harassment towards female cosplayers in particular, the cosplay community promote “Cosplay Is Not Consent”. For characters that are disabled in some way, it is respectful for non-disabled people to avoid using wheelchairs and crutches in their cosplays especially in venues with disabled services. A disabled person has the right to cosplay an able-bodied character, just as much as a POC has the right to cosplay a white character. It’s about having common decency and respecting all expressions of cosplay.
Some cosplayers will put endless hours of work into their cosplay and have their own insecurities even before they share their work with the world. They may feel insecure about the way they look in cosplay or how other people might react. It can take a lot of confidence and mental energy for people of marginalised groups to cosplay at large conventions. Adding to that insecurity with hateful comments and behaviours only makes the situation worse for them.
In an interview with POC cosplayers, Zarah and Ariana, at MegaCon Live Birmingham, we discussed diversity and cultural appropriation from a POC perspective.
Zarah: When cosplaying a character, they have to have traits like me or look completely opposite, so that I’m basically method acting as a different person. They tend to be cute, pretty, or even just a different gender. I don’t really have a limit. Just as long as I can escape myself!
Ariana: I think as long as people don’t colour their skin it’s fine. If it’s a character they respect and admire, they can cosplay them! If I can dress up as a lighter-skinned character, they’re able to do vice versa. Just don’t change your skin colour, unless you’re purple and pink, that’s different!
Zarah: I’ve definitely seen online where light-skinned cosplayers get more praise when they cosplay darker-skinned characters. Like for instance, Korra from the Avatarverse. I see mostly light-skinned people dress up as her and they get showered with praise. Not that it’s bad, they rightfully are good, it’s just a bit sad when you start to see the inconsistencies of how they’re received. That’s my only issue with it.
When POC cosplay lighter-skinned characters
Ariana: When cosplaying a white character, I don’t really feel any different, unless someone says something to me. But, if it’s a character I like, I'm going to dress up as that character! As long as I don’t bleach my skin (jokingly)!
Zarah: I guess I feel kind of shy and embarrassed. That’s why I didn’t do cosplay for the longest time because, of course, most of it is anime. Most anime characters are Japanese and actually light-skinned. I’m not super dark-skinned but I’m darker than most of my peers and I stand out already. When it comes to dressing up as a character who’s white or light skinned, I’ve not done it and I’m still afraid to do it. I’ve seen people do it and I admire them so much, but the comments! When you’re darker-skinned it feels like every little flaw is exemplified and you have to be perfect. Like size, height, features (like European features). I feel uncomfortable but props to anyone who can do it because I’m too scared. But yeah, I encourage POC people to do it!
I have cosplayed white characters on multiple times to conventions. This includes characters like Link, Mario, Mabel Pines and Sophie Hatter. I was lucky enough to be featured on 86th Floor’s Video Game Cosplay Showcase live on Twitch earlier this year. It felt like a safe space for anyone of any background to celebrate cosplay and get some positive, non-judgemental praise and feedback. The panel were just super excited to see everyone’s cosplays, even if they didn’t know the characters. I used to think that I could only cosplay characters with a similar skin-tone to mine, limiting myself to a handful of characters.
Although I may not get the same praise for my cosplay as those who look more like the character, I’m delighted when people ask to take pictures or compliment me. At a Zelda cosplay meet, I was the only one cosplaying Twilight Princess Link, but the other attendees made me feel special for representing the game. Small gestures such as these can go a really long way for POC cosplayers, and they’ll remember them far into the future.
How can you be an ally for POC cosplayers?
Ariana: Support them on social media. Maybe boost their views for that certain cosplay. Show love and support, comment, share, like. If you’re with them in person, talk to them, get their social media. I think communication is key!
Zarah: Don’t try and push any negative agenda around it. Maybe don’t pander. I see that a lot. Just because someone’s a brown cosplayer I see a lot of pandering to seem like you’re a part of the collective. It doesn’t seem genuine. I guess it’s down to the individual but as long as you’re giving genuine compliments and support. Even if in their eyes it’s not the greatest, just share it!
Media groups such as 86th Floor and Mayamada and campaigns like “Do I Look Like A Gamer?” are amazing safe spaces to share your love for cosplay no matter your race or background. You can interact with other like-minded geeks and share your work with the online community. If you’re looking to be a better ally for POC cosplayers, getting involved with these communities and campaigns is a great way to do so.
Cosplay is for everyone!
If there’s one thing to take away from this, it’s that cosplay is for everyone. It shouldn’t exclude anyone based on their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, etc. Just like all other art forms, it’s to be enjoyed and celebrated by the amazingly diverse community worldwide. You can cosplay any character you have your heart set on as long as you stay respectful but most importantly, have fun!
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