I Just Have To Ask: What Is This Cosplay Stuff?

I don't really know, I've always kind of dressed my own unique way in every day life and I feel like it helps me be who I am but I've never dressed up as a favorite character. I think some people just want to get all the way into the fantasy as far as possible. You won't catch me cosplaying, but you certainly wouldn't catch me turning down a tryst with a gal dressed as an FF gal. Grrrrowl.

And people really will use any excuse possible to dress up.

I'm just wondering how blurred the line is when referring to cosplay nowadays.
I'm pretty sure there's more than one of us here that started using teared up jeans and lumberjack jackets in the 90's when Nirvana/Alice in Chains/Soundgarden were in their pinacle. The same with leather jackets and colored mohawks if you like punk.
Could and/or should that be called cosplay? Not sure, just happens that you change your dressing to emulate whatever you like. Of course I can't see anybody going to the office dressed up as Tifa -*pauses for drooling*- the difference there is the depth of the change you're making from your daily basis clothing.

I don't cosplay but I can't see it as escapism, more like doing something different from what the genepool does, which leads to gathering with people of similar tastes, being tagged as weird, and getting abused by 'Jocks' (i don't mean to offend but that seems to be the common denominator).

Last edited by totozero18 on 8/15/2011 6:32:40 PM

Well way to single me out Ben, very mature of you. I'm pretty certain that I wasn't the only one in that post. I know the K2 and other variations are harmful. I'm saying nothing has happened to me before, though I am aware of the potential dangers. Marijuana however is mis-understood and fear mongering like you are doing doesn't help. I know lots of people who smoke daily who are successful and I know people who are failures, it's all how you control yourself. No different than with sober straight edge folks. To be completely honest, the people who take cough medicine, or pills for any other reason of self medicating daily are posing a bigger threat to themselves than any stoner.

I just didn't appreciate being singled out is all and made out to be the idealist behind this discussion. I replied to this and your other comment further down.

As long as your cousin is just smoking weed, they should be okay. 😛

Whoa that's a lot to read Dreno but I agree that it is wrong to imply that because someone cosplays they do drugs and don' have jobs. I'm sure Tom didn't mean to put it that way.

Damn Dreno, sounds like you got some personal issues.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 8/14/2011 11:39:22 PM

damn bro, i agree that being a drug user and being into cosplay arent related. But who are you to tell this dude he shouldn't talk about someone in his family? and its not like he said anything extremely scandalous, for all we know, she really is a drugged up 22 yr old without a job. You act as if he said something about your family. Let the dude have his say about his family if he wants, especially if its true

It's not like he outed anyone. Both he and his cousin remain 100% anonymous – they both could be anyone, anywhere. If it's true or not nobody knows but I read it more like a funny remark than anything else.

You americans and your family values… 🙂

Last edited by Beamboom on 8/15/2011 1:14:04 AM

@sayword-I wish the perception of weed wasn't that it's this harmless drug that anyone can just take and leave and be OK. I've heard-"It's only a bit of puff!" a million times yet when it comes to causing psychological issues and making existing one worse there's little quite as damaging as pot. Only, imho, Amphetamines beat it out as a cause and aide of psychotic episodes and it's well known as a cause of acute paranoia.

I'm not anti drug evangelist(not at all-I've been an addict myself)but just have to say the laissez faire attitude we seem to have to this drug is out of keeping with the OTT way other drugs are reported. It's JUST as damaging as anything(even in it's purest forms) and unlike other drugs isn't just dangerous BECAUSE illegality makes it impure and hard to dose.Just a bit of advice-respect any drug or you WILL likely come off worst. From Aspirin to Crack it's all the same story, know what you're taking and, for God's sake, respect your warnings. I won't stop anyone experimenting and it's not my place to try but passing on a bit of a word to the (un?)wise is necessary when myths are populating our society about potentially harmful hobbies like smoking weed.

Take it from me, though, one of my best mates is now sectioned under the Mental Health Act after getting so paranoid on weed that he just can't function any more. Newer(relatively), stronger strains like Skunk just make this worse too.

Wow somebody spaz'd out..

I have to say..weed is not a drug. Drugs are man made. Alcohol is worse than marijuana but you can consume it legally at 21. Various drugs have side effects that can cause cancer yet they're still sold over the counter and are prescribed. Furthermore, marijuana has been decriminalized in multiple states already. Plus dispensaries for medical marijuana for people who have true medical conditions..

@ Slugga Status

Flawed logic, dude..Drugs may be man made, but they come from natural sources. All drugs are made from various plants. And they are all harmful to the body in some way… even the medicinal ones. Substance abuse is a passtime I will never understand. Rat poison may not be strong enough to kill you, but you still won't drink it , right?

@Mastiffchild

Are you the same Mastiffchild from N4G? I mean, you have the same dog in your avatar and everything.

Last edited by Cole on 8/15/2011 9:30:21 AM

@Slugga
Actually, it can cause much of that. It produces many more hydro-carbons (extremely carcinogenic) than cigarettes (in fact, one ounce smoked can cause more damage in that department than roughly 2 packs of cigarettes), and it has potential to cause brain damage which can lead to stroke or various forms of heart, liver, or many other organ failures.

Chronic and/or addictive use of marijuana can have many serious consequences.

Since it is also hallucinogenic (although mildly so), anyone predisposed to psychological or mental illnesses like Schizophrenia, bi-polar depressive disorder, or any sort of identity transference disorders, risk having those illnesses worsened exponentially (yes… at a bell-curve), especially with chronic use.

Since it is also a depressive substance, it has potential to cause lethargy, diminished energy, and just generally slow you down. Much like alcohol does. The difference is, however, marijuana can linger in your system for up to a year. So when you use chronically, more and more gets into your system. It's why some people need more and more to experience the same high's (their bodies are used to it since it's always there). But with increased levels, you also get those lethargic attitudes and desire for laziness even when not high. (Because of how much of it lingers)

And then there's the fact that marijuana is a red flag for people who are extremely insecure. lol

Either way… I just think it's stupid to do. If someone feels like they have to or that it's the only way to have fun or I'm lame for not smoking it, then they must have an incredibly horrible imagination or very little to no skills.

Lastly, not everyone that does marijuana does something worse eventually. But every person I've worked with that struggles or has struggled with addictions —-EVERY SINGLE ONE—- says marijuana was their starting point. It -is- a gateway. They all tell you, if they hadn't started on weed, they'd have never moved up. And I've worked with 8 addictions -this month-.

So don't pretend marijuana has no consequences (not that you specifically were. I mean people in general). Such denial is insulting.

Last edited by Underdog15 on 8/15/2011 11:10:33 AM

From a high level perspective, weed is about as dangerous as alcohol, yet it's illegal and creates thousands of criminals each year who are doing little more than indulging in the equivalent of a night out on booze in the form of something to smoke. In my experience it's no more a gateway drug than alcohol or tobacco, bet then I don't smoke and haven't knowingly done weed in my life, but one family member has/does and I know people who have/do. Unless they are hiding something very well, their use of weed has had little more effect on then than alcohol, except of course the legal risk.

Medically, I'm not aware of any significant number of studies suggesting that weed is horridly dangerous or significantly more dangerous than other things like tobacco or alcohol. it seems to me that the only thing that separates those three vices, is that weed is illegal and alcohol and tobacco can be bought at walmart. Alcohol and nicotine are both drugs in their own right. Why are the not controlled, but weed is? Oh, wait, alcohol has a cultural place since before Christ, and tobacco has a similarly long cultural history and was financially extremely important for a long period of time. Weed…not so much. I guess weed is suffering because people from Europe found tobacco and started smoking it in numbers before weed.

Obviously some people are more affected by substances either way. Alcohol and marijuana are similar in that they alter perspective (although different forms of perspective). Tobacco and Marijuana are the same in that they have chronic long term effects. (It's true. They do. I'm not sure how you can pretend they don't). Alcohol stands alone in that you can -easily- (i know it's possible with the others, but extremely difficult) cause immediate damage. Any one of us could go out tonight and die from an over-abuse of alcohol.

Now, I personally, believe all drugs, (OCT, prescription, alcohol, tobacco, etc.) are a bit of a government money grab in various forms. There's more than enough evidence to put stricter laws in enforcing tobacco, for example. And I firmly believe Marijuana to be something, as Highlander said, something that in moderation, is no more harmful chronically than alcohol or tobacco.

The only difference? Not just anyone can make tobacco in their back yards. It takes a lot, and to make a cigarette, it's nearly impossible since nowadays, so much of it is synthetic. Alcohol is the same. It's far too much work to make your own various forms of alcohol from home. It's easy for government to tax and make money and regulate. But marijuana? Well, come on. Anyone could grow and produce that. -ANYONE-. Government would never be able to regulate and tax it efficiently.

And -that-, I believe, is the main reason it's so illegal in the US. (It's decriminalized in Canada, already. But still illegal. That term just means you won't get a criminal offense or jail time for it. You could still face fines if you possess enough of it.)

The point of my comment isn't about how it's illegal or 'wrong'. I was just pointing out that you're being willfully ignorant if you think that chronic use has no potential ill effects. The studies are there, I assure you. A simple undergrad test is enough to prove marijuana produces many many times more hydrocarbons than cigarettes, for example.

At any rate, the fact that it's illegal is a little silly when compared to alcohol and tobacco. But slugga, the immediate effects it has on the body is a direct definition of a "depressant". That word doesn't mean it makes you depressed. It's the opposite of a "stimulant" like taurine or caffeine.

Just because you weren't affected too much by it, doesn't change the fact it's a depressant. Not everyone is affected by caffeine, either, for example. Same idea. But it does linger in the body for a long long time. As I said, that's why it always takes a little more to reach the same high over time. And if you are the type of person to be easily affected by a depressant or if you have predisposed mental illness, it carries huge risk.

Obviously, if you have none of those factors, like a predisposition to mental illness or you aren't affected by depressants as much, you likely won't notice any of those long term psychological effects. Like anything else, someone predisposed to heart disease shouldn't drink energy drinks. Same idea. Doesn't mean it's bad for everyone.

But the chronic health effects are real and should be considered. Just because my great grandmother smoked like a chimney from ww1 until she died at 99 doesn't mean smoking is therefore not bad for you. Smoking weed merely increases your risk of stroke, to list one potential factor. Extensive marijuana use has been linked to brain damage. That alone can cause stroke and many other illnesses.

But as Highlander said, it's not really that different from the increased risks of abusive drinking or chronic smoking. And in terms of legality, as I said, it is a little silly how the government spends all those resources on stopping marijuana users. There's plenty of hard drug users or distributors of prescription drugs like oxy's. Honestly, I'm convinced it's only because anyone could make their own marijuana that it would be more economical to just grow your own. Government wouldn't make anything on it. And I think they know that. lol

As for my own outlook, I just think it's a silly habit, and it's one I've never understood. I don't drink to get drunk, you know? Sometimes it happens when I'm with a group of people, but I don't aim for it to happen. And I never get completely out of my mind. Not even close. How many people smoke pot without wanting to get high? I just don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to keep their own state of mind.

In regards to the legit and legal synthetic marijuana there is a thing in Indiana called K-2, K-3, Cloud Nine, and Baked Goods that is purchasable by any 18 year old. They have been found to cause Psychosis and seizures in people low or high doses. I myself have tried all the variations listed multiple times and nothing has happened.

I have also smoked weed quite heavily as a recreational past time and never for self medicating, not once have I experienced health issues. Though I will point out I was actually laced once with shroom dust, for those of you who don't know is a hallucinogen and laced refers to the dealer mixing a drug with the weed then selling it. I believe if made legal, a regulation could help to stem the fear associated with marijuana use. people will know exactly what they are getting and be safer because of it.

I will point out that some very famous people are heavy weed smokers, I'm sure you have all head of Michael Phelps an Olympic Gold medalist. Unlike tobacco which actually decreases the amount of air and oxygen lungs can take in, weed has no such affect as the over 4,000 chemicals and over 50 carcinogens are nowhere to be found.

Here are some other wildly successful celebrities who smoke weed daily. Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson, Seth Rogan, James Franco, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Justin Timberlake, pretty much every rapper out there (Whiz Khalifa spends on average $10,000 in weed), Mariah Carey, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Doug Benson, Sarah Silverman, and Barbra Streisand!!!

It's obviously not hurting their careers now is it? This is a censorship thing, not a "we want to protect our citizens" thing. So many people mis-informed and that's what is truly worrisome.

Last edited by JMO_INDY on 8/15/2011 7:14:21 PM

@syn
Mind to point that finger a little more directly, or are you happy to let everyone pretend you're talking about the other guy?

@JMO
speaking of misinformation, there are a couple things in your post that are misinformed. Generally speaking, though, the censorship by government isn't necessarily misguided, but it is definitely a mis-prioritized initiative. Obviously at your age, you are very unlikely to feel any side effects or suffer consequences yet. As I said before, *CHRONIC* use can cause *CHRONIC* health issues. Not immediate… Chronic. That word is -very- important.

As for using celebrities as a measurable for what is acceptable…. well… let's just say this… JMO… I know you're an intelligent guy. Why would you go by them?

Last edited by Underdog15 on 8/16/2011 11:07:14 AM

Let me just say one thing about the OTC drugs you listed. They only deteriorate the liver in chronic users. People who abuse them or become dependent on them. Personally, acetaminophen should only be used when anti-inflammatories are not feasible (ie: you're pregnant). They directly affect your nervous system and are pretty harsh over time. Anti-inflammatories, on the other hand, do most of it's pain killing by decreasing swelling. Much more tame.

Either way, on their own, they do not cause damage. Abusers using them for the wrong reasons, will hurt themselves. There is such thing as "too much of a good thing".

Marijuana in it's natural state in a small one-time quantity is incredibly unlikely to do any sort of damage. And it isn't worse than cigarettes, in my opinion. -BUT- anytime you burn off something natural, it's going to release a level of hydrocarbons. And if it's plant life, it'll burn (in an uneven combustible chemical reaction since oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon-dioxide levels vary -constantly-) off tannins as well. These two things, both, at a greater extent to cigarettes. The filters alone can almost completely remove those two toxins. (Which tobacco companies are ok with since neither is addictive)

When such immensely high levels of tannins and hydrocarbons are released into your body, they have potential to cause cancer in the long term (2 years is not long enough to measure chronic effects), and more immediately, if everything is just right (or wrong), it can damage brain tissue. It almost always does in small bits. Small enough that you can normally mend. But if done often enough that mending is impossible, eventually, you -will- experience brain damage. Some faster than others.

I'm not saying it shouldn't be decriminalized. It already is in my country. I'm saying you have two schools of thought that are both wrong.

One says, it will destroy families. It has a portion of truth, as in people with highly addictive personalities or with mental or psychological illnesses, it can do just that very easily. But not to the extent the government believes. And not to the extent alcohol abuse does, either. So that camp is wrong for blowing it out of proportion.

The second says there's almost no (or will say none at all!) negative effects. That's blissful ignorance, through and through. Like alcohol, it needs to be used in moderation. People need to be aware of the potential health risks they face (they do exist!!!!) like they know about cigarettes. And they need to listen to their medical professional about use like they should when using otc drugs! (No one ever asks their doctor about otc's, but they should be.)

The problem at the end of the day is people only list the "facts" that promote their own agenda. It isn't the worst thing that is out there. Not even the worst among things that are completely 100% allowed! But it's not harmless either. That's just being naive.

As for me, I don't use. Good thing too… my life insurance would be more expensive if I did, for one. (silly mandatory urine and blood tests when you buy life insurance) But I just disagree with the idea of disorienting your mind. I never plan on getting drunk, and when I do, I'm never wasted. I always stop before I lose full control, because I know when to stop. And I never drink more. Sometimes I'll go out "drinking" with friends, and not get drunk afterall. Other times, I'll be celebrating something and accidentally drink a little much and have to stop. I'm not for or against it. I just think it's weird to feel like you have to change your state of mind to relax, have fun, whatever.

I'm just bothered mostly by people siding with one side or the other, when clearly, neither is correct.

Well, I think I can provide some insight, coming from a town named 'Vulcan' (where we have an annual festival weekend dubbed 'Spock Days'), and having both attended many conventions and made many props for cosplayers over the years. For the most part, I believe it is as you say: escapism. That carries a bit on unintended ill-meaning with it, though.

I think your right, though, they tend to have a few distinctive personalities, and though most of them don't 'fit in' with the average joe, there is a close minority that do. The thing is, there's a cultural difference there. When I spent a couple weeks in Japan, I noticed at least a dozen cosplayers that hardy got a second look as they strolled down the street. They're not part of 'the norm' but they're commonplace regardless. In North America however… not so much, and so it's not rare to find someone that's rather… shy, or even antagonistic, when it comes to their interest in cosplaying.

Now, I'm not a cosplayer myself, but I do make props, and my own interest stems from the novelty of it. Having a keyblade that I can actually hold in my hand is just kinda neat- for lack of a better and actually informative answer. Haha

Anyway, interesting question. It really is starting to become commonplace in the gaming industry, and you know, I think it's a good thing. Or harmless, if nothing else.

Last edited by Kiwi of DOOM on 8/14/2011 10:24:13 PM

I saw a video of a compilation of girls playing as rinoa from FFVIII and there is this one girl who absolutely IS rinoa,she is not just dressed like her but her facial feature are so exactly like rinoa its uncanny.

If i wasn't in a relationship my life's mission would be to find that girl & tell her i am her squall leonheart XD..oh and ask her to marry me XD

Last edited by Ars ragnarok on 8/14/2011 10:24:47 PM

I like this cosplay stuff. Its awesome seeing people come up with accurate costumes of their favorite characters. I don't do it, I would like to but I just can't. More power to the cosplayers, don't hate.

Strange, on my trip today to all my favorite websites, I read your article today about cosplay, then a few minutes later I found this on Japancinema.net
http://japancinema.net/2011/08/12/cosplay-corner-episode-8-ejen-chuang/
it talks a lot about cosplay, particularly here in the US. Check it out. It should answer a few questions and give you an idea of what it's all about.

… But if Ben was a cosplayer, what would he dress like?

Conan the Barbarian?

LOL! Omg the mental pictures you paint sometimes. 😀

Last edited by Beamboom on 8/15/2011 6:11:50 AM

I went to the Smash a few weeks ago in Sydney (anime/gaming festival). It was awesome but I realised that cosplay was a colossal part of the whole event. 80% of people were dressed up us gaming/anime characters. There was a cosplay competition, cosplay chess, cosplay races, cosplay fashion show and more.
I even say Lucy from Elfen Lied, that girl even had fake blood all over her. Yeah….it was scary… but AWESOME.