Tips for first-time cosplayers.

Anime conventions bring together fans of anime and manga, creating a sense of community and belonging. Cosplaying is a huge part of building that community, as it allows you to be more expressive and have fun all while making friends with people who have similar interests.

Conventions are tons of fun — there are vendors, concerts, game shows, comedy events, panels, workshops, and more. You can meet voice actors and grab their autograph and make a ton of friends all in one weekend. Conventions are probably the best way for an anime fan to spend their money with the best return on investment.

Plus, cons are pretty affordable. A typical convention pass costs $50, and that brings with it over 30–50 hours of entertainment. Compare that to a new videogame at $60-$80 these days!

Anime conventions provide an opportunity for you to express their love for their favorite characters through cosplay. You can showcase you costumes just by walking around dressed up, or you can signup to participate in cosplay contests and events.

A cosplayer at Anime Midwest in 2022.

Here are some tips for beginner cosplayers:

1. Start simple: Choose a character and costume that you love and can easily replicate with items you already have or can easily purchase. Avoid overcomplicating things with intricate designs or difficult-to-make props in your first few cosplays unless you have a strong background in craftsmanship, sewing, and prop-making.
2. Research: Do your research on the character and the costume you want to make. Look for reference images, tutorials, and how-to guides online.
3. Plan: Make a plan for how you’re going to construct your costume. Create a budget and make a list of the materials and tools you’ll need. Often people will get starting without thoroughly thinking through the work that will be required just to get halfway there!
4. Learn basic sewing and crafting skills: Most cosplays are going to require some basic sewing, crafting and DIY skills, so consider taking a class or watching online tutorials to develop your skills.
5. Work on one piece at a time: Don’t try to complete the entire costume in one day. Focus on one piece at a time and do your best to make each piece as accurate and detailed as possible.
6. Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask friends or fellow cosplayers for help. Cosplay communities are usually very welcoming and happy to help newcomers.
7. Don’t compare yourself to others: Everyone starts as a beginner, and everyone progresses at their own pace. Don’t compare yourself to others and focus on having fun and creating the best cosplay you can.
8. Be open to feedback: Ask for constructive criticism and be open to suggestions for improving your cosplay. This can help you grow as a cosplayer and make better cosplays in the future.
9. Have fun: Cosplay is about having fun and expressing your love for your favorite characters. Don’t take it too seriously and enjoy the process of creating and wearing your cosplay!

Whether you’re going to a small con in the Midwest, or a larger con held anywhere in the world, cosplaying is a fun part of any convention. There are hundreds of anime cons that you can cosplay at — and if there isn’t one near you, perhaps your local library or art museum can be encouraged to hold a small anime event.

Judges table at Anime Midwest’s Grand Stage Cosplay Contest

If you’re good enough you could even win a trip to Japan by competing in AnimeCon(.)org’s Cosplay World Crown at Anime Midwest! That’s right — it’s possible to go to Japan just by being a great cosplayer! There are few other hobbies that offer such amazing opportunities.

What are the most popular cosplays right now?

1. My Hero Academia: This popular anime and manga series has inspired many cosplays, with characters like All Might, Midoriya, and Todoroki being frequently seen at conventions.
2. Naruto: This classic anime and manga series has a large following, and characters such as Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi have yet to go out of style when it comes to cosplaying.
3. Attack on Titan: This dark and intense anime has gained a huge following, and characters such as Eren, Mikasa, and Levi are often cosplayed.
4. Dragon Ball (Z/Super/Etc): This iconic anime and manga series continues to be popular, with characters such as Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo being frequent cosplay choices. Thanks to the popularity of Dragon Ball Super, cosplays from Dragon Ball aren’t going away anytime soon.
5. Overwatch: This multiplayer shooter game has a dedicated cosplay community, with characters like Tracer, Reaper, and D.Va being frequent cosplay choices.
6. Genshin Impact: This is a hugely popular mobile and PC game that is being brought to life by cosplayers worldwide.

Some of the most popular cosplays aren’t always the best to cosplay — there is a lot of competition, and people may compare your costume to those created by experts and professionals. So I encourage you to cosplay a character you love!

Don’t be scared to try your first cosplay — mine was made from materials thrown together from my closet and my basement, so I’m sure you’ll do great!