By: Fishy
Cosplay - what is it?
Well, it's short for "Costume Play", where people dress up as anime
characters. They can
spend tons of money on a pre-made costume, or sit around for hours,
making their own. Either
way, it's a fun thing to do, especially when you're going to an anime
convention, where
the costume masquerade is one of the highlights. Plus, it's always fun
having people ask
to take a picture of you.
Now, what does this have to do with Sailor Moon?
Lots and lots of people dress up as Sailor senshi. I don't really see
why not- 'Sailor Moon'
is a pretty popular anime series, and the fuku are fairly easy to make.
And since almost
everyone knows who/what Sailor Moon looks like, you're easily
recognized.
However, Katsucon, a pretty big anime convention located in Virgina,
has "retired" a few
series, including Sailor Moon, from the masquerade and the skits. What
that means is,
if you're wearing a Sailor Moon costume, you're not getting judged. You
can't go up on
stage and perform a little skit. No matter how good your costume is, or
how much work you
spent on it, you can't participate in the masquerade.
Now, many people have said that this was an unfair rule, and I myself
agree. Although at
least one of each Sailor Senshi are seen at basically every anime
convention, they aren't
only characters in the series. There are enemies, some with complicated
outfits and hair.
I haven't once seen the Amazon Trio or Quartet at a convention yet, nor
have I seen any
Death Busters. Also, this rule is preventing some very very good Sailor
Moon skits from
going up on stage...
But there is some sense to the rule... Sailor Senshi fuku are pretty
similar to each other.
Basically, there's a suit, a skirt, tiara, two bows, and shoes. If
there were a very good
Sailor Jupiter and a very good Sailor Mercury costume competing,
wouldn't it be kinda hard
for the jugdes to choose between the two? And with more and more people
participating
at convention masquerades, they either have a choice of first come
first serve
pre-registration, like how they did at Otakon, or to completely ban a
series from the
masquerade.
Personally, this rule doesn't affect me much, since I'm still a
beginner cosplayer, and
I don't compete. But even so, with Sailor Moon, Ranma 1/2, DBZ, and
more costumes being
"retired," who knows what Katsucon, or other conventions, will "retire"
next?
Comments on this article can be sent to: Fishy.
