THE DAOS!-The Way of the Cosplayer Series!
Issue Fourteen: A Basic Introduction to Cosplay!

For the next three weeks, we will be talking about a growing trend in the Otaku community, which is known as Cosplay! In this issue, we will be discussing its history, and where to start in your cosplay adventures!

Otaku Question Of The Week: While we are talking about Cosplay this month, we at the DAOS want to hear your cosplay stories and even see your cosplay pictures! Send us a note over to =MissRedRose and tell us all about it! You might even win some awesome DA gifts that are in the new DAOS Prize Box!!! Enter TODAY!

Review Of The Week-From Mike over at =Damaged927
Yotsuba&! Volume 5
Five Volumes available from ADV Manga



Plot Summary: It's the end of an endless summer, and Yotsuba is out to make the most of it. First, she'll go toe-to-toe with a cardboard robot, then help out the neighbors by eating their grapes and spearheading an impromptu trip to the beach. But when her ice cream is stolen by Yanda, Koiwai's understudy, Yotsuba may have to admit she's finally met her match!

Pros to the Manga: This manga is very very funny. If you enjoyed Azumanga Daioh then there is a really good chance that you will appreciate this one as well. The character development is perfect and the book moves at a very easy to follow clip. Quite a few times I laughed so hard when reading this volume that my sister thought there was something wrong with me. The panel layout is smooth and easy to follow and the art fits this manga very well. Yotsuba is a character that you will fall in love with. She is so pure and innocent that she appears to be selfish, but when you read this volume you'll realize that she just follows her instructions to a T. Very cute and very loveable.

Cons to the Manga: I honestly don't have a lot to say here. I really enjoyed this volume as well as the 4 previous volumes. The only complaint that I have so far with this volume (as well as the previous 4) is that it doesn't seem to go into Yotsuba's background enough. They allude to some stuff and answer some other things, but you don't know where she comes from (except "to the left."). I know, I find it amusing as well when she says that she is "to the left", but at some point I would actually like to hear her story and I was hoping volume 5 would do this. Yeah, I know, its a stretch, but its pretty much the only gripe I have thus far.

Damaged Thoughts: This volume (as well as the previous 4) are worth buying. There are non-stop laughs coming your way if you do so. It is from the creator of Azumanga Daioh, so if you are a fan of that series and a fan of that style of humor then you will love Yotsuba. The art is more or less the same as Azumanga and there are many references to it. Yotsuba is cute and funny and you gotta love the character Jumbo. I think my favorite sequence in this volume was the sequence with Card-bo or when they went to the video store. Man, kids say the darnedest things. I tell you this much though, if you read this series, you will have a whole new outlook on things like Air Conditioners.

Issue Fourteen: A Basic Introduction To Cosplay

While cons are run year round, right now we are in the low season of cons. As such, many people take a break and begin wondering what they are going to do next year at the next round of conventions. So as such, many otakus are beginning to consider what they should cosplay! So finally, we are going to begin our series on Cosplay, and hopefully we will be able to empower you into joining a group of people who have growing in great numbers!

The History Of Cosplay

As long as there has been theatre, there has been costuming! People dressing up and acting like someone else has been around for centuries! However cosplay, has been a slow but growing evolution of costuming. Cosplay is a term meaning “costume play”, and it is a hobby for those who like to be part of Halloween all year round. Many countries have cosplay contests at their own local level, and there is even an International Cosplay Summit that is held every year in Japan, where cosplayers come from all over the world to represent their country as some of the best cosplayers in the world.

You usually see cosplayers acting around in other places such as amusement parks, nightclubs and sometimes café’s as well. For most Americans however, conventions whether anime, sci-fi or both is where you will find all the majority of cosplayers. But many people wonder, why do we do it? Well one of the biggest reasons why, is the fact, that while we are cosplaying, we are someone else! We can act like someone else and just have oodles of fun with you and take pictures and trade secrets with people.

What You Should Know Before You Invest In Cosplaying!

If you are a veteran cosplayer, then skip this section and scroll down to the next section. For you first time cosplayers, you must be wondering, “what on earth do I cosplay as?”. Well, we at the DAOS always believe, that you should cosplay whomever you like. But there are a few guidelines you should consider:

1) What kind of person you want to cosplay!--Many cosplayers choose people that they connect with, and some choose people that they are complete opposites. You must be comfortable with the person you change into however. Do not just choose some random character just because all your friends are cosplaying as that.

2) How much you wish to spend!--Unfortunately, cosplaying is not cheap. Even if you make all the pieces yourself, you must take the costs of fabric, supplies, accessories, and any other incidentals that come your way. While there are many online stores and costume makers, they also do not come cheap either. Be sure to set a firm budget so that way you know how much you can spend on putting together your costume. (Important Note: If you cosplay a person that requires a lot of accessories, or sewing time, you might spend more than those who keep it simple.)

3) How many times you expect to wear your costume.-- If you plan to only go to one or two cons a year, we suggest going with an easy costume that won’t cost you a whole bunch of money. On the other hand, if you are attending at least four or more, you can spend a little more for a costume that is more elaborate and can last you longer as well.

The Basic Foundations Of Cosplaying

So now, you’ve taken all those guidelines into account. And you are getting your research started on which character you have chosen, so now here comes the basic need to know about a character’s designs. Our advice, is that you must look at your character in a very detailed manner, and we mean detailed, as if obsessive compulsive detailed.

1) The Clothing Itself: What does your character wear? What do they not wear? What kind of colors and fabrics do they use in their clothing. Are there any special insignias that they have embroidered into their clothing that you may have either to buy patches for or make yourself? How intricate are the pieces that they are wearing? Can you get these pieces at your local craft store and make them yourself, or do you have to go online and look around?

2) Accessories: In cosplay, accessories define how accurately you cosplay a character. What kind of jewelry do they wear on their bodies? What kind of weapons do they have, and how big are they? Are their any insignias that are detailed on the weapons? Do they have and charms and/or talismans that are attached to their weapons? Do you see them with any cigars or cigarettes in their mouths?

3) Other Things: What is their eye and hair color? Do they have any special features that are on their face or bodies? What about their shoes, bags or notebooks? Do they carry plushies, or have plushie companions?

Building Your Costumes!

So while there are many online stores that sell pre-made costumes (we’ll get to those later) many otakus like to go at it alone and create their own pieces of work. So here are some tips you need to know:

1) Measure yourself in inches and determine a size. Don’t just go on S, M, L, and XL and up. Many costume makers as well as otakus have a set number in inches as to what defines an S, M, L, and XL. Measure your bust/chest, torso (underneath your bust or before your tummy), Waistline and your Hips. If your character wears pants or tight leggings, be sure to measure your thighs, some pieces need a little more space than others do.

2) Once you have an amount in inches, convert it to yards for both pieces, and then head to your nearest fabric store! Pick your fabrics accordingly and tell the nice people who cut it for you how many yards you will need! Always look for awesome sales on fabric, so you can get the best deal ever!

3) Make sure you have enough time to make your costume. If you rush job the item, then be ready for mistakes or worse, having to go without one! Take your time and make sure you do the best work you can! Be sure to also go online and get some help finding cosplay patterns and tips online. (Links will be below)

Online Costume Shopping

There are many of otakus however, who are hopeless when it comes to a needle and thread. So we resort to the internet and shop for the perfect costume. BEWARE! You must be sure to look around before placing that order! Here are some vital tips that are important before buying a piece online!

1) TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS! Many costumers, base their sizes off of inches, so if you are a 38’’ Bust and Shoulder, they will base what ever size you are off of that. Your measurements will also let you know if you need to order a size up or down.

2) READ THE ENTIRE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION! This may be the biggest no-duh, but many online costumes don’t come equipped with all the pieces you may need to accurately cosplay. So read it to make sure that you don’t have to look for matching pieces elsewhere. (We highly recommend this for those who cosplay as Bleach characters. Mainly because there is one standard costume for Soul Reapers, but the accessories are what will define your character!)

3) READ THE RETURN AND SHIPPING POLICIES! 90% of all orders, usually say that once you buy it, unless there is a serious defect in the clothing, the pieces are NON-RETURNABLE. Also, you must take into account the shipping price. Many companies have a flat rate of shipping regardless of how many pieces the costume is. Considering also many cosplay companies are based out of Asia, most of the time you will be charged the international rates due to import, tariff, and customs fees. If you have any questions about that, be sure to email the company before you place the order!

Next week we will be talking about Cosplayers Etiquette! How to behave as a cosplayer and still have oodles of fun! Below however is a group of links that will help you as you build your costumes! Be sure to have fun while making them as well!

See you all next week!
Cosplayer Love,
~Miss Red Rose~

Links to Cosplay Websites

Info on the Cosplay World
The Infamous Cosplay.com -- [link]
The Cosplay Lab-- [link]
Cosplay World-- [link]

Cosplay Shopping Websites!
Cosplay Equipment E-bay Store (choice of MissRedRose!): [link]
Cosworx (James’ Pick):[link]
Cosplay Magic: [link]
Cosplay One: [link]
Lawara Shop (great for the schoolgirl cosplayers): [link]