Cosplayers: A Emerging Social Stereotype

Submitted To:

Mohammed Tanvir Zubair AhmedAdjunct FacultyIBA, University of Dhaka

SUBMITTED BY:

AHSANUL KABIR ANIK (03), 48D

SHABIB RAIHAN (13), 48D

KAFIL UDDIN KIRON (41), 48D

SADMAN PRODHAN (47), 48D

MAZHARUL ISLAM (54), 48D

IMTIAJUL HOQUE NIPU (08), 44D

ZAKARIA ARIFIN (07), 49E

Identification of a new stereotype

COSPLAY is the short form of Costume Play: An activity where fans dress up to look like media characters from:

Comics

Movies

Video Games

TV-Series

Anime

Manga (Japanese Comics)

Bangladeshi Perspective The Cosplay concept is almost newly adapted by the

young generation

Trend started at the end of 2010 and early 2011

Easy access to internet developed the practice

Usually Young people (13-24 years) are identified to do so

Sometimes aged bachelors or newly married couple are seen to involve but they are not passionate about this

Several conventions like Dhaka Comic-con, Unmad JCC Comic-con are regularly arranged

Cosplay is mainly Dhaka and Chittagong based

Bangladesh had its own concept since old time. Such as: “Jemon Khushi Temon Saajo or Dress As You Wish”

Purpose of Cosplaying

The purpose of cosplay is to:

Express adoration for a character

Seeking attention by being different

Meet up with people with similar attitude

Finally to have some fun

Purpose of Cosplaying a much deeper perspective

Anime and manga fans, many of whom are self-styled geeks or nerds, view themselves as being marginalized by society and thus seek escape and affirmation through participation in fan activities like cosplay which allow them to create an identity for themselves which will enable them to gain the acceptance they seek. Fandom creates a landscape of belonging, a liminal space in which the participant can express one‘s true nature with other likeminded participants. For example, cosplay is an inherently social activity and thus takes place in spaces like fan conventions. Even if the cosplayer goes to the convention alone, he or she is immediately brought into the community of cosplayers and begins to act as performer and audience.

Process of Identification

Identifying a cosplayer is very easy. We can identify them through their Dress, Attire and Accessories.

Characteristics of a Cosplayer

Usually cosplayers are anti-social

Usually they are lonely

Mentally they are immature

Most of them are from higher SEC (Social Economic Class)

They spends most of their times in front of pc either watching movies, anime or gaming

Usually they are very tech-savvy

They like to take photographs very frequently

REF: http://cosplaylife.blogspot.com/2010/05/cosplay-stereotypes.html

Mapping for Cosplayers

Rational Controversial

Indifferent

Conscious

Mapping for Cosplayers

Emotional Realistic

Social

Unsocial

Mapping for Cosplayers

Tech Savvy

Not so Tech Savvy

Higher SEC

Lower SEC

Mapping for Cosplayers

Chaotic Pacifist

People Savvy

Less People Savvy

Personalization of the Cosplayers

FOOD HABIT:

More inclined to fast food

Hangs out in restaurants

More inclined to takeaway food

Personalization of the Cosplayers

Dress Code:

Usually they were attires that resembles with their adored character

Usually they bring them from abroad or purchase them from online stores as there are very few shops in the city based on these characters

Personalization of the Cosplayers

Accessories:

Accessories like pendrive, cell phone cover, bags, watches, belts are also inspired by adored charecters

Conventions

Pictorial

IF YOU CAN’T BE A HERO, AT LEAST LOOK LIKE ONE!

New Service Idea

A service idea that we developed for the cosplayer

social group is a “Dedicated Super Shop” at a

suitable place that will provide one-stop service for

cosplayer’s every needs.

The Shop will sell:

Comics

CD/DVD’s of movies, Anime and TV series

Cosplay Costumes

T-shirts

Mugs

Accessories like pen-drive, watches, bags etc

New Service Idea (continued)

Replicas of different character

Posters and Flyers

Caps, Hats, Sunglasses featuring famous Characters

Gaming Magazines and CD/DVD’s

Gift items featuring famous characters

New Service Idea

Other Services:

Yearly cosplay convention

Monthly game/movie/comics review

Monthly meet up of cosplayers

role-playing game (RPG) It is a game in which players assume the roles of

characters in a fictional setting

live action role-playing game (LARP) It is a form of role-playing game where the

participants physically act out their characters' actions.

Thanks To All