The CosWords

Cosplay events are no longer a new concept in Malaysia. Today, we see cosplay events happening bi-monthly, as in one held at least twice a month. Almost every average person out there would know at least one cosplayer as one of their acquaintances, or would have known someone who would love to attend cosplay events. Cosplay events are such a rage that there are even companies out there that are coming up with their own cosplay events, or incorporating cosplayers into their marketing strategies to appeal to the niche audience. “Cosplay seems to be the new hip thing nowadays,” said Jared Cheah Jin-Eu, the event manager at the biggest cosplay event that happens annually in Malaysia, Comic Fiesta. He has been involved in the cosplay and anime, comics, and games (ACG) events since 2003, so it would be 14 years to be exact. Based on his own experience, he states that back in the early days there would only be around two events happening annually. Those events being Comic Fiesta an...

The hobby of cosplaying is no longer a new phenomenon in this progressive age where everyone is allowed to freely express themselves and their interests more. Cosplayers outside of events are constantly turning heads in their interesting over the top costumes and colourful wigs as they are rarely seen in a regular public setting. As the hobby’s reputation increases, it reaches corporations and their staff, who interestingly enough, have been incorporating cosplayers into their marketing strategies. One such example can be seen from Nippon Paint’s Pylox Spray Paint campaign, whereby they engaged a popular cosplayer who goes by her stage name, Rikka Blurhound, to star in their commercials and promote their product. Their series of video commercials, titled as “The Dream Guardian” is up on Nippon Paint’s YouTube channel, and has garnered over 180,000 organic views. The numbers of the actual paid video commercial that has been broadcasted on netizens’ screens is probably a lot highe...

In the past two years we have seen an increase of cosplay cafe events that are happening in this country. Those who have never heard of the term would probably be confused. How do cosplay and cafes mix? In the past two years we have seen an increase of cosplay cafe events that are happening in this country. Those who have never heard of the term would probably be confused. How do cosplay and cafes mix? The concept is actually based off maid cafes in Japan. In maid cafes, customers are treated as “masters”, served by the waitresses who are the cuter version of maids depicted in a lot of modern Japanese media. Food is served with cute chants that the maids have to perform with their customers before they dig in, and entertainment by the maids is provided; stage performances, mini games, polaroid pictures, and sometimes even some fan service. Cosplay cafes follow the same concept that these maid cafes have, except by having the maids be switched out with cosplayers. They ...

https://www.facebook.com/thehypedgeek/posts/1925137224390087 A friend on my Facebook timeline share this article. https://www.facebook.com/Bimji/posts/10154901282243282?pnref=story Another friend of mine on Facebook shared this post. Someone in the comments sparked a debate on generalising otakus as "unwashed freaks". https://www.facebook.com/syafiqnizar.radzi/posts/1203438549761123?pnref=story A friend of mine who asked about the newest drama in the cosplay community on his Facebook timeline. https://www.facebook.com/ashe.is.trash/posts/1717525694941756?pnref=story.unseen-section A cosplayer friend of mine on who shared this Facebook post asking her friends if they are attending the event that she will be an invited guest at, Cosplay Commuter. https://www.facebook.com/ashe.is.trash/posts/1716759875018338?pnref=story The same friend shared a picture she posted on her page, showing off the new prop she made.

http://thehypedgeek.com/malaysian-spends-close-rm-200-000-look-like-final-fantasy-character/ This is some next level cosplay. A 21 year old Malaysian who spends RM200,000 look like the fictional character, Squall Leonheart from the Japanese video game, Final Fantassy 8. The article includes a parody of simpler cosplay suggestions for those who are unwilling to spend on cosmetic surgery to try out. http://thehypedgeek.com/transgender-model-rocks-wonder-woman-look/ A very brief introduction to a woman who has been dubbed as the "Asian Wonder Woman". Here is a little twist though, she's transgender, which is all the more amazing. http://thehypedgeek.com/cosplay-commuter-is-happening-this-weekend/ Introducing a new cosplay event held in Malaysia. The event has a very interesting and new concept of being held in our own public transport system, the LRT. http://thehypedgeek.com/visual-arts-expo-returns-this-july/ An event where those in the cr...

Cosplay, a term that merges the words costume and roleplay, is an ever growing hobby among the youth in Malaysia. It can be seen from the ever growing numbers of cosplay events that have emerged in recent years; 10 – 15 held in a year since the last five years, compared to the two events held in a year during the start of the scene 16 years ago. To be clear, the proper term for these events is Anime, Comics and Games (ACG) events. They were originally created as a way for enthusiasts to meet other fellow enthusiasts, and to display their love for the hobby by participating in the various activities that these events have to offer. Cosplay was first introduced as a way for certain enthusiasts to show their love for their interests in a different, more elaborate way; by dressing up as their favourite characters. These days, it is impossible to leave cosplay out of any ACG events, and many attendees would go to these events just to see the cosplayers at these events as more co...