One of the arguably most debated topics in cosplay has found its way into my hands. When asked to write on this topic I had several ideas on which direction to go, should I add statistics of popularity? Go with examples of arguments for both sides? Or should I simply add my own opinion to the mix? After much deliberation, research and contemplation I realised it actually doesn’t matter what direction I go in, because my point would always lead to the same conclusion.
When we describe a cosplay as being “Sexualised” what are we actually saying? To me, for someone to be doing so would mean taking a character that has zero sexualised outfits and putting them into what some may consider to be a sexier setting. This alone can be a challenge, in most media both sexes are highly sexualised, whether its Harley Quinn in a tight corset and short skirt, or Captain America boasting a suit designed to show off his body. It is hard to find characters that don’t at least have one canon image that is in no way meant to entice to an extent. There are undoubtedly some examples of course, but if we were to run with the majority we could comfortably say most have some degree of appeal linked to them. In an environment like this, it is hard to argue a case against a sexier costume, if you even felt the need to, when that appeal is pandered to so much in character design. Everyone will have their own ideas and opinions as to what classes as sexualising cosplay, for some it might be purposely choosing to cosplay characters who are known to be very sexual in their design. For others it would be creating variants of a costume, boudoir or swimsuit for example. When there are so many varying ideas on what classes as sexualising something, it can feel like a bit of a minefield, but have no fear! I am here to try and help put some sort of idea on the whole thing, of course I can only ever speak for myself, but I like to think that by doing some research, having my own personal experience and talking to other cosplayers, I can at least give an educated opinion on the matter.
One of the main concerns that is raised when this topic comes to light, is that it is “harming the cosplay community” this has always been a confusing statement to me, I don’t see a correlation in cosplaying pin up Captain America and the downfall of the angelic cosplay community. As said above, a lot of the characters are drawn with sexualised outfits, or bodies. We simply replicate them. The amount of skin you show does not affect the reputation of the cosplay community. Bullying, trashing convention areas and sexual harassment however… are for a different article but are valid points that are way more concerning than Tracer in lingerie. Because when we actually strip this argument down (pun intended if a bit trashy) that is what it comes to. A human being, wearing a type of clothing, to represent a character they love. Does the amount of clothing or type determine how good they are? Does it shake the foundations of our community of peaceful splendour, causing the righteous to fall in despair? No, no it does not. What it actually does, is allows the person to wear what they want, as a character they love, to the appreciation and enjoyment of others. There are no ethereal judges keeping tabs on the community, ensuring we all keep our necks and ankles covered, the reality is the only ones who care are those inside the community itself, most of which don’t actually seem to mind. To be perfectly honest when looking into the arguments most issue seemed to take place between female cosplayers calling out each other, if I may indulge in a Mean Girls quote here: “You all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it ok for guys to call you sluts and whores.” The more we tear each other down, whatever gender we are, the more it shows others that it is ok to do so. As cosplayers we already feel outcast sometimes, lets not put that feeling onto others inside our own community.
“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should” Ah, Ian Malcolm of Jurassic Park, sharing some words of wisdom that fit with my next little nugget of ideals. I personally have sexualised cosplay, and I would proudly do so again. I did it for my own benefit, because it was fun, empowering and a right laugh. However, I have been asked if it is something a cosplayer should do, to gain popularity or because a majority do it. The answer to this is no. You should only ever cosplay in a way that makes you happy and comfortable. Yes, sexy cosplays do tend to get attention, in the same way that cosplaying anything will get you attention! It will not necesseraly make you famous, nor will it make you fit in any more than you already do. It is simply a different way of expressing yourself as a character that you love. The idea that a sexy cosplay will get more attention than an armour build is laughable, in a busy convention hall, you are going to notice a Warhammer Marine long before you notice swimsuit Deku. Look at the wonders that are Kamui Cosplay and Kenny Cosplay. Both amazing in their own right. Both could also do sexy cosplays (one has in the form of Overwatch) and would be no less awesome. Becoming popular is more about personality and networking than costume to be truthful. If you are only around for the potential fame I recommend packing up and leaving now. Its about having fun, enjoying yourself and celebrating your love of creativity, in whatever form you see fit. So my answer to this question is usually yes. You can do it, and if you want to, you should. But do it because you honestly want to, do it because you got some hella cute primark bikinis that look just like something Black Widow would wear to the beach. Do it for yourself. If you decide not to do it, that is ok too! You never have to cosplay anything you don’t want to, but don’t tear others down for doing it, live and let live. The same attitude applies for if people wish to ad sexier cosplay to their patreon tiers. If they want to do that, then fantastic! Hard work and effort goes into boudoir and sexy shoots, its not an easy option and if you can make some money to support your hobby then thats totally cool. There is no need to drag cosplayers through the mud for it, if you don’t like it… walk away!
As with any opinion, we each have our limitations as to what we find acceptable. I am pretty relaxed when it comes to this, I am an advocate of celebrating the human body and encouraging others to do the same. Even so I too have my reservations, for me the sexualisation of a character who is under age is wrong. Kanna from Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is a good example, she is clearly a child, dragon or not, to sexualise her would in my eyes be wrong, we don’t sexulise children in our day to day lives, so we shouldn’t be cosplaying them in underwear. The implications are too uncomfortable for me. Some argue that you can do a version of them when they have grown up, but for me it is far more comfortable to just stay away from that whole area in general. The usual limits to any cosplay apply, nothing culturally offensive, no changing of skin colour to other natural skin colours (yes, painting yourself blue for Avatar is fine) etc etc. We all just need to be responsible for what we are doing, I cosplayed a pin up latex Captain America. Why? Because I love Cap, latex is great and I felt amazing in it. There was no other reason. You don’t need to explain or defend yourself for sexualising a cosplay, but you do need to be aware that there is a stigma and the internet can be a nasty place. Be prepared for criticism, be prepared for trolls and to be told you are wrong for doing it. Just remember you are not. Sexualisation is relative, in the same way that we have different sexual preferences, food preferences and anime preferences. What one person deems as borderline pornographic can be another persons idea of Sunday church attire. There is no right or wrong opinion on this topic, but there are wrong ways to voice them. Bullying and harassing each other is deplorable, sexually assaulting people because they sexualise a character is not only repulsive but illegal. You have the right to your opinion but not to another persons body.
In conclusion, sexualising cosplay will always be a tough topic, the arguments for and against will grow an adapt and ultimately stay basically the same. As a community we need to support and lift each other, not tear apart those who don’t cosplay in the same way as us. You can have a different opinion, you can chose not to cosplay in a certain style, but this does not make you better than any one else. Sexualising a cosplay does not harm the community, it actually does nothing but what it says on the tin. You can support it, pay to see it, try it out for yourself! Its all good, we are all here to be nerds and less up as our favourite characters. That is the long and short of it. There is no right or wrong, no more or less of. Cosplayer, and whilst making a suit of armour takes an incredible amount of time, practise and skill, it takes as much body confidence, resilience and courage to create a boudoir shoot of a character. We are all just here to have a good time, lets not make each other feel attacked. There are so many more arguments I could have included in this, really I have barely scratched the surface! But for a general idea this sums up the current issues an ideas I feel are important. As stated before, all opinions are my own, I am but a simple cosplayer here to fulfil my life as whatever character I feel like that day.
SqueakehB for Food and Cosplay.
Kenny Cosplay Stuff can be found on Facebook, Instagram. @kennycosplaystuff
Kamui Cosplay can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @Kamuicosplay
