When most people hear the term Cosplay, they automatically think of Japan. After all, the term was coined by Nobuyuki Takahashi of the Japanese studio, “Studio Hard” after attending the Science Fiction Worldcon in 1984.He wrote about the event and the people that turned up in costume. Though, the “tradition” of dressing up at such events is even older. In 1939 at the First World Science Fiction Convention in New York, the future editor of “Famous Monsters of Filmland”, Forrest J Ackerman, appeared dressed as a rugged star pilot.
His female companion, Myrtle R. Jones, was adorned in a dress based on an outfit from the classic 1933 film “Things to Come”. They caused quite a stir amongst the rather somber gathering of writers, artists and fans, and injected a much needed air of the imaginative spirit of science fiction into the overtly serious nature of the convention.
Author Frederik Pohl, published in his book “The Way The Future Was”, described the fancifully garbed pair as “stylishly dressed in the fashions of the 25th century” but feared that they may have begun an ominous new trend. How right he was! So successful was their costumed appearance that the following year, a dozen or so fans turned out in their own “scientifiction” apparel. After the release of Nobuyuki Takahashi’s article, the idea of dressing up as much beloved characters began to take hold in Japan, and fans would turn up to sci-fi and comic events dressed as their favourite manga and anime characters.
As manga/anime’s popularity began to swell in the mid-90’s so did the desire to dress up for events. Becoming more popular than ever before, the term“cosplay” is now broadly used. It was seen (somewhat unfairly) as being invented by the Japanese. The fundamental difference in cosplay in the East versus the West is that in Japan, fully taking on the role of the character you are portraying is very important. Also, it is rare for Japanese cosplayers to dress in or make costumes that are not of a well known character.
In the West (Northern America mostly) fans are slightly more free with their designs. Characters are often designed from scratch and dress in costumes both for comedic effect and to look cool.
Another important difference to note is that cosplay in Japan is mostly an interest for young women. In the west, however, there is no limit to the age range and kind of people who take part.
Reference: Japan cosplay costume shop
http://www.costume-shop.jp/
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