Cosplay - Fetish or Fun?

[Like Ra]

Can anybody clearly explain the difference between kigurumi and cosplay? For example, I would call the photos posted by Madjack as "kigurumi".

[madjack]

Can anybody clearly explain the difference between kigurumi and cosplay? For example, I would call the photos posted by Madjack as "kigurumi".

Had spotted that also, but have no idea and struggled to see any obvious differences, unless it's the covering of the face? (but what does that make a person dressed as Batman/Spiderman?)

MJ

[Like Ra]

I noticed that for kigurumi you have to wear a skin-coloured zentai suit first, so kigurumi requires a "full-enclosure". Mascot suits are also considered kigurumi.

For example, on eBay:

eBay: kigurumi
eBay: cosplay

[Like Ra]

http://www.likera.com/blog/wp/archives/59

kigurumi 着ぐるみ costumed animal characters

[Culmor]

...a simple question; Is Cosplay a form of Fetish or is it just Fun?

That's very, very far indeed from being a 'simple' question. I could write for a week about that...incidentally, what I do is a sub-set of cosplay called 'crossplay'. In my experience MtoF crossplays almost all have a fetishistic element to them (guys play girls they think are sexy) and FtoM ones very often do...actually very many more girls play guys than vice versa.

I understand the literal translation of 'kigurumi' is 'to wear a stuffed toy'. The 'nude zentai worn with a huge mask and under a costume ' form is called 'anime kigurumi' and is almost entirely a male crossplaying activity.

Here's a crossplay that takes some serious courage, probably the bravest I've ever seen, Steve P as Kodachi 'The Black Rose' Kuno from Ranma 1/2 at London MCM Expo. As he wrote in his journal about the first test fitting...

...Thanks for not mentioning I didnt have tights! I was in too much of a hurry to try the leo on. But on the day I will have some super sexy sheer nude tights to go with the costume. 😉

           

[Culmor]

Some Harley's...

                                   

[madjack]

Some Harley's...

Love the corset in the 3rd picture from left

MJ

[Culmor]

Love the corset in the 3rd picture from left

MJ

There's a branch of cosplay called 'steampunk' that's very popular. It imagines a world where the use of electricity never took off and steam-power continued resulting in a sort of high-tech Victorian world with anachronistic technology. Players either create their own characters or re-invent existing ones in steampunk style. Elaborate corsetry is almost essential for the ladies and goggles for everyone. I think steampunks tend to be a bit older than most cosplayers, I've seen a few people who were probably close to drawing a pension in some amazing costumes 😊

Some Detective Comics and Star Wars characters re-imagined in steampunk style.

       

I'm not sure who this character is...

   

[madjack]

Great posting by Culmor - Steampunk has long held an attraction to me (maybe it's the Victorian corsetry 😁 )

Back to a more obvious Cosplay character - Chun Li from Street-fighter

           

..what's not to like? 😁

MJ

[Culmor]

Even better, Chun-Li in heels... 😁

       

I love Steve P's Sailor Pluto costume...

               

and his 'Poison Ivy', a seriously brave guy.

   

I'm not sure whether I've posted these pics of my updated Black Canary before.