What is cosplay?

Cosplay - A Japanese contraction of the English words "costume" and "play" ("cos" "play.")

Cosplay is generally described as the art of dressing-up as characters from Anime (Japanese cartoons), Manga (Japanese comics), and video games. But often also includes dressing-up as Japanese Live Action TV-Shows, J-Pop (Japanese Pop) & J-Rock (Japanese Rock) artists. Some people use cosplay as a blanket term encompassing costuming, the American version of cosplay, in the definition, as well.

Other Useful Terms

Anime - The Japanese word for Animation, taken from the English word "Animation." In Japan it is a blanket term for all animation, yet outside of Japan it is used to refer to Animation specifically of Japanese origin.

Costuming - The art of dressing up as an American character from a movie, tv series, comic, video games of non- Japanese origin, etc...

A term more generally used by those strictly into American costumes.

Lolita Fashion - (Definition Coming Soon)

Manga - The Japanese word for comics, used outside of Japan as the blanket term for all comics originating from Japan.

Neko - The Japanese term for a cat.

NEKO - An acronym of and the official name of the "New England Kosplay Organization."