The benefits of Cosplay!

Cosplay, a mashup of the words “costume” and “play”, involves dressing up as a character from a book, movie, or video game, and often taking on some role-play as that character. While many people view cosplay as a quirky hobby, there are several mental health and community benefits to this hobby, especially for young people.

While I am a huge advocate of doing things purely because they’re fun to do, make us happy or to satisfy our creative hunger, it’s cool to know that there’s additional benefits to the hobbies we enjoy!

I’ve got a few examples of Perth’s awesome cosplay community below – full credits with link to social media can be found above the references in the bottom.

One of the main benefits of cosplay is that it allows young people (and the young at heart!) to express themselves creatively. Many young people struggle to find ways to express themselves and may feel like they don’t fit in with their peers. Cosplay gives them the opportunity to create a costume and become a character that resonates with them. This can help them feel more confident in their own skin and provide a sense of belonging within the cosplay community.

I can happily say that I joined the cosplay community in my teens and it really helped my feelings of connection and belonging – I found a group of people that shared my interests and had heaps of great ideas for making costumes and props.

In addition, cosplay can be a great way to help support people who experience anxiety and/or depression. Many young people who struggle with mental health issues may find it challenging to engage with others or try new things. The cosplay community provides resources, support and mentorship for new members trying to get started.

Cosplay provides a safe and accepting space where they can meet like-minded individuals and express themselves without fear of judgment. It also offers a sense of purpose and accomplishment as they work on creating their costumes and embodying their chosen character.

Perth has a thriving cosplay community who run clubs and events across the Perth area! There are even groups such as the 501st Legion, who cosplay proudly film-accurate Imperial costumes, and the Rebel Legion, a counterpart group who cosplay as protagonists from the Star Wars franchise. These groups raise money for charity, and at Perth Oz Comic-Con 2023, they raised money for the Royal Australian Flying Doctor Service.

Perth’s Allied Costumers is another group of cosplayers who support charities and provide superhero cosplayers to events for children and disability groups.

Cosplay also encourages problem-solving skills and creativity to create costumes from scratch, or to modify existing clothing to suit the costume in mind. Creating a costume requires research, planning, and execution, which can be a great way to build problem-solving skills. As young people work on their costumes, they may encounter challenges and setbacks that require them to think creatively to find solutions. Overcoming these challenges may help build their problem-solving skills and resilience.

Cosplay can even reach out into other hobbies and communities! Groups such as Rebel Empire provide lightsaber choreography classes and allow members to create and portray lightsaber battles! The Live-Action Roleplay community also has much crossover with LARP and medieval sport-fighting, providing outlets for group sport and fitness! 

Furthermore, cosplay can provide a much-needed break from the stresses of everyday life. Many young people face pressures from school, family, and social expectations, which can be overwhelming. Cosplay offers an escape from these stresses and provides a space to recharge and rejuvenate while engaging in a creative hobby.

Lastly, cosplay can help young people build their social skills and make new friends from places that they normally may not. It brings people together from across social divides. Cosplay conventions and meetups offer opportunities to interact with others who share similar interests. This can be a great way to make new friends, and even network with others who may share similar career goals. The cosplay community is also generally accepting and welcoming, which can be a great way to build confidence and self-esteem.

Summing up, cosplay can have numerous mental health benefits for young people. It provides a creative outlet for self-expression, fosters problem-solving skills, offers a break from stress, and helps build social skills and friendships.

While cosplay may not be for everyone, it can be a valuable hobby for young people looking to improve their mental health and overall well-being, and gain some really awesome crafting skills!

Cosplay & Community Credits:

References:

1. DeRosier, M. E., & Hutzler, C. (2019). The Psychology of Cosplay: A Systematic Review. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(2), 144–159. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000186

2. Guo, S., & Zhang, J. (2021). The Role of Cosplay in Promoting Positive Mental Health: A Thematic Analysis. Journal of Youth Studies, 24(5), 657–671. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2020.1831712

3. Hall, C. M., & Cassidy, A. (2019). The Role of Cosplay in Social Connectedness and Belonging. Journal of Popular Culture, 52(2), 379–394. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpcu.12750

4. Kauffman, D. (2018). Cosplay as a Tool for Socializing and Self-Esteem: An Analysis of the Cosplay Community. Journal of Fandom Studies, 6(1), 53–69. https://doi.org/10.1386/jfs.6.1.53_1