Cosplay Roleplay? ('10)

[murder_of_raven]

I have frequently heard people say that the major difference between American "cosplayers" and Japanese cosplayers is that, in Japan, cosplay comes along with actually roleplaying the character for the duration of wearing the costume. Certainly there are some American cosplayers who attempt to act more like their character but, speaking from experience, this can often feel awkward and unnatural when the people around you aren't.

I was thinking that perhaps a cosplay meet-up event where everyone specifically roleplayed their character could be a lot of fun. I know that the Ouran Tea Party has been fairly successful so perhaps it could work something like that. However, I'd hate to step into their territory so perhaps something like a potluck, maybe specifically intended to fill in for a meal (like lunch or dinner).

Would other people be interested? Thoughts?

[Romo]

This sounds like a great idea to me! I, at times, try to do this but since everyone is usually so out of control silly I don't bother; since like you said it feels awkward. If you were to try and arrange something like this just let me know and I'll do all that I can to help out.~

[murder_of_raven]

This sounds like a great idea to me! I, at times, try to do this but since everyone is usually so out of control silly I don't bother; since like you said it feels awkward. If you were to try and arrange something like this just let me know and I'll do all that I can to help out.~

Wow, gotta love the Kcon forums right after the convention: you posted in the amount of time it took my computer to load my own post! But yay! Now we have 2!

[oslapedo]

I'd be game for something like this too b

[nikkiolie]

I kinda act in character. Some times it just comes natural to me. I tend to cosplay characters with the same personality as me.

[Romo]

Yeah, I'm bored so I'm really just looking around and this looked cool so I popped in!~ Roleplay is always fun in groups, so hopefully this gets attention. Thanks for suggesting it.

[Darknight2433]

This sounds fun. :0

[tsukiyume1209]

I roleplay a bunch all the time, so this is definitely my plate. :3

[CloudStrife32]

I'd totally be up for this. I always thought acting like the character your cosplaying, makes the cosplay a bit more...fun! ^^

[Auricle]

I tend to pick characters that mostly match me personality-wise, so I think that this would be a lot of fun. =3

[Hazuza]

I always want to do something like this, but I often cosplay series that aren't cosplayed too often, so it's hard finding someone to RP with *_*

There's also that... Idk, people often twist the characters into something completely OOC when they roleplay with them. At least my friends do .n.; I'd rather do something in-character than something all aimed to be Yaoi and crack.

If we do a meetup, it'd be good to either limit ourselves to a few select series, or make it completely diverse, so there aren't little cliques, and so everyone can get involved.

[murder_of_raven]

If we do a meetup, it'd be good to either limit ourselves to a few select series, or make it completely diverse, so there aren't little cliques, and so everyone can get involved.

I agree and would insist on the former-- I will not be making a cosplay specifically for this event after all.

[nekovamp13]

This sounds fun!
And we could even do a mini lesson on "Tips for RPing" or something. I'd love to do this! And it'd give me practice on my acting skills!

[Cassiopeia]

This sounds like fun, and something I want to participate in if it happens.

[oslapedo]

When/where would this happen?

[murder_of_raven]

When/where would this happen?

Well, I was thinking of submitting it as an official panel so we would have limited control over where/when it was. Limited as in practically none XD.

[oslapedo]

Ohhh, I thought this was gonna be a meetup. Hohoho, my bad.

[Romo]

Well if it were a meetup it'd definately be closer, but if it's an official panel it'll still be worth the wait. :3

...Until I forget. xD

[murder_of_raven]

Ohhh, I thought this was gonna be a meetup. Hohoho, my bad.

Hahaha well, I was assuming the opposite, however we could certainly go for either. Although I think that if we met in a public space we'd have a lot of the same problem roleplaying properly as we would in any other uncomfortable situation.

[PaperShredderchan]

This sounds like fun! 8D

[KHking]

that would be great! Will it be a pannel?

[TomtheFanboy]

We did something like this in 2005 and it was pretty fun.
CHAOTIC but fun.

This is where all those GOOD buttons I pass out came from.

[nyahaha]

This sounds really fun! I'm up for it!

[Sutie]

This does sound like fun. I'll keep an eye on this to see if it happens. It'd be hella fun to bring in Holo ^^

[GANG//GReeN]

this sounds like an utter blast ! <3
i would definetly be up to it, and im sure a lot more people than just the ones on the forums would be too!

[Kimiski]

Sounds fun!
This is one of the reasons that the Ouran Host Club tea party was fun to attend, everyone was acting in character, felt like I stepped into the story

[Jacob_Blackfeather]

I would so do this And I am up for it

[Cassiopeia]

Sounds fun!
This is one of the reasons that the Ouran Host Club tea party was fun to attend, everyone was acting in character, felt like I stepped into the story

This makes hosting it entirely worth it. Thank you for this post. :0 ♥

[murder_of_raven]

This is more geared toward the Ouran Tea Party attendees: what is the possibility of doing something like that? I think this would be best if we had a clear activity that we were doing, although I'm not sure the hotel is into us even serving drinks... granted if this were off site (say the waterfront?) it could be a "cosplay picnic"... how do people feel about that?

I'm just trying to take what everybody is saying and compress it into one idea that we could actually do. If that's not what people are wanting, we can certainly try something else.

[KHking]

^Thas a good idea.

[Malaria]

This sounds like fun. Do you plan to submit it as a panel?

[TurboSaiyanJason]

I would love to see this as a panel. After reading the first post, I myself unknowingly cosplay the Japanese way, by roleplaying the character you're wearing. I personally believe that it adds to the soul of the costume as opposed to just wearing a colorful shell. Of course when the situation calls for it, acting out of character is perfectly reasonable.

As far as this goes, it would rock if it could be both a meetup a month or two before con, and a panel at the con.

[KHking]

Update?

[murder_of_raven]

Well, I asked some questions that nobody really responded to so I'll rephrase them... If we have it as an official on-site panel it is likely it will be cramped (like much of the convention, we're still at the Hilton remember?) and it is unlikely that we will be allowed to have food. If we have it off-site we could have space and food (assuming it was not raining) but we would be down-town or nearby so non-convention goers and security could be an issue. So what is most important to everyone?

Personally, my opinion is as follows: There is apparently a ton of interest in this idea, however our current venue is probably not conducive to how I would ideally want to organize this. It is also turning into a much larger undertaking than I have the ability to handle all on my own so (now that it is clear so many people are interested) it would be nice if someone(s?) stepped forward to either take over or help make this happen. Hopefully we work something out

[KHking]

Yeah... and panel submissions are due June 5th.

[murder_of_raven]

Yeah... and panel submissions are due June 5th.

Which still gives us time!

[camname21]

time's up

Why not just have an informal (if they won't add you to the list now) meeting set at the a nearby store/gathering place/park?  Preferably one with some sort of rain protection.  If you just pick a place, getting things together after that would be easy???

[murder_of_raven]

That sounds like a lovely idea and I will say again what I keep saying: This seems like a good idea and a lot of people are interested in it happening. Unfortunately, I have too many other obligations and can't run it myself. If someone is interested in organizing something like this *please take over*. I think lots of people including myself would appreciate it.

[camname21]

Well hopefully someone will help out, thx for the effort raven ^^

[SandPuppeteer]

I know this thread is kind of...well, dead. But really, it sounds like it's being made a bit more complicated than it needs to be.

Why not run it like one of those pub crawls that's always happening? Obviously not alcohol related, because some people are under aged. But this would be something fun to do in the months leading up to the next con, perhaps in the summer. No venue needed. Meet up somewhere central, like Pioneer Square then move on to the park blocks. Just set out a block of a few hours, no formal structure needed. Just having fun. It also presents a nice opportunity to test out new cosplay before the big event.

If people would be interested in running it like that (pre-con, freeform fun), I wouldn't mind leading the way....which being leader fits in quite nicely with the costume I'm putting together.

Obviously, if there's interest in that vein, I'd set up a thread in a different forum since this one is more panel oriented....

[murder_of_raven]

No venue needed. Meet up somewhere central, like Pioneer Square then move on to the park blocks. Just set out a block of a few hours, no formal structure needed.

Well, that's certainly everyone's own prerogative but I have had... less than great experiences cosplaying around normal people. *Especially* if this ends up happening downtown, be careful everyone, okay?

[SandPuppeteer]

I've done this on numerous occasions--running around in costume downtown. It's all in how you handle other people. Because for the most part they avoid you. Or ask why you're in a costume. That's it.

[Mew*Haruko]

This sounds so cool. * u *

[SandPuppeteer]

I've started a proper planning thread over yonder: http://www.kumoricon.org/forums/index.php?topic=14898

[@random]

^ This brings up a good point. If it's meant to be a panel (and I'd be glad to see one like this), this is the right place to be.

But if people want to do an outside-con meetup, then planning should be done in a Plan Your Own Adventure thread, with the one above being an example.

[KHking]

Someone should definitely submit it to K-Con.

[SandPuppeteer]

There was an actual cosplay LARP last year and it was hella fun. The only downside was it reach it's max number really fast. I hope they do it again this year.

[KHking]

That was soooo much fun! Running around as Roxas with Alan Walker was kind of the best thing ever.

[Washougal_Otaku]

I have frequently heard people say that the major difference between American "cosplayers" and Japanese cosplayers is that, in Japan, cosplay comes along with actually roleplaying the character for the duration of wearing the costume. Certainly there are some American cosplayers who attempt to act more like their character but, speaking from experience, this can often feel awkward and unnatural when the people around you aren't.

I myself only do this (or at least try to do this) when I'm not working at the con.  If I'm in the middle of something, I will be me; if I'm having fun, I'll usually attempt to act like my character.

[FilkAeris]

This sounds like a lot of fun!   

(Not to rain on anybody's parade, but I've cosplayed several times in Japan, and the people over there don't really stay "in-character" any more or less than Americans do.  In other words, a few get into character magnificently, but the majority don't bother unless they're being photographed (and sometimes not even then)...it's just about the same percentages as us.  Just saying.)

Still, the more IC behavior, the better, in my opinion!  Play on!