Cosplay and the Dressing of Identity

Featuring several images of cosplay, a fun and fascinating look at the power and meaning of this cultural phenomenon.

Cosplay, born from the fusion of ＂costume＂ and ＂play,＂ transcends mere dress-up by transforming enthusiasts of TV shows, movies, books, or video games into living embodiments of their cherished characters. This book is a close exploration of the vibrant world of cosplay, showing what makes it so captivating for so many. Vivian Asimos frames cosplay as an enactment and embodiment of mythology, revealing its inherent complexity, and in so doing, provides valuable insight into cosplayers’ experiences.

Exploring cosplay performances, the skills involved, and its community, she shows how cosplayers build a strong connection to the characters and stories they treasure, and ultimately how they are constructing their own identities.

Vivian Asimos lives in Salisbury, United Kingdom, and is the author of Digital Monsters and Digital Mythology and the Internet’s Monster: The Slender Man. She explores nerd culture and fandom in her podcast I’m A Fan of That!.