Cosplaying is all fun and games until someone breaks the rules... Just kidding! While there aren't many actual "rules" for professional cosplaying, there are some unspoken community rules and plenty of etiquettes to discuss. Cosplaying comes with the idea of being in the public eye, which means that any kind of behavior -- good or bad -- is on display for tons of people ▨to witness. This means that it's not only important to be kind and considerate but to also be mindful of one's own actions as well.
Conventions also have their own rules which all cosplayers must follow and respect, professional cosplayers included. While a professional might be sponsored, they're human just like the rest of us and aren't exempt from🐟 following common courtesies. There are p♏ressures and boundaries that non-cosplayers might not even be aware of in regards to taking photos, being on breaks, and so much more.
Cosplay takes a legitimate amount of effort, time, and it can be very stressful. In order to maintain a safe and fun environment for everyone while respecting other cosplayers and fans, these rules are some of the things professionals are well-🦄versed in. Without further ado, here are rules and etiquette practices that all cosplayers -- professional and not -- are expected to follow in order to have a fun and fulfilling experience at conventions.
22 🌜 Bigg🍸est Rule: Cosplay Is Not License to Photograph Or Hug
This list is a combination of actual rules and community-recognized rules and this one happens to be both. While it's obviously against the law to assume, it's a 🎀common rule at conventions that despite the outfit, any type of physical interaction is prohibitꦡed.
Unless a cosplayer has🅘 been asked and agrees, it's to be presumed that the most they'll allow are photographs. They're there to bring a character to life, not to be asked out or to do inappropriate things.
21 🤪 Etiquette: Don't Put Down Other Cosplayers Or Beginners
It should go without sa꧂ying that those participating in the same craft should respect others who are doing the same. No cosplayer is superior to anyone else, there are only more experienced cosplayers and beginners. This doesn't make either one "good" or "bad" and it certainly isn't grounds to put someone down based on skill level or character choice.
There are a vast number of things we don't know about each other or another person's situation, therefore it's best to remain silent if there's nothing positive to be said.🍸 wanted to encourage others b༺y sharing her progress over the years. It's pretty incredible!
20 🥃 They Aren't Required To Do Photo Ops
Contrary to popular belief, a cosplayer does no🍸t need to stop and take a photo with a fan. It's a personal choice and while many don't mind it, some do, aꦗnd both must be equally respected. Cosplayers also have the right to decide when and where they'll stop for photo ops.
For the most part, they're doing this for their love of a character first꧟ and the fans second. Underneath is just a human being who might be new to this or just shy, but the rule is always the same: They dictate what they want as far as fan interaction. Though Hatsune Miku isn't real, the person on the right cosplaying her is. She's wearing the outfit.
19 Be Consci🎃entious When Cosplaying Something Kid-Friendly
It's easy enough to fire off an expletive when something gets ripped or falls off a cosplay. The problem with this is that it's rare that a cosplayer won't have an audience. Depending on the character, it may very wel꧅l be the case that there are plenty of kids around. This especially applies at conventions that include which are more prominent now given how many IPs Disney owns.
One thing to always keep in mind is that not everyone🌄 hears the language that adults do. Dropping the f-bomb can be detrimental to both a cosplayer's reputation as well as lead to a dwindling audience. (But also, how cute is this Mando family?)
18 ꦉ Making A Scene Is Frowned Upon
A cosplay draws enough attraction on its own. The last thing anyone wants to do is start a scene, whether it's over a personal matter or over an issue with someone at an event. By making a publ💝ic scene, a cosplayer's reputation will quickly be on the line and their name will be known -- and not in a good way.
Remaining calm while cosplaying is a big part of being a good cosplayer 💞and knowing when to get angry at something and when not to. takes it a step further by including their dog (who seems pretty calm in the photo).
17 ꦑ Not Blocking Walkways Or Causing Traffic Jams Is Encouraged
There's nothing more frustrating at a huge convention than when someone is stopped in the middl🔯e of an aisle jus🌟t to take a photo. It's well-known amongst cosplayers that photos are encouraged, but only if done correctly.
The proper course of action is to politely ♕step off to the side and allow people to pass, find space off the beaten path, and then set up for a photo. Most fans know this, too -- if they don't realize it, simply tell them you'll mee🐟t them at a space that's out of the way. shared this photo above which is really cool, but may also be inconvenient for some.
16 Be Friendly To Everyone, Including Ki🐼ds
It can be very easy to become frustrated and annoyed while in costume. It's often hot, makeup can run, outfits can get uncomfortable, and you're on your feet in strange shoes for hours. This is totally understandable. However, if someone ♒doesn't realize that and displays obnoxious behavior anyway, it doesn't mean a cosplayer has the same right to fire back.
Obviously, this is acceptable in certain instances -- but in the event that someone just doesn't realize or is too excited, the best thing to do is remain calm and excuse oneself. But it's important to realize that all of this is meant to be fun. Cosplayer 𒆙shows off a professio🧸nal version of Annie from League of Legends while Reddit user shared their adorable daughter as the character.
15 Donღ't Judge Other Cosplayers Based On Their Appearance 📖
Someone could be skint for money, may have been pressed for time, or just simply didn't ꦦhave the skills to make a costume as "realistic" as we see it in film or games. It's a common rule of respect among cospl🐭ayers to appreciate the effort rather than the actual costume.
Everyone in the cosplay community shares an equal love of paying tribute to their favorite characters and thi🌠s is what stands over everything else. While some people simply can't help themselves, most of the com💮munity will praise each other on their choices and efforts. (Korra) shared her experience with Remezcla where Sora is actually named Kaeden and is known as . The fantastic Hela on the right is .
14 Absolutely No Real Weapon🅺s Are Allowed ⛦
Obviously, weapons 𒐪of any kind are never allowed into conventions or anywhere else around the general public. It doesn't matter h𝔍ow realistic a cosplay is, weapons must be props. The weapon is wielding as the Cyborg Ninja on the right looks real, but it probably isn't.
However, a cosplayer will not be admitted if they have anything that blatantly looks too realistic. This would not only cause unnecessary alarm to convention-goers but could introdu🦩ce an actual risk if the prop was sharp, heavy, etc. on the right, on the other hand, might be okay since her weapon is more obviously "fake", so to speak.
13 🥃 A Cosplay Is Not Equal To Having An Event Pass 🐬
Despite what some may think, just because a professional cospl𒁃ay dresses up, it doesn't mean they gain admittance into any convention they want. They still need to purchase tickets just like everyone else.
They may be sponsored🥃 by photographers or brands, but gaining entrance into special e🧸vents is usually still a pedestrian right just as it is for everyone. They could be wearing the most stunning cosplay ever seen and still need to purchase tickets -- this isn't a negotiable term, even for professionals.