Cosplay was first coined by Nobuyuki Takahashi in 1994 while visiting Los Angeles to report on a project for the anime magazine My Anime.

Cosplay is a Japanese blended word combining “costume” and “play.” A new term was chosen because “masquerade” was already used in Japan, primarily for aristocratic costume parties.

Dressing up as a favorite character has roots in masquerade traditions dating back to the 15th century.

Cosplay is not limited to anime or manga—it can include cartoons, video games, movies, and more.

In 1939, Forrest J Ackerman and Myrtle Douglas became the first known people to cosplay at a sci-fi convention. They were the only ones dressed up, simply because they thought it made sense.

The first notable instance of cosplaying at San Diego Comic-Con happened in 1974 at a masquerade ball. The winner of the costume contest dressed as Vampirella.

Cosplaying as a character of the opposite gender is called crossplay. It is especially popular among women, as many anime and manga characters have androgynous features that are often easier for women to replicate.

For cosplay armor, Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam is a popular choice because it is flexible, affordable, and easy to work with.

With cosplay’s massive popularity, a distinct culture and set of rules have emerged. Cosplayers often remind fans that cosplay is not consent, as many—especially male fans—have inappropriately touched cosplayers or taken their photos without permission.