Mary Chu mc255699
OUIL 501 Cop 5
Illustration Level
“Discuss the role of commodification within cosplay culture in Asian country” Commodification, which means the exchanging of goods and services for a reasonable prices or treats from the decision that the person made. However, commodification could also means something that are not supposed to sell. In this connection, commodification relates to the culture that being given a price or value, being used as a commodity to attain. “[...] particular way of life which express certain meanings and values not only in art and learning, but also in institutions and ordinary behaviour. The analysis of culture, from such a definition, is the clarification of the meanings and values implicit and explicit in a particular way of life, a particular culture.” [Williams,1965] (Hebdige, 1979,P.6). Cosplay, the combined word of costume-role play. Which means a person or a group of people wearing the costumes they have made or custom make costumes specially for a certain character / role-play. As technology improves, online ordering makes our life easier. For example, the traditional ordering of a product from other country used to be a costly, tedious and lengthy processing. Nowadays people just need to click on the website for purchases, much more easier in comparison to last decade. [...]In 1975 Comic Market(aka Comiket)launched,creating a venue for self-published comics.It was a fan convention. [...]At Japan’s biggest comic book convention later that year(1983), few people knew the term cosplay. According to Takahashi, a year or two later ‘cosplay’ was in wide use among fans attending manga and anime conventions. It wasn’t until the 90’s though, after the subculture was introduced on television and in Japan. Even Takahashi is surprised that, 30 years on, the term has caught on worldwide. ”(Ashcraft,2014,P.20) Cosplay is a well-known subculture in Japan. There is an unique trend in comiket Japan (Japanese comic convention ),famous cosplayers in Japan usually produce a cosplay photo-book for self-introduction(or self-authorship)to represent the best of themselves. Despite the photo qualities, some sexual and indelicate photos will be present in the photo-book. These pictures of course will attract attentions even from places in overseas, if they are willing to buy the photobook, the author wouldn’t mind to send the photo-book to the other part of the world.
In comic convention In comparison of the comic convention to the Asia events, the western comic conventions are more recognising and appreciating the efforts and works done on the costumes and props by the cosplayers. The majority of the cosplayers are friendly and calm and they do not refuses to take photographs with the people attending the comic conventions. The part of sharing and associating with other people,for example explaining how the costume is made, the production process of the props, posting for a picture improves the camaraderie or acquaintance with the others. Even for the well-known cosplayers ,they are humble and friendly and do not show the “superiority manner” of being a “famous” cosplayer. Despite of the group of cosplayers, attenders or non-cosplayers could easily communicate with compeers in the events, taking pictures, talking or making new friends with cosplayers are commonly found in the Western comic conventions. “ ‘Cosplay is a fan’s expression of his or her love for a favourite character,’ says Takahashi.[...]And cosplay is one of those expressions in which fans use their entire bodies.[...] ‘Typically, I wear causal clothes at the office. Whenever I wear a business suit,that’s me cosplaying .It’s a cosplay of
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