Black Cosplayers

United States
August 19, 2007 2:37am CST
Okay... I'm prepared to be flamed if someone thinks this is totally racist, but I'm NOT trying to mock anyone, I promise, I'm just really curious! Please don't jump to conclusions x.x But, anyway... My question is, what do people think when black people cosplay as anime/game characters? And, if you are black, do you ever find it unfair that there are basically no black anime characters? I guess this question can kind of go for anyone... Do you find it annoying when someone cosplays as a person who looks NOTHING like them? Do you think people should stick to dressing as characters they can 'pull off' and actually resemble?
3 people like this
12 responses
• Brazil
20 Aug 07
Well, I don't care if the cosplayer is black I look at the costume and not at the person's skin because I never thought skin color was a problem for any cosplay ^^ My friend is almost black and she's an Aphrodite's cosplay (Pisces saint from Saint Seiya) What I think is annoying are people saying someone doesn't LOOK LIKE the character Well... It's IMPOSSIBLE to look like the character because we don't have big eyes, small noses and only a risk as mouth... So I think is kind of foolish to say the person doesn't look like the character I think is right to talk about the COSTUME, if it looks like the character's, and not the face, kind of body or skin color
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Aug 07
Well, of course people can't look exactly like the character... But I think one thing Japanese cosplayers get that Americans (and other countries) don't is that cosplay is about over all appearance, not just the costume. The kind of body and face are important! A very rugged man dressing as a bishounen known for his beauty or a flat chested girl dressing as a girl known for her figure doesn't fit... Also if your character is very short and you're very tall, it doesn't make sense. People should choose characters who are similar to them, not just characters they like... People might say this is mean but it doesn't look good when people choose characters who are unlike them u.u
1 person likes this
• China
27 Aug 07
I'm sorry Candid Ishida, but I think you are way too caught up on appearances and who people appear to be instead of who they really are. True, it is cool when someone really resembles the character they are cosplaying. But honestly, who really cares if they don't? They are having fun and expressing their passion and interest in anime nonetheless. Why should it matter if they cannot look exactly like the person they want to cosplay as?
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Sep 07
Cosplay is kind of like an art... So when someone shows up with a ridiculous cosplay (not looking anything like their character and/or having a bad costume) they are only embarrassing themselves. The best cosplayers have the entire package, it's not just about the costume. So yes, people should care. It's exactly the same as a person wearing unflattering clothing, it's embarrassing to everyone!
• United States
19 Aug 07
I think that people should dress exactly how they want to when cosplaying. Hence the "play." It should be fun for everyone. I mean, think about it. NO one ever really looks like the character they're trying to portray. Anime characters have very distinct features that no human possesses. If a black person wants to dress up, more power to them.
• China
27 Aug 07
Nicely stated. I feel the same way. Why should skin color matter when to comes to dressing up? ..or anything else for that matter. I'm actually quite upset that this question was even asked...I'm sorry to have to say that.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Aug 07
Being a comic book fan, and somewhat of Anime fan, I love it when people of all races cosplay. The more the merrier. What I do not like is the lack of Black characters and Latino characters in comic books and Anime. There should be an equal amount of great characters from all races.
1 person likes this
@cikedo (3483)
• United States
19 Aug 07
When cosplaying it really doesn't matter what your race is as long as your having fun. After all most anime characters are classified as being asian, but white people dress up like them. I agree with you that it is a shame that there are few black characters in anime. I've seen a few people dressed up as Barret from FF7, but that's not an anime.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
20 Aug 07
im not sure if the race is black but there are certain characters in anime that is black. like in tenjou tenge. makihara bob looks black, im not sure if chad of bleach is a black. its everyones will to dress up as long as their enjoying their selves. anime is for everyone and it has no boundaries that chooses which only race is to cosplay or not. for those who cosplays you rock!! ^.^ its cool to cosplay.
1 person likes this
@drmusic (172)
• Mexico
20 Aug 07
well i dont think is a proble being black, or any color or skin, the main reason for cosplaying is the cosplay itself, make ytou feel like you are the chartacter and be happy with it, alsdo if you have problem with that you can search dfor black charcater they aren too many but for exopample if yopu like pokemon you cvan be a BROCK XD or iuf you like Final fantasy you can be BARRET etc
• United States
9 Sep 07
From Yugioh, guys can be Odion and maybe even Marik because they both have darker skin. Yugioh GX has that one black duelist that likes to be in danger, and his father. I hope this helps a little. Girls can dress as Ishizu Ishtar also.
• United States
28 Jun 08
Candid_Ishida, I'm sorry to say but you seem like a very narrow-minded and prejudice person. Everything seems to have to fit into a neat little package for you, huh? If someone doesn't look like how YOU envision then it is wrong and they are not only embarrassing themselves, but everyone else? You know, you pretty much are embarrassing yourself asking such an arrogant question. If THEY don't have a problem with how they look, then why should you? You have no right. Do you always look exactly like the characters you cosplay as? I don't think so. People cosplay to have fun, who cares if they don't have the "right" height, the "right" body structure or the "right" skin color. Anyone should be able to dress how they want, regardless. I suppose it would bother you if a Caucasian person cosplayed as an African person, right? I'm sorry, but you're pathetic. Maybe you should try stepping into someone else's shoes once in while.
• United States
28 Jun 08
Takahashi, since you seem to have had a ball openly insulting me, I'll be blunt with my response. I made sure to ask black anime fans if they were annoyed that there are not many dark skinned anime characters, so I obviously have no problem with a diverse range of people cosplaying. But yes, pathetic costumes ARE embarrassing, for everyone around. The entire point of dressing up is to do your best to look like your character and look good doing it. There should be a certain amount of effort and reason involved, and those who choose totally unsuitable characters and spend no time on costumes are being ridiculous and giving everyone else a bad reputation. Also, the fact that you're being so bent out of shape about this and attacking me tells me that you're most likely one of those 400 pound Lolitas who tromps around wearing kitty ears and a short skirts scarring everyone around you. I don't see why wanting to look good is such a crime these days...
@carinio98 (2929)
• Philippines
27 Nov 08
there is a black character in some anime.... like bleach, street fighter, rival of school united by faith, and many more.... so theres no point of this topic will be flame for inappropriate discussions...
@Cley_CJ (105)
• Malaysia
1 Jul 08
Ok, first off, I don't think candid_ishida is being narrow-minded or prejudicial. Actually, those who say he is, are the ones that are narrow-minded, prejudicial & contradictory, because you're flaming other people's opinion, just because you think they're wrong. I think that's more narrow-minded than saying something that's politically incorrect. Realistically, there are people who doesn't like cosplayers cosplay as characters they don't resemble. You might not really care, but you're lying if you don't feel a LITTLE bit uneasy seeing a middle-aged guy cosplay as a teen character. For those that are really annoyed of this, then that's because they're perfectionist. They're just being themselves too. So, what's my say on the question? I think it doesn't matter what's your ethnicity is when cosplaying. But being close to resemble the characater you're cosplaying shows how much passion & hardwork you've poured to it. If you're black, then why not puff it up a little bit, if you're short-sighted then get contacts. So the ultimate question would be, do you want to dress up as the character you like, or the character you resemble the most, which to me is a question on the personal level rather than general opinion.
• United States
1 Jul 08
Cley, I think you're one of the few who has understood what I am trying to say without jumping on the 'political correctness' bandwagon. I have NO problem with black people or people of any race, people are who they are. I will come right out and say it's unfair that there aren't more dark skinned anime characters, leaving black or hispanic people few characters they resemble. Of course, people can do whatever they like, but at least I know I'm not the only one who finds it a bit strange when people pose as characters completely unlike them. Personally, I find it more fun to choose a character who is close to my height or appearance so my costume can be a real success.
@Cley_CJ (105)
• Malaysia
1 Jul 08
Glad I can clear things up. I was afraid I'll get a beating from mylot-ers who might misunderstand what I'm trying to say.
• United States
1 Jul 08
Cley_CJ you are absolutely right, thank you. Candid_Ishida and anyone else who has been annoyed with my stupidity I apologize. What set me off was this being labeled 'Black Cosplayers' and your stated question. I bid you all a wonderful night and hope you sleep well.
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
1 Jul 08
There are actually quite a number of black anime characters, like Bob Makihara from Tenjou Tenge and Afro Samurai. Yup I actually agree that when you do cosplay you should at least be able to pull off the character. I have actually seen quite an annoying cosplayer of sailor mars, because she really doesn't have the bosy to wear something like that. I think that it should really be considered which character would fit you.
• United States
2 Jul 08
I guess there are more black characters than I was aware of. That's good though, because it gives all types of people more options when cosplaying. And, yes... it's a little awkward when people wear unflattering costumes. Of course, most people don't have the perfect body, but one should try to wear something that suits his or her body, I think.
• United States
17 Sep 08
Hm... I just randomly found this so I'm going to post.. ~~
23 Nov 08
First things first, I'm sorry for reviving a sensitive thread - I just want to get my own opinions across. Candid_Ishida, your points hold an essence of truth but I feel they are exaggerated somewhat. You described cosplay as being "kind of like art." Art is a form of universal communication and should not be restricted so easily. After all, we can't exactly sue God for making us what we are. Do you disregard females who cosplay as male characters? What of the many disabled people I have seen cosplay? You say that when a person cosplays as a character they like and look "ridiculous, they are only embarrassing themselves." I'm sorry to say it but that IS a narrow minded statement. Have you even considered the possibility that they are enjoying cosplaying as a character they love, regardless of skin or physical handicaps? I believe the problem is that people view having black skin as a hindrance. I'm black yet I see it as a chance to throw an interesting perspective on characters that I (and most people around the world) have grown up liking. I'm planning to enter a cosplay as a 'black' Cloud Strife. The fact that I have black skin makes me even more determined to improve my costume. MAKE THE CHARACTER SUIT YOUR SPECIFICATIONS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. Surely you'll be remembered for throwing a new spin on a much loved character than most other cosplayers? Being black isn't a hindrance it's an advantage. 100 BLACK COSPLAYERS - (QUESTION: DOES THIS ANNOY YOU?) http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=44h7daxuqfM
• United States
11 Dec 08
Lol sorry that last comment says it has mature content but its nothing bad like swearing or anything i dont know what it was. so just change your preferences and read it if you cant now
@KaraKATAD (246)
• Philippines
7 Sep 09
Well, not to be racist, but I don't think anyone should cosplay a character that they don't look like. Not only black people, but asians and caucasians as well. It's obvious that no asian would go as tousen from bleach. It's all a matter of looks in cosplay, and it's best to go with someone who you resemble. Though, it's all in good fun and sometimes we have to just screw the crowds and do what makes us happy. ^^
11 Sep 10
Right... Well. I'm mixed (Nigerian and Japanese) but obviously darker than most pure Japanese and since there aren't many dark skinned characters in anime that I LIKE, I will cosplay whoever I want because I like their costume. I make sure the costume is well made, that my make-up is nice, wig is nice etc. etc. I won't let skin colour be a restriction! ^_^ I don't want to only be limited to the dark skinned characters out there. Example, the next cosplay I want to do is Amaterasu from Okami in human form. Now, she's VERY pale... I think painting myself white would be going way too far lol, so I'm just gonna cosplay her and make sure everything else is perfect. And its funny how only black cosplayers are being attacked here... When we know 90% of anime characters are meant to be ASIAN (Japanese). So none of you white people look 100% like your characters either.