If this year has taught me anything, it’s that the things that make us happy—truly happy—are to be cherished. Never before have I so actively encouraged myself to play video games, indulge in prestige dramas on TV, and generally just allow myself to do the things I enjoy, including cosplay.
But we’re at a funny juncture in cosplay culture where a lot of us are in our 30’s, even our 40’s, and are starting to ask ourselves a painful question: Am I too old for this?
It’s a bit of a strange question to ask, though. Because anime only became truly mainstream in the United States a couple of decades ago. The folks who grew up on that first wave of poorly dubbed cartoons (Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, and even Samurai Pizza Cats) are really the first generation of people who even have to ask themselves: Am I too old to put on a fuku and post pictures of myself on Instagram?
According to a recent research article, the average cosplayer is 28.4 years old, which I believe puts them in the golden age of Cartoon Network anime (correct me if I’m wrong). But cosplay isn’t 100% about anime.
While anime popularized cosplaying, people cosplay everything from characters in films and novels to original creations, and everything in between. I can’t think of any medium that more beautifully integrates sewing, patterning, thrifting, crafting, makeup artistry, photography, and acting than cosplay.
Plus, cosplay is a highly social activity. Many cosplayers travel long distances to get to multiple conventions each year. For some cosplayers (namely the 82% of whom construct their own costumes), every cosplay is a test of skill. For others, it’s a chance to transform.
Still, ask anyone in the cosplay community why they love it, and you’re likely to get an answer like this, from cosplayer Maddie*:
“I love being able to try and either ID screen accurate pieces or find quality, far more affordable alternatives for outfits. To me, cosplay is about having fun and feeling empowered despite what anyone else thinks.”
Anyway, here’s where I’m going to come back to that essential thing I learned from being stuck in my house and unable to see my friends and family for a year:
If it makes you happy, you’re never too old for it.
I look at all of the adults who participate in things like community theater, or play live music in their local scene. Many of us need these performative creative outlets to keep ourselves sane. I try to imagine what would happen if somebody suddenly took my laptop away and told me I was too old to write. The horror!
Video games, anime, collectibles, D&D, whatever your hobby or passion, you should never try to set it aside because you’re “too old.”
Age is like gender. The “shoulds” we ascribe to it are social constructs. And you know how we feel about those.
It’s possible that as you get older, your cosplay choices may change and adapt, but so long as you are happy and comfortable, keep on cosplaying!
Who cares if the character you’re playing is half your age? If your makeup skills are up to par, no one will be any the wiser.
Now quit fretting about your age and get out there and cosplay!
*Sidebar, I met Maddie on the Sartorial Geek Discord and if you’re not there already, you should be! They are the friendliest bunch you’ll ever meet.
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