WARNING: This entry contains VERY biased views according to my beliefs in Cosplay. Please stop reading this if you are sensitive, easily offended or any of the sort.

"Y'know, that senior cosplayer? THAT REALLY FAMOUS ONE!"

Getting real tired of that. Seriously. I dunno how's it like in other countries but where I come from, apparently there's a hierarchy for cosplay. I don't even know.

My circle of cosplay friends tend to tell me to take my requirements for a good cosplay  more easily, said it was too high. They say "It's just a hobby, man, chill." Truth of the matter is I can't; because I believe as someone who has cosplayed, worked as an artist and took pictures of cosplayers at a more serious level, good cosplay should be something that is capable of respecting the source material, deliver the character and the feel accurately and most of all, details. This is all coming from someone who's only cosplayed 1 character to satisfactory standards. I consider myself to have a lot more to learn. I want to understand this hobby as a whole, that's why I want to be in front AND behind the lens, I want to put myself in the shoes of the character designer AND the one who portrays the character as a cosplay.

But too bad there's always this turn-off. The ACG community here in Malaysia value the hierarchy in cosplay. You cannot have a differing opinion from the "senior" cosplayers. You cannot criticize these "senior" cosplayers because they've been in the business longer than you have. You have to respect their views or the community will assrape you. Don't deny, guys, it's true. I've been in incidents where I'd piss off a few people because I criticized these "seniors". Alright, I acknowledged I've only been in this community and hobby for a year but does that mean MY opinions are of no value?

Take this from a newbie. Cosplay's just a hobby. There is no royal hierarchy to follow. There are good and bad examples, but definitely not seniors and juniors. Honestly speaking, this hierarchy, even among the photographers have created a barrier of learning. I see new cosplayers afraid of approaching the ones that have been cosplaying for a longer time because of their reputation. My friend who is a photographer is too afraid to ask questions to his "seniors" because he's afraid they'd have no time for him, because they're too busy during conventions. And I see the "senior" cosplayers as exclusive items, their presence will draw more attention to a convention or a heated debate. This, frankly and as sugar-coated as I can make it; stupid.

It is a ridiculous idea that we should follow one man's example and not learn for ourselves. And frankly, senior cosplayers are like Pokemon, you take a good picture of them, and you feel like you've caught a legendary Pokemon, don't you? If there are senior cosplayers out there, do you LIKE being treated that way? If you do, I don't wanna go senior anytime soon. Just sayin'

For those who have survived my rant this far, I'd like to apologize for offending you, which I'm sure I did. But please, can we be more open as a COMMUNITY and not different posse?

See you next con, but definitely not C2AGE due to personal reasons.

Cheers,
Jonathan Law