Many people think that Cosplay is merely a simple “changing of costumes”, and as long as one has expensive costumes and exquisite makeup, they can break the dimensional barrier. But I believe that without in-depth study and research on the characters, Cosplay is merely an “empty shell” without a soul. In this HOT TAKE, I will use the learning process of the character Rahu in my cosplay game “Path To Nowhere” to support my claim.
First of all, Rahu gives me the impression of being a true warrior. She is loyal, resilient, brave, and a passionate and intense character. The losses and betrayals she has experienced have shaped her extreme emphasis on loyalty and responsibility, which becomes the starting point of all her actions. She appears cold on the outside, with a determined gaze, but everything within her is driven by emotions.
Rahu’s most significant moment was the transformation in his relationship with another character, Shalom, in the “Rain Burst” story: from exploitation to control, then to trust and redemption, all occurring within a short but profoundly meaningful period of time. Unlike Rahu’s personality, Shalom is the exact opposite. As a “successful” test subject whose emotions have been removed, she is intelligent and flexible, knowing how to efficiently utilize the environment, situations, and even people to achieve her goals. She is the mastermind who controls the overall situation.
However, even such a person can still call Rahu “the biggest surprise beyond expectations.” This shows the extraordinary nature of their relationship.
Rahu is a tragic character wearing a mask. Therefore, the difficulty of her performance mainly lies in her eyes. Her determined and sharp gaze leaves a very strong impression, and this requires a lot of effort.
Of course, there are also many negative examples in the cosplay field.If thoughts or attitudes are divorced from the role itself and behaviors are contrary to the character’s own will, a negative phenomenon known as “OOC” (i.e., “Out Of Character”) will occur.
Apart from the “OOC” before, without a thorough understanding of the role, they use cosplay as a means to increase their popularity and even enhance their social status. This is extremely disrespectful to the character and to the fans who love the character.
Cosplay essentially involves bringing virtual characters into reality. This “translation” requires overcoming multiple obstacles such as economic factors, physical requirements, and learning capabilities. There are still many aspects that are worth learning and improving upon.
Han Tianyong 
Yinan Zhou 
Xinyue HOU