The golden rule of cosplay: Do’s and don’ts of comic con etiquette – The Arizona Republic

As major fan conventions like Phoenix Fan Fusion and San Diego Comic Con make triumphant returns this year, newcomers and returning guests alike might be out of practice when it comes to interacting with such large swaths of people after three years.

Since the pandemic, a lot more people have gone into fandom and nerd things, said Imani Jackson, a 23-year-old from Phoenix who goes by the stage name Cosplay Choco.

I think that there is certain etiquette when it comes to cosplaying that I feel like normal people do not know, like asking permission before you touch a costume, before you take a picture.

She, along with fellow metro Phoenix-based cosplayers Marina Sharpe, who is known as @marinahopesharpeon social media, andAleksander Gomez, who goes by the name Valentino Morales as@alocalcosplayer, shared tips for how to be safe at large-scale events and be respectful as a fan.

Arizona cosplayers rejoice:Why they're so happy Phoenix Fan Fusion 2022 is on

Being respectful towardcosplayers is key.

Cosplay is not consent is a popular phrase in the community, meaning that attending an event or wearing a certain outfit does not mean people can act however they want toward cosplayers.

Costumes are not an invitation to, like, flirt, with somebody. I don't understand why that's a thing, Imani said. Just because somebody is Harley Quinn and you're Joker does not mean that we are together.

Following a cosplayer, touching them and taking pictures from afar are examples of what not to do, Imani said.

"Another thing is offering to fix something, take something out of someone's hair or wig," Imani said. "You might think, like, that's really nice if you did that, but someone who is their friend should probably do that for them. A stranger should not pick (at) somebody else's costume unless specifically that cosplayer is like, 'Hey, can you fix this for me?'"

Fan Fusion 2022: Complete guide to guests, weapon policy, costs and more

When it comes to taking pictures, ask a cosplayer for permission to photograph them and respect their wish if they decline.

If I'm having a picture taken of me in cosplay, I want to be able to pose, to be in character, you know? Sharpe said. If someone is taking a break, if they're eating food, typically it's not regarded as the most respectful thing to go up to a cosplayer while they're eating.

Gomez said some cosplayers experience microaggressions while receiving compliments. One example, he said, is if someone says "'I love your Black version of this character."

"It's almost slightly derogatory in a way, and many POC creators are going to take slight offense to that as you're cosplaying that character not just as a Black person, but you're just cosplaying the character," he said.

When complimenting people's costumes, make sure to not qualify it.

Exclusive: These 23 new restaurants and bars are now open in metro Phoenix

Unfortunately, cosplayers often experience unwanted attention when they are in costume.

It sucks because it is just kind of a reality that you kind of have to be aware of your surroundings and people around you, Sharpe said. Creeps in general are going to be in any community, period.

Gomez said: There's going to be multiple predators at these conventions solely with the interest of seeing one of their favorite characters and essentially taking advantage of that cosplayer so that way they can get their own fantasy.

When asked about whether being in costume might makesome people feel free to act inappropriately, Sharpe saidshe believes this sometimes happens.

I think particularly with a cosplay that covers up your entire face, for instance, it's kind of like when you're on the Internet and suddenly some people feel empowered to say awful things, she said. I think some people just (are) wanting to be in character and taking it, you know, kind of too far.

Imani, Sharpe and Gomez shared these cosplay safety tips:

And as a courtesy toothers, Gomez issued a plea for people to wear deodorant while cosplaying.

"Personal hygiene is so important at these conventions," he said. "Please!"

Reach Entertainment Reporter KiMi Robinsonat kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobinand Instagram @ReporterKiMi.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

View original post here:

The golden rule of cosplay: Do's and don'ts of comic con etiquette - The Arizona Republic