INFLUENCING FACTORS OF COSPLAY TO THE CEBUANO AND NEGRENSE YOUTH, RAFANAN &

MALNEGRO
Chapter II – Presentation of Findings

This research is all about influencing factors of cosplaying in the Cebuano youth. It focuses

on the home environment, mass media like the websites they usually visit for cosplay inspirations

and activities with peers among cosplayers in Cebu City. Home environment is where the

influences start whether they are supported by their family or not. However, most of the key

informants answered that they are not usually supported by their family because of the expenses.

Second, the mass media in which platforms they usually go through inspirations for their desired

costumes to portray. Third factor is the activities with peers. Activities with peers usually occur in

the events like the recent Archcon 2018 last October where cosplayers gathered together and wore

their favorite characters’ costumes.

The researchers saw a recurring factor that is not part of the three factors stated from above

which is the personal choice. All of the key informants have stated that they choose their characters

based on their personality which means it represents themselves. They express themselves by

selecting that particular character.

To start the presentation and analysis, we present the personal influence by Lazarsfeld and

Katz. Both used classic sociology to study this personal influence. According to them, media can

do these four factors: exposure, medium, content and predispositions. The researchers saw that the

exposure to social media is a big factor that leads to the cosplayers to engage with other cosplayers

through posting on Facebook group updates about upcoming events. After Facebook, Instagram is

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the second most used social media by the cosplayers. This is where they look for further

inspirations aside from surfing the net or take a look of their cosplay idols for their costumes.

With cosplaying, the first participantsaid that it is her personal influence wherein she

portrays herself by wearing her favorite character’s costume, Sailor Moon. “Usagi (the main

character) represents me. Girly ko. So comes the animes or the mangas I usually read. I also love

reading about fantasies and romance so parang representation din sya ng sarili ko. Choice ko

naman ito. So lahat ng mga characters na pinoportray ko during cosplaying events is my choice.”

(Usagi represents me. I am girly. So comes the animes or the magas I usually read. I also love

reading about fantases and romance so it’s like my representation of myself. This is my choice. So

all the characters I portray during cosplay events is my choice.

HOME ENVIRONMENT

The first key informant said that her home environment implements a strict rule where

everything is monitored, especially her cosplaying. Home environment contributes nothing to her

cosplaying as her parents are not supportive of her attending such events.

The second key informant, coming from Manila, explained that his home environment is

very quiet. His father works overseas and his mother works as a public school teacher. His parents

were just plain okay for his cosplaying activities as long as the expenses are shouldered by him.

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The third key informant coming from Mandaue City, her home environment is very quiet

since it’s only her and her mother. Her mother is supportive of her cosplay activities and is

encouraging when there is an event. Sometimes, even helping her fund the costumes she portrays.

The fourth key informant coming from Bacolod City, a fourth year HRM student said that

she is currently living with her grandmother and two sisters. Her two older sisters are also doing

cosplay since their college days but now that they are working, they stopped but still tries to attend

events. Support are given by her two sisters.

The fifth to eight informants, all living in Lahug, said that their household environment are

not strict with their activities especially they are already working and funds their own costumes.

Their families are lax about their cosplaying and just let them do whatever they want.

The researchers saw that home environment contributed the least on their cosplaying

because 1) The family is not supportive, 2) Is not familiar with cosplaying and 3) it is expensive

and requires a lot of money. So far, the very least is those who are already working and their home

environment is supportive because they already have jobs to provide on their hobbies.

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MASS MEDIA

The researchers saw that Facebook is the leading social media platform where

announcements are usually posted in groups and shared by their pages. For them, Facebook is the

easiest way to reach out as this is where majority of the cosplayers are. For websites, they go to

kissmanga to read manga as this is part of the influence on why they do cosplaying. YouTube also

gives reference to their costume ideas aside from the mangas they read.

According to key informant one,

“Mas dali man gud sa Facebook kay cosplayers mostly spend their time in that social media

because this is where most of the announcements for upcoming events such as Archcon 2018 to be

held on October. Kaysa Instagram or Twitter. Napopost mo din kasi yung mga activities mo like

which character did I cosplayed today, mga ganun. Tapos when people see your cosplays, you get

compliments and kung sinuswerte, you also get invited.” (It’s easier on Facebook because

cosplayers mostly spend their time on social media because this is where most of the

announcements for upcoming events such as Archcon 2018 to be held on October. Instead of

Instagram or Twitter. You can post your activities (on Facebook) like which character I cosplayed

today, something like that. Then people see you cosplay, you get compliments and if you’re lucky,

you get invited (to events)].

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While key informant two stated that he spent his time using Facebook where updates for

an upcoming cosplay events are posted like key informant one. Aside from Facebook, he goes to

sites like kissmanga, mangafox (now defunct) and manga rock to read mangas.

“Dito ko madalas kinukuha ang mga characters na ipoportray ko sa mga cosplay. Bihira

lang ako tumingin ng mga characters sa video games or animes. Sa video games naman, ang

recent na kinosplay ko is si Ash ng Pokemon. Wala lang kasi sobrang cool nya at nagrerepresent

kasi sya sa akin.” (This is where I usually get my characters for cosplay. I seldom look for

characters on video games or animes. In video games, the recent characted I cosplayed was Ash

of Pokemon. He’s cool and he represents me.)

Key informant two stated Ash’s personality reflects on him like never giving up on all

circumstances, standing up after finishing another problem and most of all, being brave.

Key informant three shared her online activities such as Facebooking, Instagramming and

Twittering were her most used social medias. According to her,

“Yung mga friends ko kasi na nag cocosplay, pinopost nila yun sa Facebook at Instagram tapos

most active cosplayers post their activities sa mga social medias na yun. They get compliments

kasi cool. Ganun din sa akin. I get compliments when people think my costume are cool.” (My

friends who cosplay post their activities on Facebook and Instagram then most active cosplayers

post them on those social medias. They get compliments because they’re cool. Same as mine, I

also get compliments when they think it’s cool).

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Most informants have shared that they usually browse manga and video games to look for

their costume inspirations. According to the informants, cosplayers also choose their characters on

video and online games like DoTA, Ironman. Again, character picking represents themselves with

the majority saying it is one factor and the least is because they just liked it.

Sites like Instagram and Twitter were the next most used social media by the informants

since their cosplay idols such as Myrtle Sarrosa and Alodia Gosiengfiao is more relevant next to

Facebook. The researchers have checked their profiles and have seen that these celebrity

cosplayers had a huge impact on cosplayers.

Sites like Kissmanga, Mangarock are the most visited sites where the informants read

manga because according to them, manga also plays a role in their cosplaying though they all have

said that not all cosplayers are manga readers and not all manga readers are cosplayers. They

explained that cosplayers are influenced by their peers or personal influence and manga readers

just read the updates of their favorite manga.

ACTIVTIES WITH PEERS

The first key informant’s activities with peers. Her activities with peers mostly involves

with setting up or finding sponsors for their cosplay events. She also mentioned that hanging out

with her friends back in Bacolod City and talking about which characters they want to portray or

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discuss or plan things ahead for the next year’s cosplaying events. She also mentioned that she is

the president of Mugawaras of Negros, a cosplay group based in Bacolod City.

The second key informant’s activities with peers involve roaming around the malls during

cosplay events with their costumes on, most people ask to have a picture with them. He also added

that they cannot object because people will tell them they are snob. When not participating in the

event, they just observe the costumes other cosplayers wear and ask to have a picture with them.

The third key informant stated that since she is already working, her cosplay peers go

partying in the clubs. There was also a time when they had their party and wear their costumes.

She said that cosplayers also love to party. During events, cosplayers show off their costumes,

make friends with other cosplayers. For her, cosplaying is part of her social life because that’s who

she is and through this, she developed her self-confidence and were able to adapt a positive

atmosphere between her and other cosplayers.

The fourth key informant said that her activities with peers are discussions or thoughts

about the latest manga they have read, what manga are available online that is lingaw for them.

When at the events, she observes first the costume of the cosplayers in the venue then asks pictures

with them.

The fifth and sixth key informant said they are more focused on their work than cosplaying

for a year already. Because work is very demanding of their time, they just observe events in the

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malls or just help other cosplayers to make their costumes since they have the same circle of friends

from cosplaying.

The seventh informant also revealed that as a student, her activities with peers are more

focused on her studies but gives time to cosplaying because this is her passion and she loves

showing herself with ther friends.

And lastly, the eight informant said that she and her friends go to malls and look for

different kinds of wig for cosplay, go to ukay ukay for other possible clothes that can be sewn for

their costumes, watch Animax in their dorm since they live in the dormitory and talk about the

latest updates of the manga they were reading.

The researchers have found a similar answer from the second and fourth informants

because they both interact with people in the event and take pictures. Both have stated that they

could not object from taking photos with them because they are afraid that they will be called snob.

The first key informant has a lot to say about her activities with peers because she is the organizer

of Mugiwaras of Negros where aside from being a full time student, she also heads the group and

organize the upcoming cosplay events which requires a lot of time to be with friends and to plan

ahead the activities. The rest of the informants have the similar answers where their parents are

supportive of what they do as long as they spend their own money for the costumes.

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OTHER FINDINGS

The researchers have also found out that cosplaying is an expensive hobby because the

cosplayer has to copy the exact representation of their chosen character.

“Kailangan talagang exact ang pagka cosplay mo sa character mo kaya ka nga nag

cosplay di ba? Kasi that represents them too. Kung ano yung buhok nya dapat yun din ang buhok

mo; from mata to everything. And, actions. Kung nasa contests ako, I always make sure I can also

act his or her actions para appropriate ang pagka portray. Tinitignan ka kasi ng mga tao eh. You

get compliments and you get invited kapag ganyan.”

All informants revealed that they make their own costumes; the props but the dress will be

needing to have it sewn with the help of a dressmaker. Most of their costumes come from an online

shop: eBay, Shopee, Lazada or AliExpress. According to them, materials are often sold cheaper in

these online shops than mall price. Contact lenses are also part of the cosplaying particularly in

colors. Key informant one shared that,

“Particular kami sang eye contacts kag colors. Dapat ma portray namon sang characters

na ginapili namon nga enchakto like nasunod namon ang iya particular eye color, kag hair color.”

Translated from Hiligaynon: We are particular on eye contacts and colors. We should portray our

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chosen characters’ in the exact way like we follow the particular eye color and hair color. The

participants have also shared that their costumes should have the same exact details of their

characters.

DISCUSSION

This study made use of the self-concept theory, dramaturgy of Goffman and social self-

theory of Mead which are a conceptual framework for understanding more about the learnings

acquired by social interaction, symbols they used in mimicking a character during events and the

self-representation of each cosplayers to represent themselves using front stage (which the

informant shows in the audience) and the back stage (those close to them accept who they are).

Before presenting the theory which will be used for the analysis, there is a need to explain

the concepts of manga and anime as this will ease the understanding of the terms used throughout

the research, some of which are self-evident for the respondents the researchers have interviewed.

Manga are Japanese comics, or graphic novels as the have also been called (Napier 2005),

and anime are animated series. Napier mentioned (2005, p. 6 – 7) however, describing manga and

anime simply as Japanese cartoons does not do justice to the variety and depth of the culture, as

manga and anime in Japan is not associated only with children but is used by adults as well.

According to Napier (1996), the themes covered by manga range from simple stories much akin

to western cartoons for children, to grander narratives describing scenarios targeted at adults.

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Cosplay is a trend that has been derived from the manga and anime culture and as explained

above, involves fans dressing up as characters and attending conventions with like-minded fans.

At these conventions, the cosplayers are performing in the role of their characters and try to mimic

the characters as best possible.

The researchers used dramaturgy as the first theory to explain the results of the informants’

answers.

DRAMATURGY: THE FRONT STAGE AND BACK STAGE

Once theory that the informants have in common is dramaturgy, according to Goffman

(1959), an individual has two stages to show to their audience, the front stage and back stage. The

front stage is what an individual show to their audience of what is acceptable and pleasing.

“Mas dali man gud sa Facebook kay cosplayers mostly spend their time in that social media

because this is where most of the announcements for upcoming events such as Archcon 2018 to be

held on October. Kaysa Instagram or Twitter. Napopost mo din kasi yung mga activities mo like

which character did I cosplayed today, mga ganun. Tapos when people see your cosplays, you get

compliments and kung sinuswerte, you also get invited.” (It’s easier on Facebook because

cosplayers mostly spend their time on social media because this is where most of the

announcements for upcoming events such as Archcon 2018 to be held on October. Instead of

Instagram or Twitter. You can post your activities (on Facebook) like which character I cosplayed

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today, something like that. Then people see you cosplay, you get compliments and if you’re lucky,

you get invited (to events)].

The statement clearly shows that the key informant has used the front stage, where she

likes to receive compliments and praises from her audience (Facebook friends). On back stage, her

family did not accept her cosplaying hobbies.

“Wala gid ko nila ginasuportahan sa akon cosplay kay gasto. I spend my own money sa

akon cosplays. 19 na ako but I cannot come to the events with the help of my cousin.” (My parents

do not support my cosplaying because it’s expensive. I spend my own money in my cosplay events.

I am already 19 but I cannot come to the events without the help of my cousin.)

Goffman (1959) also stated the impression management in which one show to others the

positive attitude that is favorable to others. Receiving compliments from her audience by

portraying the chosen character is part of the front stage and impression management.

The researchers also found out the feeling of acceptance from his peers are one of the

reasons why he does cosplay. “My peers are mostly cosplayers and we have the same interests.

The feeling of acceptance by joining to cosplay events and doing cosplay are also one of the

reasons why I cosplay.” Again, front stage is seen in the statement where he does the favorable

things that pleases his peers.

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Cosplay events are mostly held at the malls to expose their activities to and further attract

audience by showcasing their costumes and movements. Audience can also take photographs with

them as cosplayers are seen as cool and can be shown off to social media and further receive

positive comments and impression management can be applied next.

SELF-CONCEPT THEORY

Next, the researchers used the second theory, the self-concept. Self-concept and identity

provide answers to the basic questions “Who am I?”, “Where do I belong?” and “How do I fit (or

fit in)?” Oyserman (2004). The self-concept within identity theory is a concept that relates to a

person's own sense of belonging in the world. By having a sense of belonging, our lives become

meaningful, which in its turn means that we get a sense of purpose in our lives.

This is when the informants do cosplay from their own interests such as liking one

character and deciding to eventually portray then mimic the whole appearance and the

movements, how would they belong to their peers by doing the same. By cosplaying, this is

where they feel the sense of belongingness and express their feelings through portraying the

characters they have chosen.

The self-concept is shaping our social reality, as we are actively seeking a social reality

which will mirror our own self-view. This is of course a very important notion as it allows us to

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gain insight into why fans of manga see themselves as a distinct group, and why fans have a need

to be a part of a group. It could be said that a group of fans conducting activities around an object

of popular culture such as manga and cosplay, are doing this specifically in order to verify their

self-concepts.

Oyserman (2003) posited that “the self-concept has been described as a “theory” about

oneself that represents and organizes current self-knowledge and guides how new self-

knowledge is perceived (Epstein, 1973). As a theory, the self-concept is made of the current state

of knowledge about the self and enough to help organize experience, focus motivation, regulate

emotion, and guide social interaction. Cosplayers represents themselves through the characters

they choose to portray. A key informant shared that she chose a character that fits her personality

because “mas comfortable man ko to cosplay a certain character that is similar to my

personality. You relate yourself sa character na yun.” (I am comfortable to cosplay a certain

character that is similar to my personality. You relate yourself to that character.)

SOCIAL SELF THEORY

Mead’s theory of social self, which includes the concepts of “self”, “me”, and “I”. This

theory focuses on the way in which the self is developed. The theory of social self is based on the

perspective that the self emerges from social interactions, such as observing and interacting with

others, responding to others' opinions about oneself, and internalizing external opinions and

internal feelings about oneself. The social aspect of self is an important distinction because other

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sociologists and psychologists of Mead's time felt that the self was based on biological factors

and inherited traits. Mead (1934) posited the self is not there from birth, but it is developed over

time from social experiences and activities. Cosplayers aren’t born cosplayers on their birth but

they learn to become cosplayer through social interaction and observing their peers’ activities.

The development of self also tackles the three activities developing the self; language,

play and games. Language develops self by allowing individuals to respond to each other

through symbols, gestures, words, and sounds. Language conveys others' attitudes and opinions

toward a subject or the person. Emotions, such as anger, happiness, and confusion, are conveyed

through language. The informants through interaction using symbols (their costumes), gestures

(character movements), sounds (on how the cosplayers mimic the voice of their characters) and

interact with non-cosplayers develop their self by cosplaying with the help of language.

Play develops self by allowing individuals to take on different roles, pretend, and express

expectation of others. Play develops one's self-consciousness through role-playing. During role-

play, a person is able to internalize the perspective of others and develop an understanding of

how others feel about themselves and others in a variety of social situations. Role-playing

through cosplaying fall in these category. Cosplayers pretends they are the character they have

chosen, express the expectation of other through copying the exact costume of their characters.

Through this, informants develop their self-consciousness and have sense of belongingness to

others.

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Games develop self by allowing individuals to understand and adhere to the rules of the

activity. Self is developed by understanding that there are rules in which one must abide by in

order to win the game or be successful at an activity.

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