The Art of Cosplay

角色扮演的藝術Fantasy meets reality with cosplay 世界各地的角色扮演迷往往打扮成自己最喜歡的人物 Around the world, fans dress up like their favorite characters. by Chelsea Ewald.

If you visit Tokyo's famous Harajuku district, you'll notice a distinct part of Japanese culture coming to life on its street. That's because anime and manga fans literally bring their favorite characters to life through cosplay. Combining the words costume and play, cosplay is becoming an increasingly popular form of performance art.

What exactly is cosplay?
First, it involves cosplayers- people who participate in the art. Consplayers buy or make an elaborate costume of their favorite animated or fantasy character and then dress up in it. But the fun doesn't stop there. In addition to looking like a character, cosplayers must also learn to imitate a character's personality, facial expressions and behaviors. This accounts for the " play" in cosplay. Once cosplayers have perfected their character, they take their talents to the streets. On weekends in Japan, cosplayers can be found outdoors posing for pictures and checking out others' costumes. The goal is to win the approval of fellow cosplayers. If approval is won, a cosplayer may consider entering a costume contest.

From science-fiction origins.
Although the term cosplay originated in Japan, the idea for it seems to have been born in the United States. In 1939, Forrest J. Ackerman attended the 1st World Science Fiction Convention in New York wearing a space suit. Forty-five years later. Japanese native Nov Takahashi attended a similar convention in Los Angles. Impressed by the many costumes at the convention, Takahashi returned home and coined the term cosplay. Soon after, he began writing about it in Japanese sci-fi magazines. Word about cosplay quickly spread throughout Japan, and the rest is history.

Costplay today
Today, people all around the world are taking part in cosplay's fantasy fun. While anime and manga are deeply rooted in Japanese cosplay, the art often looks different in the West. There, films like Star War, Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings have inspired a new generation of cosplay fans.
The goal of cosplay is to dress up, have fun and bring fantasy to life. Whether a person in a novice cosplayer or an experienced pro, cosplay is fun for everyone!

Grammar
....you'll notice a distinct part of Japanese culture coming to life on its streets.
coming to life-
Computer generated special effects have made extinct animals come to life on movie screens.
to come to life-
Henry doesn't come to life until he has had two cups of coffee.
After sleeping for ten hours, Sarah is finally coming to life.

Vocabulary Tips
distinct-明顯的，清晰的，清楚的。
*There's a distinct parking area reserved for the VIP customers.
*The distinct smell of the flower repels insects.
*The two writer's styles are quite distinct from each other.
imitate-模仿。copy, acting like someone.
*Patrick loves to imitate his big brother Frank. He talks and acts just like Frank does.
*The actress perfectly imitated a French accent in the movie.完美的模仿了。。
check out- 了解一下，試試看。check something out- take look at it, examine it.
*I heard the new restaurant is great. Do you want to check it out with me tonight?
*Did you check out my new bike?
originate (v)- 源自于，發源于。origin (n)-起源，或由來
*The custom originated among the natives of the island. 原住民。
*The technology originated in Germany, but it developed in the States.
the rest is history (idiom)- 剩下來的都是眾所皆知的。tell the interested detail, the rest, people can figure it out by itself.
*The famous soccer player and the pop star met at a party, it was love at first sight,-and the rest is history.足球員。。流行歌曲名星。。。他們一見鍾情。
novice-新收，a beginner, a learner. inexperienced person.
*For a novice graphic designer, this project is way too difficult.
*I've never played golf before. I'm a complete novice.
Sci-Fi-- Science Fiction.
convention- large gathering for professional event.
coined- created.
inspire-give people an idea and help them to creative thinking.
take part with it-participated

Chat Room
dress-服裝，dress code-服裝規定。
dress up-穿著打扮，化妝，或是穿著正式的服裝（去面試或參加宴會，舞會。。。）
dress up in costumes 以特別的服裝來打扮自己.
dress down-wear more casual than normal. 便裝打扮。
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fantasy- 幻想小説，夢幻小説，發生在奇幻世界中的，主角都有一個"quest" or "mission" must over the quest or mission. 追尋並征服某樣東西。such as "Lord of the Rings."魔戒
science fiction- 科幻小説，發生在未來得及世界，牽涉到科學，通常與太空或別的星球有關(space travel and life and fun in the planet)，such as "Star Trek"星際大戰（爭霸戰）, "Alien", and "Avatar"