Hi guys! My name is Sophie and I’m a YouTuber 
and cosplayer from Northern Ireland.
Today, I’m doing my video for EF Guest Vlog.
As a cosplayer, I love dressing up as my favorite 
characters from anime, video games and movies.
Today, I would like to talk to you guys 
about cosplaying and also, hopefully, 
get some helpful tips to those who would 
be interested in starting cosplaying as well.
When popular Japanese anime came overseas,
the unique style of Japanese 
cosplay was not far behind.
The term cosplay itself came from Japan.
It’s a mix of the two English words:
costume and play. 
Absolutely anybody can take part in cosplay 
regardless of race, gender or size.
There are a number of ways you can do this. 
There are many cosplayers out there who will 
simply create their own costumes from scratch,
buying the material for their costumes, 
their wigs, the accessories and the props.
But for those of you out there who are not 
into crafting, there’s nothing to worry about.
Cosplay has become super popular all over the world 
and there are lots of shops that you can go to,
both in person and online, to buy cosplay props, 
costumes and lots of different accessories.
If you visit Akihabara in Tokyo,
then you will find an abundance of cosplay shops.
You can even buy and sell pre-owned 
cosplay costumes at a discount-price.
Of course, you can also find cosplay 
shops outside of Akihabara
in some of the popular shopping 
districts such as Harajuku, Shibuya.
There are some cosplay shops outside of Japan,
but they are far more rare 
and far more hard to come by.
So, if you’re living outside of Japan, 
then online is definitely the place to go.
Do you want to spot cosplayers?
If your goal is not to dress in cosplay but 
simply to look at some awesome cosplayers,
then Harajuku is definitely the place to be.
Harajuku is very well known 
for its amazing fashion scene,
but did you know that it’s actually 
really well known for its cosplayer scene as well?
If you’re very lucky, then you may be able to see 
a group of cosplayers on a busy Sunday afternoon.
Akihabara is also a really great place to spot 
cosplayers and is well known for its anime scene.
Not to mention conventions!
Anime and cosplay conventions are 
held all over the world and
it’s where cosplayers gather 
to show off their creations.
Cosplayers also often take part in 
cosplay competitions, photo shoots,
and just hang out with friends.
A lot of work can go into cosplay,
whether you’re creating yourself from 
scratch or buying it from a store.
From makeup to wig styling to 
creating the actual costume itself,
a lot of cosplayers put their 
heart and soul into their work.
It’s because of this that cosplay can seem 
very daunting to newcomers so, today,
I’m going to give you guys 
some quick tips to get started.
One: Start small.
If it is going to be your first cosplay, then you 
really don’t want to overwhelm yourself too much.
And it’s a great good idea to start with 
a character that has a very simple look.
Nothing too extravagant, not a 
crazy costume or a crazy wig.
As you get more and more into cosplay, 
then it’s a good idea to work your way 
up to the more complicated things.
Number Two: Budget.
Whether you’re making the costume yourself 
or simply buying it online,
it’s a really good idea to make a budget 
and try to stay within it.
Cosplaying can be a really expensive hobby,
even for just one costume. 
So take your time and keep an eye out 
for the best bargains and deals.
Three: Circle lenses. 
Circle lenses are widely used in Japan, 
both for cosplay and for everyday fashion looks 
because they give such a 
cute anime look to the eyes.
Circle lenses can really transform your face and
make it look as if you just jumped out of an anime.
Look for a color that matches your character 
and make sure to buy from 
trusted websites and shops.
Four: The wig.
The wig can also make a huge 
difference to your cosplay.
So, not only do you need to be a bit of 
a costume designer and makeup artist,
but you also need to be a bit of a hair stylist.
Usually, whenever you purchase wigs, 
they come completely unstyled and
you have to cut and shape them yourself. 
So, be fully prepared to buy a wig head 
that you can set the wig on and
you can cut and trim and 
style it as much as you like.
And, as a little extra tip, if your wig 
is looking really shiny and really fake, 
then it’s a really good idea to spray some 
dry shampoo on it, brush it through, 
and this will help to modify the wig 
and make it look more natural.
Five: Makeup.
Make up is super important for cosplay. 
Whether you’re cosplaying a really cute 
anime girl or a really scary zombie, 
makeup can really make or break your look. 
Be sure to buy yourself some good quality products
and don’t be afraid to check online 
for some really helpful tutorials.
Six: Be shameless and take lots and lots of pictures 
so you have your wig sorted, your makeup done 
and your costume is ready. 
You’re good to go.
Takes lots and lots of selfies, 
get a photo shoot done
or even get a friend to come 
and take some pictures of you.
Be proud of your cosplay and don’t be 
afraid to share it with the world. 
Sharing your cosplay and your love for the 
character online or on your social media
is a really great way to connect with other fans.
Seven: Attend a convention.
Conventions are filled with fellow cosplayers, 
so, it’s a really great place for you to show off 
your creation and to view other cosplayers.
Cosplayer conventions are so much fun and I 
can almost guarantee that if you’re in cosplay,
then lots of people will want to take your picture.
That is it! Those are my beginner tips for cosplay.
I hope that at least someone out
there will find these tips helpful.
Thank you so much to EF for having 
me as guest vlogger and, of course,
thank you so much to everybody 
who’s watched this video.
Bye!
