05/08/2026
I saw this post with the headline”Cosplayers carry insecurity about their appearance, their work, their worth. Confidence Is performed, not felt.” (Image 2) and like to weigh in on my thoughts.
The tagline shouldn’t just focus on cosplayers, but everyone. It should be: “Most people carry insecurity about their appearance, their work, their worth.”
Firstly, not all cosplayers are insecure about all things. Generalizing cosplayers being insecure about either appearance, work or worth, and you will bound to hit one.
But think one step beyond. Outside cosplay, ain’t most people insecure either of these 3 too?
People are all a work in progress. I often look back my photos taken a decade and would cringed asking ”Did I took/edit that crap?” That’s progress.
Second, cosplayers are/can be successful people.
I know people outside of their hobby as dentist, medical field and professional field whom excel in what they do. Cosplay, very much like stamp collecting, is a hobby for self expression. We love to share what we love.
Lastly, “confidence is performed, not felt.” Depends on context. Not every cosplayers cosplay to go up the stage for performance if that’s what you mean. Looking good, feeling good, and sometimes with the exchange of admiration among fans is the purest form of joy a fan could ask for. Bonus if we photogs can capture those magical moments on photos too.
The article sounds derogatory putting cosplay passion in a negative light. It doesn’t have to be. Cosplay can be simple, it is only the politics inside in that makes it otherwise.
Because at the end of the day, every cosplayer deserves to shine.
