Is Japanese cosplay REALLY that good?

[Yomei]

I have a pet peeve.


Here's your typical cosplay photo from Japan.



Beautiful girl, awesome costume, cool scenery, etc. But how much of this picture is actually real? I see so many people lambasting American cosplayers, and then using these heavily shopped photos as evidence that Japan is just better than us. Here's some proof that these "OMG AMAZING" cosplayers aren't necessarily THAT far ahead of us.



Here's what was done to this photo:

Her stomach was shopped to make her thinner.
Her boobs were made to appear larger.
The makeup across her nose was completely redone in photoshop.
Strands of hair were added to make the wig look much better.
Bandaid on her arm was removed.
Colorization was added.

And finally,

HER FACE WAS REPLACED WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S.

Seriously, Japan has great cosplay. No doubt about it. But if you're going to "prove" that Americans can't cosplay as well by using one of these images, at least post an original. Chances are, if you're using a shopped photo, you're really just submitting a lie.

By the way, by no means am I saying that there aren't authentic, absolutely incredible cosplays from Japan. I am merely saying that people should stop using pictures like these, and professional shots, as evidence that they're better. I'm sure there's a way we could photoshop American cosplayers and make them look just as good, but how would that prove anything?


Discuss:
Heavily Photoshopped cosplay pictures
Japan vs. America
Professional cosplay
THAT GIRL LOOKED FINE TO BEGIN WITH, WTF.

[Stroopwafel]

Japan cosplay->good with props but photoshop is the only thing that makes it looks better than us. Most of the japanese cosplayers fail without photoshop. Kipi is ugly without photoshop,Alodia is too.

[Cup o Spoilers]

Wait..so...are those the same pictures...just one is modidfied?...
ok...anyways...

I think most think Japanese cosplay is better because there is no overweight cosplayers running around in horribly skimmpy cosplays....they all have a good figure...

but..really..
Japanese cosplayers are not better...they just have the resources to BUY their costumes...thus..they are better quality that some handmade ones...
all people seem to do if find the worst Western cosplay of overweight *in an unhealty way* people and compare them to profesional cosplays...I dont see the sence in that

[iKuraudo]

Japan is the one better at cosplaying depending on the series.
However, they do make a little better Kadaj or Yuffie .. Possibly TIfa when it comes to Final Fantasy VII.

AmericIa and UK both have good cosplays when it's not the asian cosplays. IN MY OWN DAMN OPINION.

[Yeosol]

rofl Oh man, that last picture was awesome, though you can't argue that generally speaking japanese people are typically healthier than Americans. That and a lot of anime/manga characters were designed with specific eastern asian appearances in mind, so for the most part Im gonna have to say japan has a one up on us. Not to say there aren't amazing American and western cosplays, I've seen some awesome Links, Vashs, etc. etc. xd

[Stroopwafel]

Angathol

Kipi has plenty of high-resolution, un-shopped photos that look perfectly fine. :/

To the OP: Someone else (as in, not the cosplayer) might've photoshopped and distributed that photo, considering that the original still exists on the 'net. I see your point, but considering that most cosplayers on this side of the Pacific don't have Cure accounts, unshopped, non-repost Japanese cosplay photos are hard to come by.

In any case, this topic has been done to death and will only have the same answers. x_X

Well, I think she's ugly.

[Yeosol]

Angathol

Stroopwafel

Well, I think she's ugly.

And I'm sure you're a pretty little princess. She's cuter than a basket of kittens, and I'm not even a weaboo.

Yeosol

rofl Oh man, that last picture was awesome, though you can't argue that generally speaking japanese people are typically healthier than Americans. That and a lot of anime/manga characters were designed with specific eastern asian appearances in mind, so for the most part Im gonna have to say japan has a one up on us. Not to say there aren't amazing American and western cosplays, I've seen some awesome Links, Vashs, etc. etc. xd

Yes, they do generally have a healthier diet, but I would say that otaku around the world often lead a sedentary lifestyle, so I would expect that there would be a fair amount of less-than-healthy Japanese cosplayers as well. Perhaps not as many as there are in North America, but a fair amount.

P.S. Nice abs.

well said, and thanks rofl 4laugh
Ive actually never cosplayed myself, but Im determined to finally go to Fanime this year and rock out a full fit (just dont know what/who yet) stressed

[ParisRoyale]

If love is surrender...

Its no lie, if you know how to use PS, it can work MIRACLES.

Srsly: clickie

I don't agree with using it to the point that you have NO idea who the real person wearing the cosplay is anymore.

But to fix wrinkles, blemishs, scars or just plain ugliness...

Then sure, why not?

Its not like all of the modeling industry DOESN'T use it already.
Most people aren't BORN pretty.

PS just helps out abit.

I'm not like most of the Anons on /cgl/ where they complain about how someone's too 'shooped'
Or whatever.(but still complain how every other cosplay is fail, other than Kipi o'course)

If it makes you and the cosplay look better, than its fine by me.

Oh and, fyi, anyone can EASILY commission a cosplay from a very talented commissioner.
So its not about HOW the Japanese (or most Asian cosplayers for that matter) look that good, it's more like how bad other people look dressed as the same character.
(The same goes with the PShooping, its easy to learn how to use it, srsly)

HOWEVER, most Japanese cosplayers can't pull off a white looking character (i.e: blonde hair, blue eyes) without looking either completely shooped or fake (cause of contacts and wigs)

Thats at least ONE advantage some cosplayers have against the asian ones.
(not like it helps much anyways)

Good cosplay is good no matter the race, so yeah... I'm not under the "yellow fever", kay?
(unlike most of 4chan's /cgl/)

... Then who's war is it anyways?

[Yeosol]

Angathol

Yeosol

well said, and thanks rofl 4laugh
Ive actually never cosplayed myself, but Im determined to finally go to Fanime this year and rock out a full fit (just dont know what/who yet) stressed

Use your body to your advantage - there are plenty of fighting game characters you could pull off. Sol Badguy from Guilty Gear, for example.

/tangent

I do love Sol Badguy haha, any other good suggestions?

[ParisRoyale]

Angathol

I would tend to agree (as long as you have the money, that is). I have no problem with people who have bought or commissioned costume. If you can afford it and you don't have the skills to make it yourself, why NOT get someone more skilled to make it for you? As long as you stay out of competitions/masquerades, it's fine. I'm all for seeing good costumes at cons, no matter where they came from.

Plus, D.Gray-Man outfits are dirt cheap on Yahoo Japan. ($100 or less and they're pleather.) No wonder people buy their costumes these days.

If love is surrender...

Glad to see you agree.

I hate seeing poorly made cosplays... but hey, if you honestly can't afford it, save up 'til you can.
No one says you have to cosplay right NOW..

Oooo, $100 DGM cosplay outfits? Nice~
(Comissioning my own would be 10 dollars extra, but thats without shipping =_=)

Ugh, ::goes over to look around:: I need a cheap one, but well made.
Pleather isn't really ideal seeing as I'll be in July weather D=

Hmmm~

... Then who's war is it anyways?