This book explores the different aspects involved in creating cosplay. Throughout the book there are plenty of photos of different cosplay ideas that have been well executed, which allow you to understand how to do it, but also provide inspiration.

Each section and chapter provides varying advice, which allows anyone to start cosplay well informed and feeling confident in what they are doing. Every area is covered, from how to start and discovering the focus all the way through to wear and tear and photoshoots. There are chapters on wigs, makeup, props and weapons as well, so you won't feel lost in any area when attempting your creation.

I would recommend this book if you are looking to start cosplay and are looking for inspiration and direction.

For the Love of Books

Article: 'The Art of Cosplay'

FOCUS Magazine, Issue 75, Autumn 2022

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a good general starting place for readers who are interested in cosplay. The author does a superb job introducing the background, current culture, and selecting projects and figuring out how to make a start for people just beginning in the hobby. I really liked her encouraging and supportive writing style. I (literally) grew up in the fandom world. My dad (and my grandfather! to a lesser degree) were early golden/silver age comics fans and I was along for the ride. To say that the fandom can be exclusionary and clique-y is a major understatement and Ms. Swinyard's welcoming and encouraging vibe are really nice to see.

The chapters following the introduction are arranged thematically and give some good advice on where to find inspiration and resources to choosing a character to cosplay through getting started and making the props and costumes. This is -not- a specific tutorial guide and there are no actual patterns contained here. The book is lavishly illustrated throughout with pictures from fan-group archives of cosplayers past and present. Spelling and terminology are British standard English throughout. That won't present a problem in context for readers outside the UK, but it is something to be aware of.

There is a companion book by the same author to cosplay for film & TV cosplay and both have a similar format. Here's a quote from my other review of the Film & TV book which applies equally to this book:

"The models are diverse. Representation is important! I remember being a nerdy girl in a *very* male dominated gaming, comics, and SF fandom and being told that I didn't belong. I gave up a million times, discouraged. Honestly it was the stories which always dragged me back (and finding a solid group of friends who stopped noticing I was female). I -wanted- Starfleet and the Federation to be true... I -needed- them to be true. Fandom is where we get to make the dreams true for just a little while. That's important and this author clearly "gets it".

The following chapters take cosplayers through choosing a cosplay (or more than one) to put together and gives some concrete advice beyond "pick your favourite character". There's quite a lot to think about and the author does a good job of being encouraging and thorough. I really liked that they took the time to specifically say that cosplayers don't need to feel locked into a particular character because they might have similar physical characteristics to that character - it's ok to love the costume, to relate to the character for other emotional reasons, to get outside one's own skin (hint: that's why we *do* this). "

The author has included some of the best chapter notes and references for further reading I've seen in a book of this type. This would make a superlative selection for library acquisition, maker's groups, theatre/recreation/SCA use and similar.

Five stars.

NetGalley, Annie Buchanan

As featured in

The Bookseller

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Cosplay, and how to get it… Holly Swinyard waxes lyrical about the cosplay phenomenon in relation to Manga, Anime and Video Games.

bout a year before the pandemic, I attended my first Comic Con in London. I was spellbound being in the same room as luminaries from the big and wee screen such as David Warner, Tom Baker, Peter Mayhew and Bernard Cribbins. But these acting talents were not the only ones proficient in becoming a fictional character at this convention.

As part of this fun day, many of my fellow Comic Con attendees had turned up in an amazing array of breathtaking professional looking, homemade costumes. Their cosplay tributes were seen in their inspiring and heartfelt homages to characters in the fictional world of film, TV, anime, video games and more. Tributes included Deadpool, The Incredibles, Star Wars and various video games characters.

In Holly Swinyard’s book A Guide to Manga, Anime and Video Game Cosplay, this author passionately writes about cosplay in a short but succinct 128 pages. This book is her welcome follow up companion to A Guide to Film and TV Cosplay. Swinyard often refers to her first book and adds that both books;

“are little portals for anyone who wants to take a look at cosplay and everything that goes with it”.

Swinyard is a passionate and credible advocate for this subject as she is a cosplayer herself and she is also the editor, of the magazine, The Cosplay Journal. Her book A Guide to Manga, Anime and Video Game Cosplay is divided into three sections that often have some merging of ideas and discussion topics. Swinyard’s camaraderie as an author is felt immediately, as she asks you to join her,

“into the wonderful world of escapism, artistic crafts and fantastic creation that is cosplay.”

Her friendliness and never-ending enthusiasm for this subject and her sharing of ideas I had seen as traits in other cosplayers. I had been impressed by these attributes when I attended the Comic Con. I noticed those dressed up in similar ways and from the same pop culture universes always gave nods of recognition, high fives and advice on costume making and makeup to other wannabe cosplayers. These strengths are mirrored in this book, in the personality of the author, the content and those cosplayers seen in photographs within this book.

In the first section, Swinyard examines what cosplay is, the benefits for individuals in using cosplay and its history. She explores the popularity and lure of cosplay for adults and argues that cosplay is an extension of dressing up and play, where one can escape from reality, create a fantasy and have fun. She adds this activity also encourages,

“new sense of self and inner strength”.

Swinyard reflects on this activity and suggests cosplay is an activity where you can add your imagination uniquely and express your own thoughts about a character. This she believes is carried out by the use of your own choice of creative arts in creating costumes, applying makeup and in prop making. The end result has you expressing these in your character in your own individual way.

The history of cosplay is vividly told from its earliest uses to the present day, and the author recalls those early conventions and cosplay tributes. In doing so she discovers the first use of the word cosplay – attributed by a Japanese journalist – and the first cosplayer. In her research, she debunks those misconceived myths related to these areas. You’ll be surprised at the origins of this craft and I concur with the author as she advocates that historical use of cosplay should include cavemen dressing up when telling stories around the fire and those masked balls.

Her arguments pertaining to those more recent cosplay tributes in manga, anime and videogames are supported in a selection of stunning photographs from conventions from the 1980s and 1990s. The use of these genres in cosplay is supported in her fascinating research and histories of these unique forms of cosplay.

She details the first uses of manga (cartoon strips) that led to the rise of anime (animated cartoons) in Japan and the impact of video games on cosplayers worldwide. She illustrates these genres, by including some fantastic photographs and pictures from magazines on a wide range of characters. These colourful additions to the book also reinforce the fun nature of this activity.

Swinyard then looks at the theories which are consciously or unconsciously used when designing costumes. She describes how to create a fictional character in-depth. This in her deep analysis of how you can create and design a costume and she reflects on how using cosplay you can tribute the well known, Star Wars character, Luke Skywalker. She provides valuable information on internet sources that can assist you in designing costumes. In this section, she reinforces that cosplay is an activity that can encourage new creative skills such as embroidery, machine work and sewing activities.

Finally, Swinyard shares her valuable tips for the fledgling or seasoned cosplayer with tips on how to add to your costume. She has some fabulous insights into how you can accessorise a costume with props of all sorts such as makeup, wigs and prosthetics. She also adds that these final costumes are often shared within the cosplaying community through the use of photographs or video and often share the creative process.

Throughout this book, Swinyard supports her writing with over 130 fantastic photographs of some inspirational cosplayers in all manner of tributes. These photographs show the inclusivity of cosplayers as they show cosplayers in all shapes, sizes, genders and ages. Each cosplayer is featured in a variety of shots which beautifully demonstrate this cosplayer’s love for their craft in the creation of their chosen character. The use of such a wide range of cosplayers and costumes reinforces many of the themes which are prevalent throughout this book.

Swinyard’s exuberance of this subject is always present in her warm telling of this subject and in her detailed look at the history and practice of cosplay in relation to manga, anime and video games. Swinyard’s themes strengthen the idea that this is a fun hobby, an art and a creative hobby that can appeal to wherever your imagination takes you.

Just reading about this hobby, brought back fun childhood memories of dressing up as a princess, accessorising my outfit with a tin foil crown (and probably a glittery handbag) and then plastering make-up on my face. This book reignited my love of that childhood hobby. Now as an adult, perhaps the next time I go to a convention, it will be in a cosplay inspired costume. And that in doing that I can dress up as whoever I want, express my individuality with my level of creativity and know I’ll not be judged. And know, in the words of that well known Frank Sinatra song,

“And more, much more than this, I did it my way.”

NetGalley, Gill Jacob

I enjoyed this book! I'm already pretty familiar with cosplaying and the community, but I learned a few things while reading. This is a great read for anyone new or wherever you are in your cosplaying journey.

NetGalley, Maddison Brinson

An excellent introductory guide. Has a fantastic opening section all about the History of Gaming Cosplay including some great pictures based on early cons- It's fascinating to see the differences between some early conventions and something like LFCC or San Diego Comic-Con.
The photo images are both high quality and show a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. This is a great change as many older cosplay books only show 'modelesque' or sexy cosplayers. In this one you have fuller-figured characters and many different skin tones which shows how cosplay is all-inclusive... All in all, a very useful book with enough variety to give you ideas and help you take your first steps into Cosplay.

NetGalley, Lydia Timpson