(Photo credit: Donald Tong of Pexels)
Cosplay (short for “costume play”) is a popular pastime among fans of anime, manga, comics, video games, books, and other media. People who cosplay are called cosplayers. They dress up as characters from a movie, series, book or video game.
Most cosplayers put a lot of time and effort into perfecting their costumes and accessories, and even thoroughly study their characters to accurately portray them, down to the smallest gestures. It’s an understatement to say that cosplayers are passionate about their craft. That said, what gift could make a cosplayer happy? If you are lucky enough to have one in your life, here are some ideas to get you started.
Wig
Many characters in anime, comics, and video games tend to have colorful hair that doesn’t come naturally to people. For that reason, wigs are an indispensable part of every cosplayer’s armor. However, high-quality wigs can be expensive. Help a cosplayer friend get the wig he wants for a character.
You can ask them about it to make sure you get the right one, as an accurate hairstyle is a detail that cosplayers pay a lot of attention to. If you don’t want to spoil the surprise, ask them about their cosplay plans and look up the character. Search online for stores that sell wigs for that character. Please read reviews and compare the actual wig to the character’s hairstyle before purchasing. Your gift will be very excited to receive your gift.
Hair products and accessories
Many wigs, even high-quality ones, need some modification to perfectly capture the character’s hairstyle. That’s why you should consider giving your friend hair products such as professional hair cutting scissors, hairspray, combs and razors. Those are very useful for cosplay, especially if you make your own costumes and customize your wigs.
Costume
Since building a cosplay from scratch or altering an existing costume can be time consuming and expensive, costume gifts are highly appreciated by cosplayers. If you feel confident with your sewing skills, you could make them a costume. With that said, you should talk to your friend about the character he would like to dress up and ask him what he is looking for in a costume. Also consider materials and colors. Your cosplayer friend will feel lucky to receive a gift made especially for him. They will appreciate the time, effort and thought you have put into making the gift of him.
Cosplay DVD or Blu-ray set
An anime or manga game on DVD or Blu-ray or a movie based on your friend’s character would make a great gift. You could even ask them which one they want, so you can decide what to buy. Some DVD or Blu-ray games may not be available in your area, so purchase your gift about a month in advance to allow time for shipping and delays.
The good news is that many small shops now sell products from abroad, such as anime DVDs or Blu-ray sets from Japan. You just need to google these online stores or visit anime forums to find them. Be sure to check that the DVD or Blu-ray you buy has subtitles if your friend doesn’t understand the language.
leather set
Cosplayers use many different materials for their costumes, and leather is one of the most versatile materials among them. It is used to make armor, accessories, accessories, and even shoes. A leather kit would make a useful gift for cosplayers because it contains everything they need to make the pieces they couldn’t find elsewhere or don’t have time to sew. It is perfect for beginners who are just starting to sew leather.
jewelry making kit
Photo by Maksim Goncharenok from Pexels
Jewelry is said to be the best cosplay accessory because there are no limits to what you can design. Consider buying a jewelry making kit as a gift for your cosplaying friend. It will allow your friend to make their own props and even props or start learning how to do it. If your friend is a beginner to jewelry making, make sure your gift includes an instruction guide, basic tools, and all the supplies (e.g., plastic models, sheet metal, wire, and embellishments) needed to get started to make jewelry right away.
Sewing machine
Cosplayers are always making costumes, and there is nothing as useful as a good machine that can handle their workload. If they already have one, check to see if they could use an upgrade. It might also be helpful to have one made specifically for leather work, as many cosplayers use leather. You can also get them sewing tools and supplies so they have everything they need to get started.
Patterns or Books
Many cosplayers make their own costumes and accessories. Picking up some sewing patterns or craft books would further help them with their hobby. They could also use the patterns to sew different pieces for their costumes or make other clothes for everyday use. You can also find free patterns online, which you can collect for your friends and turn into a personalized book. They will appreciate the thought and energy you put into making the gift.
Make-up
Cosplayers like to experiment with their looks and you can see many of them wearing makeup. A makeup set would make a great gift for cosplayers because it contains everything they need to look like the character they’re dressing up as. Cosplayers often go through a lot of products, as changing your face to look like someone else requires a lot of makeup. Getting them quality makeup as a gift will go a long way. In addition, the makeup is also useful for daily use.
cosplay materials
You can also buy cosplay supplies for your cosplayer friend if they are making their own costume. Most of the materials can be found online or at craft stores. If you want to give your cosplaying friend a super special gift, you can save a bit and buy premium materials. Nothing is more fun and motivating than having the best possible materials for your cosplay project.
Lightsaber, pistols and other replicas
Image of medieval collectibles
If your friend likes Star Wars, kendo, or any fighting game or anime with swords or other weapons, a good replica would be the perfect gift for them. Big fans of anime, movies, video games, and other media would be thrilled to receive a realistic replica of a weapon from their favorite show or era. It doesn’t matter if they can use the replica for cosplay or not.
body paints
Cosplayers use body paint to add detail to their costumes and stand out from the crowd. Body paints aren’t usually available in stores, so if you want to buy one for your cosplaying friend, you’ll have to find it online. Makeup stores sometimes sell body paints as well. Talk to your cosplaying friend ahead of time so you can purchase the right colors for your character. Be sure to also ask about any allergies to body paint.
Clothing or Accessories
If you plan to surprise a cosplayer friend with a formal outfit, make sure it’s from the same anime or manga series as their cosplay. You don’t want to give them the wrong outfit. For cosplayers who prefer casual clothing and accessories, there are plenty of those as well. Look for official anime products or those designed by independent artists. Alternatively, you can get personalized accessories such as a personalized phone case, mug, blanket, or t-shirt featuring your favorite characters or series.
custom pins
No cosplayer will turn down a unique custom pin printed or carved into their favorite anime character! They can use these custom pins to participate in comics, comic lovers clubs, movie-themed activities, and other related occasions. By complementing your costumes with these little accessories, custom pins can give you the best experience, and no manufacturer has the combination of high quality and low price that GS-JJ does.
cosplay tutorials
Online tutorials are a great help for cosplayers because it can be hard to find the time to practice your craft. If you want to give your cosplayer friend a gift that they will use all the time, you can compile some video tutorials or printouts of the ones they like. It doesn’t have to be an expensive gift either, just something to help them make their costumes more detailed.
Gift card
A gift card to a craft store is always welcome for cosplayers. You could get one for the store where your cosplayer friend likes to buy supplies from him, or you could give him a gift card from a general craft store. Gift cards are always useful because they give the recipient freedom in what to receive.
final thoughts
Cosplaying is not an easy task. After all, it takes hours of work and careful attention to detail to create a costume that looks good and stays put in photos, panels, and other events. Show your support by giving your cosplaying friend gifts that they can use for their passion.