It all started very innocently. When my son was very young, he got into Pokemon, as a number of little boys have. On every trip to the store, he would beg for more Pokemon cards. He had the toys, the t-shirts, and watched the series on TV. I watched with him sometimes - actually, I kind of enjoyed it, and I pretty much understood it.
When my daughter was old enough, she got into Pokemon, too - I think mainly to keep up with her big brother. From there it was onto Yu Gi Oh, Naruto, Bleach, Death Note, etc., etc. More cards, toys, t-shirts, posters, and videos. They would get together with friends to play with the cards or to act out the programs.
Then, a few years ago, my kids discovered the anime conventions - or "cons" as they are known. They aren't quite the same as the sci-fi conventions - you won't see any Trekkies at these! But you will see so many other characters! So far, my kids have just attended the conventions in Louisiana. But they are consumed by them. They order wigs and cosplays (as the costumes are known); they scour thrift and consignment stores looking for clothing that will fit the look they are going for. Everything must be precise - almost just isn't good enough for them. They experimented with makeup and hairstyles. As I have already said, I do not really sew, but I have had to try to pull together last minute items such as a hat and a tunic - without a pattern.
Lord knows, I never thought that I would buy, much less help put in, red contact lenses for my son. Nor did I think I would ever dye his hair black, buy him eyeliner (aka "guyliner"), or paint his fingernails. Again, it could be worse - no new piercings or tattoos!
I have fretted with my kids, worrying that a custom made cosplay would not arrive from China in time - which happened this past weekend. I have turned the house upside down looking for props or accessories. I have cleaned up scraps of fabric and thrown away towels with paint spots.
During the con, I have driven back & forth to the hotel numerous times over the course of the weekend with changes of clothes, forgotten items, and food. This past weekend, my husband and I got a room in the hotel where the con was held - every 5 minutes, there was a knock on the door. It was always one of our kids, along with several of their friends. They needed a place to change or a snack. That room was quite full of various costumed characters at times!
My son met his girlfriend at a con last year. Good news - she can sew! And she does it very well! And she puts up with him when he gets crazed about getting his hair or nails or whatever perfect! If she can teach my two to sew, she will be perfect in my eyes!
Overall, the cosplayers are a good bunch of kids. Most of them have above average intelligence. I'm sure that this group is like so many others - kids that hadn't found a place to fit in elsewhere. I know parents who have curtailed or even forbidden their kids when it comes to all things Japanese. I would just like to find a way to cash in since so many of these kids seem to buy anything and everything at the cons.
I guess it all comes down to the parental golden rule - pick your battles. I don't want this to be one. I enjoy sitting back and watching the parade of interesting outfits go by, while driving my kids crazy by asking repeatedly, "Who is he dressed as? Who is she? What show is that one from?"
"Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto!"
I have heard that anime is really hip! There was a con in Boston last week.
ReplyDelete