Editing Cosplay (section)

===Cosplay in Western countries===
[[File:MCM 2013 - Willy Wonka & Mad Hatter (8978291669).jpg|thumb|[[Willy Wonka]] (from [[Tim Burton]]'s ''[[Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (film)|Charlie and the Chocolate Factory]]'') and the [[Hatter (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)|Mad Hatter]] (from Burton's ''[[Alice in Wonderland (2010 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'') at the 2013 London Comic Con. The two film characters are portrayed by [[Johnny Depp]].]]
Western cosplay's origins are based primarily in science fiction and fantasy [[fandom]]s. It is also more common for Western cosplayers to recreate characters from live-action series than it is for Japanese cosplayers. Western costumers also include subcultures of hobbyists who participate in [[Renaissance faire]]s, [[live action role-playing game]]s, and [[historical reenactment]]s. Competition at science fiction conventions typically include the masquerade (where costumes are presented on stage and judged formally) and hall costumes<ref>{{cite web |url=https://animesho.com/product-category/apparel-cosplay/cosplay/ |title=Costumes from Asia |date=October 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031211813/https://animesho.com/product-category/apparel-cosplay/cosplay/ |archive-date=31 October 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://1994.worldcon.org/depts/masquerade/info.html |title=ConAdian Masquerade rules |date=September 1994 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054747/http://1994.worldcon.org/depts/masquerade/info.html |archive-date=21 September 2013 }}</ref>

The increasing popularity of Japanese animation outside of Asia during the late 2000s led to an increase in American and other Western cosplayers who portray manga and anime characters. Anime conventions have become more numerous in the West in the previous decade, now competing with science fiction, comic book and historical conferences in attendance. At these gatherings, cosplayers, like their Japanese counterparts, meet to show off their work, be photographed, and compete in costume contests.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cosplaynewsnetwork.com/comic-con-cosplay/|title=Comic Con Cosplay {{!}} Why We Go To NYCC|date=26 September 2018|work=Cosplay News Network|access-date=10 October 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115183837/https://cosplaynewsnetwork.com/comic-con-cosplay/|url-status=live}}</ref> Convention attendees also just as often dress up as Western comic book or animated characters, or as characters from movies and video games.

Differences in taste still exist across cultures: some costumes that are worn without hesitation by Japanese cosplayers tend to be avoided by Western cosplayers, such as outfits that [[Nazi chic#Asia|evoke Nazi uniforms]]. Some Western cosplayers have also encountered questions of legitimacy when playing characters of canonically different racial backgrounds,<ref>{{cite web|title = Questions of Race and Cosplay|url = http://cosplay.kotaku.com/of-race-relations-doctor-who-and-cosplay-1569687290/1569955690|website = Kotaku Cosplay|access-date = 22 October 2015|language = en-US|archive-date = 22 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222114036/http://cosplay.kotaku.com/of-race-relations-doctor-who-and-cosplay-1569687290/1569955690|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = The Controversy of Skin Color in Cosplay: Racism or Not?|url = http://du.uloop.com/news/view.php/58865/opinion-controversial-cosplayers-are-not-racist|website = Uloop|access-date = 22 October 2015|archive-date = 7 April 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210407232911/https://du.uloop.com/news/view.php/58865/opinion-controversial-cosplayers-are-not-racist|url-status = live}}</ref> and people can be insensitive to cosplayers playing as characters who are canonically of other skin color.<ref>{{cite web |author=T |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comicsandcosplay/columns/cosplaydossier/14782-Ghostbusters-Cosplay-is-Great-Because-its-Normal |title=Ghostbusters Cosplay is Great Because its Normal &#124; Cosplay Dossier &#124; The Escapist |website=Escapistmagazine.com |date=13 October 2015 |access-date=6 February 2016 |archive-date=7 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207002325/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comicsandcosplay/columns/cosplaydossier/14782-Ghostbusters-Cosplay-is-Great-Because-its-Normal |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comicsandcosplay/columns/cosplaydossier/15050-Five-Ways-of-Taking-The-Hurt-Out-of-Online-Cosplay-Haters |title=Five Ways of Taking The Hurt Out of Online Cosplay Haters &#124; Cosplay Dossier &#124; The Escapist |website=Escapistmagazine.com |date=24 November 2015 |access-date=6 February 2016 |archive-date=7 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207000727/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comicsandcosplay/columns/cosplaydossier/15050-Five-Ways-of-Taking-The-Hurt-Out-of-Online-Cosplay-Haters |url-status=dead }}</ref> Western cosplayers of anime characters may also be subjected to particular mockery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comicsandcosplay/columns/cosplaydossier/14365-Understanding-Anime-Cosplay |title=Understanding Anime Cosplay &#124; Cosplay Dossier &#124; The Escapist |website=Escapistmagazine.com |date=28 July 2015 |access-date=6 February 2016 |archive-date=7 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207004312/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comicsandcosplay/columns/cosplaydossier/14365-Understanding-Anime-Cosplay |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In contrast to Japan, the wearing of costumes in public is more accepted in the UK, Ireland, US, Canada and other western countries. These countries have a longer tradition of [[Halloween]] costumes, fan costuming and other such activities. As a result, for example, costumed convention attendees can often be seen at local restaurants and eateries, beyond the boundaries of the convention or event.<ref name="Kincaid" /><ref name="Winge" />