Anime Goes Off the Deep End

This is going to piss off a lot of the anime/manga people.

I was using google image search just a minute ago to look up images from various games and anime shows. It turned up the usual unrelated crap (anybody see a connection between "Return of the Jedi" and "Family Guy?" 'Cause I don't), and the usual porn that comes up on even "moderate safe search." But then, as usual, it turned up the most disgusting, degrading, how-the-f**k-can-they-do-that-to-themselves trash I have ever seen. Just like every time I search for anything imported from Japan, it turned up....

Cosplay.

Yes, that's right, the people who so love their favorite anime, manga, or videogame, that they degrade it and themselves by dressing up like a character from it, and then take pictures. Anyone who sees these images becomes just a bit less intelligent. Which might explain why cosplay seems to be a growing fad-they share these pictures with the world, and thus spread their disease.

Now, I will readily admit to being a bit of an anime/manga person myself--but not to that level, thankfully. My friends always tell me I would engage in such behavior if I had the cash (my family keeps me perpetually broke), but they are dead wrong. I have enough trouble without acting like a complete fool.

Look, I may be wrong about the entire thing, but I think you have to have a very unique...malfunction..to act this way. Not only have you spent about $30 getting into the convention, and you'll also spend money on food, souvenirs, hotel rooms, etc. But now you've also spent probably upwards of $75 just on the costume, and may god protect you if you want to accessorize.

Seriously, though, I can understand this kind of thing...it it were little kids. Hell, I was Luke Skywalker for Haloween...whhn I was 7. But it isn't just little kids. We have teenagers and even adults doing this! For Christ's sake, use your money more wisely, people! Get a better hotel room or more souvenirs. I understand that acting like an idiot it your god-given right, but is this really how you want the internet community to see you? Wearing a crappy Tidus costume for a drunken groping session with a Seras Victoria lookalike? Stop degrading yourselves and these characters and just wear jeans and a t-shirt. If they're interested, people will ASK you what anime/manga/game you like. If they aren't, don't shove it in their faces.

And before you start flaming me, I know I don't have to look at these pics, there are other ways to get the images I want, but it's MY god-given right to complain, so that's what I'm gonna do. If you don't like it...don't read it.

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10-30-2k5

Lately I've softened up quite a bit on the cosplay folks, partly 'cause I've kind of softened up on lots of my convictions. I mean, I've gotten to the point where if I can afford it, and do it properly, there are a few characters I wouldn't mind dressing as. Most of the stuff above still stands, though.