Background of Stakeholders

By: Lauren Brener

LolitasLolita fashion began in the 1970s-1980s and was first referred to as “doll fashion.” Independent stores like “Jane Marple” and “Emily Temple Cute” inspired teenage girls to attend indie band concerts wearing these outfits. Rock bands such as “X Japan” embraced “visual kei,” or feminine makeup, outlandish apparel and an “obsession with the visual,” as stated by the Asianbeats website.

As popularity grew, new stores opened that offered the latest fashions to these pop icons, as well as their adoring fans. Branches of Lolita emerged as time went on, heavily characterized by kawaii (cute) culture represented in Japan.

Early “Nagomu” Girls admired fashion and music from independent bands

Mana, leader of the Japanese band “Malice Mizer” was one of the founding figures of Goth Lolita fashion. He used a feminine appearance as a means of visual expression.

Main Types of Lolitas

Sweet Lolitas are characterized by:• Pastel colors • Lace, ribbons, youthful dress

patterns• Hair accessories, wigs and bows• Notable Sweet Lolita: Princess

Peachie (pictured above)

Gothic Lolitas are characterized by:• Black, silver, white dresses and lace • Motifs such as bats, skulls and

vampires• Often-muted wig colors • Dark Victorian appearance• Notable Gothic Lolita: Lillith Gray

(above)

Classic Lolitas are characterized by:• Victorian and Rococo styles• Floral and muted hues, velvets • Parasols, handkerchiefs, gloves• A love for classical music• Notable Classic Lolita: Stephanie (Mari),

above

Country Lolita Ouji (men’s style)

Hime (princess)

Other Styles of Lolita

Pastimes and Activities Typically, Lolitas enjoy participating in meetups, or gatherings with other members of their subculture. Popular places are:• Tea Houses • Bakeries • Craft stores • Parks or museums • Concerts featuring music enjoyed by most-

to-all participants, such as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Emilie Autumn and Ali Project

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

“Living Dolls”Women who are “living dolls” may not embrace the same activities that Lolitas do. “Dolls” often create makeup tutorials and model for fashion brands with ethereal marketing concepts. They feel that plastic surgery and Circle contact lenses achieve a “plastic” appearance, which is perceived as flawless in their community. Some “living dolls” like Venus Palermo (Venus Angelic) recreate a childlike, Japanese-inspired image for their skin to appear similar to porcelain.

Venus AngelicAnastasiya Shpagina’s many faces of makeup talent

Lolita and “Living Doll” BlogsTumblr blogs are common online places where Lolitas and “living dolls” share outfit decisions, meet-up locations and inspire prospective members to join their subculture.

Princess Peachie’s Tumblr Blog

“The Doll House,” by lifeinplastic21

CosplayersCosplay originated in the United States during the late 1930s. Instead of dressing as a particular character, convention participants coordinated their outfit with the event in which they were attending, such as Forrest J. Ackerman’s futuristic attire for a sci-fi gathering. Both the manga series “Urusei Yatsura” and the animated television show “Mobile Suit Gundam” encouraged Japanese college students to support their favorite entertainment by dressing as characters and performing re-enactments. In 1984, the term “cosplay” was created by reporter Nobuyuki Takahashi after he attended Worldcon in Los Angeles, California. Originally meant to be referred to as “masquerading,” Takahashi combined the words “costume” and “play” to reference the idea. Throughout the years, cosplay has become the most popular way for fans of media and entertainment to express themselves and communicate with others who appreciate their interests.

Forrest J. Ackerman and his girlfriend Myrtle Douglas (Morojo) at the Worldcon, circa 1939. Douglas is considered the “First Lady of Cosplay” for her initial creations

Source: http://the-artifice.com/cosplay-overview/

Famous Cosplayers

Alexia Jean Grey as “Motoko Kusanagi”

Alodia Gosiengfiao as “Hatsune Miku”

Jeff Siegert as “Raiden”

Activities Outside of ConventionsWhen not attending a convention, cosplayers usually construct outfits and props to prepare for their next events. People like CosplayMandy and A.R. Shrewsberry manage online stores on Etsy to sell their handmade designs. If a certain character is very popular, cosplayers may choose to construct their outfits or discuss the series in video tutorials on Twitch and YouTube. Many people in this community play video games and record their adventures for fans to see.

YouTube stars like El Gamer Cosplayer re-enact scenes from beloved anime shows while in cosplay

Soul Gems inspired by the Madoka Magica anime created by WTFcharms (Etsy)

Most Popular ConventionsConventions are great places for cosplayers to display their artwork, meet voice actors and attend panels where creators discuss the entertainment industry unique to the event. • San Diego Comic Con • Dragon Con (Atlanta, GA) • Miami Supercon • Paradise City Comic Con (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)• New York Comic Con (New York, NY) • Animate! Miami • All-Con (Dallas, TX) • RuffleCon (Stamford, CT)• Salt Lake Comic Con (Salt Lake City, UT)

Cosplayer Blogs and Online StoresCosplayers enjoy sharing their creations with others, as well as selling products that aid fellow convention attendees with their outfits. Handmade costume elements unique to a certain anime or movie are in high demand as convention season rolls around.

Some of A.R. Shrewsberry’s Etsy products

“You Can Cosplay” Tumblr blog

Anime EnthusiastsAnime enthusiasts are present all around the globe, as Japanese cartoons have changed the ways that they perceive and interact with the world. The genres of anime (animated television series) and manga (graphic novel format) are endless, as authors fuse different combinations and worlds together. After World War II, a young cartoonist named Osamu Tezuka released his first creation, “Shintakarajima” (New Treasure Island) after becoming fascinated with western cartoons like those of Walt Disney. He later created “Astro Boy,” and is considered the “Father of Anime and Manga” for his new approach to Japanese entertainment. As the years progressed, new artists and producers, such as Hayao Miyazaki, of Studio Ghibli, and Masashi Kishimoto, creator of the Naruto manga, produced films that are widely respected by anime enthusiasts.

Osamu Tezuka holding an “Astro Boy” figurine

Hayao Miyazaki, pictured in front of his most beloved characters

Most-Celebrated Anime/Manga/Movies

My Neighbor Totoro Cowboy Bebop

Fullmetal Alchemist Naruto Black Butler

Clannad

Genres of Anime/Manga• Shonen – marketed towards boys ages 10-18 involving action, quest and comedy. (One Piece,

Dragon Ball Z, InuYasha)• Shojo/Shoujo – aimed at girls of the same age as Shonen, involving romance/relationships (La

Corda D’Oro, Cardcaptor Sakura, Fruits Basket)• Seinen – primarily for adult men and is characterized by darker or mature themes (Black

Lagoon, Battle Angel Alita, One Pound Gospel)• Josei – catering to adult women, which involves romantic themes and realistic portrayals of

life (Legend of Chun Hyang, Antique Bakery, Paradise Kiss) • Manhwa – Korean comics depicting people with more realistic physical attributes. Read left to

right, which is opposite of manga. (The Breaker, Can’t See Can’t Hear But Love, Angel Cup) • Manhua – Chinese comics that are the least well-known of Asian graphic novels. Read right to

left like traditional Japanese manga. (Chinese Hero: Tales of the Blood Sword, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Other Side of the Mirror)

Source: Kalen, Elizabeth F.S. “Mostly Manga: A Guide to Popular Manga, Manhwa, Manhua, and Anime.” ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2012. Print. 4 December 2016.

Anime Enthusiast Blogs/ChannelsPeople who are passionate about anime and manga update their blogs with fan art, discussions about stories, as well as possible alternate endings that may have improved a series. These blogs usually consist of daily messages, videos and GIFs of favorite shows.

Anime Obsession 101, a Tumblr blog

An anime Vlog on YouTube by Einshine

The End