Cosplay - Adults Dressing Up Like Comic Book and Cartoon Characters

For people who do not read comic books, or watch cartoons, or play video games, they would look at Cosplay and its followers with a hint of skepticism. In fact to date, many people may not have even heard of the term.

Short for "costume play", Cosplay has been defined as a type of live performance art wherein the participants dress up as a specific fictional character normally found in comic books, cartoon shows or video games. The term was actually coined by Nobuyuki Takahashi. The most common characters portrayed are those from Japanese fiction like anime, manga, hentai and tokusatsu. From Japan, Cosplay has grown into popularity not only in Asia, but in Australia, Europe and America as well. For the latter places, cosplayers generally recreate live action series like Star Trek, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

Others would also define Cosplay as a sub-culture organized and comprised by many participants all over the world, whose interaction is primarily centered on costumed role-playing, outside the customary venues for the same. Another use for Cosplay is sexual role-play that exhibits people's sexual fetishes. In Japan, there are love hotels that offer costume rentals, and image clubs that feature this more intimate type of Cosplay. Lastly, there are other cosplayers who are more into modeling rather than acting.

In Cosplay, a person's gender and sexual preference are immaterial. In fact, there are two identified kinds of cosplayers: the crossplayers and the crossdressers. Crossplaying is when a person plays the role of the opposite sex. On the other hand, crossdressing is wearing the clothes of the opposite sex. A cosplayer can be either or he can be a crossdresser and a crossplayer at the same time.

Today, one can see cosplayers all over the internet, keeping in touch and exchanging views, photos and updates through online forums, websites and social networks. They meet in Cosplay public events like conventions and join parties and gatherings in cafes, bars and clubs. Some known cosplayers are Lee Teng-hui, Taiwan's first President; Daisuke Enomoto, a Japanese entrepreneur; Yuichiro Nagashima, a Japanese kickboxer and martial artist; Liana Kerzner, a Canadian talk show host; and the Philippines' Cosplay Queen, Alodia Gosiengfiao.

Justin Cooke is an author and partner at TryBPO.com, a Philippines outsourcing company based in Davao City, Philippines. Additionally, he creates niche informational sites about topics such as water bottle label template and buy vitamin supplements for a variety of different industries.

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Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Characters Come to Life

The world of Skyland has been taken over by KAOS and his cohorts. Skylander's original, native inhabitants have been frozen and vanquished to Earth. They can only be saved by placing them on the Portal of Power to thaw them and transport them back to their homeland of Skyland. Once there they will need to battle the evil, powerful KAOS and his forces to take back their native land. Using their magical powers and weapons, the Skylanders face many obstacles, adventures and battles before their mission can be completed.

In this adventure video game, toys come to life, characters remember and learn, battles rage and treasures are collected. Children can collect the toy character figures of Skyland and place the ones they wish to play into the game. The Portal of Power transports the thirty different Skylander figurines to life on the screen and allows interaction between toys, child and video game.

The thirty figurine characters each have their own personalities, abilities and magical powers to use to fight the dreaded Portal Master KAOS and his army of bad guys. Each Skylander character has their own personal history and originates from one of eight element categories: air, fire, water, earth, life, undead, magic and tech. The element origination helps determine their individual magical powers and abilities.

By placing these various characters on the Portal of Power, the toy comes to life in the game and can work alone or can join in cooperation with others to fight evil together. They can also fight one another in a battle arena if so chosen. Players choose which they wish to do.

Characters such as Spyros, Whirlwind, Ghost Roasters, Slam Bam and Dino Rang come in various packs. The Starter Pack, Single Character Pack, 3 Character Pack and Adventure Pack are all available and each contains characters, universe codes and sticker sheets, as well as trading cards. The Portal of Power comes with the Starter Pack which contains the adventure software for the game.

With many different adventures, locations, challenges and puzzles, the game is always a new and exciting experience rather than repetitive. Children become the good Portal Masters directing their magical warriors in a battle with the evil cohorts of KAOS, the evil portal master. There is cartoon violence in the game and it is suggested for play by children aged 10 and above. While made for children, many adults will enjoy these adventure figures and play action when their Spyro's Adventure characters come to life.

The special action figures for Skylanders have brought a new element to video games for children through the transportation of the figures with the Portal of Power to their gaming system screens. Video games will never be quite the same with this new avenue of interactive play now available for all to experience. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure can be played on most all major gaming systems and online. Game manuals are available online for download. The National Parenting Center issued their Seal Of Approval in 2011.

Jason Forthofer is the owner of an online guide to Skylanders characters where you gave view pictures, descriptions and videos of your favorite Skylanders.

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Most Useful Video Game Support Characters

Fawkes - (Fallout 3)
Quote: "No more games, time to die!"

Fawkes is one of many potential companions in Fallout 3. Other helpers include Dogmeat the dog, Clover the slave, and Charon...the zombie man. I'm sure you can see why I chose Fawkes. This behemoth of a creature is one of the few super mutants in the post-apocalyptic wasteland that has retained a sense of civility and intelligence. And when intellect doesn't solve the problem, his giant Gatling laser will.

Sanguine's Dremora - (The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim)
Quote: "Another; who seeks death!"

From the get-go, Skyrim immerses players into a world rife with danger and hostility. This is no Wizard of Oz. The Dragonborn has to worry about much more menacing foes than lions, tigers, and bears. How about Dragons, Mammoths, and Draugrs? It's always helpful to have a little backup in dire times such as these. With the use of the Sanguine Rose, players can summon their own demonic henchman instantly into battle. Helpful AND smells nice.

Sheva/Chris - (Resident Evil 5)
Sheva Quote: "Your time's up you son of a bitch!"

Chris Quote: "I'm no superhero. But together, we can end this."

I couldn't have said it better myself. Zombies suck, and that's not including the other biologic monstrosities that lurk within the African landscape. Hey it's always nice having someone to take an inventory-organizing-break with too.

Metal Gear Mk. II - (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)
Quote: "Robot Sounds"

What has two legs, stealth capability, a built-in taser and is controlled with a PS3 Dualshock 3? The answer is either the Mk. II or a really weird custom controller. While this robot does border the lines of cuteness, it makes up for its unassuming appearance with a multitude of helpful tools, gizmos, and gadgets. Why should Old Snake approach a band of enemy soldiers head on when he can utilize the Mk. II? Cloaking allows the Mk. II to sneak up behind unaware soldiers with ease. Its manipulator arm can emit a shock wave that knocks foes unconscious. Not to mention that this little guy can pick up items riddled across the battlefield AND it can be controlled from a remote location. If anyone hasn't guessed, I want one for Christmas.

Navi - (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)
Quote: "HEY? HELLO? LOOK? LISTEN? WATCH OUT!"

Navi is a know-it-all. She is a floating orb of encyclopedia knowledge that often presents itself in the worst or most unneeded circumstances. While many would argue that Navi's intrusions could be considered annoying, as an 8-year-old playing my first 3D Zelda adventure, I'd regard her inferences as a healthy mix of helpful tips and unaccommodating comments.

Donald and Goofy - (Kingdom Hearts Series)
Donald Quote: "Aw, what do you know, you big palooka"?

Goofy Quote: "Gawrsh! Don't like the looks of this place. I bet it's crawlin' with ghosts!"

The Kingdom Hearts series is about the weirdest idea for a video game that I've ever seen. Somehow the mix of Disney nostalgia and JRPG storytelling just works. I never thought that I'd be equipping some of my childhood icons with battle gear against hordes of souless monsters, but hey Donald and Goofy are surprisingly effective. What better companions could a pre-teen protagonist ask for other than real-life cartoon characters? Sora is one lucky guy.

King of Red Lions - (The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker)
Quote: "You must believe in your own courage, which has led you to triumph over the many hardships you have faced...and you must triumph once again! You must rise above the trial of the gods!"

The King of Red Lions is the King of Hyrule turned into a nautical vessel, and boy is he a trooper. His royal blood in no way effects his unquestionable work ethic, traipsing across a limitless ocean to help out a little boy clad in green clothes. What this boat lacks in stature, he more than makes up for in perseverance and usefulness in a world comprised almost entirely of water.

The Darkness - (The Darkness Series)
Quote: "Learn that you are my puppet!"

The Darkness is a double-edged sword. On one hand, yielding an all-powerful malevolent entity grants its host, Jackie Estacado a ton of badass powers including dual, soul-eating serpents. On the other hand, the longer the Darkness' power is used, the faster it will consume and completely take over the host. Regardless, that thing saved Jackie's life on more than one occasion, plus, having a god-like creature on your side can't be the worst thing to happen.

Shadowmere - (The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim)
Quote: "Horse sounds"

Transportation comes in all shapes and sizes in the video game world, with cars representing only the tip of the ice berg. Who wants to drive when you can ride on the back of a demon horse? Born out of a pool of darkness and sporting glowing red eyes, Shadowmere is no ordinary horse. Not only does this noble steed carry your character across one of the largest maps in the history of gaming, he is ready and willing to fight just about any creature that you can imagine. Dragon versus horse? Don't count Shadowmere out.

Dominic Santiago - (Gears of War Series)
Quote: "But I'm Dom. I'm a good guy. I don't threaten women, this isn't me, honestly."

In the world of everything delicious, peanut butter has jelly. In Gears of War, protagonist Marcus Fenix had Dominic Santiago. Like two peas in a pod, the war buddies have been to hell and back, through thick and thin, and in the face of such adversity, the duo have saved lives and ensured the survival of the human race. Awww.

Claymore - (Call of Duty Series)
Quote: "BOOM"

Some say the dog is man's best friend, others say a gun is the soldier's key ally; I say the claymore is quite possibly the best supporting character in Call of Duty's bag of goodies. This item of destruction can be a player's best asset on in the midst of combat, especially in Modern Warfare 2. Picture this, enemies abound, flanks at every turn, and a less than reliable team mate at your side, what are you to do? Utilizing the Scavenger Pro perk in combination with a certain explosive comrade allows for an infinite supply of Claymores and thus, a relatively impenetrable defense from enemies flanking from the rear or slipping through the cracks. Too bad they are practically useless in MW3.

Who are some of your favorite video game helpers?

For more articles written by a gamer girl, check out Gamer Girl Tay.

My name is Taylor Stein. I'm a college student and avid gamer who loves to reach people of similar interest through writing. After founding gamingprecision.com I decided to pursue a solo venture that would encapsulate my personal gaming journey called Gamer Girl Tay.

Gamer Girl Tay adds a personal edge to gaming featuring reviews, the latest in the video game industry, and gaming culture. This site is not only a place to gather information, but also a hub to meet other gamers, discuss hot trends, and experience all that video games have to offer. I hope you enjoy my personal journey through gaming, filled with humor, rants, and personal opinions.

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