Oh gods no, I wasn't implying you would judge, I hope it didn't come across that way... I was a bit worried about wording it incase I worded it badly, argh

Actually most Japanese people aren't that pale, most are darker than me (they think I have pale skin). Not hugely, but if you notice in Anime where they make an effort to show the difference between an Asian and a causcian, they tend to make the Asian darker (e.g. look at Tiger and Bunny). The Japanese can very obsessed with staying as pale as they can though, they'll wear long sleeves in the height of summer and hide under umbrella's to keep themselves from getting a tan. Again, they don't really have bigger eyes than we do either.
I do think that anime characters are more based/influenced by Asian features, but it's more due to the rounder faces and soft features. Caucasians have stronger facial features, in very general terms, and this comes across in the western comic drawings. Besides, most anime bodies are more Caucasian and there are too many blonde hair blue haired characters for me to give much though to that side.

What you need to bare in mind with Pop stars and the such is that, chances are, they will be very attractive and so they'll be the 'cream of Asian aesthetics' (I'm very tired so I can't think of a better way of phrasing that), which is what anime characters are designed to be; the ideal for beauty. So yes, they will look more like anime characters.

So while I get your point and agree with it to a certain degree, I'm not with you the whole way.

I think you should look a little bit like the character you're cosplaying (but what's the point in cosplaying if you look 100% like them?!).

Cosplay characters you enjoy but use pieces of your costume to make yourself look more like the character than you already do!

I wont argue. But I still think they do look more like anime characters. Tan skin or not. ^^
They did create anime after all. I am well aware of how the japanese look. Ive watched old samurai movies from the 1940's and so on. They where tan of corse, and thier features where not that of most Japanese idols today. But in my oppinion they still look very similair to anime characters. Im not saying thier eyes are as huge as anime characters. My goodness, I dont think its humanly possible for people to have those big eyes, but they are shaped like Japanese eyes. (like I said before, more cartoonized) As for the blonde hair blue eyes. If you where to give every female character in a moe anime black hair, and brown eyes, they would all look the same. For the fact that its the same style in drawing for the series. I feel that the Japanese just want to explore other looks like many other countries do. (dyeing thier hair, make up, ect.) dont see it as them trying to look like a caucasian. I think you are right about them wanting lighter skin, and that its considered beautiful. Although I do know that some Japanese are naturaly light becuse of the climate in Japan. Even in Korea.
My point is that I dont think the Japanese look like a stereotypical asian. I think they have a different look then most, and do look like anime characters. (though not all of course)
Just expressing my oppinon, and getting my point across. ^^

On a little bit of a humorous note, I find this man amazing

I dont think looks matter, Your never gonna look like a Anime character, Giant eyes and crazy body shape you'ld look super freaky in real life
But I get what you mean, I think as long as the cosplayer is having fun thats enouth for me. But I've noticed the best cosplayers have the mannerisms of the characters aswell!

Viva la Cosplayers!

I think the only time looking like the character might matter is if the costume is basic or a closet cosplay.

The costume itself might not be recognisible if it was basic or a generic outfit. So looking like the character will come in to play. Of course, this only matters if you are an 'impact cosplayer' who likes the response they might get on a first glance or want to be noticed as that character.

In terms of attractiveness, I'm not sure. I think that is a very tricky subject as each person will have a view point on what they find attractive.

To an extent, maybe. But I do believe that you should just cosplay who and what makes you happy.

Though I will sometimes take into account my looks when choosing a character to cosplay. If I think that I really can't pull it off then I probably won't bother.

I kinda like what my mum says on this subject




When I asked about other media designs she told me to shut up and that

So there we go.

For someone who has dementia/amnesia, she's spot on.

Your mom is right .

I really don't care about looks , because in cosplay your that character anyone can cosplay . All that matters is how well you do it , how much effort you put in and how much you love the character !!!

*is totally a stupid bear*

~_~

Sorry, the first was a typo on my part, it was suppose to be 'but', not 'and'. It was supposed to be pointing out that because so many anime characters have so very unjapanese hair and eye colour, I hardly see the body type not-being you're typical Asian type as something to be thought about much. However, I never said anything about them trying to be Caucasian.

Yes, some are naturally light, like some British are naturally have a darker skin tone, but very few are as light as you'd see in you're typical anime/manga.

I think the biggest thing that sets the Japanese apart to identify them is their fashion sense. When I was working in Oxford Pizza Hut, I could often tell who was Japanese not by the features, but their clothes. They have distinctive features, just like the French have certain features, or the Italians and British do, but at the same time, it's pretty damn hard to tell the difference (I've had a similar conversation with Japanese people, and they say they can't tell the difference between Japanese, Korean, Chinese and other Asians).

I don't think Japanese people really look like Anime characters because, as so wonderfully stated by the people just before me, no one looks like anime character. If you're on a train in Japan, you don't look around and think how everyone look like anime characters. Chances are, the ones that do are what you would consider to be attractive. I've seen as many people in England that I've thought look just like a character as I have done in the real Japanese cosplay scene (by which I mean, not the photos that filter to us through the internet). But then maybe that's because what I'm interested in when I look at a cosplay is the costume, not the face or body that goes with it (though the mind inside can be just as interesting).

Besides, it's completely irrelevant. Cosplay is a hobby, what you look like shouldn't have any factor in your hobby. If you're having fun and you're not harming anyone, then I don't care.

Both those mothers are spot on! :3

You're not a stupid bear though xP

Some people like to be spot on, and some arent that fussed, I'm a bit of both really, although I am more likely to cosplay someone that I think I have a little in common with regarding features. I tend to pick costumes a little more carefully because I wear glasses.

As long as you are enjoying yourself it doesnt matter

That is excellent advice. Your Mum is awesome.