cosplay, the act or practice of dressing up as a character from a preexisting work of fiction. The term is derived from a Japanese portmanteau—kosupure—drawn from the words kosuchuumu (“costume”) and pure (“play”). Cosplay has become commonplace among fans of stories and characters depicted in various forms of mass media, including anime, comic books, video games, television, and film. Most cosplay is done by hobbyists for fun, although professional cosplay modeling and cosplay competitions are also popular. Cosplay is distinguished from dressing up for Halloween or other special occasions in that the primary purpose is to portray or inhabit a ...(100 of 821 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!