Letters to the Editor

Under the Tree

To The Editor: I enjoyed the conventioneering issue quite a bit except for the hyper-critical, meandering article supposedly centered around cosplay.

While a solid report is packed into the second and third pages, the author spends the bulk of the first on unnecessarily tearing down Western culture. Perhaps he didn't realize this wasn't a debate and that his praise of cosplay culture wouldn't be elevated by trash talk.

Instead, he churned out a piece the thesis of which is some amalgam of "Cosplay is amazing" and "Fuck you arrogant, uncreative, Western pigs."

That the media arts culture of Japan is different than that of the United States certainly doesn't qualify it as more praiseworthy nor relegate U.S. costume play to an "outlet for creatively starved people." It's the "narrow-minded Westerners" after all who founded the now-worldwide S.C.A. along with participating in the zombie walks and historical reenactments the author snidely dismisses as cosplay for a purpose. As if they all only occurred for a purpose. As if those that have a purpose are any more ripe for derision.

When dumping on U.S. teens for fawning over celebrities, your writer casually ignored the still-thriving Japanese idol scene. He didn't mention the huge impact these admittedly-manufactured celebrities have on teen culture including - perhaps importantly on-topic - fashion. Rather, he paints a picture of Japanese youth who, unlike their Western counterparts, are liberated from the influence of celebrity and instead pour their great creative force into cosplay. Even if that wasn't total crap, it's slightly odd to heap so much praise for creativity on the act of recreating the outfit of an established character.

I don't disagree with all your man's information but I do take issue with the aforementioned points and, above all, his tone. Perhaps he should take up animegao himself so he can present his next piece with a more friendly face.

- Ironmaus

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In response to "Like a Flame at a Moth Convention" from The Escapist Forum: I would like to personally curse this article, for I now own a copy of Metal Wolf Chaos.

Damn you ebay. Damn you Escapist Magazine and your quality writing and content!

- BobisOnlyBob