# Convention Cosplay Meme Convention cosplay memes are the broad category of internet humor built around photos, videos, and moments captured at fan conventions like Comic-Con, Anime Expo, and similar events. Rooted in a tradition stretching back to 1939, convention cosplay became a staple of online meme culture in the 2000s as digital cameras and social media made it easy to share standout costumes, awkward encounters, and creative mashups from convention floors[1]. The format ranges from impressive craftsmanship showcases to low-budget joke costumes, all unified by the convention hallway as their stage. ## Origin The roots of convention cosplay trace back to the very first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939, when Forrest J Ackerman and Myrtle R. Douglas (known as Morojo) showed up in "futuristicostumes" based on pulp magazine artwork and the 1936 film *Things to Come*[1]. Ackerman later said he assumed everyone was supposed to wear a costume, though only he and Douglas actually did[1]. Fan costuming caught on quickly. By the 2nd Worldcon in 1940, the event had both an unofficial and official masquerade, with attendees dressing as characters from science fiction novels and comics[1]. The Japanese term "cosplay" (コスプレ) was coined in 1983 by Nobuyuki Takahashi of Studio Hard, who combined the English words "costume" and "play" using a common Japanese abbreviation method[1]. Takahashi chose to create a new term rather than use the Japanese translation of "masquerade," which he felt sounded old-fashioned and implied nobility[1]. As an internet meme format, convention cosplay took off in the early-to-mid 2000s when digital cameras became common at conventions and photo-sharing platforms gave attendees a way to broadcast their hallway encounters to a global audience. - **Platform:** Fan convention floors (source material), forums and social media (viral spread) - **Creator:** Unknown (community-created from fan convention culture) - **Date:** Early 2000s (as internet meme format) ## Overview Convention cosplay memes draw from the decades-old practice of wearing costumes to fan conventions, transformed into shareable internet content. The meme format typically features photos or videos taken on convention floors, capturing everything from screen-accurate replica costumes to intentionally absurd low-effort interpretations. Common subtypes include side-by-side "cosplay vs. character" comparisons, group cosplay photo ops, candid reaction shots, mashup costumes blending two unrelated franchises, and the classic hallway pose photo. What makes convention cosplay memetic isn't just the costumes themselves. It's the collision of fictional characters with mundane convention center settings, the unexpected creativity of cosplayers, and the communal experience of thousands of fans gathered in one place[1]. ## How It Spread The spread of convention cosplay memes followed the growth of internet photo culture. Early convention photos circulated on forums like Something Awful, 4chan's /cgl/ (Cosplay & EGL) board, and dedicated cosplay websites in the mid-2000s. As conventions grew in size and mainstream appeal through the 2010s, platforms like Tumblr, Reddit (particularly r/cosplay and r/gaming), Instagram, and TikTok became primary distribution channels. The rapid growth in cosplay participation since the 1990s turned convention cosplay into a significant slice of popular culture in Japan, East Asia, and the Western world[1]. Social networks, websites, and dedicated conventions centered on cosplay activities pushed convention photos into mainstream internet discourse[1]. Key annual events like San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic-Con, Anime Expo, and PAX became reliable sources of viral cosplay content, with media outlets publishing "best cosplay" roundups after each major convention. The meme format expanded beyond simple photo shares into structured templates: "expectation vs. reality" cosplay comparisons, "low-budget cosplay" humor where creators replicate characters using household items, and candid hallway encounter videos set to dramatic or comedic music on TikTok. ## How to Use Convention cosplay memes take several common forms: **Photo shares:** Post a striking, funny, or creative cosplay photo from a convention floor. Typically works best when the costume is either impressively accurate or hilariously off-base. **Cosplay vs. Character:** Place a photo of the cosplayer next to the original character for comparison. Used to highlight both impressive accuracy and comedic departures. **Low-budget cosplay:** Recreate a character using cardboard, tape, household items, or food. The humor comes from the gap between the recognizable character and the deliberately cheap materials. **Group cosplay:** Coordinate with friends to cosplay an entire cast. Often photographed in character poses that recreate iconic scenes. **Convention encounter videos:** Film a brief interaction with a cosplayer on the convention floor, often featuring an in-character bit or a crowd reaction. The format is flexible. Most convention cosplay memes work because the audience recognizes the source character, and the convention setting provides built-in context that the photo is meant to be fun rather than a serious attempt at deception. ## Cultural Impact Convention cosplay moved from niche hobby to mainstream entertainment over several decades. Cosplay competitions at major conventions now offer significant prize money, and professional cosplayers build careers through sponsorships and social media followings. The term "cosplay" itself expanded beyond conventions into broader slang, particularly in politics, where it describes someone pretending to play a role disingenuously[1]. Media coverage of convention cosplay memes helped normalize both convention attendance and costume culture. Major news networks now send camera crews to Comic-Con specifically to capture cosplay content, and "best cosplay" listicles are a reliable traffic driver for entertainment publications. The crossplay (gender-bending cosplay) subgenre became a visible form of gender expression within convention spaces[1]. ## Fun Facts - The first known fan costume at a convention was worn in 1939 by Forrest J Ackerman and Myrtle R. Douglas, who were the only two people in costume at the entire event[1]. - The word "cosplay" wasn't coined until 1983, over 40 years after the practice began at conventions[1]. - One of the earliest fictional characters people dressed as was Mr. Skygack, from Mars, a comic strip alien, with costumes appearing at masquerade events as early as 1908[1]. - David Kyle won the first official convention masquerade in 1940 wearing a Ming the Merciless costume[1]. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the convention cosplay meme? Convention cosplay memes are internet humor built around photos, videos, and moments from fan conventions where attendees dress as fictional characters. They range from impressive costume showcases to intentionally funny low-effort attempts[1]. ### Where did convention cosplay memes come from? The practice of wearing costumes to conventions dates back to 1939, when Forrest J Ackerman and Myrtle R. Douglas wore costumes to the first World Science Fiction Convention[1]. The internet meme format emerged in the 2000s as digital cameras and social media made convention photos easily shareable. ### What does the convention cosplay meme mean? These memes celebrate (and sometimes gently mock) fan creativity and dedication. They showcase the overlap between fandom culture and real-world gatherings, with humor coming from the contrast between fictional characters and convention center settings[1]. ### How do you use the convention cosplay meme? Share a photo or video of cosplay from a convention floor. Common formats include cosplay-vs-character comparisons, low-budget recreations, group poses, and candid encounter videos[1]. ### Is the convention cosplay meme still popular? Yes. Convention cosplay content is a reliable source of viral posts around major events like Comic-Con and Anime Expo, with TikTok and Instagram driving new waves of convention cosplay content each convention season[1]. ### When was the term "cosplay" invented? Nobuyuki Takahashi coined the term in 1983 for *My Anime* magazine, combining the English words "costume" and "play" using a Japanese abbreviation method[1]. ### Who wore the first convention costume? Forrest J Ackerman and Myrtle R. Douglas wore "futuristicostumes" to the 1st World Science Fiction Convention in New York in 1939. They were the only attendees in costume[1]. ### What is crossplay? Crossplay is cosplay where the person dresses as a character of a different gender. It's a common and accepted practice within convention cosplay culture[1]. ## References 1. [Cosplay]() --- Source: https://meme.com/memes/convention-cosplay-meme Published by meme.com — The Internet Meme Library