As Sunday's convention made it evident, one of the exhibited performances in the final round of the big-time cosplay competition that day was a Pokémon performance. All told, it was somewhat based on the TCG but also took cues from the main series games - Scarlet and Violet, since the performance involved species of the ninth generation. The inclusion of this performance affirms that Pokémon cosplay can be brought into this realm, but the reality isn't as simple as this affirmation. For that, I want to make a good bit of discussion regarding this matter and how it ties into me as both a Pokémon fan and cosplayer to boot.
First up, it's helpful to bring up the relevant competitions and realms again. ICGP is part of the competitive realm of the World Cosplay Summit (WCS), and its focus is placed on the art and craftsmanship of cosplay; it accordingly has a number of regulations and checks - particularly on costume creation - for those who are competing for and in it. ICC meanwhile is part of the realm of Pop Culture Hiroshima, and its focus is highlighting that and its appeal; its regulations are less focused on costume creation and more focused on the performing arts, especially on making cosplay performances wholesome (family-friendly) - a requirement briefed to me for the competition I didn't get to see, but did receive reports on.
With this, the hurdles for each are obviously different. One has to be practically a "semi-pro" or professional crafter (in addition to being a cosplayer in general) for the former, while one may just need to be well-versed in cosplay for the latter. Another hurdle is the selection of suitable subjects for depiction in performance... although as seen the other day, if Pokémon can be made to work, then it shall work - and it does (did), for the team that won the regional ICGP competition with the performance and performed again for the finals with it. Even so, many years ago for ICGP/WCS in particular, it was reported that the subjects were limited because of the constant issue of rights management, though it was relaxed later on; obviously now this is no longer a problem for Pokémon, and the same may be said to apply to ICC/PCH.
Yet even then, there's the question of Pokémon being able to deliver a winning (not to mention entertaining) performance. The Pokémon performance the other day lost out to a few other teams, whose takes are admittedly more intricate and appealing to the audience - a Pokémon battle tends to be just like "that" compared to other, more action-driven series, but that's not to say that it can't be intricate and appealing, which would be something for a potential contender to figure out. If a Pokémon battle is involved, and it will likely be that way, it would have to be as intricate and entertaining as the ninja battle (for that well-known series I keep hinting about) that was performed at last year's WCS finals, which incidentally is also the winner of that competition.
I also can and do have to talk about myself as a part of these. Obviously, I'm out of the league for ICGP/WCS, as my crafting ability for cosplay or otherwise is so-so. This competition is especially looking out for "cutting-edge" materials and techniques - again, something that professionals would understand (for example, one of the teams talked about "biodegradable" materials, something rarely heard within cosplay). I'm better suited for ICC/PCH, and even then if there is a partner who is willing to work and stand by me for the purpose of this competition, and that's something that's hard to come by when it comes to Pokémon. And believe me: I really can't go it alone for very obvious reasons.
The prospect for bringing Pokémon cosplay to the big time - specifically these competitions and others in their vein, with the aim of bringing winners to Japan for the ultimate competition - is wide open, if it hasn't already been affirmed as such. It becomes the challenge of the contenders to work with the materials that they have as well as the regulations that apply to either, and present a dazzling performance, which can and should be done with involvement of Pokémon. The big-time reward is impressive - as is perhaps going there without competing - and appealing, even for this Pokémon fan.
One year ago: To All the Lovely Boys (and Girls)
Two years ago: Cosplay: Indonesia Comic Con - Pop Asia 2023, Day 2
Three years ago: The Pokémon Unite Club Membership
Four years ago: Until Perfect, Until Appreciated
Five years ago: Let's Talk About Grievances
Six years ago: The Show Must Go On
Seven years ago: Jumping the 'Karp
Eight years ago: Married... to Pikachu?
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