Cosplaying is the act of people dressing in elaborate costumes based on characters from comic books, movies, video games, and anime. From its humble beginnings in the 1930s to a growing culture and community, it is set to continue its growth in the years to come.

In this episode, we’re talking to three cosplayers to learn about their creative process regarding their costumes, how they immerse themselves in the character, accessibility, and their experiences with witnessing cosplay go mainstream. We’ll also look to consumers in Japan, where “cosplay” was coined in the 1980s to describe the phenomenon when it began to take off.