Attending Con+Alt+Delete 2023 In Style

Every year, anime fans get together in Rosemont, Illinois to celebrate Japanese anime, manga, and culture at the Con+Alt+Delete (CAD 2023) convention. Organized by AnimeCon.org, this three-day event takes place from December 15-17, 2023 this year. An essential part of the anime community over its history, it’s where people of all ages celebrate everything anime and geek out with fellow fans. It’s a family-friendly con where attendees are encouraged to come in dressed in their best cosplay garb and take part in all the fun and exciting events lined up just for them.

The Passion Behind Cosplay

Cosplay, while essential means outing on a costume, means so much more than just that. It also goes beyond just pretending to be a character too. Cosplay enthusiasts will tell you it’s all about having a profound connection and understanding for the characters and stories from anime, manga, or other forms of pop culture the characters they ae embodying are from. People who cosplay are passionate about it and there are a number of reasons why:

• Connection to characters: Cosplayers tend to feel a strong connection to characters they are portraying. They might see themselves in these characters. There could be qualities in these characters that they admire. This very emotional bond is what drives their passion.
• Expressing creativity: Creating a cosplay outfit is no mean feat. It takes tons of time, effort, and creativity. Cosplayers, however, tend to relish this process. Whether it’s designing costumes or crafting props, it’s an outlet for their artistic side.
• Transforming into someone else: When cosplayers put their costumes on, it feels like they are becoming the character. It's similar to acting, in a way, but with a lot of heart. Cosplayers love being in the shoes of their favorite heroes and heroines.
• Having fun with fellow fans: Cosplayers love sharing the experience with people who appreciate it. Conventions like Con+Alt+Delete make it possible for cosplayers to connect with fellow fans who share the same love for these characters.

The Evolution of Cosplay

Cosplay has changed significantly since it first came to the scene. Back then, it used to be a simple, straightforward affair. People would still dress up as a character. However, the costumes then were not as elaborate. Costumes were basic. Often, they were made with whatever materials were available. These days, however, it’s a different ballgame. Cosplayers now are very attentive to even the smallest details of their costumes. They use better materials too. It helps that more tools are on hand to make costumes that truly resemble their characters.

Cosplay used to only highlight characters from really popular series and shows. These days, people cosplay characters from a plethora of anime series, manga, video games, and even movies. There's a wide variety of characters to choose from, but do expect to see one, two or more highly popular characters being cosplayed when you go to cons.

The diversity of characters being cosplayed these days is hardly surprising though. Movies, TV shows, and even social media have made the activity more popular. When people see amazing costumes being shared online, it sparks interest enough for them to want to try it themselves. These days, cosplay is a very well-known part of pop culture.

The emergence of conventions and online communities have made cosplaying more popular as well. These communities pave the way for cosplayers to connect. Connecting with other passionate cosplayers, they share tips, showcase their work, and even help each other out when crafting costumes. This support has made the activity more accessible and enjoyable for those involved.

Cosplay as an Art Form

Cosplay in the simplest term is dressing up. But it goes way beyond that too. It’s similar to creating a work of art. Cosplayers are not just satisfied with buying ready to wear costumes. They’re more interested designing their own. To cosplayers, this is the fun part. They think about every detail. Whether it’s the colors or the patterns, cosplayers want to craft costumes that will make them look exactly like the characters they’re portraying.

Making a costume is not easy. One must have the necessary skills to pull it off. This involves sewing, and crafting. Sometimes, they may even have to do some sculpting and painting. Cosplayers tend to spend a lot of time honing these skills so they can create amazing outfits.

Cosplay isn’t just all about the costume. Makeup is used to transform cosplayers’ faces. They pay close attention the way characters look, their features and even their face shapes. They use makeup to transform their appearance. In some cases, they may even have change their eye colors or add special effects to the way their hair is styled just to capture the look. Props and accessories are crucial part of a cosplayer’s outfit. From swords and wands to gadgets, just like the costumes, these items also need to be as detailed and true as their characters.

The Role of Anime Conventions

Anime conventions like Con+Alt+Delete play a big role in making cosplay as popular as it is nowadays. Conventions are these big gatherings where cosplayers make friends and meet fellow cosplayers. It's a friendly and welcoming place where attendees shares their love for anime and cool costumes without fear of getting judged. There’s no better place to show off an outfit you’ve worked so hard on and connect with those who love the same things.

Conventions are known for holding competitions for cosplayers. It’s a platform for showing how great they are at dressing up and in making elaborate getups. While these events can get quite competitive, it is all done in the name of fun and it’s a place where people not only admire each other’s craftmanship, they also get the chance to ask for tips and advice on how to raft theirs better next time. This friendly competitive atmosphere is what makes it all the more fun.

Anime and gaming conventions are also great places to head to if you’re looking to shop for some really cool stuff. Their Dealers Halls are a must-not-miss, with a plethora of stalls and stores selling everything from action figures to doujinshis. You can even buy costumes, accessories, posters, props and all sorts of anime-related stuff. There’s no better place to go on an anime shopping spree.

Conventions are also known for organizing panels, workshops, and talks where cosplayers can learn a new thing or two about how to up their cosplay game. You might learn hacks on making costumes, or how to better do character makeup. You can also learn how to better portray your favorite characters in the way you move about, especially when presenting the character on the cosplay stage.

The special guests lined up in conventions like Con+Alt+Delete are something anime and cosplay fans can look forward to. It’s common practice for conventions to invite famous people from the anime world. You can meet the artists behind a favorite manga, the voice actors behind many of your favorite characters, and other industry experts who know everything that goes behind the scene when it comes to making anime. Most of the time, they’ll have meet and greet sessions too so you get the chance for an autograph.

Enjoy Cosplay at Con+Alt+Delete 2023

If you're a fan of anime, manga, or video games, and everything nerdy and you love cosplay, Con+Alt+Delete (CAD) 2023 is the place to be! This fantastic three-day event is set in Rosemont, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.

CAD 2023 is a cosplayer’s paradise. It doesn’t matter if you're a seasoned cosplayer or are portraying a character for the first time. It’s a welcoming community that will appreciate and celebrate you and your costume creations with open arms. Dress up in your best character portrayal, and you'll be among people who will equally share your enthusiasm. It’s a place where people of all ages, identities, and backgrounds come together. Their love for Japanese anime, cosplay and everything geeky in between bringing them together for three days of absolute nerdy fun.

The CAD 2023 community is immensely supportive. Whether you're looking for costume advice, makeup tips, or friends to chat about anime, manga, gaming, or whatever geeky thing you’re into, you'll find like-minded people who will be just as enthusiastic as you.

Whether you're a cosplayer, someone who loves admiring incredible costumes, or just somebody who wants to get connected with people who share your passion for anime and Japanese pop culture in general, CAD 2023 is the place to be. Don't miss this family-friendly anime convention brought to you by the passionate team at AnimeCon.org. You can register in advance for a three-day badge at only $35. Get your tickets today and join us in bringing authentic Japanese culture and anime to life. See you at CAD 2023!