You can’t help but notice the woman’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and bizarre outfit. She’s in a white dress that reaches below the knee and a Prussian blue jacket highlighted by a brooch on a ribbon at the collar. Together with her leather boots and the brown suitcase in hand, her overall look gives her an air of mystery.
This distinctive appearance isn’t merely for style; it’s her way of embracing cosplay. Combining the words “costume” and “play,” cosplay is an art form in which participants dress up as specific characters, usually at anime conventions. It not only involves crafting and wearing costumes and wigs, but also taking on the voice and mannerisms of that character, both of which require a substantial investment of time and energy.
Beyond its visual appeal, cosplay provides a platform for self-expression and, for a few, a means of generating income. Accomplished cosplayers, such as Enako from Japan and Hakken from Malaysia, have expanded their hobby into a profitable business, with monthly income soaring into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Aside from the potential for financial success, cosplay offers an emotional outlet. Through this activity, cosplayers connect with people sharing a common interest and find a sense of belonging. Also, cosplaying a character allows them to explore and become aware of different aspects of their identity.
Photo: Flickr 照片：Flickr
Cosplay is the display of passion from those who devote themselves to it. As we marvel at cosplayers’ unforgettable appearance, let’s acknowledge cosplay as a legitimate art form that deserves respect and appreciation.
你不由得注意到這名女士的金髮藍眼和奇特服裝。她穿著一件過膝的白色連身裙和一件普魯士藍夾克，領口上還別著一個有緞帶的胸針，讓夾克更加顯眼。加上她的皮靴和手中的棕色行李箱，她整體的造型給人一種神祕的感覺。
這種獨特的外表不僅僅是為了時尚；這是她熱情接受角色扮演的方式。角色扮演（cosplay）是「扮裝服」（costume）和「扮演」（play）兩個詞的結合，是一種參與者裝扮成特定角色的藝術形式，通常會發生在動漫大會上。角色扮演不僅包括製作和穿著扮裝服和假髮，還包括表現出該角色的聲音和舉止，這兩者都需要大量的時間和精力投入。
除了視覺吸引力之外，角色扮演還提供了一個展現自我的平台，對一些人來說，還是一種創造收入的手段。像日本的Enako和馬來西亞的八犬這樣有造詣的角色扮演者，已將他們這項愛好擴展成為一門有利可圖的生意，月收入飆升至數十萬美元。除了有在財務方面成功的潛力之外，角色扮演還提供了情感宣洩的途徑。透過這項活動，角色扮演者與有著共同興趣的人建立聯繫並找到歸屬感。此外，扮演一名人物還讓他們可以探索和認識自我的不同面向。
角色扮演是那些投身其中者熱情的展現。在我們對角色扮演者令人難以忘懷的外表感到驚嘆的同時，讓我們承認角色扮演是一種值得尊重和欣賞的合理藝術形式。
MORE INFORMATION
blonde adj. 金髮的
Prussian blue 普魯士藍（一種較深卻依然鮮豔的藍色）
brooch n. 胸針
anime n. 日本動畫
wig n. 假髮
mannerism n. （習慣性的）舉止
soar vi. 飆升；暴漲
marvel v. 感到驚嘆
legitimate adj. 合理的；正當的
KEY VOCABULARY
1. suitcase n. 行李箱；手提箱
Tracy packed her suitcase with clothes for her vacation.
崔西將假期用的衣服裝進了行李箱。
2. overall adj. 整體的；全面的
The company’s CEO evaluated the overall performance of each business unit.
公司執行長對各業務部門的整體績效進行了評估。
3. costume n. 服裝；戲服
The actor entertained children at the party in a colorful clown costume.
這名演員穿著色彩繽紛的小丑服裝，在派對上為孩子們帶來歡樂。
4. convention n. 大會；慣例；公約
The annual industry convention brings together professionals from around the world.
一年一度的產業大會匯聚了來自世界各地的專業人士。
5. investment n. 投入；投資
Completing the project was a significant investment of time for the team.
完成這項專案對團隊來說是一次重大的時間投入。
6. accomplished adj. 有造詣的；技巧熟練的
The music school prides itself on producing accomplished musicians.
這所音樂學校以孕育出有造詣的音樂家為榮。
7. profitable adj. 有盈利的；有益的
The company experienced profitable growth after launching its new product line.
該公司在推出新產品線後體驗到了獲利成長。
8. outlet n. 宣洩途徑；排水口；暢貨中心
Writing stories can be a creative outlet for exploring your imagination and storytelling.
寫故事可以成為探索你的想像力和敘事能力的創意宣洩途徑。
9. devote vt. 將……獻於；將……用於
devote oneself to + N / V-ing 致力於……
The researcher devoted years to studying the effects of climate change.
這位研究人員將多年時間用於研究氣候變遷的影響。
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