Abstract

COELHO JUNIOR, Leconte de Lisle  and  SILVA, Sara Santos. Cosplayers as a psychosocial phenomenon: from a reflection of mass culture to the desire to be a hero. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2007, vol.17, n.1, pp. 64-75. ISSN 0104-1282.

This study aimed to understand what makes people produce cosplays, that is, what originates the behavior of dressing up as animated cartoon and anime heroes, mostly the Japanimation (Japanese animated cartoons), and the consequences of such motivation. Data collection occurred between October 2003 and October 2004 in the cities of São Paulo (state of São Paulo) and Aracaju (state of Sergipe), both in Brazil, and the sample consisted of 26 participants with an average age of 17.5 years (SD = 3.42). Qualitative analysis was utilized in the format of interviews to better detect the occurrence of the phenomenon and its explanation. The results demonstrated that the youngsters have such preference because they distance themselves from their daily context. That is, the fact of adopting the characters' profile and, mainly, dressing like them, impersonating them, would be a way of searching for well-being, which would help them to maintain their daily balance.

Keywords : Cosplay; Japanese animated cartoons; Mangas; Otakus; Mass culture.

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