For a while I'd been wishing for a reality show that profiled people with geeky hobbies, and followed them as they prepared for various conventions or tournaments, because we are pretty damn interesting if I do say so myself, and many of us do put a good bit of work and dedication into our hobbies, so it would be cool to have that recognized. But while most of us work hard, or as hard as we're able, very few of us are as obsessed as the people on Heroes of Cosplay.
The show ought to be called "The Dark Side of Cosplay." Or "Obsessed with Cosplay."
Not that I'm shocked a reality show would highlight the worst of the worst in any scene. I'm sure not all pageant moms are as nuts as the ones on Toddlers and Tiaras, nor are all coaches of competitive dance teams as craycray as Abby Lee Miller - although I have heard both worlds are fairly toxic. Or maybe we all just think they're toxic because of TV. Either way, the lifestyles of the people on Heroes of Cosplay seem toxic as all getout, and I don't want this show to normalize that.
Of course I have some criticisms from a social justice/feminist standpoint. I didn't like the way Becky was so focused on her body type. I know it's not uncommon, I myself have wanted to be in better shape for this cosplay or that, but again, it was shown from a Heroes of Cosplay angle, not a "this is the dark side of cosplay, this is what women sadly have to deal with" angle; the latter is a realistic criticism, the former goes in the dangerous direction of normalizing the obsession. Of course, all of the people on the show were slender, attractive, white people. And one guy.
It is interesting that cosplay seems so female dominated, because so much of it is considered feminine. Sewing is a traditionally female task and hobby, and dressing up (especially for attention or for a competition) is primarily associated with women. Typically, when you think of men making cosplays, you think of men making cosplays. They construct suits of armor, craft mascot suits, and forge weapons - y'know, man stuff. That may have something to do with the fact that many male characters involve that kind of craftsmanship.
But while men's manly forging abilities may be up for criticism, female cosplayers and feminine costumes are subject to a high level of scrutiny. God forbid you not have the body type to portray the character you wish to dress as (despite the fact that these characters are usually drawn with unrealistic proportions), then people will comment on your waist being too big or your boobs being too small. Wear a revealing cosplay and you're asking for sexual harassment, but choose to be more conservative and you're a prude - not to mention the majority of female characters wear revealing costumes, and any changes to make them more conservative may be criticized. Women can cosplay as male characters and it'll be seen as empowering, but if a man dresses as a women, it's rarely well received - think "Aaaah, my eyes!" or "It's a trap!" or "Is that a guy??"
Men will rarely be accused of "just wearing that for attention," whereas female cosplayers are constantly assumed to be doing just that: wearing sexy costumes and showing off for the sexual attention of their male peers. And yeah, some of us do that - the attention one gets while in cosplay can be glorious (when it's not sketch b'getch) - but it's certainly not the sole reason why most of us cosplay.
How about a show where people trying to overcome sexism, racism, and transphobia to do what they love in a space that isn't as "equal" as we've been led to believe? I'd watch that.
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