Social Media and Cosplay Community Drama — A Toxic Combo

I’ve been in the cosplay community for years. 2017 was when I told myself, “If they continue with their childish bullshit, then I’ll stay silent and leave.”

Eponine Pangilinan
Sep 4, 2018 · 3 min read

2008 to 2010 will forever be memorable years for me. Everyone knew everyone and they only had one thing in mind: to have fun. There was never an instance where people hurt other people indirectly. A hobby is a hobby. The early years of cosplay were periods where all the stresses of human life were vanished for a day or two because you just wanted to get away from reality, be the character that you want, and hangout with the people that do matter.

Fast forward to 2018. Years after that period, it’s not really the same anymore. I’ve been in the cosplay community for years. 2017 was when I told myself, “If they continue with their childish bullshit, then I’ll stay silent and leave.”

My Facebook newsfeed gets littered with nonsense drama from these people most of the time. I ask myself to why they mix Cosplay (which is supposed to be just a freaking hobby) with their personal lives. Yes, we have our emotional loads and demons to deal with but these don’t give you the reason to pass the toxicity to other people. Upon observation, some do this because of insecurity, jealousy, or just finding a reason to not be too obvious that they are in complete denial.

As of writing this post, I have been smart-shamed, being called matapobre, and an elitist by some individuals in the local cosplay community that I’m in.

I have written something about this way back after a cosplayer (who was younger than me) called me out on Facebook for correcting on something related to the Encantadia lore. Yes, I know. I am still surprised to this day to how our conversation reached that particular point. She unfriended me (not a big deal) but continued her rants to the point that she even insulted my other friends in the community who are doing their best not spread this kind of toxicity anywhere.

This same person has also been doing this pattern of ranting that a cosplay event is “luto” (rigged) every time there is a competition. This is also the same person who keeps saying that they are going to “quit cosplay” and “no longer attend events” — and then you see them in a recent event held in a mall. Irony.

There was even another incident of a cosplayer who called me out indirectly because she thought that one of the status messages I’ve written on my wall was about her. I guess this is an example of a “If the show fits, wear it” situation but I don’t know. I don’t want to assume that the primadonna attitude of hers is taking over and stuff. I’m quite expressive in social media but in a general perspective. If you’re offended with how I speak or express, then that’s your problem. To put it bluntly: the world doesn’t revolve around you.

I have always been playing the big sister figure in the community and it’s been my mindset to try interacting with the old and new ones. I’m just sad and a bit angry that it has come to this. The amount of insults, disrespect, misjudgment, and distrust that I’m getting from some of these people were enough for me to just be distant, pack my bags, and leave.

For the record, regardless of all the bullshit I got from the local community, I am still going to attend cosplay events here because I want to support my friends who organize them (they are the real MVPs in keeping it alive). Hey, at least I am not one of those girls who rants about these things each and everytime.

Hobby raman unta na. Ngano i-big deal man?

Epoditorial

A personal notebook of Eponine Margs Pangilinan. Food, places, thoughts, opinions, and more.

Eponine Pangilinan

Written by

Kagay-anon. Subculture Observer. Writer. Goes to Manila for Broadway Musicals and Hobby Conventions. Coffee is my writing cigarette.

Epoditorial

A personal notebook of Eponine Margs Pangilinan. Food, places, thoughts, opinions, and more.

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