Once you’ve decided that you’re crazy enough to cosplay, you’ve got to look at your options for what characters you can be. While you can certainly just pick your favorite character from your favorite anime and run with it, that’s usually the best idea if you really want to impress your fellow attendees.
First, look at yourself in the mirror and determine the things you can’t change. Your gender isn’t going to be changing, so stick with characters that are always guys or girls, according to what you are. I do not suggest crossplaying in general because they don’t always turn out well. If you must and you’re a guy, only do it if you feminine features. Go to a makeover website and test out what you look like with long hair. If you resemble a girl, go right ahead with your crossplay ambitions. If you’re a girl and you’re thinking of crossplaying, only go through with it if you’re considering a soft-featured character (examples like Sebastian Michaelis, Yuki Sohma, and Leonard Testarossa). Also, as a general rule, if you doubted their gender when they first appeared in the anime, they’re okay to kingdom hearts cosplay.Next, look at your skin color. Sure, you can always work on that tan you keep saying you’ll do when you get out of the house and stop watching anime for five minutes, but let’s be real – this is how your skin is probably going to look come con-time. Find a character who is your skin color. Because fans are so used to seeing a light-skinned Sesshomaru, it would look weird if someone Middle Eastern decided to throw on his costume. Don’t hinder yourself with what you can’t change – make it your strength.Lastly, adhere to your body type. In anime, most characters are thin, voluptuous, and have a flawless physique. Obviously, very few people in the world are going to be a perfect match. If you’re not an ideal look-a-like, don’t stress over it, but don’t go too far outside your body type either. Especially for characters in skin-tight clothing, or characters with lots of skin showing, be conscientious of your appearance.
Recap: don’t ignore what you can’t change about yourself. Adhere to it and turn it into pro. There’s a little bit of leeway, but don’t push your luck. Ask a friend who’s sometimes too honest for their own good to get some unbiased feedback, and if they say it’s not going to work, don’t be afraid to let it go.