Anime invaders

[wanderingjoe72]

I went to the AZ Ren Fair earlier this year and noticed a large number of anime kids walking around in costumes. One that stand out was a teenage girl in a full Naruto costume I saw as we were leaving.

Since when has this become acceptable? Geek lines are very hard from what I remember. Trekkers or Trekkies don't bother us Star Wars fans. Marvel and DC people are ok to mix since it is all comics, but why pollute an otherwise fun Ren Fair with anime?

Here is a picture I found. This one does appear to one of the extremes, but you get the idea.

[Sylvia727]

There is a lot of overlap among the geek cliques. The science fiction fans get along fine with the fantasy fans in polite company. The computer nerds don't bother the comic book nerds. I even see Ren Faire followers playing nice with anime fans, especially if they both make their own costumes. But when going to a themed event, why dress up for another theme? That's just rude. I don't think it's accepted at all, and I'm frankly surprised one of the Ren Faire organizers didn't advise the anime fans about the inappropriateness of their costumes.

[Xanthina]

Hey! I'm a Star Wars Chick and a Trekkie. I'm also a Renfair playtron, a historical reenactor, and a Living history interpreter.

It's sad seeing how bad some of the "Medieval" costumes are.... never mind the Anime/scifi additions. Now... if someone did Doctor Who, or something Time Travel related, I could understand that. Feck, I might even get a few pictures. Even still, it wouldn't be right for the organizers to say something, really. And I'm pretty sure they know it's not right. I wish we could post a bulletin saying "Your polyester/mystery fabric/cotton dress is not historically accurate"

[anriana]

The first Ren Faire I went to I dressed as a pirate. I was able to put all my money into a costume for Ren Faire, Talk Like A Pirate Day, and Halloween, instead of splitting it into a Ren Faire costume and a pirate costume.

I also couldn't find any Ren Faire costumes I was happy with for a price I was happy with. I got my pirate costume for approximately $75. $15 scrubs, $55 shirt, $2 of fabric, and $3 boots from Goodwill.

And, when I got to the Faire, one of the official actors was a pirate as well!

I am assuming that the anime person saw the Ren Faire as a fun place to dress up in a costume she wouldn't feel comfortable wearing at a "mainstream" event. It's not like she went to a SCA meeting in it.

[Xanthina]

We've had a few pirates.... mostly Jack Sparrow. It's still not a Convention, it's a Renaissance Festival. The name is a bit implied. Here our Fair is a specific era even(1500's). Some are more fantasy than history, and some are more history than fantasy. I wouldn't feel right going to an Anime Convention in my Renaissance Gown, or my reenacting dress.

[DrT]

Although I do agree that coming to a themed event in an outfit that doesn't fit the theme is quite rude (except for spectators in everyday clothing) there is a point that needs to be stressed:
the last rennaissance festival I went to in the US wasn't an event, but a shopping center with an entrance fee.
The point of the place is to make money. So it's a different set of rules altogether

You don't put a dress code restriction on your shop, because you want as many clients as possible.


Now if it was an actual reinactment event and people in Anime garb wanted to be part of it, I would have another opinion. But here it's not the case.

[AdminAssistant]

Here's a question...

Say I wanted to go to a Renn Faire or Renn Fest, just for fun, just to check it out. I am le poor and can't afford any kind of costume for the event. Would it be in poor taste to go to something like that in just normal, everyday clothing?

[Xanthina]

Not at all! Most people go in their normal clothes. The second time I went I wore a "gypsie" skirt and messed up my hair, again, just clothes out of my closet. There is nothing wrong with going plain clothed

[wanderingjoe72]

Everytime I have gone, it was in plain clothes. You could buy clothing there, but it was not required although it helps you get in the theme of the event.

I would not think of going in full Mandalorian Battle Armor. I would think it to be rude and innapropriate.

I am thinking there would be some that would make the argument that it is a lifestyle like juggalos or furries. It seemed that most of the kids doing it looked to be more of the hobby types.

I kind of liken it as going to a regular birthday party dressed as a princess. It is rude to try and draw attention away from the person that the party is for.

I would also think the promoters would receive some SC type behavior if they called them on it. "well they are in costume, why can't I be?"