If you have listened to our podcast, we will talk about crowdfunding from time to time.  We’ve had a couple of people on to talk about their crowdfunding projects that benefits the cosplay community.  And there are those times, we will talk about a few that do no good to the community.  We’ve never had those people on our show, because they never accepted the offer to defend themselves.  Recently, popular east coast cosplayer Ani-Mia, had something very interesting to say about this on her fan page…

Alright, I very rarely rant on this page because I like to keep it a happy and open environment of acceptance and love…but something within the cosplay community has just gotten out of hand the past few months and I can’t stand by without saying something anymore. STOP WITH THE BULLSHIT CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGNS.

Cosplayers, it is not the responsibilities of your fans to pay for your next costume, to send you on a trip or to a con. That is called personal financial responsibility. And before the arguments begin let me tell you that this is all coming from someone who sees so much behind the scenes garbage that fans and contributors don’t see. What you don’t see is that many cosplayers that do this spend their money frivolously on unnecessary wants, meals out and events with friends; say they are broke but then conveniently are able to attend a convention for fun and a slew of other lies that make me so ashamed at what this community is becoming.

And yes, I know that there are genuinely generous people out there, I have some amazing fans that have contributed to me; but I never asked, never tried to take advantage of that knowing how kind they are and I send something to every single one of those people to give them something in exchange for their generosity. I have seen time and time again, Gofundme campaigns where the contributors never receive their rewards that seem to show no actual thought or worth. To those that feel setting up a Gofundme isn’t directly asking for money I will make two points: 1) would they have contributed to you if you hadn’t set up the fundraiser and heavily marketed it on your social media and 2) almost every single Gofundme uses a variation of the phrase/idea directly stated “please help me do this.”

And so much of this is coming from people getting into cosplay for the wrong reasons, the supposed money and the fame. And let me tell you quite honestly, it’s really not out there and the grass isn’t as beautiful as you think. The vast majority of “famous cosplayers” support themselves with another job or are struggling just like everyone else. There is this fallacy of a cosplay career and too many people treat it like the race to be an actress or performer. They drop everything at this chance. But have you not noticed that those that just strive for fame and fortune never “make it” in this community but it’s those that treat cosplay as it was and is, a hobby and a thing we do because it’s fun and because we love it, are the ones that people gravitate towards?
My biggest point in all of this is, that fans should be appreciated and thanked. Without them taking an interest in cosplay, we wouldn’t have half the opportunities we do now. So stop taking advantage of them and learn to be an adult.

And now I’m going to leave because this was honestly the scariest thing I’ve ever publicly said (currently shaking like a leaf about to hit send) and I know there will be backlash but it’s something that needed to be said.

*Mike drop out and walking away*

You can find her original post here.

As someone who advocates against crowdfundings for such shenanigans, I agree with her completely.  Cosplay is a hobby, always has been, always will be.  Everything in regards to this you should be doing with your own money, whether it’s buying materials or commissioning.  There’s nothing wrong with people giving you money for your cosplays out of the kindness of their own heart.  But to “crowdfund”, aka beg for money, isn’t the right thing to do.  I understand that it’s their money, people can do what they want, but is it really fair and right to do so?

I’m glad that she spoke out about this.  This is a hot button topic in the community, and you ask me, it’s doing more harm than it is good.  Also, what I have discovered is that some people have called her a hypocrite for this post, due to the fact that she was a part of another crowdfunding project that was similar to what she spoke of.  I understand their concerns, maybe she should speak up on that, but a lot of times people are caught in the middle of things.  So since she didn’t start that funding, she shouldn’t have to say anything about it.

Expect another post from me about this real soon, because as much I respect and support what Ani-Mia said, I have a few choice words of my own.

DJ Ranma S

DJ Ranma S is cosplay veteran. He has won numerous performance awards with his friends over the years. He has staffed conventions in the past, ran panels, judged a couple of masquerades, a jack of all trades. He's worked dealer's room too! Running this site is his way of giving back to the cosplay community. He feels that it's his turn to give a future cosplayer their fifteen minutes of fame.

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