Pikachu is not real. Many students have to remind themselves of this when they see one in their class.
Attempts to capture said creature with spherical, capsule-like devices will prove futile and may result in disciplinary action. This is because Pikachu is a student.
Individuals who dress up as characters from movies, books, anime, manga, cartoons, videos games, television shows or comic books, are known as cosplayers. Wigs, suits, props and excessive clothing, or the lack thereof, are all signs indicating you are looking at a cosplayer. Students who participate at Auburn are probably members of Auburn University's Cosplayers' Association.
Auburn's Cosplayers' Association was founded in fall 2011 by current president Sky Acton, junior in English education and creative writing.
"It's getting to be a celebrity for a short amount of time and it's very empowering," Acton said. "It's the only time when everyone knows your name without you saying a word."
However, these cosplayers do more than simply attend meetings and go to class in costume. Cosplayers travel to conventions to meet, and socialize with, other cosplayers. Commonly known conventions, such as Comic-Con, hosted many cosplayers. However, there are many other conventions popular in the cosplaying community, such as Dragoncon in Atlanta, and Hamacon in Huntsville.
Acton described what it's like to experience a cosplay convention.
"Lots of people. Lots of people getting the chance to be whatever they want to be," Acton said. "There's a lot of excitement. There are cameras flashing, and people are asking for your picture."
Cosplaying may have the potential to be much more than simply fun though.
David Railey, sophomore in software engineering at Southern Union Community College, and member of Auburn's Cosplayers' Association, is also a member of the Alabama Ghostbusters, a Ghostbuster fan group that cosplays for charity.
"We do walks and raise money for various charities, like the multiple sclerosis walks. We also raised $3,000 for tornado relief when the tornado hit Tuscaloosa," Railey said. "We are geeks for good."
Unfortunately, not everyone is as accepting of cosplayers.
Brittany Taylor, senior in microbiology, said she formed a passion for cosplaying from her love of Halloween and her enjoyment of anime and video games.
"Some of my friends are really into cosplay and they're also really into anime and video games," Taylor said. "I have some other friends, they like those things too, but they're not very out with it. Some of my other friends laughed when I introduced them to cosplay."
Taylor said friends and strangers alike gave glances and looks to make her feel singled out.
"They make me feel like I'm extremely weird, like I was not normal," Taylor said. "I wouldn't say I'm normal, but there is a good kind of different, like you're unique; and a bad kind, like you don't belong anywhere."
Many cosplayers said they felt as though they are being unjustly stereotyped.
"I think the biggest misconception is that cosplay or conventions are only for people who aren't attractive or are super nerdy or the outcasts of society," Acton said. "But I've seen some pretty good-looking Spartans with six-packs... so if that's not attractive, then I don't want to go with what everyone is talking about."
Luckily, the Cosplayers' Association offers a safe haven for many of Auburn's cosplayers.
"People here are very friendly," said Ross Spears, senior in software engineering. "Everyone here is one big family. If there is an issue with someone, everyone is there to support that one person."
Auburn's cosplayers apparently formed a tight-knit group, where they feel at home and are able to be themselves.
"They're crazy. That's the best way I can put it," said Aric Hall, senior in sociology, "They are the most crazy, insane, all-over-the-wall people; but they are also the people I love most at Auburn."
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