Julia Arciga

The George Washington University

Imagine Halloween costumes, but even more intense -- that’s cosplay. It happens every year at the San Diego Comic-Con and dozens of other conventions, or “cons,” across the nation.

Super fans of sci-fi, anime, fantasy, and many other fandom realms come represent their favorite characters in elaborate costume. The casual cosplayer may just show up in a made-for-Halloween retail outfit with a few custom details, while enthusiasts and those who frequent cons put in serious time and hours for their wearable creations.

Poppy Appleton decided to cosplay as a steampunk version of Ahsoka Tano, a character from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film. Creating costume takes a serious time investment: Incorporating Ahsoka Tano’s basic look (including a hand-dyed wig and body paint) and adding steampunk extras like Victorian-era goggles and leather accessories can take anywhere from “a couple of weeks to a couple of months,” Appleton says.

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Appleton explains, “Ahsoka Tano’s body paint was a totally new realm for me. But I would say the wig was the most challenging part of the outfit. To keep the silhouette and to only dye certain parts was difficult. Dye from the wig got everywhere on me and on the floor!”

Shaylor Duranleau of DLo Cosplay had three costumes ready for this year’s Comic-Con, his most elaborate piece taking him between 120 to 200 hours to complete. His steampunk Darth Maul, from the Star Wars universe, was difficult to make, he says, but his passion for cosplay made the hard work worth it.

“I have always enjoyed dressing up, and I always enjoyed sci-fi and fantasy, so I was always excited for Halloween growing up. I found cosplay galleries on the Internet and found out that people dress up all the time for fun. I didn’t have to wait for one night a year to dress up in costume!”

Eiraina Ladell came to Comic-Con with five different cosplay outfits: two versions of Star Wars’ Princess Leia, two versions of Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones and a female Indiana Jones.

For her, cosplay is an opportunity to step into the shoes of her favorite characters.

Ladell says, “As someone who is as an introvert and who just wants to sit in a corner and not talk to anyone, cosplay gets me out of my shell. I wear a different person’s outfit and I also wear their confidence. When I’m walking through the day as someone like Wonder Woman, there’s no time to be insecure or shy!”

Appleton says when she puts on the costume, she has the opportunity to feel like a kid again and connect with kids.

“[Cosplay] so much in fun! I don’t have to be an adult for a couple of hours, [and] it draws out my artsy and creative side. I used to say my favorite part of cosplay was people being wowed by my costume, but now I love seeing children recognizing me as Asoka and getting a big hug!”

And all of this isn't just for fun. Recently, the cosplay world has taken advantage of its notoriety to do good. Appleton, Duranleau, and Ladell are part of Star Wars Steampunk Universe, a Southern Californian cosplay group that comes together to promote local charities.

“We’re involved with organizations like Make-A-Wish San Diego, and we work with any of the local events that we can get involved with,” Appleton says. “We primarily draw attention to charity, and help raise money for them. We have the opportunity to do something we love and help someone else.”

“My favorite charity event we’ve done so far is a special needs soccer tournament in Chico,” says Ladell. “[The kids] got really excited seeing Star Wars characters cheering them on. It’s rewarding to see that you’re making a difference and making them happy.”

But beyond the craftsmanship and charity involved, a sense of community is constant in the cosplay world.

“It’s a quick way to see that someone has the same interest as you, and it’s a great ice breaker,” says Duranleau. “Some of my best friends I made while I was in a costume. More often than not, you’ll see the same people and recognize them after a few conventions and make connections. It’s really good way to met new people.”

Creating connections with others, as well as themselves, is the main reason why cosplayers keep costuming con after con, year after year.

“When I’m putting on a persona and facing the world, I feel inspired and empowered. I feel like I belong,” says Ladell. “Seeing the little kids smile, seeing fans smile -- it’s magical and it’s an exchange of happiness.”

Julia Arciga is a student at George Washington University and a USA TODAY College correspondent.

This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.