![Idol energy | Junior Tiana Schatschneider cosplays as Hatsune Miku from Vocaloid. “I am really into virtual singers and idols, and it has become a big [interest and hobby] of [mine] for the dancing and music,” Schatschneider said.](https://whshoofprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DSC_0037-1-e1769816340788-804x1200.jpeg)
What began as a Nezuko Kamado from “Demon Slayer” costume for Halloween sparked a passion for anime cosplay for junior Tiana Schatschneider, leading her to alter outfits, craft wigs and embrace character performance at cosplay conventions.
Cosplaying has grown into a creative hobby that lets Schatschneider express herself, build connections with other cosplayers, escape reality and improve her costume‑making and performance skills.
It is a creative fan subculture in which someone intentionally dresses up as and embodies a specific fictional character by researching the character’s look and personality. They also plan and craft detailed costumes, accessories, props and wigs to bring the character to life.
“[Cosplay] makes me feel more confident in my own skin because I get to pretend I’m in someone else’s,” Schatschneider said.
To truly bring her characters to life, Schatschneider doesn’t just wear costumes, she finds various ways to embody the character.
“I will usually study [the character’s] way of speaking and try to emulate the cadence of their speech as well as their vocabulary,” Schatschneider said. “Depending on their demeanor, I try to adjust my facial expressions and posing.”
When she first started in seventh grade, Schatschneider bought most of her costumes pre-made, but she soon began altering outfits and working with a needle and thread to make each costume fit her better and pop out more.
“Altering costumes, while it can help you feel better about yourself with a nicer fit, can also be more comfortable and make you feel more confident,” Schatschneider said. “It is nice to know that it’s something at least somewhat uniquely your own, with all the mass-produced products that are out there.”
Schatschneider’s friends, who are also cosplayers, see her dedication firsthand. Seniors Brady Williams and Inka Huang sometimes join her in cosplaying and have watched her skills grow.
“[Tiana is] creative, fun and smart,” Williams said. “She’s definitely more comfortable with going through [cosplaying at conventions and presenting herself in costume], and she has been getting better with her makeup skills.”
Schatschneider and Huang have attended several cosplay conventions and events together that strengthened their shared love for cosplay, including Anime Impulse, Anime Chibi and the Renaissance Faire.
“Sometimes [we match costumes from Genshin Impact such as] Rene and Ganyu,” Huang said. “She [embodies the color] pink and is energetic and passionate [about cosplay].”
As Schatschneider’s cosplaying experience grows, so do her costume-making skills. Instead of just wearing a costume, she also focuses on hair, accessories and makeup. These components vary depending on the character.
“Whether it be hand-making props, 3D printing outfit details or embroidering a bit of a costume to make it stand out, little things like that can really bring a cosplay together,” Schatschneider said.
Being a part of the cosplaying community gives Schatschneider chances to meet people who share her interests, make new friends, feel like she belongs in a community that cares about the same things she does and build her creativity with all the costume altering she does and masters.
“[Cosplaying] is definitely a very nice form of escapism. I am sure this is why people even get into the fandoms — because they feel they need an escape from their normal everyday life and the chance to be able to pretend they are someone else,” Schatschneider said. “As bad as that sounds, it’s very therapeutic in my opinion.” Ω
