Tom Meltzer 

The double life of cosplayers – in pictures

Photographer Klaus Pichler’s Just the Two of Us explores the double identities of cosplayers and other costumed sub-cultures
  
  


The Weeping Angel. <br/>A fan of Doctor Who dressed as a deadly weeping angel. The statuesque aliens were introduced in the Hugo award-winning episode Blink, and have been voted both the best and scariest monster in several fan polls. The term “weeping” is, however, a misnomer; the aliens do not actually weep, but cover their eyes as if in tears so as to avoid meeting one another’s gaze. The one in this photograph is upset because she’s just been burgled.
The Weeping Angel. A fan of Doctor Who dressed as a deadly weeping angel. The statuesque aliens were introduced in the Hugo award-winning episode 'Blink', and have been voted both the best and scariest monster in several fan polls. The term 'weeping' is, however, a misnomer; the aliens do not actually weep, but cover their eyes as if in tears so as to avoid meeting one another’s gaze. The one in this photograph is upset because she’s just been burgled. Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Anzenberger Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Klaus Pichler / Anzenberger
The Imp. A cosplayer dressed as Jaken from the InuYasha anime series, the story of a 200-year-old half-demon warrior’s quest for revenge. Jaken is an imp, and a loyal ally to InuYasha’s half-brother, the dog demon Sesshōmaru. He is best known for his catchphrase: 'If you need me I’ll be up on that chest of drawers.' Although not really, because I just made that up.
The Imp. A cosplayer dressed as Jaken from the InuYasha anime series, the story of a 200-year-old half-demon warrior’s quest for revenge. Jaken is an imp, and a loyal ally to InuYasha’s half-brother, the dog demon Sesshōmaru. He is best known for his catchphrase: 'If you need me I’ll be up on that chest of drawers.' Although not really, because I just made that up. Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Anzenberger Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Klaus Pichler / Anzenberger
A festive white 'percht' stops for a quiet cup of tea in the kitchen. Perchten come in two types: the 'beautiful' and the 'ugly'. The beautiful are believed to bring luck and wealth, but the ugly are also good omens, scaring away malicious ghosts and demons. This is an ugly one. And the thing under the table is a dog and not a furry. We’re 99% sure on that one.
The Perchten. A festive white 'percht' stops for a quiet cup of tea in the kitchen. Perchten come in two types: the 'beautiful' and the 'ugly'. The beautiful are believed to bring luck and wealth, but the ugly are also good omens, scaring away malicious ghosts and demons. This is an ugly one. And the thing under the table is a dog and not a furry. We’re 99% sure on that one. Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Anzenberger Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Klaus Pichler / Anzenberger
The Silurian. Another Doctor Who fan, this time dressed as a member of the conservationist lizard race the Silurians. It’s possible this particular cosplayer likes plants.
The Silurian. Another Doctor Who fan, this time dressed as a member of the conservationist lizard race the Silurians. It’s possible this particular cosplayer likes plants. Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Anzenberger Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Klaus Pichler / Anzenberger
A cosplayer dressed as the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. Despite the monster’s forlorn expression, this player is unlikely to be lonely; a quick search online for “muppet cosplay” reveals a plentiful supply of fellow enthusiasts, including Kermits, “yip, yip” aliens, and the Great Gonzo.
The Cookie Monster. A cosplayer dressed as the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. Despite the monster’s forlorn expression, this player is unlikely to be lonely; a quick search online for 'muppet cosplay' reveals a plentiful supply of fellow enthusiasts, including Kermits, 'yip, yip' aliens, and the Great Gonzo. Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Anzenberger Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Klaus Pichler / Anzenberger
The Master Chief. The hero of the Halo video games, the Master Chief is a genetically and mechanically enhanced super-soldier. This is what it looks like when he goes to visit his friend Louise and she goes to the toilet and he’s left alone in the living room thinking: 'Maybe I should just settle down and get a flat like Louise. She always seems so happy.'
The Master Chief. The hero of the Halo videogames, the Master Chief is a genetically and mechanically enhanced super-soldier. This is what it looks like when he goes to visit his friend Louise and she goes to the toilet and he’s left alone in the living room thinking: 'Maybe I should just settle down and get a flat like Louise. She always seems so happy.' Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Anzenberger Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Klaus Pichler / Anzenberger
The Space Rat. This is some kind of space rat. That’s all I’ve got, I’m afraid. Oh, he’s holding an orb. Which I’m pretty sure he got in IKEA.
The Space Rat. This is some kind of space rat. That’s all I’ve got, I’m afraid. Oh, he’s holding an orb. Which I’m pretty sure he got in Ikea. Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Anzenberger Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Klaus Pichler / Anzenberger
The Bounty Hunter. A bounty hunter from the Star Wars universe mans the decks in his apartment. The 501st Legion – the official worldwide Star Wars fan club – has over 5,000 members active in international Outposts or Garrisons, while thousands more live out their lives on one or other side of the Force playing the massively multiplayer online game, The Old Republic. This guy’s probably just waiting for a load of Sith to turn up with the booze.
The Bounty Hunter. A bounty hunter from the Star Wars universe mans the decks in his apartment. The 501st Legion – the official worldwide Star Wars fan club – has more than 5,000 members active in international Outposts or Garrisons, while thousands more live out their lives on one or other side of the Force playing the massively multiplayer online game, The Old Republic. This guy’s probably just waiting for a load of Sith to turn up with the booze. Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Anzenberger Photograph: Klaus Pichler/Klaus Pichler / Anzenberger
 

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