What is Cosplay sex and why is it so popular in the adult industry?

Psychology Jul 16, 2021

The beginnings of cosplay were humble and innocent, with cosplayers – often referred to as otaku –, getting off on embodying the fantasy personas of their favorite manga books, video games, or movies. It was just an opportunity for fans to show their love for specific fandoms and gather at anime conventions with like-minded people.

But these days, there’s a new breed of cosplayers. Those that take things up a notch by bringing the costume play to the bedroom. And this is what it’s commonly known as cosplay sex. Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like: people having sex in costumes. The idea of sexual cosplay is getting dressed to undress.

What is cosplay sex? Is it a fetish?

To answer the question, we have to consider that some people do have fetishes around certain characters. If you’ve ever fantasized about Sailor Moon (I mean, who can blame you?) you’ll probably dig on having sex with someone who’s dressed as Sailor Moon. Same logic applies to people who practice sex in cosplay. In fact, some even prefer to be in character every time they have sex. It sure is a fetish. For others though, it’s much more than just a kink; it’s a lifestyle. So, is cosplay sexual? It can be, although in its beginnings it wasn’t set for that direction.

So how did a practice with more of a geek bent turn into a sexual kink highly demanded in adult sites?

The birth of cosplay sex videos

Japan is the cradle of cosplay, and it’s precisely here where love hotels started incorporating the idea of character play into sex life by offering costumes for their guests to rent. Customers could choose to enjoy their private time in nurse or schoolgirl uniforms.

Then, during the late 1990s, “image clubs” became increasingly popular. These were prostitution places where girls dressed up in outfits to create an image. Cosplay cafes also started to emerge around this time, giving erotic cosplayers spaces to take their initial steps. The increase of exposed skin in cosplay costumes was directly proportional to the rising fame the internet was racking up in the beginning of 2000, so it was a matter of time that cosplay would enter the internet scene.

Cosplay sex videos became a thing as people realized that they could do porn while keeping their identities secret. Wearing disguises granted them the anonymity that they needed to make money on the low. “Well, I was going to have sex dressed up as Harley Quinn anyway, so I might as well make videos and charge people for them.” Makes sense.

It was not long after, that this new category coined as cosplay porn, saw a rise in popularity in adult sites. Now, its demand goes up every time a new movie, comic or anime comes out, as viewers crave to see the kinky version of their main characters. We can confidently say that cosplay kink is a real thing nowadays.

It also goes beyond just fun and pleasure

Cosplay in general allows people to role play, and this is why a lot of relationship experts and sex therapist recommend it to their patients. Cosplay sexuality is being used by many as a form of therapy. It helps individuals deal with trauma, low self-esteem, and even find their authentic self. For a lot of LGBTQ+ people cosplay sex is a way to explore and build their own gender identity in a safe environment.

So is cosplay sex right for me?

Anyone with an active imagination and who enjoys the idea of doing the nasty while imagining they’re someone or something else, would most definitely enjoy cosplay and sex together. So if this is you, discuss it with your partner and take a go at it. There are many different ways to incorporate cosplay into your sex life, from wearing full costumes and accessories to simply using role-play to spice things up.

Experimenting with different scenarios, characters, and cosplay sexual activities can be a fun and exciting way to explore your desires with your partner. Moreover, cosplay sex can also be a great way to build intimacy and trust in a relationship. By sharing your deepest fantasies, you are opening up to your partner in a way that can strengthen your emotional bond.

Couples that play together, stay together.