Title: Reviewing the Concept of Subculture: Japanese Cosplay in Malaysia
Abstract: Globalization and advances in technology have aided the transmission of culture to local communities as to provide these communities different cultural options. They can thus break away from the lifestyle established through the norms of local society and involve themselves in what has become known as subculture. This article considers how one foreign culture, Japanese cosplay became a part of Malaysian subculture and ultimately came to be considered as part of mainstream Malaysian culture. This article is divided into two parts. The first part reviews the various concepts of subculture, such as it being mainly practiced by those who are marginalized in society or those who lack social standing. These interpretations are rejected in favor of a concept of subculture as constituting a different part of main culture. Then the diffusion process of Japanese cosplay into other countries such as Australia and North America is discussed. The second part consists of an elucidation of how Japanese cosplay became a part of Malaysian culture by a textual analysis of Malaysia's cosplay community forum. It will consider the early formation of Malaysia's cosplay community and the role students and industry played in this formation. Also the background of the participants and the reasons for their participation in these cosplay activities are analyzed. It is concluded from this that their participation constituted not some kind of resistance to mainstream culture but in fact is a part of this mainstream culture.
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-06-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 2
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