My First Cosplay Adventure: From Nervous Prep to Unforgettable Convention Fun

When I walked into my first anime convention last month, dressed head-to-toe as Tanjiro Kamado from Demon Slayer, my hands were still shaky—but by the end of the day, I left with a pocket full of photos, new friends, and a feeling I’d never experienced before: pure, unfiltered joy. Cosplay had always felt like a “cool thing other people did” until I decided to stop watching from the sidelines and dive in. Here’s how my first cosplay journey went, warts and all.

It started with picking the right character. I’d loved Demon Slayer for years, and Tanjiro’s kindness and courage always resonated with me. But choosing him wasn’t just about fandom—I wanted a character whose costume felt manageable for a beginner. No complicated armor or giant props, just a simple checkered haori, a burgundy uniform, and a wooden Nichirin sword replica. Even so, prepping felt overwhelming at first. I ordered the costume online but quickly realized the haori was too long for my height. Panicked, I borrowed my mom’s sewing kit and spent three nights carefully hemming the sleeves, pricking my fingers more times than I’d admit. I also practiced his makeup: light foundation to match his fair skin, soft brown eyeshadow for a gentle gaze, and a tiny red mark on my forehead (his scar!) that I redrew at least 10 times until it looked right. Every late night felt worth it when I tried on the full outfit and looked in the mirror—for a second, I didn’t just see myself; I saw Tanjiro.

The morning of the convention, I woke up at 6 a.m. to start getting ready. Applying the makeup felt like a ritual: primer first, then foundation, then the scar. I slipped into the uniform, tied the haori around my shoulders, and grabbed my sword. By 9 a.m., I was standing outside the convention center, heart racing. What if people thought my cosplay looked bad? What if no one recognized me? Those fears melted away the second a kid ran up to me, yelling, “Tanjiro!” His mom took a photo of us, and after that, more people stopped—some to snap pictures, others to gush about Demon Slayer. One cosplayer dressed as Nezuko even gave me a small paper flower, saying, “You look just like him!” It was surreal—for hours, I wasn’t just a fan; I was part of the world I loved.

Highlights of the day included a Demon Slayer group photo with 20 other cosplayers, a panel where voice actors praised our costumes, and a moment where an older fan told me, “Your enthusiasm makes this character feel alive.” But the best part was the community. Everyone was so kind—no judgment, just excitement to share a hobby. When I accidentally tripped over my haori and dropped my sword, a cosplayer dressed as Zenitsu helped me up and fixed my haori, laughing and saying, “We’ve all been there!” That small act of kindness summed up why cosplay matters: it’s not about being perfect; it’s about having fun and connecting with people who get it.

By the end of the day, my feet hurt, my makeup was smudged, and my haori had a small stain from a spilled soda—but I didn’t care. I left with a phone full of photos, a new group chat with friends from the Demon Slayer photo, and a promise to cosplay again next year (maybe Inosuke this time!). Cosplay isn’t just about dressing up—it’s about stepping into a character’s shoes, embracing your passions, and finding your people. If you’ve ever thought about trying it, do it. The nerves will fade, but the memories? They’ll last forever.