hahah i know the guy in the first picture! It's Sailor Bubba.. he's a security guard at one of the Cons in Chicago. He dresses up as a sailor scout for fun each year..since he has to work the con anyway..it's a joke..
I like cosplay, and while i dont do it personally.. I have helped put together some costumes for friends in the past. Cosplay is a great chance to explore your creative side and show yourself off a little when going to a con. It's a fun little add on to the community, and is actually a VERY BIG DEAL to otaku in japan and abroad. The worst cosplayer isnt the fat girl in the Beldandy robe, it's the person who doesnt pay close enough attention to the characters they are cosplaying as and get all the outfits wrong.
Some resources for cosplay can be found here:
http://www.angelicstar.net/
http://www.genkigang.com/genkigang.html
http://www.afansview.com
http://www.cosplay.com
Dont make fun of something just because you dont understand it. Im sure if you were into the anime/ otaku culture at all there would be an urge to cosplay at least once.
