At the 21st China International Cartoon & Animation Festival (CICAF) held in Jiande, Zhejiang, cosplayer Fei Yao appeared in long, striking red hair and a flowing deep-blue gown, transforming into Cabernet, a character from the domestic game Path to Nowhere. She performed in a stage play inspired by the game — The Feast of Insatiability.
Fei Yao's cosplay journey began in her junior high years, when a friend invited her to give it a try. Ever since, she's been completely hooked — and her passion has lasted for more than a decade.
Today, in addition to her main career as an organizer of anime and manga events, Fei Yao also works part-time as a cosplayer. Performing in stage plays and participating in cosplay contests have become the activities that take up most of her free time.
In 2014, Fei Yao established "Jiangnan Seven Institutes", a cosplay troupe she established with a dozen fellow ACG enthusiasts. In their spare time, they rehearsed stage plays together. One of the troupe's signature works was The Feast of Insatiability.
The process of cosplay is intricate and time-consuming, requiring both effort and patience. To better resemble the character, cosplayers often trim their wigs and modify props on their own. They also need to find suitable photographers and editors to handle shooting and post-production work.
Before the show began, the reporter spotted Fei Yao in the midst of her "transformation" backstage. With practiced ease, she secured her long hair atop her head, slipped on a wig and styled it, then carefully adorned herself with a variety of accessories.
"I usually commission wigs from a wig stylist and have my makeup done by a professional makeup artist," Fei Yao said. "As for props, besides ordering some from professional makers, I also enjoy making some on my own."
When asked why she is so passionate about cosplay, Fei Yao answered without hesitation, "Cosplay has been an important way for me to meet new friends; it brings together people who share the same passion for ACG culture from all over the country."
Growing up in Hangzhou, Fei Yao has witnessed the city's anime and cosplay culture flourish over the years. The community has expanded rapidly, and cosplayers have become a lively part of the city's streetscape.
"The rise of Chinese animation has really helped more people discover and appreciate ACG culture. At the same time, the Hangzhou government has been giving strong support to the industry—for instance, by hosting the CICAF."
Fei Yao recalled that the CICAF once allowed her to travel to Spain, where she competed in a cosplay duo contest and shared China's ACG culture with local ACG fans.
"Chinese animation has its own unique charm. For example, domestic animations often feature highly intricate plots and finely nuanced character portrayals. Emotional expression tends to be restrained yet deeply moving. In the future, I hope to promote Chinese animation internationally through richer, more authentically Chinese ways, so that more people can appreciate its brilliance."
(Reporter, Cameramen: Minyu Lian; Editor: Anna Li, Minyu Lian; Translator: Zheng Xiaoyi; English Editor: Darius; Some materials are provided by the interviewee)
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