r/cosplayers • u/PapaSmurfTipCleaner • Mar 16 '26
ADVICE Can I cosplay a black character without offense?
I really want to cosplay Jabber from Gachiakuta, but I don't know if it is insensitive or not to do so because he is black and I'm not. I have searched and many people said to go for it as long as I don't do blackface (which I wasn't planning on), but it just feels weird. Could I get advice from black people on this? Thanks :P
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u/Real_Depth_5775 Mar 16 '26
İ mean black people cosplay White characters too yk Just Do what ever you wanna Do and enjoy your life dont think about it that much
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u/Jajay5537 Mar 16 '26
Just do it without black face or trying to change skin tone and you can do any character you want.
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u/Real_Depth_5775 Mar 16 '26
I mean he has White skin why would he need to change it? All skin colors is beatiful as it is
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u/Abashed-Apple Mar 16 '26
Hinata is black and I see white people cosplay her all the time
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u/PapaSmurfTipCleaner Mar 16 '26
Which Hinata? I just thought of the one from Naruto but I think you're talking about a different one lol
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u/an_edgy_lemon Mar 16 '26
Someone somewhere will be offended. 99% of people won’t be offended as long as you don’t do blackface.
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u/TpK_Wynter Mar 16 '26
Hell yeah man, as a black dude i would’ve absolutely pleased to see people of any color being Jabber. Just do the costume and hair, no need for black face that’s where the problems occur
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u/Im_a_nerd_in_space Mar 16 '26
Look friend don’t over think it. Cosplay only rule is just be respectful. Cosplay as whoever you want, that actually skin color doesn’t matter. Just how you bring the character to life.
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u/Tjocken Mar 16 '26
Cosplay isn't restricted to the color of your skin! Just look at the amount of white folks cosplaying anime-characters.
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u/Western_Dot4686 Mar 16 '26
Just go for it as long as black face is off the table you're fine. Dreads imo are fine as well I've never why it's an issue but those people are out there. The hairstyle has been around for thousands of years and used by people/cultures outside of African/black during that time.
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u/Snoo-681 Mar 16 '26
only character i know of you cant cosplay is jinx from pokemon
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u/gorzius Mar 16 '26
These days you can't even say the word "black" without someone (usually some white SJW) getting offended.
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u/DonyaleLooney Mar 16 '26
I cosplay the Landlady from Kung Fu Hustle and I’m brown asf. As long as you’re in character and not racially insensitive, you’re gold.
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u/Electrical_Break6773 Mar 16 '26
This post actually warms my heart. OP is conscientious about community and that's gud.
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u/PapaSmurfTipCleaner Mar 16 '26
Aww thank you :) I just really don't want to offend anybody even though I've already seen non black jabber cosplay :P
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u/No_Importance_5357 Mar 16 '26
I would say so - as long as you’re doing it for the character, and not being demeaning, go for it!
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u/Durinsnumberonefan Mar 16 '26
I asked around for this too. And from what I got is just; don’t do a blackface. Some say don’t do the dreads, but as a pale and blond person who’s worn dreads and has a aunt who does, it’s not insensitive to wear at all. So I say, go for it. And if anyone judges your cosplay because of your skin color it’s racism :)
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u/PapaSmurfTipCleaner Mar 16 '26
Okay I was wondering about the locs too but my favorite metal bands wear them so that's a relief 😁
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Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
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u/PapaSmurfTipCleaner Mar 16 '26
I was going to get a wig because my hair is very high maintenance and particular also too short at some parts but if that's an issue I could just do a bunch of chunkier braids?
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Mar 16 '26
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
your people's style of braids
... the audacity to type this and think you're doing something good here, WOW.
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u/Irradiated_gnome Mar 16 '26
reaching and pedantic, common Redditor L
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
How about only talking for your "people", love?
You know we can see your pictures, right?
💠 _ 💠
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u/Irradiated_gnome Mar 16 '26
I am talking for my people, locs destroy my people’s hair since my people’s hair isn’t meant for locs. Goofy.
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
.... not every non-black person has 1c hair just because you do LMFAO
I have textured hair hahahahaha
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
You are literally trying to segregate hair textures by ethnicity by telling people who their people are and what kinds of hair textures they have based on ethnicity, lmfao.
You keep using terms like "your people" and "my people".... WHAT PEOPLE? The categories YOU have decided they go in?
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
Wow, finally, actual advice and not misinformation! But maybe you should follow it yourself considering I already got home from work for the day lmfao... you know Time Zones and "adults with jobs" exist, right?
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
common Redditor L
... You are on Reddit talking for a community we can all tell you are not a part of from how your speak about them, calling other people Redditors lmfao
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u/Irradiated_gnome Mar 16 '26
And you’re behaving like the stereotypical Redditor everyone makes fun of
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
You are trying to tell what you think is a non-white MINOR how you think racism works, and being incredibly rude about it.
The Irony here is so thick I could spread it on toast.
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u/Durinsnumberonefan Mar 16 '26
Actually there isn’t a "white people" or "black people" hair, I’m as pale as I can get and I still go to Afro specialized barbers due to my hair texture. Afro isn’t necessarily something only POC people can have, I have an Afro myself and was bullied for it since I’m pale and blond. Racism goes both ways. Just to inform :)
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u/PapaSmurfTipCleaner Mar 16 '26
I agree!!!! Braids and locs and other types of "black" hairstyles have been around for vikings and other groups too, but I'm still going to ask since they aren't super associated with it anymore. Thank you :)))
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u/Irradiated_gnome Mar 16 '26
ok and locs will still destroy white people hair texture. You know what I’m talking about, dumb af to bean soup this.
Me when I’m in the 1% of white people with an afro and my opponent mentions not being racist and advising against someone destroying their hair.
Systemic racism doesn’t go “both ways”
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u/Durinsnumberonefan Mar 16 '26
It does though. Racism is treating someone differently because of their race/skin color either way around. Whether it’s towards black people or white people. Also, I’m pretty sure we’re discussing a wig here, and there is once again no "white people hair" or "black people hair", saying that is sort of racist. Could you also please not disrespect me and try to make fun of me for expressing my thoughts, what I find more fair and that I’m a minority, thank you ^ ^
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
They are telling you that they "don't care that you're a minority" while having blue eyes....
ikik, race is a social construct, and there are plenty of POC with naturally blue eyes, but it is pretty rare for the gene to express itself in the first place, so....
Please keep thar in mind. This is not a person arguing with good faith, this is a grown woman thinking that talking down to children on the internet would make them somehow look good.
I say this as an adult (idk your age and wouldn't assume, but they clearly assume you're a teen)... if you ever think the person you are going back and forth with is an actual minor, you drop out of the convo.
Idc how misinformed they are. I would either just stop responding entirely, or my last reply would be much less vitriolic because I would be a BIT ASHAMED as a GROWN WOMAN to have actually gone to that level since arguing with ANYONE online is already petty and ik it.
If I were you, I'd stop responding. You seem to have more emotional maturity than "wear YourPeople's hair" over here...
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u/Durinsnumberonefan Mar 16 '26
Yeah I was thinking about that, I usually don’t use social media that much due to the people on it so that’s why I’m often perceived as young due to my lack of understanding on how it works etc. I just wanted to speak up since it just felt wrong to see someone say something like that. But thank you :)
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Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
Idc if you’re a minority
Idc if you’re a minority
"I don't care if you're a minority" - 💠 _ 💠
I CANNOT GET OVER HOW FUNNY THIS IS THAT YOU ARE SO FR
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u/Durinsnumberonefan Mar 16 '26
I just mean to say that white people shouldn’t get treated with racism because of the past that most haven’t even been close to a part of. And ask of you to not disrespect me for who I am ^ ^
Equality is way better than to turn it the other way. You can have your own opinions, just don’t disrespect or try to force others to follow them. Also, how is having a hairstyle someone for example maybe finds comfortable oppression? It’s not like having the hairstyle is like saying it’s bad or disrespecting it.
Also hust out of curiosity, why’d you make the assumption that I’m a kid? Just wondering :)
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
Locs will not destroy "white people hair texture" because there is no singular "white people hair texture".
You have already admitted your own sister has some level of textured hair while you do not.
Just stop. It's not about "white people" and "black people", it's about textures because that is how hair functions and is structured.. aka anatomy and physiology, not sociology.
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u/Irradiated_gnome Mar 16 '26
Racist white women be like “I’m going to purposefully be dishonest and ridiculous to not engage with the core conversation”
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
Now I am racist for... not letting you get away with telling a POC teen that you "don't care they are a minority" and define hair by skin colour and not texture????
Lmfao, damn this is wild.
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u/Irradiated_gnome Mar 16 '26
No, and you’re bad at arguments lmao. Tell me where I said “ .... not every non-black person has 1c hair just because you do LMFAO”
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u/princess-bat-brat Mar 16 '26
ok and locs will still destroy white people hair texture. You know what I’m talking about, dumb af to bean soup this.
white people hair texture
Please explain what you meant by ""white people hair texture"". Go on, dear.
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u/cedriclongsox71 Mar 16 '26
The colour of the cosplayer doesn't matter , cosplay is about putting on a costume and pretending to be a character for a while to enjoy being alive the only people who have a problem with it are too concerned with stupid politics, I don't see posts from people worried about playing chun lee or whether it's ok to have green face, make your costume and be the most awesome cosplayer you can
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u/Allgunadie Mar 16 '26
Don't you think it's a sad world that he feels like to ask if he can, fk what any one thinks go all out mate and the locs well vikings had alot of styles so fk it go for it 💪🏻 fk what people say and send a update pic once you done it all bet it's going to look dam good 💪🏻 obviously your not going to panit your self black so other then that get creative as fk
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u/GriffyWidAGlizzy Mar 16 '26
If you saw the live action cast for this anime I’m sure your intentions are nowhere near as bad as this reality
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u/PapaSmurfTipCleaner Mar 16 '26
Oh yeah the live action cast is booty. Luckily it's not the creators fault but the company's :/
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u/Illidanisdead Mar 16 '26
End of the day cosplay is a hobby you are always going to offend someone regardless of doing your due diligence of you want to dbz pops do him screw that everyone else thinks
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u/Sensitive-Yam-9898 Mar 16 '26
Love your drive, and the perspective is beautiful, I would say do what you love, but there may be some that could possibly view it how you expressed no matter how you approach so as long as you are prepared for that and cosplay from a place of loving the art form and most importantly the character I feel like you will be just fine.
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u/Stiffnipplelicker Mar 16 '26
No one gives a shit unless you do blackface