Celty arrives at a cosplay venue in Kuala Lumpur and does not look the part yet, dressed in jeans and a plain t-shirt.
He finds a toilet, locks a cubicle door, transforms his looks and is ready to turn heads – dressed from head to toe in a helmet, boots, choker, corset and a glossy black latex catsuit.
The Kuala Lumpur-based latex enthusiast has rehearsed the worst-case scenario in his head. If people were to stare at him or mock him for his outfit, he would leave the Anime Fest Plus event at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, which was held in April.
Advertisement
Latex, after all, is still associated with fetishism and indecent behaviour in Muslim-majority Malaysia, where self-expression is often policed.
“I told my wife, ‘I wanted to cosplay with latex too in public,’” said Celty, who is in his 30s, married, and asked to be identified only by his online name. “If this gets a backlash, then I won’t go to the cosplay convention any more.”
Advertisement
His fears are unfounded. Instead, people ask him for photos. His helmet helps break the ice, while other cosplayers call him “brave”.
“Isn’t it hot?” he said, recalling the question he would often get from curious onlookers.