Romance in pixels

Bridging two worlds

Cosplay commissioning often involves players of otome games who want to extend their relationship with in-game characters into real life. They hire cosplayers to play those roles and accompany them on offline "dates".

For safety reasons, almost all commissioned cosplayers are female.

Beimin (pseudonym), a 20-year-old student from Taiyuan, Shanxi province, is one of them. Since last year, she has taken on more than 20 commissions, portraying over five different male characters from otome games.

During a commission, cosplayers must fully "get into character". They take on the role of an ideal boyfriend — carrying bags, opening doors, giving flowers or small gifts — but more importantly, they need to capture the personality and aura of the character.

To create a convincing look, Beimin wears elevator shoes, a nose prosthetic, and heavy makeup, often enduring discomfort and fatigue.

Yet when she sees photos of herself perfectly transformed into the character, she feels a deep sense of joy and accomplishment. "It's like completing a successful performance. I can even see the affection in my own eyes during the commission," she said.

For her, what clients ultimately seek in commissioning services is emotional value. "Some need companionship, and others want guidance or encouragement," she explained.

One girl, for example, commissioned Beimin eight times in a single year. When they first met, the girl was very depressed. Beimin kept her company and listened to her, and eventually witnessed her personal growth.

"Perhaps at first, she saw the character I played as a form of spiritual support. But later, she began to develop her own pursuits and goals. In the end, cosplay commissioning became more like a bit of seasoning in her life," Beimin said.

She believes that clients seek the feeling of being loved while cosplayers find fulfillment in expressing love.

"I don't particularly yearn for a romantic relationship myself," she said. "What I enjoy is taking care of others. My satisfaction comes from seeing them benefit from my presence or genuinely feeling that I've looked after them."

Despite being immersed in virtual emotions, Lin has had romantic experiences in real life. She and her ex-boyfriend broke up due to issues involving long distance and differing life plans.

"Real-life relationships come with many practical challenges," Lin said. "After facing setbacks, returning to the two-dimensional world allows you to continue longing for ideal love."

Chai, on the other hand, has never had a boyfriend. "Even though the game is virtual, the energy and emotion I invest in it are real," she said, citing her trip to France as an example.

For Chai, love in the virtual and real worlds isn't all that different. The main distinction, she explained, is that "loving in the 2D world can feel easier because every character is highly idealized".