why does the media think that cosplay is a form of fetish?

[Robin]

[wizjp]

Because that's both what it appears to be and how it is commonly defined.

[shOrtie]

Because it is. A fetish isn't necessarily sexual. It just means you really, really like something.

"an excessive and irrational devotion or commitment to a particular thing:
‘men will never understand a woman’s fetish for shoes and handbags
‘the western fetish for all things North African’n excessive and irrational devotion or commitment to a particular thing'"

[Autumn LeFleur]

Personally, I think Cosplay is really neat and creative. I've owned a fetish shop for years and the Cosplay people are the nicest people around. I think that there are different sections associated with Cosplay where some are sexualized and some are not.

My best advise, is be who you are - love it and be proud of it. Other people's thoughts are their own. Let them think what they want and live your life.

[Mook]

Shortie, women don't get men's 'fetish' for football either!

According to Wiki, it is just dressing up - a social activity like any other. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosplay

It sounds more like freelance acting to me than what I would think of as a fetish, unless you have to dress up like Robin Hood to be able to have sex. Do people think civil war reenactors are fetishists? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_reenactment

Fetish usually implies some type of behaviour that you can't help, like your mind is warped in some way and you're somewhat mentally ill.