As more young women shy away from real-life relationships, some among China’s Gen-Z are turning to an option that promises those of perfect character.
Mostly advertised on social media, “cos commission” allows young women to hire professional cosplayers to impersonate their favorite virtual characters from games, anime, manga or movies and go on dates with them. Fees range into the thousands of yuan. There is even a dedicated mini-app for the community, GooCos, available in WeChat.
When hired, cosplayers immediately take on the persona of the character, giving their clients the feeling that they are dating their digital crushes. Typical date activities include dining out, shopping, chatting, going to the cinema, taking photos or visiting amusement parks. In addition to the fee, clients must also cover meals and activities during their dates.
Many women prefer to hire female cosplayers, saying they provide a greater sense of security and a more immersive experience without the fear of harassment. On Xiaohongshu (RED), China’s equivalent of Instagram, the hashtag “cos commission” has garnered over 700 million views.
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