Furries are a subculture whose members have an interest in anthropomorphic animal characters. While some furries do engage in cosplay, it is important to note that not all furries participate in this activity, and being a furry does not necessarily imply being involved in cosplay.
Cosplay, short for "costume play," refers to the practice of dressing up as a character from a work of fiction, such as a video game, anime, or comic book. Cosplayers often meticulously recreate the appearance of the character they are portraying, including their clothing, accessories, and sometimes even their mannerisms.
On the other hand, being a furry generally involves having an affinity for anthropomorphic animal characters and may include creating and/or adopting a furry persona, often referred to as a fursona. Many furries express their interest through various means, such as artwork, writing, online communities, conventions, and even fursuiting. Fursuiting involves wearing costumes that represent their fursonas, often in the form of full-body animal suits.
While there may be some overlap between furries and cosplayers, it is important to recognize that they are distinct interests and communities. Furries primarily focus on anthropomorphic animal characters and may engage in a variety of activities beyond cosplay to express their love for the furry fandom.