  This paper analyzes peer-based learning and the concept of Scaffolding
represented in ethnographic case studies of ten female informants aged 20-25
participating in the cosplay community. Cosplay is a female-dominated niche
subculture of extreme fans and mavens, who are devoted to dressing up as
characters from manga, games, and anime. Cosplayers are highly conscious of
quality standards for costumes, makeup, and accessories. Cosplay events and
dedicated SNSs for cosplayers are a valuable venue for exchanging information
about costume making. First we frame this work as an effort to think about
their learning environment using the concept of connected learning by Ito et
al(2013). Then we share an overview of cosplay culture in Japan and our
methodologies based on interviews and fieldwork. The interview transcripts were
analyzed according to the Steps for coding and Theorization method, a
qualitative data analysis technique by Otani (2008). In this study, We focus on
their reciprocal learning and expanding the concept of Scaffolding.
