Have you ever admired amazing cosplays, whether online or at a convention, and wondered who the costume designer or model might be?
Many renowned cosplayers exist worldwide, most of whom create their own costumes, while some purchase them from professional designers.
I have compiled a list of the most popular cosplayers in the world, both male and female, known for their talent in creating impressive cosplays and showcasing them at conventions and other events.
Table of Contents
Famous Cosplayers
Given the immense growth of the cosplay community and culture worldwide, this once unconventional hobby has evolved into a profitable profession, as long as you attain sufficient popularity.
That being said, whether you pursue it as a hobby or a profession, being an active cosplayer can be quite expensive. The materials for costumes often need to be imported, and unless you create your own designs, you will also face costs for the designer’s work.
Nonetheless, the most renowned cosplayers in the world earn thousands, and even millions, of dollars, with some being the most influential individuals in their age group. Join me as I present the most extensive list of famous cosplayers you will ever encounter.
Famous Female Cosplayers
1. Narga Lifestream
This highly talented and well-known Russian cosplayer and costume designer has been active in the scene since 2008 and is one of the most recognized Warcraft cosplayers worldwide.
Alongside her efforts to bring various fandoms to life, she is also an enthusiastic gamer and a highly sought-after model. She engages in several cosplays with her husband Aleksei on a page called Narga&Aoki.
2. Little Jem
A renowned and exceptionally adorable cosplayer based in the UK, Little Jem has been active in the scene for nearly a decade. Since her debut in the cosplay community in 2014, she has amassed over 300 thousand followers on Instagram, along with smaller followings on various other platforms.
She is renowned in the cosplay community for her distinctive personality and presence at gaming conventions around the globe.
3. Maweezy
A well-known and popular Filipina cosplayer, she has been active for several years, attending numerous anime conventions throughout the US and around the world. Although her following is not as large as that of Yaya Han or some other cosplayers, she makes up for it with her charming appearance and unique costume designs.
4. Yaya Han
A renowned female cosplayer of Chinese descent, Yaya Han is a prominent television personality who often acts as a cosplay judge at various conventions.
She has also made multiple guest appearances on the TBS reality show “King” and has become an idol for many cosplayers.
5. Aza Miyuko
A prominent figure in the South Korean cosplay community, she has not only won numerous cosplay competitions and events but has also explored music.
Furthermore, her popularity in South Korea has grown significantly due to the influence of Spiral Cats. However, she is best known for her cosplays of popular anime characters, such as Saeko Busujima.
6. Jessica Nigri
Arguably the most renowned cosplayer to come from New Zealand, she has taken part in numerous anime expos, comic cons, and several Riot Games events.
As one of the first cosplayers to bring cosplay culture to a mainstream audience, she is known for portraying her favorite characters from various popular video games, including League of Legends and Lollipop Chainsaw.
7. Myrtle Sarrosa
A highly popular Filipina cosplayer and a prominent figure in Southeast Asian geek culture, Myrtle Sarrosa has been cosplaying since she was 14 years old.
She is also a prominent internet personality, with many of her cosplay photos inspiring female cosplayers around the globe.
8. Linda Le
Linda Le, known as VampyBitMe, is a Japanese American cosplayer and makeup artist. She studied fashion design and creates her own costumes, turning her education into a unique art form.
Throughout the years, she has portrayed numerous cosplayers, never dedicating herself to a specific character for an extended duration.
9. Jannet Vinogradova
Jannet Vinogradova, a Russian cosplayer now integrated into the US cosplay community, is celebrated for her striking appearances and daring cosplays, which have garnered her numerous victories in competitions and cosplay events.
She has been featured in several magazines, both in the US and her homeland of Russia, earning a substantial income from commissions.
10. Meg Turney
A cosplayer, streamer, and burlesque performer, Meg Turney is well-known for displaying her striking looks in numerous US and international cosplay competitions. She has portrayed various characters from Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon (HOTD) and has her own clothing line that features merchandise.
11. Alodia Gosiengfiao
The talented Filipina cosplayer is known for having a personal costume designer and for her extensive promotion of the video game Mobile Legends. She has also worked with several other game companies, including Blizzard and Valve.
12. Stella Chuu
An exceptionally well-known American cosplayer, Stella Chuu is renowned for her Sailor Moon costumes and her career as a voice actress. She has also made appearances in various TV shows in both the United States and Japan.
13. Lindsay Elyse
A prominent American cosplayer from Arizona, Lindsay Elise has also ventured into other profitable online platforms, including OnlyFans. Her total Instagram following surpasses 400 thousand, allowing her to amass a significant fortune solely from advertisements.
14. Ivy Doomkitty
A prominent American cosplayer with a significant Instagram following of nearly 400,000, Ivy Doomkitty is celebrated for her portrayals of cartoon and anime characters. She has participated in numerous cosplay events both in the US and internationally.
15. Kay Pike
A highly popular Canadian cosplayer, she is renowned for her exceptional body paint creations. She first gained recognition on Reddit and later broadened her influence across multiple social media platforms.
She has her own Discord server, a Patreon account, and sells NFTs as well.
Famous Male Cosplayers
1. KnightMage
- Date of Birth: Unknown
- Ethnicity: African American
- Place of Residence: USA
- Fandoms: Marvel, DC, Mortal Kombat
- Social Media: Knightmage.org, Facebook, Instagram
An exceptionally popular male cosplayer from the United States, he is celebrated for crafting some of the finest male cosplays and has won numerous competitions throughout his career.
Additionally, he operates his own website and merch store, which further boosts his revenue.
2. Carlos Blanchard
- Date of Birth: He was born in 1962.
- Ethnicity: American
- Place of Residence: USA
- Fandoms: Metal Gear Solid, Marvel, DC
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook
Best known for high-quality Metal Gear costumes, this American cosplayer has taken part in several Comic Con events and contributed to the movie Proof of Life in 2000.
3. Danquish
- Date of Birth: Unknown
- Ethnicity: Canadian
- Place of Residence: Seattle, USA
- Fandoms: DC, Mortal Kombat, etc.
- Social Media: Instagram
Renowned for his ninja and full-body armor costumes, this cosplay artist and costume designer has created some of the most impressive male cosplays ever displayed at US competitions.
4. Thomas DePetrillo
Thomas DePetrillo, the founder and owner of Extreme Costumes, is a renowned costume designer and cosplayer from the USA. He is celebrated for his award-winning Hulkbuster suit, as well as several other large and expensive cosplays, many of which have price tags in the tens of thousands of dollars.
5. D-Piddy
Best known for his Deadpool costumes, D-Piddy is one of the most popular cosplayers in the United States. He has been cosplaying for over a decade and has won several awards. Furthermore, he has emerged as one of the most popular TikTok cosplayers, with nearly 3 million followers on his account.
Conclusion
Here is my list of some of the most renowned cosplayers in the world, both male and female. Each has made a significant impact on the cosplay scene, winning competitions and becoming highly sought-after personalities on television and the internet.
Some have even started their own businesses. Is there anyone else you think should be added to the list?
FAQ
Who is the most popular cosplayer on Instagram?
As the number of followers changes on a weekly basis, it is difficult to say who has the most followers at any given time. Currently, however, the number 1 spot is held by Jessica Nigri, who has almost 4 million followers as of January 2023.
How much do most popular by cosplayers earn?
A very popular cosplayer can earn tens of thousands, if not even more through various endorsement deals and selling their creations. That being said, it is also expensive to create an award-winning costume.
Who is the most famous Japanese cosplayer?
While this cannot be measured in any exact way, most will agree that Enako, who has been active on the cosplay scene since 2012, has the largest following of all the Japanese cosplayers.
