Have you ever admired incredible cosplays, whether online or at a convention, and wondered who the costume designer or model was?
Many famous cosplayers exist worldwide, most of whom create their own costumes, although some purchase them from professional designers.
I have compiled a list of the most popular cosplayers in the world, both male and female, recognized for their talent in creating stunning cosplays and showcasing them at cosplay conventions and other events.
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Famous Cosplayers
Given the immense growth of the cosplay community and culture worldwide, this once unconventional hobby has transformed into a lucrative profession, provided you achieve sufficient popularity.
That being said, whether you engage in it as a hobby or as a profession, being an active cosplayer can be quite costly. The materials for costumes often need to be imported, and unless you create your own designs, you will also incur 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 comprehensive list of famous cosplayers you will ever encounter.
Famous Female Cosplayers
1. Narga Lifestream
This highly attractive and renowned Russian cosplayer and costume designer has been active in the scene since 2008 and is among the most recognized Warcraft cosplayers globally.
In addition to her efforts in bringing various fandoms to life, she is also an avid gamer and a highly popular model. She participates in a few cosplays with her husband Aleksei on a page called Narga&Aoki.
2. Little Jem
A renowned and exceptionally cute 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 garnered over 300 thousand followers on Instagram, along with smaller followings across various other platforms.
She is well-known in the cosplay community for her unique personality and presence at gaming conventions worldwide.
3. Maweezy
A well-known and popular Filipina cosplayer, she has been active for several years, attending numerous anime conventions across the US and around the world. Although her following is not as large as that of Yaya Han or some other cosplayers, she compensates for it with her charming appearance and distinctive costume designs.
4. Yaya Han
A renowned female cosplayer of Chinese descent, Yaya Han is a prominent TV personality who frequently serves as a cosplay judge at various conventions.
She has also appeared as a guest on the TBS reality show “King” multiple times and is now 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 ventured into music.
Furthermore, her popularity in South Korea has only increased due to the significant influence of Spiral Cats. She is, however, best known for her cosplays of popular anime characters, such as Saeko Busujima.
6. Jessica Nigri
Perhaps the most popular cosplayer to ever emerge from New Zealand, she has participated in numerous anime expos and comic cons, as well as several Riot Games events.
As one of the first cosplayers to introduce cosplay culture to a mainstream audience, she is recognized for portraying her favorite characters from various popular video games, including League of Legends and Lollipop Chainsaw.
7. Myrtle Sarrosa
An immensely popular Filipina cosplayer and a key figure in Southeast Asian geek culture, Myrtle Sarrosa has been cosplaying since she was 14 years old.
She is also a well-known internet personality, with many of her cosplay photos inspiring female cosplayers worldwide.
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, having transformed her education into an art form.
Over the years, she has portrayed many cosplayers, never committing to a specific character for an extended period.
9. Jannet Vinogradova
Jannet Vinogradova, a Russian cosplayer who is now part of the US cosplay community, is renowned for her stunning appearances and revealing cosplays, which have earned her numerous victories in competitions and cosplay events.
She has been featured in several magazines, both in the US and her homeland, Russia, earning a fortune from commissions.
10. Meg Turney
A cosplayer, streamer, and burlesque performer, Meg Turney is renowned for showcasing her stunning 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 featuring merchandise.
11. Alodia Gosiengfiao
The remarkable Filipina cosplayer is recognized for having a personal costume designer and for her long-standing promotion of the video game Mobile Legends. She has also collaborated with various other game companies, including Blizzard and Valve.
12. Stella Chuu
An incredibly famous American cosplayer, Stella Chuu is best known for her Sailor Moon costumes and her work as a voice actress. She has also appeared in several TV shows in both the United States and Japan.
13. Lindsay Elyse
A prominent American cosplayer from Arizona, Lindsay Elise has also explored other lucrative online ventures, including OnlyFans. Her total Instagram following exceeds 400 thousand, enabling her to accumulate a substantial fortune solely from advertisements.
14. Ivy Doomkitty
A well-known American cosplayer with a substantial Instagram following of nearly 400 thousand people, Ivy Doomkitty is renowned for her portrayals of cartoon and anime characters and has participated in numerous cosplaying events both in the US and abroad.
15. Kay Pike
A highly popular Canadian cosplayer, she is best known for her remarkable body paint creations. She initially gained recognition on Reddit and subsequently expanded her influence across various social media platforms.
She has her own Discord server, a Patreon account, and also sells NFTs.
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 extremely popular male cosplayer from the United States, he is renowned for creating some of the best male cosplays available and has won numerous competitions throughout his career.
He also has his own website and merch store, which further increases 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 participated in several Comic Con events and worked on 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 crafted some of the most impressive male cosplays ever showcased 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 recognized for his award-winning Hulkbuster suit, along with several other large and costly 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 among the most popular cosplayers in the United States. He has been cosplaying for over a decade and has won several awards. Additionally, he has become one of the most popular TikTok cosplayers, boasting 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. They have all made a significant impact on the cosplay scene, winning competitions and becoming highly sought-after personalities on TV and the internet.
Some have even launched their own businesses. Is there anyone else you believe should be included on 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.
