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Cosplay - Final Fantasy

Cosplay is a portmanteau word formed from the words "costume" and "play" and refers to a type of performance art in which participants dress up and use a variety of other accessories to represent or mimic the appearance of a specific character. Final Fantasy , a popular role-playing video game series developed by Square Enix , has introduced several popular characters and beings that have become popular choices at cosplay events and among cosplay fans. Popular choices for Final Fantasy cosplay include iconic Fantasy characters such as Cloud Strife , Squall Leonhart , and Tide. Many cosplay events, like KupoCon, are exclusively designed for Final Fantasy cosplay. Final Fantasy cosplay products can be found online and in many high street stores, and merchandise prices vary greatly.

Cosplay outfits

Final Fantasy Cosplay costumes and accessories are sold online on various hobbyist websites. E-commerce sites offer different variations of popular Final Fantasy costumes, such as Tifa Lockhart , and even iconic weapon designs, such as a replica of Noctis Lucis Caelum sword. Accessories and wigs matching the hairstyles of Final Fantasy characters are also commonly available. The prices of these fan-made costumes and accessories are negotiable as they are not an official Square Enix product and depend entirely on the creator.

Famous Japanese Final Fantasy Cosplay

Final Fantasy is a popular series among cosplayers and anime otaku in Japan, due to the unique and visually stimulating costumes worn by each character from the games. One famous cosplayer who chose Final Fantasy is Japanese cosplayer Masan. He gathered six other cosplayer friends to recreate the party for the main characters from Final Fantasy X. The cosplayers' party included the popular cosplay lineup of Tidus, Yuna, Wakka, Lulu, Kimahri-Ronso, Auron, Rikku, and P.

World Famous Final Fantasy Cosplay

Final Fantasy has not only been a hot topic of discussion for cosplayers in Japan, but also around the world. One of the most famous is Alyson Tabbitha. Alyson's mother was a professional artist and from a young age, she made her Halloween costumes every year, which sparked her interest in cosplay. In 2014, Alyson Tabbitha became a professional anime cosplayer and became famous at anime conventions for her realistic cosplays. She is also known worldwide for creating not just anime, but also famous movie characters such as Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow. Her most popular Final Fantasy cosplays are Vincent Valentine from Final Fantasy VII, Yuna from Final Fantasy X, and Lighting from Final Fantasy VIII.

KupoCon

KupoCon is an unofficial Final Fantasy event organized and made possible for fans, but not officially endorsed or sanctioned by Square Enix. It can be described as a "Final Fantasy-themed" party for attendees. The event takes place in various locations around the world, primarily in Europe and North America, with various events in Asia. Initially with a small fan base, KupoCon has garnered a sizable crowd and following among fans and is continually supported by international event planners and organizers. According to the official website, it is a non-profit event for Final Fantasy fans.

Eternal Fantasy Cafe

Eternal Fantasy Cafe is a cosplay and Final Fantasy-themed event in downtown Los Angeles. Maids and butlers serve Final Fantasy-inspired drinks and food, and Final Fantasy-themed games are featured. The event is geared toward an adult audience, cosplay-friendly, and features live performances, music, and various entertainment, including guest appearances.

Global Influence of Final Fantasy Cosplay

The website ranker.com compiled a list of 27 incredible Final Fantasy cosplay appearances. The website noted that it is very difficult to create a realistic Final Fantasy outfit. The site allows users to vote, and the cosplayer with the most votes rises to the top of the rankings. As of February 1, 2020, the top five positions on the rankings are Rikku Thief from Final Fantasy X-2, Summoner Yuna from Final Fantasy X, Kuja from Final Fantasy IX , Paine from Final Fantasy X-2, and, in fifth place, Vanille from Final Fantasy XIII. None

Another website, thegamer.com, offers another list of 25 popular Final Fantasy cosplays. According to the author of the articles,

“Some people buy their cosplays. Some sell them at flea markets. Others put hundreds of hours into them. Either way, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with either method, as cosplay can be approached in any way. Given that the Final Fantasy series has been around for over 30 years, there’s also a wide variety of cosplays to be made. With 15 main games and numerous prequels, sequels, and spin-offs, cosplayers have plenty of options to explore. And when it comes to Final Fantasy, people do it all.”
-Liz Shepherd