The Most Popular Cosplay, Ranked

Choose the cosplay you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:33
At conventions worldwide, from bustling cities to quiet towns, cosplay artisans showcase their incredible talents, bringing beloved characters to life. Yet, amid the array of creativity and dedication, standout favorites invariably emerge, sparking debates and admiration among communities. A ranked list of popular cosplays, often influenced by both fleeting trends and timeless classics, can offer fascinating insights into what resonates with fans at any given time. By participating in the ranking process, enthusiasts contribute to a dynamic, community-driven survey of popular opinion which can serve as both a guide for newcomers and a marker of evolving tastes for seasoned fans. Each vote not only aids in recognizing the efforts of skilled cosplayers but also helps in shaping a continually updated snapshot of collective preferences, encouraging a participatory culture in the fandom.

What Is the Most Popular Cosplay?

  1. 1
    60
    votes
    Naruto is a popular anime and manga series that has gained a massive following over the years. Cosplaying as a Naruto character allows fans to show their love for the series and become their favorite ninja.
    Naruto is a Japanese anime series that follows the adventures of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who aims to become the Hokage, the strongest ninja in his village. The story is set in a fictional world where ninjas possess various abilities and fight against powerful enemies. Naruto's journey is filled with action, friendship, and personal growth as he faces challenges in his quest for recognition and to protect his loved ones.
    • Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
    • Original Run: October 3, 2002 – February 8, 2007
    • Episodes: 220
    • Main Protagonist: Naruto Uzumaki
    • Setting: Hidden Leaf Village, various other ninja villages
  2. 2
    41
    votes

    Sailor Moon

    Naoko Takeuchi
    Sailor Moon is a classic anime series that has been popular for decades. Cosplaying as a Sailor Scout allows fans to show their love for the series and become their favorite magical girl.
    Sailor Moon is a popular anime and manga series that follows the adventures of a young middle school student named Usagi Tsukino, who transforms into the superhero Sailor Moon to battle against the forces of evil. Alongside her fellow Sailor Guardians, Usagi protects the Earth and the galaxy from various villains while also dealing with everyday school life and personal relationships.
    • Genre: Magical girl, action, romance
    • Original run: March 7, 1992 – February 8, 1997
    • Episodes: 200 (including specials)
    • Manga volumes: 18
    • Main protagonist: Usagi Tsukino / Sailor Moon
    Sailor Moon in other rankings
  3. 3
    6
    votes

    Attack on Titan

    Hajime Isayama
    Attack on Titan is a popular anime and manga series that has gained a huge following in recent years. Cosplaying as a member of the Survey Corps allows fans to show their love for the series and become a part of the fight against the Titans.
    Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin, is a popular dark fantasy anime series set in a world where humanity lives inside cities surrounded by enormous walls to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures called Titans. The story revolves around Eren Yeager and his friends who join the military to fight against the Titans and uncover the secrets behind their existence.
    • Genre: Action, Dark Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
    • Original run: April 7, 2013 – Present
    • Episodes: 75 (and counting)
    • Manga: Written by Hajime Isayama
    • Animation Studio: Wit Studio (seasons 1-3), MAPPA (season 4)
    Attack on Titan in other rankings
  4. 4
    29
    votes

    My Hero Academia

    Kōhei Horikoshi
    My Hero Academia is a popular anime and manga series that has gained a huge following in recent years. Cosplaying as a hero or villain from the series allows fans to show their love for the series and become their favorite character.
    My Hero Academia is a popular anime series set in a world where most of the population possesses superpowers known as Quirks. The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a young boy who dreams of becoming a hero despite being born without a Quirk. However, his life takes a turn when he encounters the greatest hero of all, All Might, who offers to pass down his Quirk to Izuku. Faced with challenges and obstacles, Izuku enters U.A. High School, a prestigious academy for aspiring heroes, and embarks on a journey to fulfill his dream of becoming the world's greatest hero.
    • Genre: Action, Comedy, Superpower
    • Original Run: April 3, 2016 – present
    • Episodes: Currently over 100 episodes
    • Manga Volumes: Currently 30 volumes
    • Main Protagonist: Izuku Midoriya
    My Hero Academia in other rankings
  5. 5
    25
    votes

    Final Fantasy

    Hironobu Sakaguchi
    Final Fantasy is a popular video game series that has been around for decades. Cosplaying as a character from the series allows fans to show their love for the games and become their favorite character.
    Final Fantasy is a popular video game franchise developed and published by Square Enix. Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi in 1987, it has become one of the most iconic and influential role-playing game series in the world. The game features a mix of fantasy and science fiction elements, with each installment introducing a unique world and narrative.
    • Main Characters: Characters like Cloud Strife, Tidus, and Lightning are widely recognized and cosplayed.
    • Distinct Aesthetics: Each game in the series has its own distinct art style and character designs, providing a diverse range of cosplaying options.
    • Extensive Lore: The franchise boasts a rich and extensive lore, with detailed backstories and world-building that fans enjoy exploring through cosplay.
    • Weapon Replicas: Cosplayers often recreate the iconic weapons seen in Final Fantasy, such as Cloud's Buster Sword or Squall's Gunblade.
    • Elaborate Costumes: Final Fantasy characters are known for their intricate and detailed costumes, making them a favorite choice for skilled cosplayers.
    Final Fantasy in other rankings
  6. 6
    17
    votes
    Harry Potter
    Nzgabriel · CC BY 2.5

    Harry Potter

    J.K. Rowling
    Harry Potter is a beloved book and movie series that has been popular for years. Cosplaying as a character from the series allows fans to show their love for the series and become a part of the magical world of Hogwarts.
    Harry Potter is a fantasy book series that follows the journey of a young wizard named Harry Potter as he attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The books chronicle Harry's battle against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who seeks to become immortal and conquer the wizarding world. The series incorporates elements of magic, friendship, adventure, and coming-of-age themes.
    • Genre: Fantasy
    • Publication Year: 1997-2007
    • Number of Books: 7
    • Main Protagonist: Harry Potter
    • Setting: Wizarding World (primarily in the UK)
    Harry Potter in other rankings
  7. 7
    12
    votes

    Star Wars

    George Lucas
    Star Wars is a classic movie series that has been popular for decades. Cosplaying as a character from the series allows fans to show their love for the movies and become a part of the Star Wars universe.
    Star Wars is an iconic and highly recognized sci-fi film franchise created by George Lucas. The franchise features a collection of distinctive ringtones that have become popular over the years. These ringtones capture the essence of the Star Wars universe and are loved by fans worldwide.
    • Title: Star Wars
    • Genre: Sci-fi
    • Release Year: 1977
    • Film Series: Star Wars saga
    • Theme Music Composer: John Williams
    Star Wars in other rankings
  8. 8
    11
    votes
    Cosplaying as a superhero or villain from Marvel or DC Comics allows fans to show their love for the characters and become a part of the comic book world.
    Marvel and DC Comics is a popular cosplay theme based on characters from Marvel and DC comic books. It brings to life beloved superheroes and villains from these iconic comic universes.
    • First Appearance: Marvel Comics - October 1939 (Marvel) | DC Comics - February 1935 (DC)
    • Number of Characters: Countless characters from both Marvel and DC universes
    • Comic Book Publishers: Marvel Comics (Marvel) | DC Comics (DC)
    • Key Characters: Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.
    • Popularity: Extremely popular, with a massive fanbase worldwide
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    Game of Thrones is a popular book and TV series that has gained a massive following in recent years. Cosplaying as a character from the series allows fans to show their love for the show and become a part of the world of Westeros.
    Game of Thrones is a highly popular and critically acclaimed American fantasy drama television series based on the novel series 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin. The show is known for its complex characters, intricate plotlines, and its blend of political intrigue, epic battles, and fantasy elements. Set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, Game of Thrones explores the power struggles among noble families as they vie for control of the Iron Throne.
    • Genre: Fantasy, Drama
    • Number of Seasons: 8
    • Number of Episodes: 73
    • Running Time: 50-82 minutes per episode
    • Original Network: HBO
    Game of Thrones in other rankings
  10. 10
    10
    votes
    Cosplaying as a Disney character allows fans to show their love for the movies and become a part of the magical world of Disney.
    Disney is a popular quiz on Blooket that tests players' knowledge about Disney movies, characters, and theme parks. It covers a wide range of topics related to Disney and provides an entertaining way to explore the magical world of Disney.
    • Quiz Type: Multiple Choice
    • Difficulty: Moderate
    • Number of Questions: Varies (usually around 20-30)
    • Question Format: Text-based
    • Quiz Topics: Disney movies, characters, theme parks

Missing your favorite cosplay?

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Ranking factors for popular cosplay

  1. Popularity of the character
    Consider how well-known and beloved the character is among fans. Characters from popular franchises, movies, games, and TV shows are more likely to be popular choices for cosplay.
  2. Aesthetics and design of the costume
    The visual appeal and complexity of the costume play a significant role in its popularity. Unique, intricate, and visually striking designs are more likely to attract attention and be chosen for cosplay.
  3. Ease and accessibility of creating the costume
    Costumes that are relatively easy to put together or can be purchased pre-made are more likely to be popular choices among cosplayers of varying skill levels. This is especially true for beginner cosplayers who may not have the skills or resources to create more complex costumes.
  4. Availability and affordability of materials
    Costumes that require expensive, rare, or difficult-to-find materials may be less popular choices, as cosplayers may not have the budget or access to these materials for their costumes.
  5. Comfort and practicality
    Comfortable and wearable costumes may be more popular, as cosplayers often wear their costumes for long periods at conventions or events. Practicality is also a factor, as some costumes may be difficult or cumbersome to transport, wear, or move around in.
  6. Recognition and impact at conventions or events
    Costumes that are easily recognizable and stand out in crowded convention settings are more likely to be popular choices among cosplayers. The impact of the costume on fellow attendees, photographers, and judges at cosplay contests can play a role in its popularity.
  7. Cosplayer's personal connection or fandom
    Personal preference and the cosplayer's connection to the character or fandom can be a significant factor in cosplay choices. This can include the cosplayer's preference for a particular genre (e.g., anime, comics, video games, etc.), their love for a specific character, or their interest in the overall story or theme.
  8. Versatility and potential for group cosplays
    Characters with multiple costumes or versions can be more popular among cosplayers, as they offer more versatility and options for creating unique cosplays. Additionally, characters that can be easily incorporated into group cosplays within their respective fandoms may also be more popular choices.
  9. Social media and influencer trends
    Cosplay choices can be influenced by the popularity of specific characters and costumes among influencers and on social media platforms. Viral cosplay trends or challenges can impact the popularity of certain characters and costumes.
  10. Awards and contest winnings
    Characters and costumes that have won awards or gained recognition through cosplay contests may become more popular as a result. These costumes showcase cosplayers' talent and can inspire others to recreate the same costumes.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular cosplay. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or cosplay is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 7016 views
  • 197 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each cosplay once every 24 hours. The rank of each cosplay is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular cosplay

Cosplay, short for "costume play," is a popular hobby where fans dress up in costumes and accessories to portray characters from their favorite movies, anime, video games, and other pop culture media. The practice has gained immense popularity in recent years, with numerous cosplay events and conventions being organized worldwide. The most popular cosplay characters tend to be from anime and manga, followed by popular video game characters and superheroes. The cosplay community celebrates creativity and self-expression, and participants often spend months crafting intricate and detailed costumes to showcase their skills and love for their chosen character. With such a diverse range of characters to choose from, it's no surprise that cosplay has become a favorite pastime for many fans.

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