Regardless of the con, whether it’s a small fan gathering or an event the size of Anime Expo, you’re bound to see cosplayers roaming the grounds at any hour of the day. Cosplay, as an art form and a pastime, has become inextricably linked to the convention experience. It’s part of our subculture’s DNA at this point, as eager fans express their adoration of their favorite shows, manga, games, and more. Every year, thousands of costumed crusaders make their way to conventions across the country, bringing their very best from sunup to sundown.
This year, Anime Expo saw literally thousands of cosplayers wandering the halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center. To see so many folks donning their finest for the event would normally be impressive in its own right. This year, though, the convention was held in the middle of a major heat wave that saw temperatures climb beyond 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius). To brave these temperatures on their own is a feat. To don heavy, hot costumes and venture through the beating sun, though, is nothing short of Herculean.
And yet, that didn’t deter fans, who repped every franchise one could imagine, from Persona 5, to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, to Ranma 1/2.
We’ve collected our best cosplay photos from this year’s Anime Expo below. I would like to thank every single person featured in this segment. You’re all amazing, and Anime Expo wouldn’t be the same without you!
