Cosplay has rapidly grown into a major cultural phenomenon in the Philippines, with enthusiasts from all walks of life donning costumes to embody their favorite characters from anime, movies, video games, and comics. 

What began as a niche hobby has blossomed into a vibrant, inclusive community that continues to attract new members. Cosplay PH, the country’s premier cosplay organization, has played a significant role in nurturing this culture through various events, including the highly popular Cosplay Mania, which was held recently at the SMX Convention Center.

The event, which took place from Oct. 4 to 6, saw a massive turnout of 15,000 to 20,000 attendees. Pablo Bairan, president of Cosplay PH,  said it was the first time that Cosplay Mania extended over three days, featuring exciting competitions, meet-and-greets with both international and local cosplay stars, and a series of concerts showcasing anime song artists. 

“It’s our first time to hold Cosplay Mania for three days, and attendance significantly increased from last year’s 12,000 attendees," he added.

The community’s creativity and craftsmanship were on full display during the Cosplay Mania Cup and the Cosplay Karaoke Cup, where participants competed in costume design and performance. This year’s winners were judged by an international panel of cosplay stars, including Taryn from Italy, Byou from Vietnam, and Lea from Malaysia, along with local icons like Diane Sabandeja, Zackt, and Roxanne Kho.

Bairan observed that the blending of East and West makes the Philippine cosplay scene unique.  While Japanese anime and manga characters dominate the scene, Western pop culture icons are also incredibly popular. Characters like Wolverine, Deadpool, Harley Quinn, and Captain America frequently make appearances at local conventions, alongside beloved anime figures from shows like Naruto, Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, and Attack on Titan.

The annual Cosplay Carnival, set for March 2025, particularly celebrates the diversity,  “Cosplay Carnival is our introduction to the cosplayers, so you'll see Western cosplayers, like Wolverine and Deadpool. It's fun and exciting, it's really a carnival in the true sense of the word,” Bairan explained.

Looking beyond Cosplay Mania, Cosplay.ph has several exciting events lined up for the rest of 2024. On October 26-27, the organization will host CosMeet - a unique role-playing game-themed event  Okada Manila, where cosplayers will immerse themselves in a high-energy gaming experience.

Another highly-anticipated event  is Cosplay Matsuri, scheduled for December 28-30. This Japanese-inspired festival will feature traditional costumes, holiday-themed performances, and festive activities. “Matsuri means holiday in Japan, so it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season. You will see lots of people in kimonos,” Bairan shared.

Looking ahead, 2025 will mark Cosplay.ph’s 25th anniversary. Plans are underway for the Cosplay Carnival in March 2025, which will kick off a series of celebrations for the silver jubilee. Other upcoming events next year include FanFest, the Anime and Cosplay Expo, and, of course, Cosplay Mania 2025 from October 3 to 5, which promises to be an even bigger spectacle than this year's event.

Bairan recalled how cosplayers like him were just a few back in the days. The COVID-19 pandemic was instrumental in bringing new faces into the cosplay community. 

"Cosplay Philippines started in small conventions. Before there were only a few cosplayers, now it's big and it's growing every year, Before there were only a few people who knew what cosplay was, but now everybody knows. It's something that has really become a phenomenon in the country," he remarked.

"There was a new generation that suddenly got attracted to cosplay especially after the pandemic because they were watching Netflix or anime at home, and they got involved in it. Cosplay is everywhere now, it's colorful, and it's something that really engages the youth in a positive way, so I'm glad,"  Bairan closed.