Given the popularity of “Face Off”, the SFX makeup competition show, it was only a matter of time before Cosplay got tome TV time—it’s colorful and obsessive and the people who do it are often very attractive. So SyFy will addHeroes of Cosplay to their lineup following Face Off—it debuts on August 13, right after the season premiere of Face Off. Here’s the description:

Cosplayers and cosplay contests are a fixture and highlight at the many comic book and genre fan conventions around the world. These conventions provide an international stage for fans to showcase often spectacular handcrafted costumes and portray their favorite characters from sci-fi movies, video games, anime and more. In Heroes of Cosplay, nine passionate fans put their imagination and skills to the test to make a name for themselves in the competitive world of cosplay.

The series follows cosplayers of all levels, from legend Yaya Han, to rising stars and newbies, as they make a splash at comic book conventions around the country. The series will dive deep into their lives, following their process as they create extravagant and visually arresting costumes each week. These nine constantly defy odds and race against the clock to transform themselves into amazing fictional characters that push the boundaries between fantasy and reality, all in hopes of impressing the convention judges to win a cash prizes and take their cosplay stardom to new heights.


I’m actually eager to watch this, as the world of cosplay is one that remains outside my normal experience, but even from the trailer you can see how much creativity is involved.

But will it make fun of us? There’s already a micro-controversy, as the NY Post lady who reviewed the first episode was baffled:

That’s all mere child’s play, or should I say, “cosplay” compared to real thing — cosplay. What the hell is that? It’s competitive costume-making and costume-wearing at comic conventions — events at which competitors spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours on outfits to look like characters in animated movies, comic books, graphic novels and video games. Yaya Han, who’s known for her elaborate costumes that she creates herself, is the biggest celebrity in the world of cosplay. She’s featured in Syfy’s upcoming series, “Heroes of Cosplay.” It’s not enough to go to a costume store and rent a Demon Hunter outfit? I mean, seriously. Renting is so last decade!


Okay, that was kinda dumb, but it’s a daily newspaper review, what did you expect? MTV Geek tries to gin up some outrage by interviewing more cosplayers, but really, it’s just a little kerfuffle to whip up some talk.

Anyway, I expect there will be more and more shows about cosplay (well, I know there will be) because it is extremely telegenic, and, like I said, very attractive people are involved.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. I wonder how they will handle the licensing? Assuming that they go beyond *original* costumes and venture into actual properties that the audience can compare and relate to.

    Nonetheless, I’m glad to see this community get the TV treatment. Cosplay has been growing steadily over the last decade.

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