Anime Cosplay Ideas and How to Nail the Look

~by Joni Bench

Cosplay is a fantastic way to celebrate your love of anime and bring your favorite characters to life. There are many ways to cosplay brilliantly, from crafting cool props to ensuring comfort and confidence. However, you may be having trouble figuring out who you want to dress up as. Coupling that struggle with the endless number of anime character choices out there, figuring out your cosplay idea can be daunting. This guide will help you brainstorm some stellar anime cosplay ideas and give you tips on how to turn your vision into a reality. Here are some anime cosplay ideas and how to nail the look:

Cosplay the classics

Classic anime can be a great starting point for developing cosplay ideas, especially if you’re a beginner at the scene. Think of anime like Sailor Moon, Attack on Titan, or My Hero Academia, which have achieved icon status in the community and are instantly recognizable among other anime fans. Though cosplaying characters from these animes can seem basic or overdone, adding fun touches and cool details can elevate your look. For instance, you can use body paint to nail a Mina Ashido cosplay, allowing you to turn yourself into the spunky, pink hero from Class 1-A. Not ready to commit to a fully-painted look? You can use body paint for more minor details. Think Nezuko from Demon Slayer, with vines wrapping around her arms and chest in her demon form. Body paint can bring that to life as well!

Simple yet effective

You don’t need an elaborate cosplay to join in the fun. Anime characters with simple outfits and designs can still be fun to dress up as without too many pieces and parts. Animes like Chainsaw Man, Death Note, or Jujutsu Kaisen have characters with relatively straightforward designs that you can even create by using clothes you already have in your closet! But even if these cosplays seem easy, you can still make them stunning by paying attention to the smaller details. For instance, a Gojo Satoru cosplay would be a pretty easy and minimalist cosplay; all you’d need for the clothes is a black turtleneck and pants. But what can really help you nail the look is capturing his icy blue eyes, which make him look distinctive and striking. A pair of colored contacts can help you take a Gojo cosplay to the next level. The Air Optix Colors are available in a brilliant blue hue, which can transform your eye color into a similar vibrant shade. They’re also designed to enhance dark or light eyes with a natural effect. Get a proper prescription and buy from reputable brands before buying a pair to ensure safety.

Power up with props

If you want a dynamic cosplay look, you can look for anime characters with signature props to make your look more eye-catching and exciting, especially if you’re worried about it looking like a regular outfit. Props are a great way to make your character look more recognizable as well. Some animes are known for having signature items; for instance, Demon Slayer has iconic swords that match each character. Cosplaying characters from sports animes like Haikyuu!! can be made cooler by carrying around a volleyball. You can elevate your cosplay of Yor Briar from Spy x Family by including her golden stiletto weapons she uses during her assassin missions as the Thorn Princess. Costume brands and shops like Miccostumes may have these props for sale, so you can easily buy them online. But crafting your own props is a great way to show off your creative prowess, too! Get creative with foam, paper mache, clay, or even colored duct tape to make your weapons or accessories.