Cosplay is quickly outgrowing its underground roots and becoming a booming subculture with millions of participants and a 4.8B market. Cosplay has hit the mainstream; costumes are no longer restricted to halloween; they’re fair game year-round to gain attention, influence, acclaim, and good plain fun. Advances in materials and technology combined with prosperous mass media and viral social media platforms has turned this weekend project into global phenomenon. Take a look at what makes cosplay the modern manifestation of consumer loyalty, creativity, and promise for the future.

In this report you'll find:

• What's Cosplay?
• Key Cosplay Statistics
• Cosplay in Gaming
• Cosplay-Driven Trends
  • Immersive Fan Experiences
  • Cosplay in Mainstream Media
  • Leveraging Cosplay in the Attention Economy
• Bonus: in-depth industry overview deck

What’s Cosplay?

Cosplay, a lexical blend of the words “costume” and “roleplay”, is an activity in which individuals wear costumes, accessories, and props to represent a specific character from pop culture. With roots in masquerades and carnivals, the first fandom costume was work to the 1939 World Sci Fi Con in New York, but it really took off in the 80’s after attendee Nouhuki Takahashi coined the term “Cosplay” after the 1984 Worldcon in LA. As mass media further adapted comics, anime, and games into the global mainstream, more and more everyday fans are became avid cosplayers.

Cosplay costumes can be homemade, purchased, or a modified mix of both. They may be elaborately sewn, 3D-printed, foam-crafted, or simply hot-glued. Cosplays vary from loud and proud like those worn at conventions to subtle like those at Disneyland or festivals. It’s visually stunning nature flourishes on social media platforms. As cosplay shifts to be front-and-center online, it serves not just as a hobby or craft, but a means by which to experiment with identity, find community, gain influence, and express fandom.

Key Cosplay Statistics

Market Size

The market size for cosplay costumes was 4.8B USD in 2023¹. This only includes costumes, and not craft materials, conventions and merchandise. Since 70% of cosplayers make costumes themselves², the cosplay market is estimated to be far greater. The global handicrafts market was 1000B in 2023, and most cosplay purchases falls under that category but are hard to identify so it’s safe to assume there are dark numbers.

Consumer Behaviour

• 82% of cosplayers are between 16 and 27 years old²
• 64% of cosplayers are female⁴
• $241 average spend on costumes yearly²
• $262 average spend on events and merchandise²
• 70% attend 2 or more conventions a year²
• 87% of cosplayers speak with strangers online about cosplay³
• 33% of cosplayers work on their costumes at least weekly³

1: Future Market Insights Report