Costume and Play

Costume and Play Costume and Play aims to voice the UK’s individual movement of Costuming providing beautifully delivered content alongside features and events. What is cosplay?

Cosplay is derived from the terms ‘Costume and Play’. It consists of individuals effectively ‘dressing up’ as their favourite characters, but it is the individual components of ‘cosplay’ that make it so unique. The ‘Costume’ element when crafted leads into several different skill-sets such as prop making and sewing. The ‘Play’ or ‘Performance’ element with either a made or purchased costume leads

to spectacular shows such as a cosplay masquerade. What does Costume and Play do? With such a vibrant community and so many individual elements making up the art form that is ‘cosplay’ navigating around this can be tricky, Costume and Play provides services to help companies understand the multiple benefits of cosplay such as its incredible audience engagement, while rooting itself firmly in the community to help grow it. How do I get involved? Cosplay encourages you to dress and be a character you love – be it from Anime, Gaming, TV, Film, it doesn’t matter if its brought or handmade, as long as its a fandom you love. If your a community member you can follow and share our community section, social media channels and of course attend the events we’ll be present at! If you're a company, you can take a look at our services section and contact us directly to learn how we can help you.

What a fabulous Hyper Japan with our guests and Staff!! Thank you to our wonderful volunteersA big thank you and well do...
17/11/2025

What a fabulous Hyper Japan with our guests and Staff!!

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers
A big thank you and well done to our guests





And of course thank you for allowing us to host our amazing community of cosplayers at your event!

📸- for the beautiful photography!

We can’t wait for the next!

The Time is...Tomorrow! The day has arrived! Whether you're travelling by train, or commuting by car, be safe, be excite...
13/11/2025

The Time is...Tomorrow! The day has arrived! Whether you're travelling by train, or commuting by car, be safe, be excited, and we will be seeing you all tomorrow!

3 Days left until doors open at HYPER JAPAN! Prepare for Pocky, and manage your manga intended reading lists!
11/11/2025

3 Days left until doors open at HYPER JAPAN! Prepare for Pocky, and manage your manga intended reading lists!

Only one week left before HYPER JAPAN! On your Cosplay marks, get great food, and ready your con swag bags!
07/11/2025

Only one week left before HYPER JAPAN! On your Cosplay marks, get great food, and ready your con swag bags!

Only 2 weeks left to wait! Hyper Japan Manchester HYPE!!!!! Start putting your finishing touches onto your cosplay, make...
31/10/2025

Only 2 weeks left to wait! Hyper Japan Manchester HYPE!!!!! Start putting your finishing touches onto your cosplay, make sure your happy with your masquerade entry and start your final prepping plans!

Our guests announced for Hyper Japan Manchester! Who are you most excited to see?Photo Credits: Hovermediacosplay. visio...
25/10/2025

Our guests announced for Hyper Japan Manchester! Who are you most excited to see?
Photo Credits: Hovermediacosplay. visionvssight. Kevin Pack Photography.

Share your cosplans with us!
23/10/2025

Share your cosplans with us!

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT - HYPER JAPAN MANCHESTERTabby and Mariam aka Sparkie and Ceres each have over a decade of experience ...
19/10/2025

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT - HYPER JAPAN MANCHESTER

Tabby and Mariam aka Sparkie and Ceres each have over a decade of experience cosplaying and creating costumes. They've judged and hosted competitions and masquerades across the country. They are active and passionate about diversity and inclusivity as well as sustainability and slow fashion, running panels and workshops aimed at creating a sustainable and inclusive cosplay community, including multiple panel discussions about diversity. They pay particular attention to intersectionality and the inclusion of all typically underrepresented people. They see cosplay primarily as creative expression, fully open to all, regardless of any perceived differences between a character and a cosplayer. They really enjoy seeing everyone's creativity and seeing people have fun on stage!

Photo credit: Hovermediacosplay

https://www.costumeandplay.co.uk/portfolio/hyper-japan-manchester-2025/

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT - Rexy StudioHello! My name is Hannah from RexyStudio. I have been a cosplayer for 12 years, and have...
18/10/2025

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT - Rexy Studio

Hello! My name is Hannah from RexyStudio. I have been a cosplayer for 12 years, and have been a puppeteer and performer for 8 years. I'm so excited to attend Hype Japan this year and can’t wait to see you all there! So what do I do? Monster /creature builds are my jam! I love the challenge that comes with trying to make an unusual shape fit a human body, while working and performing naturally. This means I've done a lot of research into super light weight materials to make performing easier whilst still being comfortable. Same with the cosplay puppets; working with materials to make a light weight 3D shape which has natural-looking moving parts to it. As I don't have access to a 3D print, I have to make a lot of hand made parts myself which come with its own challenges, but goes to show it can be done and that anyone can make these types of build without the need for expensive equipment. Over the weekend I will have lots of different items at the table made from different mediums, which I welcome you to come over and have a go of the interactive props and puppets, and ask any questions you might have! I look forward to seeing you all there!

Social Media

TikTok Rexystudio
Instagram Rexy_Studio
Facebook Rexystudio

Photo Credit Kevin Pack Photography.

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT - Gay Panic CosplayAll the way from the Rhondda Valleys of Wales, Gay Panic Cosplay has been cosplayi...
17/10/2025

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT - Gay Panic Cosplay
All the way from the Rhondda Valleys of Wales, Gay Panic Cosplay has been cosplaying since 2016, and enjoys pairing cosplay with their theatre training to create custom made costumes designed specifically for performances that entice and delight. Ryan's cosplay specialty is sewing, and they use over 8 years of experience gained through self study, and work related knowledge as a fabric retailer & as a theatre professional to create technical pieces of wearable art that express their interests and show their love for characters both new and old. Ryan is looking forward to seeing everyone's creativity shine this convention season! ✨️

Photography Credit: https://www.instagram.com/visionvssight?igsh=MTNyOHU2ODllNHVlbw==
Media: https://www.instagram.com/gaypaniccosplay/
https://www.tiktok.com/?_t=ZN-8zrpqFSfCWE&_r=1
https://www.facebook.com/Gay-Panic-Cosplay-2373470909547995/

📢 Don't forget to signup!🎭✨Grab your ticket and join us for an epic day filled with amazing cosplays and unforgettable m...
16/10/2025

📢 Don't forget to signup!🎭✨

Grab your ticket and join us for an epic day filled with amazing cosplays and unforgettable moments. Don't miss out on the chance to be part of a community that celebrates the art of cosplay.

Get your costumes ready, gather your friends, and mark the date on your calendar. This is your moment to shine! ✨🎉

https://www.costumeandplay.co.uk/portfolio/hyper-japan-manchester-2025/
Cosplay Masquerade – Saturday - https://www.costumeandplay.co.uk/portfolio/hyper-japan-manchester-cosplay-masquerade-2025/
Community Masquerade & Showcase Sunday - https://www.costumeandplay.co.uk/portfolio/hyper-japan-manchester-community-masquerade-2025/

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Our Story

These movements, values and ideology have been wrapped up and held mostly in secret, but they burn within the hearts of all the Cosplayers. Publishing the slogan ‘The Home of Cosplay’ several months ago to aid in the launch of a convention was one of the boldest moves I’ve ever made, yet it harmonised with all the people I’ve been lucky enough to work closely with over the past few years.

I open up to you now and step forward, presenting you with the values I carry in regards to Cosplay, you’ll learn about the changes within the Masquerade formatting that have now spread across the UK. How the ‘Cosplay star’ concept was formed, the wider picture of ‘Careers from Cosplay’ I started a year ago and most importantly who the Costumers are, the values they carry and Britain’s individual voice on the Cosplay movement as part of the global phenomenon.

Costuming and Play serves a few purposes;

To stand for each individual Cosplayer within the community and to voice the UK’s individual movement of Costuming. To harness the amazing skill set built into each cosplayer and present them with further opportunities and goals within the Costuming and theatrical profession. To reveal the heart of Cosplay itself and present a full and honest account of the scene. We’ll cover tutorials, masquerades, Cosplayers themselves and take a look into the professional world of Costumes and Drama. Most importantly this goal and mission will be achieved together as a community wanting and willing to strive for more, for better and for Cosplay to conclude to a recognised artistic form. My thank you’s span out to all those that have and still do support me through my goal to create a scene for everyone. It’s your voices that shape what the scene does, I’m just here to make sure that is heard.