The cosplay community in Perth has much to say about the hobby of cosplaying and how it has turned their lives around.

On May 24, 2025, the Swan Settlers Market in Herne Hill hosted the Cosplay Market & Competition, the former being Perth’s first cosplay op shop. Many vendors were selling their old costumes, props and fabrics to hobbyists interested in trying out or making new costumes.

Cosplay is a form of performance-art all about dressing up in costumes, usually representing a specific character, similar to kids going trick-or-treating on Halloween. It is akin to actors performing in character, albeit without the acting.

There was a big crowd, with some, mostly the cosplay competition participants and judges, in costume. The sellers entertained many who attended the event, with bountiful interactions. Some who were strangers to cosplaying took interest and many of the children present were amazed at the way the cosplayers brought their characters to life.

To some, Saturday’s market was a get-together and a chance to showcase their work. To others, it represented a strong passion within this community. Seeking answers, I visited the event and heard what people had to say about cosplaying in Perth and in general.

For starters, how did these people get into cosplaying in the first place?

Cosplay Competition judge Rafiraga, a cosplayer who has been involved in the hobby since 2009, and has won some cosplay competitions herself, said: “I saw photos of costumes online, and I was like, ‘that’s weird’. Then I went to my first Wai-Con (a now-defunct gaming and comics convention), and I was like ‘that’s weird, I want to do it’, and then I started doing it.”

Pawsie, who has been making her costumes for over a decade, and was one of the volunteers for the Cosplay Market, said: “I went to a con in Melbourne called Manifest, and I saw all the people dressing up. I always did dancing, and I love costumes, so that’s how I went into it.”

Scott, who is part of the Anime-niacs and has been involved in the scene for 12 years said:”I went to Supanova, Wai-Con and all the other conventions around in Perth, and I went to the cosplay competitions, and I was like ‘I reckon I can do that’, and I gave it a go.”

The competition brought a number of participants who displayed their costume-making prowess, reflecting their capabilities as passionate hobbyists.

So, what is the cosplay community like here in Perth?

Scott said: “It’s a pretty good community. People are generally very helpful with each other and kind.”

Pawsie said: “I think everyone’s really supportive. They want to encourage everyone to get involved. If anything were to go wrong, we all stand behind each other.”

This perception is shared by competition emcee, Pav, who regularly appears in gaming and pop culture conventions.

“It’s awesome. I’m not a cosplayer, but I am on the other end where I get to celebrate the joy of being able to showcase people’s love for cosplay, which is really special,” he said.

Cosplaying has helped some in the community socialise and make connections with people.

Rafiraga said: “It taught me social skills, like small talk. It taught me how to have fun in life and how to make things, so I can’t imagine my life if I never started cosplaying.”

Pawsie said: “As a major introvert, cosplay has allowed me to come out of my shell and given me the opportunity to be more social with people.”

Scott said: “It’s great to show off what I like to do, and I met my lovely wife in my first cosplay competition at Supanova.”

Pav’s answer is: “I’ve got lifelong friends that I wouldn’t have met if it weren’t for hosting cosplay cons. I think that’s the thing I love most, how closely knit so much of the cosplay community is.”