It may be 2024, but we haven’t forgotten about 2023’s Anime NYC, the three-day anime convention that takes place in the same hallowed halls as New York Comic Con. Anime NYC 2023 took place in mid-November, and drew 60,000 people to the Javits Center on the west side of Manhattan. As you might expect, many of the cosplays featured here are from popular manga and anime series like One Piece, Attack on Titan, Sailor Moon, and more—but that’s not all that was on display last year.
I admittedly know very little about anime, but I know a good cosplay when I see one, and all of the ones here are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, meticulously designed, and just plain impressive. It was a total joy scrolling through these and seeing how much fun everyone is having, even if I know nothing about Yuffy or Luffy or whatever.
We’ve gathered our favorite cosplays from Anime NYC 2023, brought to you by Mineralblu, the cosplay photographer who has given us some incredible collections to pore over in the last few years, including the best looks from 2023’s NYCC. Click through to see our favorites from last year’s NYC anime convention, and let us know your favorite in the comments.
Panty and Stocking, Panty & Stocking with Garter Belt
As I said, I know basically nothing about anime, but anything that has a title like this piques my interest. I love that their halos look like little ring lights. This is very cunt.
Dracule Mihawk and Ghost Princess,One Piece
Once again, I had to Google these characters, but I cannot deny the craftsmanship on display here. That dress! The pirate shirt!
Cloud and Tifa, Final Fantasy VII
Very pretty people cosplaying as very pretty people, it’s easy.
Chainsaw Moon
I love a crossover cosplay, and this Sailor Moon X Chainsaw Man one is amazing, from the cute little chainsaw headpiece to the perfect tights and well-styled wig.
Celestia, Danganronpa
Should I be scared of her? I’m scared but also…attracted? Is this what that character is supposed to do? Anyway, this Celestia fit is amazing and the brilliance behind the wig construction is really special.
Tangela, Pokémon
I always said Tangela just sounded like Angela with a “T” tacked on the front of it, and this cosplayer took that notion and ran with it. It’s Tangela but make it an adorable fashion girly! I see the Astro Boy boots!
Sailor Mandalorian
Another brilliant Sailor Moon crossover cosplay, but this time she’s Star Wars: The Mandalorian. Look at the on-theme Grogu in her bag. I’m screaming! The gun with the moon staff at the end? The pigtails? This is head-to-toe genius. Give this person an award, I don’t know which one, but hand it over.
Elita One, Transformers
Come through, lady Autobot leader, and serve at the Javits Center!
Ryuji, Ann, and Ryuji, Persona 5
I may have had to ask Kotaku EIC Jen Glennon who these people were, but I can safely say these are all rock-solid cosplays—and it’s especially cool to see how both Ryuji cosplayers interpreted the looks differently. This is what makes cosplays so special, the individuality that still shines while dressed as specific characters.
Mulan
Beautiful, ethereal, princess-ly. Zero notes.
Morrigan, Darkstalkers
She looks like she’d bully me in the T-shirt section at Hot Topic, and I’m not mad about it.
Unit 02, Evangelion
There’s the pretty cosplays, the scary cosplays, and the construction cosplays. You know where this one lands, and you know that you could never make this yourself. How was your gingerbread house this year? I rest my case.
Gundam
This is so good it looks like something you’d see in a theme park—seriously, it’s flawless. I can’t even see seams or imperfections, just perfectly smooth surfaces and sharp edges. This is wild.
Zaku 1 Sniper, Gundaaku
I’m a little scared of this, but it’s very, very cool. What kind of sniper rifle is that? It looks…dangerous.
Inosuke, Demon Slayer
Here we go, my favorite cosplay of the entire convention—three buff femme-presenting people dressed as the very-buff Inosuke from Demon Slayer. The fitness on display here! It’s impressive! I wonder what they shoulder press…
Ankha, Animal Crossing
I’m sure the people at Nintendo are delighted to see slutty Animal Crossing cosplays, right? I know I am.
Hange/Hanji, Attack on Titan
I did some research, and apparently Hange’s gender is sort of a question mark in the Attack on Titan fandom—Hanji is considered the female version in the anime, while the Hange spelling denotes masculinity. The Attack on Titan creators have purposefully left their gender unclear, and I fuck with that. This cosplayer looks incredible, and seems to capture the character’s essence really beautifully.
Sasuke, Naruto
I don’t know what is on this person’s arm, but it looks like it would hurt if it hit you. I love how glowing and bizarre the armpiece is, it truly looks like it’s from another world.
There you have it, the best cosplay on display at 2023’s Anime NYC. Which one was your fave?
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