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31 Cosplay Artists Reveal How They Improved Over The Years, And You Can Clearly See The Difference
Nobody’s born knowing. Even if sometimes the goals we set for ourselves seem unobtainable, enough dedication and hard work may finally lead to success. And these cosplay artists prove it right.
Cosplayers are sharing their then-and-now pictures of how their costumes have improved over the years. By showing their very first and the most recent attempt recreating the same characters, these guys are encouraging people not to give up on their dreams because every one of us has to start somewhere, and the beginning might not always be as satisfying as you’ve imagined. Scroll down to see the amazing cosplay evolution for yourself and don’t forget – practice makes perfect! (h/t)
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#1
Letitgo Joh 8 years ago
For those saying it is fake, I personally dunno. However there are a few people out there doing this, and they seem amazing. EG: https://youtu.be/n2cg7nqL25Q
Douglas Lloyd 8 years ago
A cosplay artist works with a company to create a unique character for their video game, RPG game or comic. They create the look and persona and work with other designers to decide how the character fits in a particular setting. Once the character has been created they then make a costume and portray the character at conventions, in You Tube videos, commercials or promotional posters. As a comparison Hollywood has actors the gaming industry has "Cosplay Artist"
Douglas Lloyd 8 years ago
Looks Great, love how your using the term "Cosplay Artist" but I'm not sure this great cosplayer is.
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#4
pretzelcitygirl 8 years ago
I feel like the first one wasn't really supposed to be cosplay... it seems like it was just one of his childhood Halloween costumes
#5
#7
Will EatKimchi 8 years ago
how much she had changed not only the cosplay but the physic and face
#8
FABULOUS1 8 years ago
I really like this one, and you can see how her talents developed through the years. Compared to the other ones whos only difference is they are now wearing makeup, or their boobs developed to show off more.
Little letitia 8 years ago
She is also now wearing more make up and her boobs developed...
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#9
#10
Silent Skeleton 8 years ago
mEENAAAAH HELL YES But also this is incredible! I love how they made the fins <3 <3 <3
#11
Silent Skeleton 8 years ago
woooah this is so rad! I like how they made the chestpiece more like scaled armor rather then sequins :o)
spoopy kiddoTM 7 years ago
true, the sequins didn't quite fit that well. :'0
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Hannah McManus 8 years ago
The second Loki in the old photo is Silhouette Cosplay, and she has worked her Asgardian a*s off improving her Loki too. Check out her facebook and instagram under Silhouette Cosplay, or Tumblr as theshatteredsilhouette. She's incredible. <3
#12
#13
Isabel Tamayo 8 years ago
I guess both are good.. She's just more in character on the right side :)
Lila Launehase 8 years ago
And she got a better camera (or photographer) on the right side.
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riley.girl 8 years ago
Pretty good both times, and the second one is a little more impressive! I love it!
#14
Lisa Boutin 8 years ago
I'm going to say the latter is professionally styled and photographed, not an actual cosplay. Looks great either way.
Rhiannon Barraclough 8 years ago
I mean you can have a professionally photographed cosplay
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#15
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#18
Celestial Lynx 8 years ago
I think it's the quality of the costume that makes the biggest difference... oh, and of course the photography skill.
Rylee Wolf 8 years ago
Many cosplayers make the costumes ad props on their own
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Silent Skeleton 8 years ago
This one's really cool because it was a good picture to begin with, and you can really tell the details and the improvements!
#20
Leonie Williams 8 years ago
How does she make her eyes seem so much bigger and inviting? Im so awful at doing my make up I literally look worse with it on. Notice how i didnt say i look better without it!! I may not wear any but i reckon i moat def should
Celestial Lynx 8 years ago
Contacts. Contacts and the angle of the photo.
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#21
Celestial Lynx 8 years ago
That's what I was thinking! I actually think the left picture is better! (The eyebrows in the picture to the right are too much with the outfit through my eyes...)
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#23
#25
Abby Rexroth 8 years ago
The right, doesn't look like a real person it looks like an anime drawing (wow)!!!
Little letitia 8 years ago
That's because its been edited to f**k with some makeup/photo edit app
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#26
Ivy Blue 8 years ago
It's more like like before and after photos than 2 costumes.
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HauntedForests 8 years ago
May is one of my favorite characters from Guilty Gear!!! You did a really good job!!!!
#27
Dana Kessler 8 years ago
No it's not. If you look at the nose lip ratio and facial dimensions they match. What that is is contouring, makeup, lighting and possibly contacts. Also good wig netting skills.
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Gëë Bëë 8 years ago
Just to add, she has a mole in the same place on her chest. Her makeup skills are much more advanced in the 2017 picture and she is furrowing her brow and pouting slightly. Of course its the same person. Plus, Ashlee has posted the link to this girls insta page numerous times in the thread and there are still people saying its not the same girl!!
Ashlee Hawksworth 8 years ago
it is this girl, it's angle/lighting and makeup changes that make her look different. https://www.instagram.com/chatcosplay/
#28
Little letitia 8 years ago
Dee Hunter, skinny shaming is just as bad as fat shaming. The only thing sickening here is your attitude. I prey you never get the blessing of a daughter god forbid an impressionable child be bombarded with your poisonous opinions
#30
Djumaana Farris 8 years ago
proportions on 2011 better. bigger bow, longer waist so skirt appears shorted even though both end same place on legs. yeah 2011 better
Axel Santos 8 years ago
well... you have to take into account that 2017 is a better quality costume
Load More Replies... JillVille Child Care 8 years ago
Love these boots! Where can I get a pair, I need them for a little somthin' somthin' later.. oh wait, that's another post, that tmi one, oops, sorry!
#31
Mylah Rose 8 years ago
I do think it's a guy, not that that matters, but is probably why it doesn't look exactly like the character. Good on him though! He looks rad x
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What do you think ?
Karii Phillips 8 years ago
Well I think this also has to do with the photography and lighting. Most of the before pictures are in poor lighting and looks to be using a phone camera. Good transformations overall though
Celestial Lynx 8 years ago
Man. You beat me to it! That's exactly what I was thinking! Looks like the photographers' skills changed the most!
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Jennifer Gorman 8 years ago
My daughter did excellent cosplay all through college, (Homestuck and other animes) I know that it is a huge amount of work and dedication to do it right. She made her cosplays totally herself, from the make up to the horns to all of the costume's design and sewing, buying wigs online. 427118_442...1a487a.jpg 
Lisa-Marie Dhondt 8 years ago
I remember when I was véry small there was an anime about a girl called Candy. I think I'd cosplay that. Although, with my size I'd need to be called atealltheCandy.
Annari Du Plessis 8 years ago
Cosplay what you want and f**k the people who are nasty about it. I'm a short female and I've cosplayed Snape and Sweeney Todd. Cosplay is about loving the character, not dressing up because you look like them.
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James Hennigan 8 years ago
Definitely developed better skills in cosplay. And much better photography (skill, equipment, lighting, angles, post-processing, etc.) shows as well.
Eva Tóthová 8 years ago
in the first place: it is impressive. and in the second place: ibelieve that it has something to do with them having more money(a job after school) to buy better and more realitic props and costumes, also evolving of technologies which allows lowering of prices on things that were unaffordable by normal mortal 5-10 yrs ago(because newest tech simply replaced it, so older became cheaper)... and many other aspects(better skills in making costumes, putting pieces together, "growing into costume", etc). nonethless it is still impressive :D
MrMagic 8 years ago
I kind of think that's the point of the entire article.
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Eglė Liubinaitė 8 years ago
I really want to cosplay someday too! These photos motivated me even more!
Mark Constantine 8 years ago
Awesome stuff. And check out our cosplay store at https://macchar-company.myshopify.com
Mark Constantine 8 years ago
Totally awesome and check out our Cosplay store at https://macchar-company.myshopify.com
Elena Konstantinidis 8 years ago
In some cases it's just the photograph that's better. In others you can tell that they just spent more money on professionally produced accessories and photoshoots. I don't see the creativity in those. I'm not saying all of them and many have certainly improved their own crafting skills.
Karii Phillips 8 years ago
Well I think this also has to do with the photography and lighting. Most of the before pictures are in poor lighting and looks to be using a phone camera. Good transformations overall though
Celestial Lynx 8 years ago
Man. You beat me to it! That's exactly what I was thinking! Looks like the photographers' skills changed the most!
Load More Replies... Jennifer Gorman 8 years ago
My daughter did excellent cosplay all through college, (Homestuck and other animes) I know that it is a huge amount of work and dedication to do it right. She made her cosplays totally herself, from the make up to the horns to all of the costume's design and sewing, buying wigs online. 427118_442...1a487a.jpg
Lisa-Marie Dhondt 8 years ago
I remember when I was véry small there was an anime about a girl called Candy. I think I'd cosplay that. Although, with my size I'd need to be called atealltheCandy.
Annari Du Plessis 8 years ago
Cosplay what you want and f**k the people who are nasty about it. I'm a short female and I've cosplayed Snape and Sweeney Todd. Cosplay is about loving the character, not dressing up because you look like them.
Load More Replies... James Hennigan 8 years ago
Definitely developed better skills in cosplay. And much better photography (skill, equipment, lighting, angles, post-processing, etc.) shows as well.
Eva Tóthová 8 years ago
in the first place: it is impressive. and in the second place: ibelieve that it has something to do with them having more money(a job after school) to buy better and more realitic props and costumes, also evolving of technologies which allows lowering of prices on things that were unaffordable by normal mortal 5-10 yrs ago(because newest tech simply replaced it, so older became cheaper)... and many other aspects(better skills in making costumes, putting pieces together, "growing into costume", etc). nonethless it is still impressive :D
MrMagic 8 years ago
I kind of think that's the point of the entire article.
Load More Replies... Eglė Liubinaitė 8 years ago
I really want to cosplay someday too! These photos motivated me even more!
Mark Constantine 8 years ago
Awesome stuff. And check out our cosplay store at https://macchar-company.myshopify.com
Mark Constantine 8 years ago
Totally awesome and check out our Cosplay store at https://macchar-company.myshopify.com
Elena Konstantinidis 8 years ago
In some cases it's just the photograph that's better. In others you can tell that they just spent more money on professionally produced accessories and photoshoots. I don't see the creativity in those. I'm not saying all of them and many have certainly improved their own crafting skills.
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