Cosplay at Manga Comic Con
Cosplay - Welcome to this beautiful, colourful world!
Is there any better compliment to literature than wanting to look as much like your favourite manga and comic book hero as possible?
Colourful costumes, creative performances and countless favourite characters: cosplay is an integral part of Manga Comic Con in Leipzig. This is where cosplayers, photographers and fans from the community come together to showcase their costumes, chat and celebrate their shared passion for manga, anime, comics, games and films.
Whether you’re coming in cosplay yourself, want to take part in a competition or simply want to marvel at the imaginative costumes: Manga Comic Con offers you plenty of opportunities to experience cosplay.
What actually is cosplay?
The term ‘cosplay’ is a combination of the English words ‘costume’ and ‘play’. Cosplayers portray characters from manga, anime, games, films or other fictional worlds.
This involves costumes that are as true to detail as possible, but many cosplayers also focus on the make-up, poses, movements and personality of their fictional character. Costumes are often designed and made entirely from scratch, whilst others are created using purchased elements. Above all, what matters is the joy derived from playing the character and the shared experience within the community. Cosplayers from a particular fandom often meet at events such as Manga Comic Con to indulge their passion together.
A meeting place for the cosplay community
Manga Comic Con is a major gathering place for cosplay fans. In the exhibition halls, you’ll come across well-known heroes and heroines, fantastical creatures and creative original interpretations from a wide variety of fandoms.
At Manga Comic Con cosplayers can:
- show off their costumes
- find great photo opportunities for their social media pics
- have their photos taken by professional photographers
- meet other fans and friends
- make new connections within the community
- take part in cosplay competitions
- gather inspiration for new costumes and characters
It doesn’t matter whether you’re wearing your first cosplay or have been part of the scene for many years. At Manga Comic Con, beginners, experienced cosplayers and fans are all equally welcome.
Our service for you
Manga Comic Con is part of Leipzig Book Fair – a unique cooperation that results in a wonderful get-together. However, to ensure this can go ahead without any problems and everyone can enjoy the fascinating cosplay, there are a few cosplay rules . They contain e.g. what props are allowed on the premises and what you should take into account when planning your costume.
We have a cosplay check in Hall 1 to inspect your costumes with regard to suitability for the festival.
Cosplay and photography go hand in hand for many of us. Please be aware of the Manga Comic Con photography rules .
A cosplay manager will be available throughout the fair to answer all your questions concerning costumes and the community rules.
Our cosplay competitions
At the Manga Comic Con cosplay competitions, the focus is on intricately designed costumes, creative ideas and impressive performances. Participants present their characters to the audience and demonstrate just how much craftsmanship, expressiveness and passion have gone into their cosplays.
The Leipzig Cosplay Competition takes place on the Saturday of the event, combining flamboyant costumes with spectacular performances.
Since 2025, the grand final of the Cosplay Performance Meisterschaft Deutschland [German Cosplay Performance Championship] has been held here on the Sunday of the fair.
Up-to-date information on upcoming competitions and programme items will be published in good time on the relevant event pages.
