Witness The Largest Assembly Of Cosplayers In Ipoh!

Your Favourite Characters In The Flesh At Ipoh Parade

Ipoh, 21 March 2023 – In what multiverse would you find the eminent Raiden Shogun from Genshin Impact rubbing shoulders with the Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff while the deranged Joker escapes from Arkham Asylum with Eren Yeager (Survey Corps days) hot on his trail?

Most likely Ipoh Parade, which was the site of the largest assembly of cosplayers in town last weekend. For its third year hosting the Cosplay Party, Ipoh Parade attracted over 200 cosplayers to roam around the mall dressed as their favourite characters while 56 cosplayers participated in the Cosplay Party 3.0 Competition. Amid the bustling scene was also a squadron of keen-eyed photographers scrambling to capture the perfect character composition and die-hard anime fans squealing over character merchandise sold at the Doujin booths set up on the grounds.

“We are very grateful for the community we’ve been able to build over the past three years with such an amazing cast of characters,” remarked Lim Huey Tyng, Ipoh Parade’s Advertising & Promotions Manager. “We are always trying to figure out how better we are able to serve these cosplayers while making sure that there is always a safe space for them at Ipoh Parade. In a way, the large turnout proves that we have been fortunate with that direction.”

To many, cosplaying is a way to explore different facets of their personalities and a healthy form of escapism due to the presence of a tight-knit community, which has always celebrated inclusivity. While the Cosplay Party is first and foremost a party for all attendees, it is also an opportunity for cosplayers to share that unique world they inhabit with everyone else trying to understand their colourful culture. 

During the competition, judges AJ Law Obdam, Victoria Wey, and Momo Rex unanimously expressed their admiration for the courage and enthusiasm of the participants through their make-up, hairdo, costumes, as well as their talent showcase on the stage even though many of them were debuting their act. 

Brothers Syed Hamizan (aka Paradox Coser), 24, and Syed Farhan bin Syad Sharuddin (aka Kohaku), 22, from Perak snagged the Champion and First Runner-Up titles respectively, bringing home a total of RM2,500 worth of cash and prizes. The former presented himself as a convincing Fire 1 from Tomica Hero: Rescue Fire while the latter silenced the crowd as the intimidating Wanda Maximoff from Marvel’s The Avengers. The Second Runner-Up title went to a shy and reticent schoolgirl named Komi Shouko from the series Komi Can’t Communicate, played by Chan Yew Chyi (aka JR) who brought home RM500 worth of cash and prizes.

The fun, intense, and occasionally grueling competition started at 2:00pm and only concluded at 9:30pm with the sound of cheers and sighs of relief. The sheer number of participants and attendees this year has only shown that the Cosplay Party will only grow bigger in the years to come. As the sea of cosplayers dispersed, many were seen exchanging notes and discussing future plans for the next Cosplay Party.  

“What’s in store for the next party? Only time will tell. But rest assured, Ipoh Parade will continue to be the best possible site for this aspiring community,” teased Lim.

The participants of the Cosplay Party 3.0 Ipoh Parade posed for a group photo in front of Parkson during the second phase of the competition, the mall tour.

Fire I cosplayed by Syed Hamizan (Paradox Coser); here, he’s re-enacting a fighting scene with props from the anime Tomica Hero: Rescue Fire.

Many attendees came dressed up in very intricate outfits, despite not competing, as they saw it simply as an opportunity to embrace their alter egos.

All the winners from the Cosplay Party 3.0 Ipoh Parade competition posing with the judges.

From left: Judge AJ Law Obdam as Gorou from Genshin Impact, Judge Victoria Wey as Yang Yuhuan from Honor of Kings, and Judge Momo Rex as Isami Aldini from Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma.