Anime Expo 2022

North America's Largest Anime Convention
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If the anime community is a family, then Anime Expo is the family reunion. That's truly what this year's AX felt like. As the largest anime convention in North America, it was the gathering place for anime fans and cosplayers who have been apart for more than two years years.
Anime Expo is the Big Kahuna of anime conventions. Based on Los Angeles, the event drew 115,000 attendees in 2019 and likely would have had even more for 2020 had it not been cancelled due to the pandemic. While the attendance numbers for 2022 were noticeably lower, it was still a very well attended convention. AX is the event that everyone wants to attend because everyone else is attending. Tickets for this year's event were capped and sold out a week before the convention. This left some procrastinating fans without a ticket and no way inside, but it was nice to not be sandwiched in like sardines. The decision to limit attendance was likely driven by covid concerns. Although it was still busy and crowded in places, there was definitely room for more people.

The Cosplayers

As a content creator, Anime Expo is a real joy. If you take photos or video you'll find no lack of cosplayers at AX. People of all ages, abilities, and skill come out in cosplay and are willing subjects for anyone with a camera. There were so many cosplayers this year that you could shoot all day and not get the same person twice. The lobby of the vendor hall serves as a grand backdrop for the event. The light blue terrazzo floor and towering atrium are recognizable icons of the venue. The glass and steel structure allows light to flood the floor and it stands out in the skyline of downtown Los Angeles. It may not be the prettiest location, but it's certainly not the worst. Outside there’s a popular photo location called "horseshoes". Named so because of the horseshoe-shaped metal structures, you get a bit more variety compared to inside. A long strip of lush foliage is nestled against the parking garage so you can go from jungle plants to urban industrial in just a few steps. Turn around and you have the sleek and modern style of the Crypto.com arena to shoot against. The area is well-trafficked and cosplayers know to gather here, making it easy to find subjects.
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jennybellycos" target="_blank">@jennybellycos</a> Sirius from Azure Lane
@jennybellycos Sirius from Azure Lane
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/anaelic_" target="_blank">@anaelic_</a> Bloom from Winx Club
@anaelic_ Bloom from Winx Club
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/k8sarkissian" target="_blank">@k8sarkissian</a> Sandslash from Pokémon
@k8sarkissian Sandslash from Pokémon
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanda.toast" target="_blank">@amanda.toast</a> Marin Black Lobelia from My Dress-up Darling
@amanda.toast Marin Black Lobelia from My Dress-up Darling
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/alexdrastal" target="_blank">@alexdrastal</a> Sailor Freddy Mercury
@alexdrastal Sailor Freddy Mercury
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blodvydawn" target="_blank">@blodvydawn</a> Yumeko Jabami
 from Kakegurui
@blodvydawn Yumeko Jabami from Kakegurui
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Genshin Impact
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/quuebd" target="_blank">@quuebd</a> Xiao
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/littlelilycos" target="_blank">@littlelilycos</a> Lumine
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kainosaurus_" target="_blank">@kainosaurus_</a> Gorou
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/cellaira" target="_blank">@cellaira</a> Kazuha
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ragegearprops" target="_blank">@ragegearprops</a> Arataki Itto
Genshin Impact @quuebd Xiao @littlelilycos Lumine @kainosaurus_ Gorou @cellaira Kazuha @ragegearprops Arataki Itto
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/maruwins" target="_blank">@maruwins</a> Gerudo Zelda
@maruwins Gerudo Zelda
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/2dmimi" target="_blank">@2dmimi</a> Love Bomber Super Sonico
@2dmimi Love Bomber Super Sonico
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nikkimoxxi" target="_blank">@nikkimoxxi</a> Hatsune Miku Summer Festival version
@nikkimoxxi Hatsune Miku Summer Festival version
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/suteroozu" target="_blank">@suteroozu</a> Donkey Kong
@suteroozu Donkey Kong
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/zephye_cosplay" target="_blank">@zephye_cosplay</a> Belle photochromic patchwork dress
@zephye_cosplay Belle photochromic patchwork dress
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/k8sarkissian" target="_blank">@k8sarkissian</a> Professor Sada from Pokémon
@k8sarkissian Professor Sada from Pokémon
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kitbitcosplay" target="_blank">@kitbitcosplay</a> Veibae vtuber
@kitbitcosplay Veibae vtuber
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blackprincesspeach" target="_blank">@blackprincesspeach</a> Princess Peach
@blackprincesspeach Princess Peach
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/elizabethrage" target="_blank">@elizabethrage</a> Nemesis from Tower of Fantasy
@elizabethrage Nemesis from Tower of Fantasy
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/indi_cosplay" target="_blank">@indi_cosplay</a> Nero from Fate
@indi_cosplay Nero from Fate
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sarrahnadecosplay" target="_blank">@sarrahnadecosplay</a> Radish Spirit from Spirited Away
@sarrahnadecosplay Radish Spirit from Spirited Away
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/elphiemonstercosplay" target="_blank">@elphiemonstercosplay</a> Dark Magician Girl from Yu-Gi-Oh
@elphiemonstercosplay Dark Magician Girl from Yu-Gi-Oh
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Sailor Moon
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lizmelooo" target="_blank">@lizmelooo</a> Sailor Moon (Usagi)
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/princesswrencosplay" target="_blank">@princesswrencosplay</a> Chibiusa
Sailor Moon @lizmelooo Sailor Moon (Usagi) @princesswrencosplay Chibiusa
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bukkitbrown" target="_blank">@bukkitbrown</a> Tinker Bell
@bukkitbrown Tinker Bell
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/shinysherizard" target="_blank">@shinysherizard</a> Reika from Gantz
@shinysherizard Reika from Gantz
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ninjabobo" target="_blank">@ninjabobo</a> Spider-man
@ninjabobo Spider-man
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kitsunekuma" target="_blank">@kitsunekuma</a> Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann
@kitsunekuma Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/peppered.up.cosplays" target="_blank">@peppered.up.cosplays</a> Quetzalcoatl from Fate/Grand Order
@peppered.up.cosplays Quetzalcoatl from Fate/Grand Order
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aj_outloud" target="_blank">@aj_outloud</a> Kaneda from Akira
@aj_outloud Kaneda from Akira
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ambear_alert_" target="_blank">@ambear_alert_</a> D.Va bunny from Overwatch
@ambear_alert_ D.Va bunny from Overwatch
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kantasea" target="_blank">@kantasea</a> Kamina from Gurren Lagann
@kantasea Kamina from Gurren Lagann
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jay2cosplayerz" target="_blank">@jay2cosplayerz</a> Jack from The Shining
@jay2cosplayerz Jack from The Shining
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/roguetomoe" target="_blank">@roguetomoe</a> Battle Maids
@roguetomoe Battle Maids
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/suteroozu" target="_blank">@suteroozu</a> Judgement from Helltaker
@suteroozu Judgement from Helltaker
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League of Legends Arcane
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/hailierosie" target="_blank">@hailierosie</a> Caitlyn
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bukkitbrown" target="_blank">@bukkitbrown</a> Vi
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kawaiiqueen" target="_blank">@kawaiiqueen</a> Jinx
League of Legends Arcane @hailierosie Caitlyn @bukkitbrown Vi @kawaiiqueen Jinx
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/essaere" target="_blank">@essaere</a> 2B from NieR:Automata
@essaere 2B from NieR:Automata
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/feisty_vee" target="_blank">@feisty_vee</a> Angewomon from Digimon
@feisty_vee Angewomon from Digimon
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/k8sarkissian" target="_blank">@k8sarkissian</a> Marin Black Lobelia from My Dress-up Darling
@k8sarkissian Marin Black Lobelia from My Dress-up Darling
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/meeversdesu" target="_blank">@meeversdesu</a> Yor from Spy x Family
@meeversdesu Yor from Spy x Family
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/katkwo4" target="_blank">@katkwo4</a> Yor from Spy x Family
@katkwo4 Yor from Spy x Family
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Monster Hunter
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/doodlebeandip" target="_blank">@doodlebeandip</a> Shara Ishvalda
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/krommallama" target="_blank">@krommallama</a> Nargacuga
Monster Hunter @doodlebeandip Shara Ishvalda @krommallama Nargacuga
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kooriii_" target="_blank">@kooriii_</a> Yor from Spy x Family
@kooriii_ Yor from Spy x Family
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sarrahnadecosplay" target="_blank">@sarrahnadecosplay</a> Flik from A Bug's Life
@sarrahnadecosplay Flik from A Bug's Life
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kawaiiqueen" target="_blank">@kawaiiqueen</a> Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII
@kawaiiqueen Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/toptyr_cosplay" target="_blank">@toptyr_cosplay</a> Kars from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
@toptyr_cosplay Kars from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
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Sonic the Hedgehog
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tessa_crownster" target="_blank">@tessa_crownster</a> Shadow
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/yurikotiger" target="_blank">@yurikotiger</a> Sonic
Sonic the Hedgehog @tessa_crownster Shadow @yurikotiger Sonic
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mavispepper" target="_blank">@mavispepper</a> Spongebob
@mavispepper Spongebob
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/pixydi" target="_blank">@pixydi</a> Raphtalia from Rising of the Shield Hero
@pixydi Raphtalia from Rising of the Shield Hero
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/spiralcats_tasha" target="_blank">@spiralcats_tasha</a> Tina and Helen from 1001 Spikes
@spiralcats_tasha Tina and Helen from 1001 Spikes
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/fae.eerie" target="_blank">@fae.eerie</a> Marin succubus from My Dress-up Darling
@fae.eerie Marin succubus from My Dress-up Darling
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/scuba.steph" target="_blank">@scuba.steph</a> Tina from Bob's Burgers
@scuba.steph Tina from Bob's Burgers
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Princess Mononoke
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kiitsunehiime" target="_blank">@kiitsunehiime</a> Forest Spirit
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sarrahnadecosplay" target="_blank">@sarrahnadecosplay</a> San
Princess Mononoke @kiitsunehiime Forest Spirit @sarrahnadecosplay San
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/krommallama" target="_blank">@krommallama</a> Desco from Disgaea
@krommallama Desco from Disgaea
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lucaplex" target="_blank">@lucaplex</a> Paine from Final Fantasy X-2
@lucaplex Paine from Final Fantasy X-2
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/zerggiee" target="_blank">@zerggiee</a> Atelier Hiro punk Hatsune Miku based on the figure
@zerggiee Atelier Hiro punk Hatsune Miku based on the figure
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/leonchiro" target="_blank">@leonchiro</a> Ban from Seven Deadly Sins
@leonchiro Ban from Seven Deadly Sins
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Hyperdimension Neptunia
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sparkle_stache" target="_blank">@sparkle_stache</a> Yellow Heart
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/anna_lynn_cos_" target="_blank">@anna_lynn_cos_</a> Black Heart
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/elphiemonstercosplay" target="_blank">@elphiemonstercosplay</a> Purple Heart
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/feisty_vee" target="_blank">@feisty_vee</a> Iris Heart
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sugarvail_" target="_blank">@sugarvail_</a> Green Heart
Hyperdimension Neptunia @sparkle_stache Yellow Heart @anna_lynn_cos_ Black Heart @elphiemonstercosplay Purple Heart @feisty_vee Iris Heart @sugarvail_ Green Heart
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/helloomichelle" target="_blank">@helloomichelle</a> Signora Crimson Witch of Flames from Genshin Impact
@helloomichelle Signora Crimson Witch of Flames from Genshin Impact
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/essaere" target="_blank">@essaere</a> Reze from Chainsaw Man
@essaere Reze from Chainsaw Man
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Re:Zero
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/h8m3.cos" target="_blank">@h8m3.cos</a> Ram
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jordanjcosplay" target="_blank">@jordanjcosplay</a> Rem
Re:Zero @h8m3.cos Ram @jordanjcosplay Rem
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lizmelooo" target="_blank">@lizmelooo</a> Cammy from Street Fighter
@lizmelooo Cammy from Street Fighter
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thegirlwithagreatsmile" target="_blank">@thegirlwithagreatsmile</a> Freedom Strike Gundam
@thegirlwithagreatsmile Freedom Strike Gundam
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/strifehartvii" target="_blank">@strifehartvii</a> Zenogre from Monster Hunter
@strifehartvii Zenogre from Monster Hunter
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Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Deadly Sins
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Spongebob Squarepants
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sourbunbun" target="_blank">@sourbunbun</a> Squidward
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/scifikantasy" target="_blank">@scifikantasy</a> Patrick
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/peachieteas" target="_blank">@peachieteas</a> Plankton
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mastiffwitha4" target="_blank">@mastiffwitha4</a> Spongebob
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/essaere" target="_blank">@essaere</a> Squilliam
Spongebob Squarepants @sourbunbun Squidward @scifikantasy Patrick @peachieteas Plankton @mastiffwitha4 Spongebob @essaere Squilliam
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/fae.eerie" target="_blank">@fae.eerie</a> Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann
@fae.eerie Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/_linzzbinz_" target="_blank">@_linzzbinz_</a> Megumi from Gantz
@_linzzbinz_ Megumi from Gantz
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/elphiemonstercosplay" target="_blank">@elphiemonstercosplay</a> Gatomon from Digimon
@elphiemonstercosplay Gatomon from Digimon
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanda.toast" target="_blank">@amanda.toast</a> original character based Zero Two from Darling in the Franxx
@amanda.toast original character based Zero Two from Darling in the Franxx
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/maruwins" target="_blank">@maruwins</a> mature dress Tifa from Final Fantasy VII
@maruwins mature dress Tifa from Final Fantasy VII
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/moon.child.cosplay" target="_blank">@moon.child.cosplay</a> Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail
@moon.child.cosplay Lucy Heartfilia from Fairy Tail
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/_paulloween" target="_blank">@_paulloween</a> Mori Calliope	vtuber
@_paulloween Mori Calliope vtuber
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/anibae.irl" target="_blank">@anibae.irl</a> Wedding Marin from My Dress-up Darling
@anibae.irl Wedding Marin from My Dress-up Darling
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bukkitbrown" target="_blank">@bukkitbrown</a> Mothra
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/shinysherizard" target="_blank">@shinysherizard</a> Miles Morales
@shinysherizard Miles Morales
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Re:Zero
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/owolittlespoonz" target="_blank">@owolittlespoonz</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kiyana.kxtten" target="_blank">@kiyana.kxtten</a>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/feisty_vee" target="_blank">@feisty_vee</a> Harpy Queen from Yu-Gi-Oh
@feisty_vee Harpy Queen from Yu-Gi-Oh
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rinn_xc" target="_blank">@rinn_xc</a> Okita Soji from Fate/Grand Order
@rinn_xc Okita Soji from Fate/Grand Order
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/daniella.claire.cosplay" target="_blank">@daniella.claire.cosplay</a> Belle
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Seven Deadly Sins
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/captain.leftovers" target="_blank">@captain.leftovers</a> Merlin
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/undead_bedhead" target="_blank">@undead_bedhead</a> Escanor
Seven Deadly Sins @captain.leftovers Merlin @undead_bedhead Escanor
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/izz_cos" target="_blank">@izz_cos</a> Diane from Seven Deadly Sins
@izz_cos Diane from Seven Deadly Sins
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/alleygside" target="_blank">@alleygside</a> Ryo from Devilman Crybaby
@alleygside Ryo from Devilman Crybaby
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/maruwins" target="_blank">@maruwins</a> Viera from Final Fantasy XIV
@maruwins Viera from Final Fantasy XIV
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Neon Genesis Evangelion
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tessa_crownster" target="_blank">@tessa_crownster</a> Rei
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kayz0rbeam" target="_blank">@kayz0rbeam</a> Marima Kinami
Neon Genesis Evangelion @tessa_crownster Rei @kayz0rbeam Marima Kinami
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/cellaira" target="_blank">@cellaira</a> Riddle Rose Hearts from Twisted Wonderland
@cellaira Riddle Rose Hearts from Twisted Wonderland
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/taiyolux.cos" target="_blank">@taiyolux.cos</a> Le Malin from Azure Lane
@taiyolux.cos Le Malin from Azure Lane
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanda.toast" target="_blank">@amanda.toast</a> Marin succubus from My Dress-up Darling
@amanda.toast Marin succubus from My Dress-up Darling
click to enlarge
 
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