Cosplay kings and queens

There are several cosplay events across Japan that feature professional and amateur cosplayers alike. In this picture, these cosplayers are dressed up like their favorite characters from the Full Metal Alchemist series.

There is a lot of work that goes into cosplay. There's making the costume, getting the accessories and finding a proper place to cosplay. Comiket, the world's largest comic festival, brings cosplayers from around the world, including this man who is dressed up as Porco Rosso from the acclaimed Studio Ghibli movie of the same name.

There is also the physical prep work, changing their body shape to become their character. But cosplay allows for creativity with characters, as this muscular Nobita Nobi (who is 10 years old in the series) of the Doraemon series demonstrates.

Some of the most popular cosplayers have devoted fans and attract photographers when they are in costume. At recent Comikets, some cosplayers attracted nearly a thousand photographers for their photo sessions.

There are several stores dedicated to cosplayers in Japan. Some, such as this one, offers full costumes, including wigs and other accessories. But it is not a cheap hobby. That white outfit costs 50,000 yen ($463, €415) plus tax, of course. Many hardcore cosplayers decry this method though, as they like to build their costumes from scratch.

Some cosplayers have been taken advantage of over the years. That involves dealing with photographers who may ask to reveal a little too much skin, as well as being forced to do sex work if they work at a maid or cosplay cafe.

Anime, comic and video game fans from around the world have also cosplayed as their favorite characters. Sights like these Bomberman and Deadpool cosplayers at Dokomi, one of Germany's largest anime conventions in Dusseldorf, are becoming a more common sight.