REVIEW: Project Cosplay

An interesting new phenomenon is sweeping the Cosplay world. Stage Five TV, an entertainment network dedicated to bringing fans of geek and gaming culture, has undertaken an ambitious new project. Project Cosplay, a new series released exclusively for YouTube viewers, aims to bring professional cosplayers a way to share their costumes with the world at large. Not only does the show showcase some of the best cosplayers out there, but it also brings in professional sculptor and costumer Steve Wang to see and review the cosplayer’s costumes.

Project Cosplay has already garnered thousands of views an episode and has showcased a wide variety of costumes from Firefall, Metal Gear Acid 2, Final Fantasy VII, and Marvel. While excellently filmed and executed, each episode brings a bittersweet moment for viewers. The episodes often range a measly 3-5 minutes, leaving viewers wanting more information and more behind-the-scenes action. While the first episode showcased some behind-the scenes, subsequent episode costumes are always done by the time the film crew comes in to talk to the cosplayers, so any chance of viewers getting that elusive behind-the-scenes look erodes swiftly. Furthermore, the show’s title “Project Cosplay” seemingly misleads viewers from its parents title “Project Runway”. Viewers perhaps, expected a little more judging and competition and less reviewing.

Despite this, Project Cosplay does an excellent job in attempting to bring cosplay to mainstream viewers. Excellent effects, lighting, camera work and content bring viewers back for more. One can only hope for lengthier and more behind-the-scenes work for following episodes. Who knows, maybe an actual “Project Cosplay” that takes after its parent, might appear.

Project Cosplay is currently looking for it’s next Professional Cosplayers to showcase in future episodes.

—

This article was not sponsored by “Project Cosplay” or its parent company “Stage Five TV”, Nerd Caliber is in no way affiliated with Stage Five TV.