Electrifying Cosplay Party Returns to Ipoh Parade

Gathering of Kindred Characters A Sign of Changing Times.

Outlandish, outrageous, and out-of-this-world. Common responses one would get when witnessing the eccentric assembly of flamboyant characters at Ipoh Parade’s popular Cosplay Party. With its return to the mall over the weekend on 11 and 12 June, the Cosplay Party is another step towards seemingly ordinary times with extraordinary personalities.

The only event of its kind and scale in the state of Perak, Ipoh Parade’s Cosplay Party provides a rare opportunity for creatives around the area and beyond to display their unique talent for slipping into fantastical roles while offering the public a rare glimpse into their colourful lives. In a way, the Cosplay Party is a means to bridge the exotic and the mundane where wide-eyed spectators are able to admire intricate costumes, gravity-defying hairdos, and awe-inspiring performances in a single location.

“The Cosplay Party is one of Ipoh Parade’s wackier offerings,” admitted Lim Huey Tyng, Ipoh Parade’s Assistant Manager for Advertising & Promotions (A&P). “However, it’s one that has struck a chord with the community here since its first iteration in April 2019, and we’re happy to bring it back once again after a 3-year hiatus.”

Mass congregations of any sort disappeared due to the viral plague, though the combination of home isolation and tech offered a new form of escapism, one that would take place in virtual realities and incubated a desire in many to relive those behind-the-screen experiences at a live location post-pandemic.

“It is both a party and a sanctuary,” affirmed Alan Thoo, Head of Marketing for Ipoh Parade. “Owing to the success of the first event, the Cosplay Party is a safe space for creative expression and the number of participants speaks for its popularity.”

Cosplayers in character as Ayato (2nd from the left), Spiderman (front left), Ciel and Saber (front right) strike a pose with Head of Marketing, Alan Thoo (3rd from left) and Assistant Manager for A&P Ipoh Parade, Lim Huey Tyng (4th from left), Alicia, Kerby (5th & 6th from left) and Nurul Syuhada (1st from left) from the A&P Ipoh Parade.

To date, the event has secured more than 50 cosplayers who will be competing for over RM2,500 in cash and prizes in the official Cosplay Contest, while many others have indicated their interest in dressing up specifically for the event. The Cosplay Contest will consist of three rounds, beginning with the Cosplay Runway Challenge, Cosplay Mall Tour, and ending with the Cosplay Talent Show. Participants can turn up as their favourite characters from anime, superhero films, literature, games, and comics, to name a few.

During the 2-day event, visitors will also have the opportunity to check out and purchase handmade merchandise and exclusive doujinshi (self-published fanfiction) at the Doujin Booths.

Programme:
Saturday, 11 June 2022
Cosplayer Walkabout – 1pm, 4pm, 7pm
Doujin Booths – 10am – 10pm

Sunday, 12 June 2022
Cosplay Contest
1:00pm Registration
2:00pm Round 1 – Cosplay Runway Challenge
2:30pm Round 2 – Cosplay Mall Tour
3:30pm Intermission
4:00pm Round 3 – Cosplay Talent Show
5:30pm Result Announcement

Doujin Booths – 10am – 10pm

Participants for the Cosplay Contest may register at https://forms.gle/9f8hvNqdqVKiFxXX8

Cosplay Contest prizes:
Champion: RM1,000*
1st Runner-Up: RM500*
2nd Runner-Up: RM300*
Consolation x5: RM100 worth of prizes each

*50% cash prize; 50% sponsored prizes. All cash prizes will be distributed on the spot.