AICOSU (愛コス, aikosu) is a portmanteau of the Japanese words for “Love” (愛) and “Cosplay” (コスプレ), meaning "Love Cosplay" or “Lover’s Cosplay”

Darling has 19 years of professional cosplay experience and a 20-year career in graphic design, marketing, and creative direction. A Rhode Island School of Design graduate, she has worked in costume fabrication and wardrobe for Cirque Du Soleil, marketing for Los Angeles Fashion Week, product design and Spirit Halloween, and has led tradeshow events, visual campaigns, and social media strategy for corporate clients. She also leads workshops and educational programming to make cosplay accessible and fun for all skill levels.

Sylar is a trained actor with a degree from the San Francisco Academy of Art University and training in improv, film acting, scripting, singing, and voiceover. He has performed for conventions, private events, and theatrical productions, including family and adult-focused interactive programming. Sylar specializes in immersive, in-character performance, stage hosting, MCing, and audience engagement, and has experience training other actors and coordinating live event productions for maximum energy, professionalism, and accessibility.

Darling and Sylar aim to make every AICOSU experience a celebration of cosplay, an elevation of cosplayers, and a way for fans to connect with the worlds they love.

Cosplay Catalogue

Explore over 300 personal cosplays created by AICOSU, complete with full photo galleries, build breakdowns, and helpful resources from years of professional experience.

Anime

Video Games

Misc

Programming and Expertise

Provides fair, consistent, and transparent judging across all competition levels (Novice, Journeyman, Masters, and specialty divisions), following event-specific criteria or World Cosplay Summit standards when applicable.

Brings deep technical expertise in fabrication, sewing, draping, patternmaking, painting, and 3D CAD/CAM, supported by formal arts training and years of professional costume design and construction experience.

Participates fully in pre-judging, green room interviews, and feedback sessions, offering thoughtful, constructive insights that respect both craftsmanship and creative intent.

Maintains an open, welcoming presence throughout the event—at judging tables, panels, workshops, and on the floor—supporting both first-time competitors and seasoned cosplayers.

Debuts and features new, event-specific costumes across multiple days for guest visibility, media coverage, and promotional use.

Previous Judging/Programming Experience
Anime Sin City | Las Vegas, Nevada | 2025

Anime Los Angeles | California | 2025
Anime Wonder | Arizona | 2025

HALCON Sci Fi and Fantasy Convention | Halifax, Canada | 2024

Judging Credentials
Masquerade Masters since 2014
Crunchyroll 2015 Call to Cosplay Winner
BIOWARE San Diego ComicCon 2013 Craftsmanship & Warden Winners
Crunchyroll 2012 Cosplay Contest Winner
Cryption Media VOCALOID winner 2012
Phoenix Comic Con Best in Gaming 2011

Masquerade

Masters

Guides events from opening to closing with clear pacing and seamless transitions across contestants, segments, and programming. Communicates audience instructions, rules, and emergency information as needed.

Collaborates closely with stage managers, directors, and technical crews on blocking, cues, skits, pre-show, and closing segments to ensure smooth production flow.

Maintains an engaging, welcoming presence through live ad-libbing, improvisation, and audience interaction, while remaining adaptable to delays, changes, or unexpected circumstances.

Establishes a confident, respectful authority over the space, supporting a safe and inclusive environment across a wide range of event types, from family-friendly conventions to adult-oriented programming.

Prepares thoroughly for each event by confirming talent names and pronunciations, attending rehearsals or walkthroughs, and aligning with production teams in advance.

Acts as a liaison between performers, production staff, and the audience, keeping energy aligned, expectations clear, and the event moving smoothly while protecting both talent and attendee experience.

anime-expo-chibi-copyright_vertical-color-white-e1660935354543.png

Previous MC Experience

Develops social media content and promotional campaigns with clear creative direction and strategic intent, including scripting, storyboards, and multiple deliverables across cosplay, artwork, or lifestyle formats.

Provides on-camera hosting, interviewing, and in-character performance for both live and scripted media, with experience working with children and adults, maintaining character performance for extended engagements, and responding to production call sheets.

Offers costume and wardrobe consultation for individuals and organizations, drawing on years of professional experience in fabrication, styling, and character development for both performers and brand representatives.

Supports tradeshow and event activations through booth promotion, audience engagement, line management, photobooth operation, and character-driven interaction designed to enhance visibility and attendee experience.

Provides creative and operational consultation for live events, including activation planning, performer coordination, audience flow, and on-site experience management for conventions, brand activations, and corporate events.

Previous Promotions Experience

Character Masters 2016 - 2017
MXTV “Iron Cosplay” Hosts, Judges, and Consultants 2016
WOOCHIE SFX Booth Promotions 2016
TTDEYE Ambassador 2015
Crunchyroll Call to Cosplay TV SHOW 2015
Square Enix FFXIV FanFest Retainers 2015
NIS AMERICA “DanganRonpa” Murder Mystery Show 2015
BUZZFEED “Try Guys” Cosplay Expert 2015
STAR WARS CELEBRATION Guest Interviewer & Event Coverage 2015
2k GAMES Bioshock 3: Burial At Sea Costume Guests 2014
GeekyU Booth promotions 2014
Phoenix Art Museum "Hstory of Gaming" Cosplay Guest 20
BIOWARE PAX EAST “Dawn of the Seeker” Cosplay Guest 2014

BRANDS WE'VE WORKED WITH

TESTIMONIALS

Aicosu was an amazing addition to our show. As judges they had an innate sense for how to interact with the competitors. They had insightful questions to ask, drawn from a wealth of experience in both crafting and competing. And they worked seamlessly with the rest of the judging panel. Any con would be lucky to have them!

Renna Mira

ALA Masquerade Head 2025

Aicosu was a perfect host into the world of cosplay. Darling was knowledgeable, perfect on camera, and fun to work with on set. She made the world of cosplay easy to navigate for 4 extreme beginners and showed us just how amazingly welcoming, fun, and positive the world of cosplay can be.

Katie LeBlanc
TRY GUYS Show Producer, Buzzfeed

Aicosu are an amazing example of Cosplay Professionals. Hardworking, communicative, and a pleasure to work with. Darling and Sylar are the embodiment of Cosplay positivity.

Tim Wyckoff
Anime Expo Entertainment Manager 2014 - 2017

Aicosu is the real deal. For an upcoming series, we needed charismatic professional experts in the field of cosplay to act as on-air mentors for contestants. We could not have chosen a better team. Darling and Sylar are professional, fast on their feet, fantastic to work with, and oh so creative and talented that it's scary! We look forward to working with them for 200 episodes more!

Maxine Lapiduss
CEO Storyverse Studio

Media Kit

Our Guest Packet outlines AICOSU’s full panel programming, expanded event and hosting options, and available marketing assets. It’s a practical reference for conventions and partners looking to explore how our experience and services can support their programming needs.

APPEARANCES & ACCOLADES

Chronological (Newest to Oldest). Bold (featured), underlined (programmer)

Anime Los Angeles 2026 - *Event Program* *Vendor*

Dancing with Deepspace Formal Ball
Event/Program Director and Operations
Host/Master of Ceremonies
Cosplay Actor: Sylus - Obsidian Judgement
Cospkay Actor: Sylus - Improvised Flow
Cosplay Actor: Talia
Cosplay Actor: Sylus - Dark Feather
Cosplay Actor: Caleb - Centrifugal Drift

Anime Sin City 2025 - *Cosplay Guest* *Panelists* *Judges*

Art Vendor
Cosplay: Fast Cheap and Dirty
18+ Bringing Cosplay into the Bedroom
Hilarious Hentai Read Long
Masquerade Judging

Anime Expo Chibi 2025 - *Cosplay Cafe*

Anime Husbando Cafe
Starfall After Dark 18+ Cafe
Cafe Direction and Operactions
Host/Master of Ceremonies
Cosplay Actor: Renge - Ouran High School Host Club
Cosplay Actor: Levi Ackerman
Cosplay Actor: Tara
Cosplay Actor: Sylus - Precise Control

Anime Wonder 2025 - *Cosplay Guest* *Judges*

Art Vendor
Cosplay Contest Judges

Kira Kira Spring & Flowers LADS Cupsleeve 2025 - *Cosplay Guest*

Art Vendor
Cosplay Actor: Caleb

Anime Los Angeles 2025 - *Cosplay Guest* *Panelists* *Judges*

Art Vendor
Cosplay: Fast Cheap and Dirty
Posing Like a Pro
Masquerade Competition Judging. Holmat Qualifier Judging.

HALCON in Halifax Canada 2024 - *Cosplay Guest* *Panelists* *Judges*

Art Vendor
Couple Cosplaying
Posing Like a Pro
Costume Competition Judging

Katsucon 2024
Anime Expo 2023 *World Cosplay Summit USA & Masquerade Judges*
*Cosplay Senpai**Panelists*

Art Vendor
COSPLAY: Fast, Cheap, & Dirty
Cosplay Judges Offical Panel
Masquerade & WCS judging
Masquerade & WCS feedback

Fanime 2023 *Master of Ceremonies* *Cosplay Guests* *Panelists*

Art Vendor
Hilarious Hentai Read Along
Couple Cosplaying
Support for New Dungeon Masters

CosplayExpo Las Vegas 2022
SacAnime 2019
Fanime 2019 *Master of Ceremonies* *Cosplay Guests* *Panelists*

Art Vendor
Posing Like a Pro
Cosplay: Fast, Cheap & Dirty
Fanfiction Writers Workshop

Star Wars Celebration 2019 - Chicago, Illinois
Anime Los Angeles 2019
Saboten 2018 *Panelists*

Cosplay: Fast, Cheap & Dirty
Fanfiction Writers Workshop

Fanime 2018 *Master of Ceremonies* *Cosplay Guests* *Panelists*

Cosplay and Con Careers
Posing Like a Pro

Katsucon 2018
2018 COSMODE Japan

Anime Los Angeles 2018
Los Angeles Comic Con (Comikaze/Stan Lee's Expo) 2017
Fanime 2017 *Master of Ceremonies* *Cosplay Guests* *Panelists*

Cosplay and Con Careers
Cosplay Makeup
Posing Like a Pro

Anime Expo 2017 *Vendor* *Cosplay Guests* *Panelists*

Cosplay and Con Careers
Posing Like a Pro

Wondercon 2017
Blizzcon 2017
2017 Cosplay Realm Magazine *Cover/Featured Spread/Interview*
2017 Cosplay Culture Magazine *Featured Spread/Interview*
Long Beach ComiCon 2017
Star Wars Celebration 2017 - Orlando Florida
LA Cosplay Con 2017

Anime Expo 2016 *Cosplay Guests* *Panelists*

Cosplay Photoshop 101
Posing Like a Pro
Cosplay Careers!
Senpai Q&A

Los Angeles Comic Con (Comikaze/Stan Lee's Expo) 2016
Wondercon 2016

Fanime 2016 *Masquerade Judges* *Cosplay Guests* *Panelists*

Cosplay and Con Careers
Cosplay Makeup
Posing Like a Pro

2016 Arkane/Dishonored 2 Premiere Party *Invited Guests*
2015 CRUNCHYROLL "Call to Cosplay" *Contestants/Winners*
2015 BUZZFEED "Try Guys Try Cosplay" *Cosplay Expert*

Anime Expo 2015 *Cosplay Guests* *Panelists*

Cosplay and Con Careers
Posing Like a Pro

Anime Los Angeles 2015

D23EXPO 2015
Anime Conji 2015 *Industry Guest**Panelist*

NIS AMERICA "Dangon Ronpa" Cosplay Actor
Cosplay Photoshop 101
Cosplay Careers 101
Cosplay Careers and more!

Los Angeles Comic Con (Comikaze/Stan Lee's Expo) 2015
Star Wars Celebration 2015 - Anaheim *Media*

Guest and Event interviewer

San Diego Comic Con 2014

Final Fantasy Festival 2014 - Las Vegas *Retainer*

SE "Frontlines" Retainer

Wondercon 2014 *Vendor*

Booth Model

Cosplay Expo 2014 *Guests of Honor* *Panelists*

Cosplay Photography Workshop

Supernova Mexicali 2014 *Guests of Honor* *Panelists* *Masquerade judges*

Q&A Guest of Honor

Saboten 2014
Ninjacon 2014
2014 Bioshock "Burial at Sea" Private Preview
2014 Man Vs Cosplay *Calendar Feature*
2014 COSPLAY WORLD by Brain Ashcraft & Luke Plunkett/KOTAKU
Anime Expo 2014 *Cosplay Guests* *Panelists*

Cosplay and Con Careers
Posing Like a Pro

Taiyoucon 2014 *Cosplay Cafe Organizer*

Cafe Organization/Event Planning
Wait Staff/Catering
Hosting
Character Auction

Saboten 2013 *Cosplay Masquerade Winner*
2013 COSPLAY: Breaking all the Rules by Ger Tysk
2013 CosplayGen #5
Phoenix Comicon 2013
Phoenix Art Museum Cosplay/Game Exhibition 2013 *Cosplay Guest*
Anime Expo 2013 *Exhibitor* *Cosplay Guest**Guest Meetup*

Taiyoucon 2013 *Staff*

Guest Liason

San Diego Comicon 2013 *Bioware Cosplay Winners*
Amazing Comic Con 2013 *Master of Ceremonies*

Host of Cosplay Masquerade

Saboten 2012
2012 Bioware Social Network
2012 COSMODE Japan *Cover Model* *Featured*
2012 Crypton/Vocaloid Cosplay Winner

Phoenix Comicon 2012 *Cosplay Masquerade Winner*
Anime Boston 2012
New York ComiCon 2012 *Guest Meetup*

PAX EAST 2012

Saboten-con 2011

Phoenix Comicon 2011
2011 CosplayGen #3 *Featured/Interview*
2011 COSMODE Japan
Anime Expo 2011
Taiyou Con 2011 *Cosplay Cafe Organizer*

Cafe Organization/Event Planning
Wait Staff/Catering
Hosting
Character Auction

Connichiwa 2011 *Cosplay Cafe Organizer*

Cafe Organization/Event Planning
Wait Staff/Catering
Hosting
Character Auction

Phoenix Comicon 2010
2010 COSMODE Japan
New York Comicon 2010
Anime Expo 2010
Animeland Tucon *Panelists*

Cosplay Makeup and Wigs

Saboten 2010 *Cosplay Cafe Organizer*

Cafe Organization/Event Planning
Wait Staff/Catering
Hosting
Character Auction

Saboten 2009
Anizona 2009
Saboten 2008 *Cosplay Guest Liason*
Anizona 2007