RED SHIFT

The importance of showcasing body diversity in cosplay is something I believe to be particularly important. The fatphobia in our everyday society has sunk its claws into the cosplay community, too. From rude comments on social media, avoiding fat cosplayers (regardless of their skill level) for their skinnier friends, to the lack of pre-made cosplays available in larger sizes. At times, this hobby can feel inaccessible to fat cosplayers. 

For a plus size cosplayer, to put yourself out there is unfortunately often inviting an onslaught of verbal abuse from people often hiding behind a screen, determined to pull you down for daring to exist while fat. After all, how dare a fat person be happy in themselves, let alone be a great cosplayer, or embrace a hobby that makes them happy?

My model, Kirkwall Cosplay, is fat, disabled, trans non-binary, neurodivergent, and queer. They are also my dear friend, a shining light in the lives of everyone who knows them, an incredible talent, a golden heart, and a constant inspiration to many, but especially other plus-size cosplayers, to be unapologetically themselves, whatever vitriol comes their way.

Or, as they often say: “I’m going to make all your favourite characters fat and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

kirkwallcosplay as Astarion from Baldur’s Gate 3, photographed by redshift_

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