Anime Frontier Brought Creativity, Community and Cosplay to Fort Worth

Cosplayers gathered at Anime Frontier in Fort Worth to show off their stunning costumes. Carly May Gravley

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This past weekend, thousands of Japanese pop culture enthusiasts from across the country came to Fort Worth to take part in the third annual Anime Frontier.

Set in the Fort Worth Convention Center, this gathering gives fans a chance to meet artists and voice actors they admire and to experience Japanese media that’s not as accessible in the United States. One of the best-known attractions of conventions like Anime Frontier comes courtesy not of the organizers but of the attendees themselves: cosplay.

Cosplay is the kind of thing where even if you don’t understand what a costume is referencing, it’s impossible to not notice the amount of artistry and attention to detail that goes into it. These fans put months of work into sewing and constructing their clothes, accessories, wigs and props by hand and were more than happy to show off their creations for our camera.

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This Black Butler cosplayer was the first person we photographed on Friday. Clearly, the bar was set high from the very start.

Carly May Gravley

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In hindsight, we feel like these Pokemon gym leaders may have been challenging us. Oh, well. Our Bulbasaur didn't have enough EP to take them on anyway.

Carly May Gravley

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Elaborate cosplays like this one require all elements to be custom-made, from the wig all the way down to the shoes.

Carly May Gravley

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This fan is cosplaying as Brook from the anime series One Piece. Props like this fish-shaped guitar aren't sold at your average costume store and require a little craftiness.

Carly May Gravley

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Manga and anime were far from the only fandoms represented at Anime Frontier. This Sleeping Beauty cosplayer made her dress both blue and pink with the help of a fabric that changes colors in the light.

Carly May Gravley

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For some people, milky white contact lenses that partially impair your vision are a step too far for a costume you have to walk around in all day. Not for this birthday girl.

Carly May Gravley

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The convention had complimentary sets that were perfect for cosplay photoshoots.

Carly May Gravley

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A lot of anime and manga series take place in a school setting, so this setup was a no-brainer.

Carly May Gravley

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Pray for mercy from Puss in Boots (and Megara from Disney's Hercules).

Carly May Gravley

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This cosplay of Heather Chandler from Heathers is so "very."

Carly May Gravley

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This Soul Eater cosplayer's scythe is intimidating no matter harmlessly fake it is.

Carly May Gravley

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Dressing up as Max Goof from A Goofy Movie is a surefire way to "Stand Out."

Carly May Gravley

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Most of the fans we met were given the prompt to pose "in character." We've never seem Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, but we fully believe Risotto Nero stands like this.

Carly May Gravley

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A fox tail has never looked more regal.

Carly May Gravley

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This cosplay is of Padme Amidala from Star Wars, specifically the scene where Anakin Skywalker tells her he hates sand.

Carly May Gravley

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It was nice of this fan to carry around a doll of her character for reference.

Carly May Gravley

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Dreamworks' Rise of the Guardians has a cult following among animation enthusiasts, and the character of Jack Frost has become a cosplay mainstay.

Carly May Gravley

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As the sun began to set, cosplayers flooded to the Fort Worth Convention's center towering windows to catch that golden hour light for pictures.

Carly May Gravley

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Dresses like the one worn by this Belle cosplayer would fit in better at the Met Gala than most of what actually makes it to the Met Gala.

Carly May Gravley