Roll Out the Cosplay!
Welcome to WasabiCon’s BCWS hosted by Florida Comic Cons, where creativity’s on the menu and cosplay is served fresh! Florida Comic Cons is back with another round of our fan-favorite Best Cosplay We See! and trust us, this lineup is a full buffet of talent, flavor, and flair. From spicy takes on anime icons to sweet surprises straight from your favorite fandoms, we’ve handpicked a platter of looks too good not to share.
Winners will include:
Top 2 Cosplayers
1 Honorable Mentions
And they’ll receive not only free passes to future cons… but eternal glory in the eyes of the fandom!
Major thanks to our mighty sponsor!
St. Pete Comic Con — assembling February 28–March 1
This isn’t your usual “walk-the-stage-or-bust” cosplay contest. Best Cosplay We See! is all about celebrating creativity on the convention floor, zero pressure, all passion. It’s made for introverts, first-timers, and seasoned cosplay crusaders alike. No spotlights, just pure appreciation.
So, without further ado… these are (just a few!) of the Best Cosplays We Saw at Wasabicon 2025!
bcws! at Wasabi 2025
The following are the contestants (in no order).
Thank to the cosplayers who allowed us to snap and chat!
Contestants!
meet the judges
Meet the talent judging the Sugio Expo! Yoshi.Cosplay, yir_alexandrite, and Paladin Printworks. Award-winning cosplayers with expertise that includes foam work, lighting, master sewing, 3D printing, props and accessories!
Thanks to the sponsors that are providing free weekend passes to their conventions as prizes to the winners! Support them by joining in the fan-fun at their events. St.Pete Comic Con.
PaladinPrintworks Building, Leading, and Leveling Up the Cosplay World
When it comes to dedication, craftsmanship, and pure con-floor charisma, PaladinPrintworks is in a league of his own. This powerhouse of prop-building and performance hasn’t slowed down for a second. From judging multiple cosplay contests to crafting jaw-dropping new builds, he’s proving that passion and precision go hand-in-hand.
If you caught the cosplay contest at Saigon Marketplace this September, you already know: PaladinPrintworks doesn’t just show up, he elevates the show. With his signature energy and insight, he helped emcee and lead the competition to new heights, turning it into a celebration of creativity, confidence, and craftsmanship.
Above, a sneak peak at one of Paladinprintwork’s newest builds.
And the adventure doesn’t stop there! He’ll be stepping up as a host for Anime St. Pete and other Florida Comic Cons affiliate events, bringing his expertise and mentorship to the next generation of cosplayers. Teaching new judges the ropes, inspiring builders to level up, and championing community growth. That’s the Paladin way.
With so many builds in progress and even bigger stages ahead, one thing’s for sure: the next chapter of PaladinPrintworks is going to be amazing.
Fresh off her award-winning Monster Hunter Tigrex build, Yoshi.Cosplay is proving once again that she’s never one to stay still for long. Her newest creation? A completely original character, Cotton Candy, the Anime Robot Panda!
This pastel powerhouse lights up, carries a custom bamboo scepter, and shines as a perfect example of Yoshi’s inventive approach to cosplay. Built entirely from recycled materials, (everything from plastic jars and lids to a ceiling light cover) Cotton Candy shows that creativity doesn’t need a big budget, just big imagination. The full build took about two months of hands-on crafting (and a whole lot of foam), resulting in something that’s as charming as it is innovative.
Whether she’s tackling detailed armor builds or dreaming up whimsical OCs, Yoshi.Cosplays is always creating, always inspiring, and always reminding us that the magic of cosplay lives in the making. We can’t wait to see what incredible design she’ll bring to life next!
MasakiPrincess!
MasakiPrincess, Still Slaying, Still Inspiring
Our beloved heroine of heart, thread, and transformation is back! and busier than ever! MasakiPrincess has truly stepped into her next arc as a cosplay mentor, guesting at conventions across Florida and beyond. She’s taking her signature sparkle from the stage to the panel room, helping others find their confidence and creativity through cosplay.
Fans can catch her this fall at MiraiCon, where she’ll be hosting several uplifting panels including “Breaking Barriers and Slaying in Your Cosplay” and “A Plus-Size Cosplay & Confidence Panel.” Each one celebrates self-expression, inclusivity, and the joy of showing up as your truest self, cape, corset, or comfy shoes included.
Whether she’s cheering on contestants, mentoring newcomers, or leading by example, MasakiPrincess continues to prove that cosplay is for every body. We’re endlessly proud to see her sharing that message far and wide, and we can’t wait to see where her journey (and her next stunning build!) takes her next.
