The Top 5 Video Game Cosplay Models

Sure, booth babes are great, but they really can’t compete with our favorite video game hotties brought to life. The otaku crowd is fortunate enough to not only have some of the loveliest ladies in our ranks (eat it, trekkies!), but also the most talented in the art of fabrics! You’re more than welcome to chime in with your own, but for now, here are my top 5 picks:

5. Lindze Merrit

Lindze is best known for her work as Morrigan from Darkstalkers. You also might know her for her on-spot portrayal of The Baroness from G.I. Joe. Lindze’s advantages include one feature that surpasses most of her Asian counterparts: her large breasts. Her bountiful bosom allows her to better fill out costumes that are faithful to the more voluptuous source material.

Lindze is the founder of a costume and clothing company called Genki Hats. Their products can be found at most anime conventions, consumed en masse by rabid otaku.

Character I’d Love to See: Mia Fey from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

4. Yaya Han

If there’s one thing to be said of Yaya Han, it’s that she loves her work. It’s not just a career, it’s her passion! She designs and crafts each and every one of her spectacular costumes. She’s traveled all over the world, having grown up in China, Germany, and America, where she currently calls home. Since her first Anime Expo, Yaya’s hit convention after convention to participate in cosplay events and sell her artwork.

Yaya earns extra bonus points from me for being one of the incredibly rare Sharon Apple cosplayers I’ve ever seen. Along with anime and games, her wardrobe includes characters from movies and comic books. Radiating extra hotness from her gallery is her rendition of Fook Mi (or Fook Yu?) from Austin Powers: Goldmember.

Character I’d Love to See: Jade from Beyond Good & Evil

3. Arisa Mizuhara

Not much is known about Arisa unless you can read Japanese. As you might have guessed, I cannot. But here’s what I’ve been able to figure out:

Arisa can be summed up in three simple words: too damned cute. Beyond that, she’s a professional cosplay model from Osaka, Japan. She sells CD-ROMs of her photo shoots and even offers to go on dates dressed as your favorite character! I’ve often seen her mixed up with another cosplayer, Kipi, who is equally as cute and might have made it on this list if she’d cosplay as video game characters.

Character I’d Love To See: Etna from Disgaea

2. Francesca Dani

Italian bombshell Francesca Dani has been one of the top cosplay poster girls of the web. One of the rare few Caucasian models to gain widespread popularity, Francesca started her modeling career as a simple way to pay for college. In 1998, she began to show her geeky side by entering the cosplay arena, starting with her first costume as Sailor Moon.

Not limited to character cosplay, Francesca also has a long line of original outfits in her portfolio. She’s made professional appearances in various places around Europe, Central America, and Japan. Cashing in on her Internet fame, she hosts her own site where a paid membership will grant you access to her galleries.

She, too, has large breasts.

Character I’d Love To See: KOS-MOS from Xenosaga

1. Omi Gibson

This one is my absolute favorite. It was a grueling challenge to pick out a sample photo for Omi Gibson because she’s a chameleon. Her costumes range across so many genres and are crafted in such detail that she visually becomes whatever character she’s performing. I envy Omi’s husband, who’s virtually married to hundreds of women through her.

Omi’s a huge fan of Metal Gear Solid. As a result, nearly half of all the costumes she’s created are from the series. What’s also cool is that she’s a fan of American cinema, specifically those of the cult variety. Best of all, she’s the most perfect embodiment of Revy from Black Lagoon that I’ve ever seen.

Character I’d Love To See: Kyoko from Rival Schools

Runners Up:

Moya: I have a sweet spot for this little Aussie…maybe due to my sweet spot for Cammy.

The Twin Links: What kept them from making the main list? They aren’t making out. What are they waiting for?