CosLA is creatively crafting community for Bruin cosplayers.

The cosplay club at UCLA hosts socials and workshops for cosplayers of all backgrounds and experience levels. From quarterly group photoshoots at Royce Hall to off-campus socials, CosLA members bond through a shared passion for creating and wearing cosplays. Charlie Chen, a second-year psychology student and the club’s treasurer, said she appreciates having a cosplay community at UCLA.

“Cosplay is a pretty niche hobby,” Chen said. “It’s not something that a ton of people are actively involved in, and it’s nice having a community where you can bounce ideas off each other, learn new skills, as well as just support each other.”

Fourth-year political science student Ioana Mihaila, the club’s vice president and current acting president, said the club meets every other week. Meetings mostly consist of workshops that teach skills – such as special effects makeup – and what to expect at conventions, she said. Chen added that the workshops are like collaborative discussions and said she learned how to make props through attending one.

In addition, the club hosts a variety of events and is primarily a social club, Mihaila said. The club has hosted socials such as getting ice cream together and has planned karaoke nights and ice skating socials, Chen said. CosLA’s social media manager Nina Ambriz, a fourth-year anthropology student, added that club members often go on informal social outings as well, including getting food at Westfield Century City.

CosLA members often attend cosplay conventions together, Mihaila added. She said it is helpful for members to use the club’s Discord server to find fellow cosplayers to go with. Ambriz added that becoming a member of the club helped her to become more comfortable with cosplaying in public.

“It’s very daunting going out into the world in cosplay for any reason, so it’s really nice to have other people,” Chen said. “Getting to go there (Anime Los Angeles) with all these people – that’s really fun.”

[Related: Video game review: Despite flaws, ‘Just Dance 2026 Edition’ fosters fun, collaboration]

The club also hosts a group photoshoot in cosplay at the end of each quarter, Ambriz said, where members arrive in cosplay and pose for photos outside Royce Hall. Mihaila said she has always liked both anime and fashion and enjoys cosplay as a creative outlet where those two interests intersect. She added that being part of CosLA is like having a family that has a shared connection within the larger fandom space.

“Being in the same proximity and going to the same school, a lot of us can not only connect through cosplay but connect through our shared experiences here, like classes, homework, walking around campus,” she said. “I know that a big one is a lot of people always express embarrassment having to walk to the club room in full cosplay. But then they meet up with a group, and they all walk there, and that really eases this embarrassment of walking around, basically, in what others see as a costume.”

Ambriz said she enjoys having a cosplay community at UCLA because the Central Valley, where she is from, lacks a significant cosplay community. She transferred from UC Santa Cruz, which she said did not have a cosplay club during her time. She described CosLA as an open and welcoming place.

“It’s really nice to finally be able to go out, to dress up, especially when I don’t really have the opportunity back at home,” Ambriz added.

Mihaila said the club has grown significantly since last year, from six members to now 15 to 20 people consistently showing up to meetings. She added that it was heartwarming to see CosLA’s growth and hopes it continues to expand after she graduates.

Chen said she enjoys going out in cosplay with people who share the hobby and feels she can rely on other club members for learning and support. Ambriz added that although some people may misunderstand cosplay, she believes it is a mode of creative expression and finds it fun.

“If you want to do it (cosplay), you totally should,” Chen said. “Even if you just want to show up to our meetings to learn more about cosplay in general, people are always welcome to show up.”