ReedPop prides itself on relentlessly innovating for its fans and communities. Their latest launch is Cosplay Central, a global digital hub for all things cosplay.

Cosplay (costume and play) is a major part of the pop convention scene, with many fans attending dressed as their favourite comic book character. But with comic-con’s the world over shutdown by COVID-19, cosplayers were bereft of the opportunity they provide to share gossip, tips and their latest outfits.

Recognising a need, and an opportunity, ReedPop came to the rescue in April with the launch of Cosplay Central, a virtual hub for cosplayers worldwide, including celebrity interviews, craft tutorials, breaking news and in-depth features all relating to the hobby.

“Celebrating fandom is intrinsic to ReedPop’s DNA, and nothing says fandom like spending two months building a Mandalorian helmet! With the success of our Championships of Cosplay global circuit, we felt we could bring a fresh voice to the scene by launching a platform that serves to support, highlight and expand the cosplay community” explains Lance Fensterman, Global Head of ReedPop. “While 23% of all convention attendees identify as cosplayers, the space has remained significantly underserved in the digital landscape. This provided an opportunity to create a robust destination that covers cosplay in an authentic, original way. Cosplay Central will also feature an offline component, headlining areas of the show floor and branding our cosplay competitions.”

Cosplay Central is led by Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Endter, herself a longstanding part of the cosplay community, having been cosplaying and attending conventions since 2011. In her new role, Kelsey says that she hopes to “inspire people who have always wanted to cosplay, but have yet to join this amazing hobby. Cosplaying allowed me to truly be myself, where I could combine my love for theatre and pop culture”.

“When ReedPop reached out to me about their vision with the site, I was ready to jump to the challenge” adds Kelsey. “We want to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Whether you’ve been cosplaying for years, months, or simply love the craft, there is something special here for everyone.”