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Nichola Beckford/Contributor

Team Jamaica acquitted themselves well at the most recent staging of the first-ever Caribbean Cosplay Championships (CCC). Five Jamaican cosplayers entered the event, which was virtual this year, but broadcast out of Trinidad & Tobago. The team consisted of Sebastian Thomas, Steffani Singh, Jerome Wilson, Rhea Rampair and Selene Wright.

“Sebastian, Steffani, and Jerome were entered in the Cosplay Craftsmanship category, while Selene and Rhea were in the Tik Tok Cosplay Transformation category,” Ricardo Carter, president of the Jamaica Cosplay Club (JCC), told Our Today.

Jamaica also received the Baddest Team Support Award according to Carter.

“Participating in the Caribbean Cosplay Championship was like a dream come true because I’ve always wanted to do some international cosplay, so it was a good opportunity for me.”

Sebastian Thomas

Thomas, Wilson, and Singh were automatically entered into the event as the top three finishers in the Jamaican Cosplay Championship held at this year’s AnimeCom Fest put on by the JCC. Thomas was the highest placed of Team Jamaica, winning the Fan Favourite Award for his Wing Exia costume from the Gundam 00 anime.

“Participating in the Caribbean Cosplay Championship was like a dream come true because I’ve always wanted to do some international cosplay, so it was a good opportunity for me,” said Thomas.

Thomas’ detailed Wing Exia featured LED lights, a visually functioning version of the fictional GN Drive that powers the Mobile Suit, and its armament — a rotating Vulcan cannon and switchblade. This was the costume that won him first place at AnimeCom Fest 2022. Even though this was his first time in international competition, Thomas was philosophical about his award.

“I feel 50/50 about it. It was disappointing because I was actually hoping to win the competition, rather than just Fan Favourite,” he added.

BEST IN SHOW

The Best in Show Award went to Designs By Abbi, from Trinidad and Tobago.

“Team Jamaica brought the power. Hopefully next year we can bring it harder than that, but we will see what happens next time,’ said Thomas.

Singh, who placed third at AnimeCom Fest 2022, and has competed overseas, was happy with her performance and that of Team Jamaica.

“It was very fun. Sebastian and Jerome had to work very hard at the last minute to get our entries in since our qualifying round was the same day as the deadline, but everything turned out great. I think everyone had fun and met a lot of cosplayers from around the region,” said Singh.

A seasoned cosplayer, Singh is known for her skill and at this point in her cosplay career she has been reaching for characters she loves rather than ones that are popular. Her Seth Knightroad cosplay, from the Trinity Blood anime/manga universe, was her most detailed and difficult to date. She admitted to the mental stress of putting together the intricate detailing on the costume, which took about six months to complete with a lot of time and dedication. However, she does plan on continuing to do new things.

“Last time I went in person, it was completely different, and I actually won that time. This time the competition was very stiff. Everybody brought their a-game, and there were many more countries participating,” said Singh.

Given her time in the local cosplay scene, Singh said she was happy that her pastime has appeared to have survived COVID-19, with AnimeCom Fest 2022 not only seeing a massive attendance over its two days, but many new faces than she’d ever seen before.

TIK TOK COSPLAY TRANSFORMATION

As COVID-19 has shifted many things into the virtual and digital space, it was no surprise about the inclusion of social media content to the CCC with the Tik Tok Cosplay Transformation category. Wright, who has been cosplaying for three years, was pleased with her outcome.

“I was extremely excited because each category had only one winner and to be picked not only as the second winner and judge’s favourite, but the only Jamaican in the Tik Tok category to win was an honour,” said Wright.

All entrants in the category had up to a minute in a posted video to show off their cosplay character and editing skills. Wright went with Mel Medara from the Netflix series Arcane.

“I chose the character because of what she represented in the show and the power that she had, not only as a rich, dark skinned woman but also as a domineering politician in the animated series,” said Wright.

She was up against another seasoned Jamaican cosplayer in the category, Rhea Rampair.

“I entered as this character Bruno Bucciarati from the anime Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure. I decided to do a skit showing his transition from a child to a Mafioso, and the mistakes that he made to become a Mafioso,” Rampair explained.

Rampair also felt Team Jamaica’s success was beyond expectations, praising fellow Jamaican cosplayers Thomas and Wright.

“Considering it was the first time that Team Jamaica was able to enter as a group, I think we did very well. Of course being the first time, the other contestants didn’t necessarily know the level of competition we have, but I think we still had a good showing,” Rampair said.