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Photos via Flickr

Source: Photos via Flickr

Cosplay (costume play) is performance art – for lack of a better phrase – in which all genders of all ages dress up in costumes representing characters from shows, movies, comics, and video games.

Some people work hard to replicate these characters down to the last details while others put their own creative spin on things or even invent their own characters – and this is far more elaborate than just dressing up like it’s Halloween.

Over the last 15 years, this hobby has only become more and more popular around the world. And it’s ok if you don’t understand it – hobbies don’t have to be accepted by other people to be valid.

While cosplay can be as amateur or time-consuming as a person wants, there’s no arguing that some people have really taken it to the next level over the last decade. In fact, many people even make a living both creating costumes and modeling.

It can also be a very empowering activity for women and we’ve found 55 of them around the world that really blew our minds with their talents.

Take a look and get a sense of what we’re talking about (but do remember that some social media accounts are NSFW, so while the following photos are relatively tame, following a link to a cosplayer’s account could give you – or anyone looking over your shoulder – an eyeful!).