In the fantastical world of cosplay, there are quite a few creations that come out looking just as beautiful as the character the cosplayer is portraying. And when it comes explicitly to those paying tribute to heroines within the Magical Girl genre, some of the results are genuinely among the best of the best. From crime-fighting heroes of the moon to the card-capturing kind, they've all been given some fan-made costume love over the years.
But who is the best at bringing these magical individuals to life? Well, with this list, we're going to take a look at some cosplayers who made these powerful characters come off the page/screen in the most unbelievably real of ways. So grab your favorite wand or scepter, and let's take a look at Cosplays Of Magical Girls That Look Just Like The Characters!
Last updated: December 5th, 2019: With so many magical girl anime and manga out there, the cosplays just don’t stop. This list has been updated with even more character cosplays to take your breath away.
15 Sakura From Cardcaptor Sakura
When it comes to the costumes within the Cardcaptor Sakura manga and anime series, choosing one to cosplay can be quite a tough decision. From all of Sakura's adorable Tomoyo-made outfits to even her school uniform, they all have something memorable about them. But perhaps the most iconic of all is her signature red and pink dress with the winged back, shown mostly within the opening sequence of the anime's first season.
Created brilliantly by cosplayer meipikachu, Sakura's youthful energy, charm, and whimsy is captured with true excellence. From the fluffy curves of the wings to the perfectly matching wig and shades of pink, this cosplayer looks so good she almost seems like she came out of a live-action version of the franchise.
14 Usagi And Mamoru From Sailor Moon
Known by many anime fans as one of the most cosplayed properties to ever exist, the incredible collection of Sailor Moon fan-made costumes out there is spellbinding. From those that capture the pretty guardian with all of their love to those that portray a more down-to-earth version of the character, choosing the best from the crop can be near impossible.
But then some crazy cosplays do take your breath away, just like these creations by Moonychka as Usagi and Kivinidze as Mamoru. With their expertly crafted wigs, contacts, and perfect poses, these two beautiful pay tribute to the work of Sailor Moon's creator, Naoko Takeuchi - capturing the delicate features of her stunning artwork in realistic detail.
13 Meimi From Saint Tail
Perhaps not the most famous of Magical Girl anime, Saint Tail holds a special place in the hearts of many a 90's kid. From the adorable aesthetic to the whimsical character designs, creator Megumi Tachikawa's story of a thief who steals back anything that had been taken away from good people still brings a smile to fans young and young-at-heart.
Cosplayer melvinopolis gives some much-needed attention to this great anime by showing off the magic of series' leading lady, Meimi. With a stunning wig, well-tailored costume, and a twinkle in her eye, this cosplayer gets all the precise details while still retaining the simple charms of this spunky thief.
12 Madoka From Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Considered to be one of the more violent and controversial of Magical Girl shows, the characters within Puella Magi Madoka Magica have some of the most beautiful and fun costumes in any series of the Mahou Shoujo genre. And perhaps the most iconic of all the outfits in the show belongs to the titular protagonist, Madoka!
Brought to cosplay life by anicegirlxd, this stunning Madoka cosplay gets all details right with well-crafted perfection. Some cosplayers tend to make their own interpretation of certain aspects of this look, including the hairstyle, but this cosplayer has a masterful grasp on every detail and even includes the somewhat melancholy nature of the series beautifully in their work.
11 Yū And Mami From Creamy Mami
Though only recently gaining popularity stateside, Creamy Mami is considered by many old school anime fans to still be a classic title. It may not have all the action that Sailor Moon does, but much like another 80's animated series, Jem and the Holograms, it brings on that charming nostalgia that's hard to resist.
Paying tribute to the lead character (who changes from her younger-self to her idol persona) are cosplayers Tsukianni as Yū and her friend Chiara as Mami. These two have both created screen-accurate creations that perfectly represent the colorful whimsy of the series. And with cute flourishes, such as lace details and well-made props, these two celebrate this anime with grace and beauty!
10 Jiyu From Jubei-Chan
Forgotten through the sands of anime time, Jubei-Chan was one of those gems of its genre. It featured an unconventional protagonist who turns into an even more unconventional superhero - specifically, the kind who has legendary swordsman skills thanks to an enchanted heart-shaped eyepatch.
Jiyu's stunning transformation into the Mahou Shoujo take on Yagyū Jūbei is brought to cosplay life by Lithium-toxide. With an expertly-chosen color palette, detailed sword, and of course the famous eyepatch, this cosplayer has what it takes to bring this unique magical heroine into the fandom spotlight.
9 Princess Tutu And Mytho From Princess Tutu
Though not the most popular Magical Girl series, Princess Tutu is considered by many fans to be one of the greatest underrated anime within its genre. Mixing in elements from The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, this ballet-themed show tells a beautiful dark-fairy tale with aspects and art design calling back to the history of Mahou Shoujo titles past.
Shown in a dancer pose, cosplayers Soranosuzu as Mytho and astarohime as Princess Tutu capture the majesty of these two protagonists with pure polish. From the beautiful detail in the sleeves on Mytho's top and beading on the Tutu's dress, no detail is missing in these glamourous works of fandom art.
8 Mirai And Riko From Witchy PreCure
With the Magical Girl genre's rich connection to pop culture witches, it makes sense that mega-franchise PreCure would eventually make a witch-themed season of their anime series. And with its adorable aesthetics, colorful protagonists, and stunning transformation sequences, Witchy PreCure paid homage to Mahou Shoujo's past beautifully.
The two leads of the show, Mirai and Riko, are brought to life by cosplayers Trisha and Archangel_Michail, respectively. With their accurate colors, fabric details, and wonderfully magical broom props, these two delightfully showcase the most whimsical aspects of the show and the enchanting young ladies at its center.
7 Hikaru From Magic Knight Rayearth
Though not considered to be a straight-forward traditional Magical Girl series, Magic Knight Rayearth is a 90's classic for a reason. It has excellent characters, beautiful design (in both the manga and anime adaptation), and has some of the most thrilling moments of 90's anime girls kicking some severe butt you'll ever witness.
With this incredibly detailed work, cosplayer Shiya shows the warrior strength of Hikaru in this powerful piece. Creating one of the most loved outfits from the manga, this costume is absolutely a work of art. From her excellently crafted sword to her breathtaking armor pieces - this is the stuff of cosplay legend.
6 Sailor Pluto From Sailor Moon
Though all of the Sailor Senshi are beautiful in their way, there is just something so majestic about Sailor Pluto. With her flowing green locks, kind-hearted nature, and grounded look at life (especially about the future), she is a guardian that we all still secretly wish had been our babysitter back in the day.
And with this cosplay by the talented Nayigocosplay, Sailor Pluto comes to life with immaculate detail. Much like the other Sailor Moon-related cosplay on this list, this look stands as another example of when you truly put all the time and effort into creating something, the results can be jaw-dropping.
5 Sally The Witch From Sally The Witch
Is any Magical Girl list complete without a nod to Sally The Witch? Recognized as the first Magical Girl series, it’s got a special place in the hearts of anime fans.
This cosplay comes from 2016 courtesy of the first female governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. She believed people should embrace their imagination and shared an image of her in costume when she was elected. Designs for anime characters weren’t as elaborate when Sally The Witch aired as they are today, but this look is classic.
4 Utena And Anthy From Revolutionary Girl Utena
Revolutionary Girl Utena included a lot of dark themes, but at its heart, strived to show young women didn’t have to fit in the mold in which they were placed. As a result, the anime still has a lot of fans.
Cosplayers SailorMappy and Pirupiru18 bring the duo of Utena Tenjou and Anthy Himemiya to life with costumes that look like they were pulled straight out of the animation. The two characters might not have been able to reunite at the end of the anime, but thanks to cosplayers, they can.
3 Team RWBY With Nora And Pyrrha From RWBY
Some anime fans don’t consider RWBY a Magical Girl series because the anime doesn’t feature transformation sequences, but it does fulfill other requirements. This group of cosplayers gave a little love to all of the main female characters.
Sharing their images on Deviant Art is their photographer vaxone. Included in the photoshoot were Nora (Alyss), Ruby (rurik0), Weiss (Tenten), Blake (LilJaguar), Pyrha (Lilin), and Yang (ShioriHisa). This is one group shoot that was picture perfect.
2 Ladybug From Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir
Like RWBY, Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir is a more recent addition to the Magical Girl genre. Airing in France and dubbed in other countries around the world, the series sees a young girl transform with the help of a magical creature to save Paris.
Cosplayer PyonMicchi developed her own Miraculous Ladybug costume, and she’s so convincing that the official series twitter account even shared her work.
1 Caren From Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch
Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch was the kind of Magical Girl series that threw a bunch of ideas into a blender (mermaid myths, pop idols, and Magical Girls) and it surprisingly came out great.
Caren is a supporting player for much of the series as she doesn’t trust the other mermaid princesses she meets, blaming them for her sister being captured. Cosplayer Jocurryrice nails the slightly mysterious demeanor of the character in a perfectly made costume.