Presenting the Cosplay Goddess of the Caribbean Islands! In this episode of Cosplay Crunch, we welcome Panterona Cosplay all the way from Trinidad and Tobago! We get her unfiltered journey into the world of cosplay, starting from a place of pettiness to becoming a prominent figure in the Trinidadian cosplay community. We discuss the evolution of cosplay in Trinidad and Tobago, the cultural context surrounding race and representation, and the accessibility of resources for cosplayers in the Caribbean. Panterona also highlights the impact of Carnival in Trinidad on cosplay materials, and her experience of merging cosplay with Carnival, leading to the creation of Trinidad's first cosplay carnival band. Of course we talk about Alias Entertainment Expo, the complexities of organizing conventions in Trinidad, and the Caribbean Cosplay Championship. Make sure to listen all the way through to get the truth about her collaboration with Riot Games and the phenomenal Netflix series Arcane! You SERIOUSLY are not going to want to miss this episode. Trust! 

Attendance at this Cosplay University course is MANDATORY! And we have a LOT of subject matter to cover! In this episode of The Cosplay Crunch, we welcome Dr. Emerald L. King, an academic and cosplayer from Tasmania, Australia. We discuss the unique aspects of cosplay culture in Australia, Emerald's academic background and studies, her various involvement from volunteer staff to competitors at the World Cosplay Summit, and her journey through the cosplay community. We explore the historical context of cosplay in Australia, the influence of Japanese media, and the evolution of cosplay events over the years. Emerald shares her experiences and insights into the cosplay community, highlighting the differences and similarities between Australian and global cosplay cultures. We learn about various Australian and global events such as the Madman National Cosplay Championship and ICON Photo Festival. We get VERY cerebral as we delve into the themes of violence and masochism in Japanese literature and costuming. Join us down DOWN under as this episode is certainly a conversation unlike any other on the Cosplay Crunch!