Introducing A New Old Kid on the Block. Olesia Kharinskaia.
When Olesia Kharinskaia, or “Pandared” as the cosplay world knows her, arrived in Malaysia in early 2024, she probably had no idea how much her life would change. With over 12 years of experience in cosplaying and designing, she came bursting with creativity, determination, and an open mind, ready to dive headfirst into a brand-new chapter. She didn’t expect this chapter to see her becoming such an essential part of Malaysia’s lively and inspiring cosplay community.
Olesia’s first major hurdle was preparing a submission for the World Cinematic Cosplay Summit (WCCS) to represent Russia. She searched high and low for a videographer but kept running into either wedding photographers or sky-high quotes—RM 50,000 for a 2.5-minute video wasn’t exactly doable. Desperation started to creep in, but then she contacted a WCS Malaysia team. That’s when she got connected with Alif Jamil and Alex Chrysler. They dove into the project, creating these intricate paper dolls and designing a show-stopping dragon inspired by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Their efforts earned her a wild card spot at WCCS, with international judges praising the creativity and craftsmanship of their work. WCCS is the World Cosplay Summit Japan Video Cosplay Competition.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Olesia’s heart lies in connecting with others. Her time in Malaysia became an adventure filled with incredible people who made every moment richer. At local cosplay events, she met with Fara Nik and Yuan Wong, WCS MY Alumni 2011 and 2017, immensely talented individuals whose camaraderie made a lasting impression on her. Their shared passion for cosplay sparked genuine friendships that became a cornerstone of her experience.
Her adventures led her to the WCS 2024 Watch Party, a gathering that felt more like a celebration of community. She connected with inspiring figures like Alynn YingYen Lau, Ken Ta, Katz Sharky, and Kalvin Kzl there. The vibe of the event, filled with support and excitement, left her both energized and deeply moved. The event itself was a revelation. “The vibe was so supportive,” Olesia recalled. “Everyone cheered for the finalists, and the free cupcakes with photos of the participants were such a thoughtful touch!”
At NoizuCon 2024, she crossed paths with a vibrant mix of creative souls, including Rikka Janice, Tea Kyandy, and Inui Tatsumi, whose energy and enthusiasm inspired her journey. Equally memorable was her meeting with Kaz von Löwenhof and the delightful Kazuko Fujiwara & Weon Haur and their lovely daughte. Their warmth and kindness made every interaction feel heartfelt, leaving her with memories she’ll always treasure.
Her network just kept growing. She met Rupern Chiu, Kevin Tho, DouFu Hua, and even the incredible WCS Philippines representatives, Hong Ping-ping Bi and Jin (Behindinfinity). Honestly, these connections turned her journey into something special. It wasn’t just about cosplay; it was about making real friendships and collaborating with amazing people.
What’s even more incredible? Her experience stretched far beyond Malaysia. From meeting guys from the Philippines and Indonesia, to exploring ideas with people from Japan and Thailand, it felt like every step opened up something new and exciting. You can tell her passion for cosplay just kept growing with every connection she made!
NoizuCon 2024 was a big moment for her. Hosting her first booth, she showed off her interactive talking dragon head, a fun project tied to her Mealtune startup, card quests and cosplayer bingo, and kept everyone entertained.
She stepped out of her comfort zone to lecture on “Cosplay Mastery from Siberia.” in Noizucon to a whole new world of audiences. She talked about her journey, shared tips, and connected with the crowd in a way that felt inspiring for everyone.
At the Nijigen Expo, Olesia decided to try something different with a Kuki Shinobu cosplay from Genshin Impact. She reworked a store-bought costume, adding her touch to the armour and design. While the response wasn’t tremendous, it was still a great learning experience.
She transformed a simple, store-bought costume into something entirely her own, putting her creativity into reworking the armour and details. The reaction wasn’t huge, but it didn’t matter. It reminded her of something she’s always believed—cosplaying less common characters can make a more significant impact. Sure, it’s more work, but that makes it worthwhile for Olesia.
Olesia’s first year in Malaysia concluded on a high note at the WCS MY Summit 2025. Here, she hosted her first-ever cosplay hackathon, where teams were tasked with designing light and dark demon cosplays in just 80 minutes. The event was a massive success, showcasing creativity and collaboration under pressure.
The summit was another highlight of Olesia’s year, where she met even more inspiring people, like Kazuki Foo, Angel Chooi, and KingRusydi Ttv. The event’s vibe was buzzing—live music, fun games, and a swimming pool. Looking back, Olesia described it as a perfect celebration of everything she adores about the cosplay community: creativity, support, and the shared love for the art.
At the event, she was honoured with the Premier Member badge for the newly formed World Cosplay Summit Malaysia Alliance Partners (WCSMAP), recognizing her contributions to the cosplay community in just one year.
It’s clear she’s ready to make this year even more exciting than the last.
“Cosplay isn’t just putting on a costume,” she explains. “It’s about telling stories, working together, and seeing just how far your creativity can go.”
Olesia’s time in Malaysia shows how passion, determination, and a genuine love for connecting with others can turn challenges into incredible achievements. With her boundless energy and exciting plans for the future, she’s ready to make an even more significant impact on the global cosplay scene.
What Lies Ahead
With 2025 on the horizon, Olesia is already sketching out her plans for the future. She’s eager to collaborate with cosplayers worldwide, host workshops to share her expertise and dive into bold new creative projects. Meeting talented individuals from Japan and the Philippines right here in Malaysia has opened her eyes to the incredible potential within the local community. Olesia sees Malaysia as a hub of opportunity, filled with connections waiting to be made and talent ready to grow. Her passion and drive make it clear that the best is yet to come.
About Olesia Kharinskaia
Olesia, @Pandared, is a designer and cosplayer from Siberia. She has been doing this for more than 12 years! She uses her skills and love for telling stories to make costumes and performances stand out. She currently lives in Malaysia, and she keeps inspiring people in the cosplay community with her creative ideas and the fact that she loves this art. It’s cool to see someone so passionate!
