From Fear to the Spotlight—A Cosplayer’s Journey Through Noizucon
March 27, 2025
RedMiew’s story from nervous first-time cosplayer to booth owner, and now aspiring for the biggest stage in cosplay, is one of fear, passion, and ultimately, victory.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the air as I step into Richiamo, Putera Heights. Sunlight spills through the wide glass windows, casting a golden glow over the sleek wooden tables and cozy corners. Outside, the weather is perfect—the kind that makes you want to stay out all day, with a gentle breeze rustling through the trees and a sky so blue it looks almost painted.
“RedMiew! Over here!” I wave, spotting her just as she steps inside. She’s dressed casually, but there’s an unmistakable energy in her stride—the same confidence that’s taken her from a nervous first-time cosplayer to an artist, a vendor, and now, someone with her sights set on the big stage.
“Hey, Salty Katz!” she grins, sliding into the seat across from me.
I take a sip of my coffee, smiling. “So, tell me—how does it feel, looking back at your journey from Noizucon 2023 to now?”
She exhales, eyes glimmering with nostalgia. “Honestly? Wild. I never thought I’d be here.”
And just like that, our conversation begins—one cosplayer to another, sharing stories over good coffee and great weather, with the hum of life buzzing softly in the background.
“I almost didn’t go.”
That’s the way RedMiew — not her real name — describes her debut public cosplay experience at Noizucon 2023. The self-proclaimed “anime-obsessed introvert” had spent years admiring cosplayers from behind a screen, too afraid to step into the scene herself.
“I loved cosplay,” she admits. “I’d follow cosplayers online, watch World Cosplay Summit (WCS) videos, and dream about making my own costumes. But the idea of walking into an event dressed up? Terrifying. I thought people would judge me, or I’d look ridiculous.”
So what changed?
“I saw a post about Noizucon 2023, and something in me just… snapped. It was happening nearby. It was huge. And I told myself—if I don’t do it now, I never will.”
She pauses, laughing at the memory.
“And then I almost backed out the morning of the event.”
Noizucon 2023 – The First Step
RedMiew showed up at Noizucon 2023 in a full costume she had painstakingly put together. But stepping inside the venue was another story.
“My heart was racing. I kept thinking—what if I look weird? What if I’m not good enough?”
Then she walked in—and her fears vanished.
“Cosplayers were everywhere. ALL levels—from super detailed armor builds to simple closet cosplays. And everyone was just having fun. No one cared if you were ‘perfect.’ That’s when I realized—I belonged here.”
But the true shock of the day?
“RFL Orchestra JROCK. I had NO idea they were performing. One second, I was wandering the hall, and the next—BOOM, the first chords of an anime opening hit, and the entire crowd went WILD.”
Her eyes light up as she recalls the energy.
“Imagine hearing Guren no Yumiya (Attack on Titan), Unravel (Tokyo Ghoul), and Again (Fullmetal Alchemist) LIVE. The whole place turned into a giant anime concert. I was screaming. Everyone was.”
Then came the World Cosplay Summit Malaysia (WCS MY) qualifiers.
“I had seen WCS videos before, but watching it in person? Next level. These cosplayers weren’t just posing—they were performing. Acting, fighting, storytelling. I remember thinking—THIS. This is what I want to do.”
That night, she left Noizucon 2023 a different person. “I went in scared. I left knowing—this is my world.”
Noizucon 2024 at MMU – From Fan to Booth Owner
A year later, RedMiew returned. But this time, she wasn’t just a cosplayer. She was an artist, a vendor—a creator.
“I spent the whole year making art. Prints, stickers, keychains—stuff I’d want as a fan. I didn’t know if people would buy, but I wanted to try.”
Opening her booth at Noizucon 2024 at MMU was another level of fear.
“Selling your art is personal. It’s like putting a piece of yourself out there and hoping people like it. I kept thinking, What if no one stops at my table?”
Then the doors opened.
First customer. Then another. Then another.
“I remember my first sale—a tiny Genshin Impact charm. The guy smiled and said, ‘This is so cool!’ And I nearly cried.”
Her booth was a success. But Noizucon 2024 had even bigger surprises waiting.
“I heard the music first. My brain froze. RFL Orchestra JROCK was back.”
This time, she was ready.
“They played Guren no Yumiya again, but it hit harder. Maybe because I wasn’t just an audience member anymore—I was a part of the community.”
Then came WCS MY 2024.
“It was insane. The level of performance? Mind-blowing. Watching those cosplayers made me realize—I’ve come far, but I still have a long way to go.”
And that’s when she made the decision.
Noizucon 2025 – The Big Leap
The moment Noizucon 2025 announced WCS MY 2026, RedMiew knew.
“This time, I’m not just attending. I’m not just selling. I’m competing.”
She doesn’t hesitate.
“I’ve done the small steps—cosplaying, vending, connecting with people. Now? It’s time to go all in.”
“Ignore the gatekeepers. This is YOUR journey.”
Of course, not everything about cosplay is sunshine and excitement. RedMiew has faced her share of negativity.
“There will always be those people,” she says, rolling her eyes. “The ones who say you’re not accurate enough, your body type doesn’t match, you shouldn’t cosplay that character—blah, blah, blah.”
“You know what? Forget them. Gatekeepers, toxic fans, the people who tell you you ‘don’t belong’—they don’t matter. Cosplay is about YOU, not them.”
“If I listened to those voices, I would have never gone to Noizucon 2023.”
She smiles. “And that’s the thing. The people who want to bring you down? They aren’t the ones out here making memories. You are.”
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Salty Katz Sharky
Hi, I’m Salty Katz Sharky—a proud cosplayer and a girl who believes in the magic of having fun. Because at the heart of it all, cosplay is about joy, creativity, and embracing who you are.
“Cosplay isn’t about perfection—it’s about passion, creativity, and the courage to bring your favorite characters to life. Remember, every stitch, every pose, every step is a celebration of who you are. Keep creating, keep dreaming, and most importantly, keep having fun!”
