Lady Dimetrescu, Ardbert, and a Monster Hunter cosplayer pose at Katsucon 2024.

Katsucon, the first major convention of 2024, took place in National Harbor, Maryland over the February 16-18 weekend, and there were some incredible looks on display. The three-day fan convention kicked off 2024 with style, offering up some incredible cosplay that will serve as inspiration for the rest of the year.

Your favorite RPG of last year, Baldur’s Gate 3, was represented on the show floor, as was some Final Fantasy faves, Zelda icons, and even fodder for the BookTok girlies.

As always, the pictures from Katsucon were provided to Kotaku by Mineralblu, the cosplay photographer who has helped us show off the best looks from tons of other ‘cons, including 2023's NYCC and Anime NYC. Check out Mineralblu’s cosplay video below, and click through to see the best looks from Katsucon 2024.

Skullkid cosplayer removes their mask.

Look at the construction on display here—the feathers the color of a sunset, the galaxy landscape painted on the bodice, the headpiece! This is just pure beauty.

An Ardbert cosplayer poses with their hands on their hips.

I may not know much about Final Fantasy (I thought Aerith was a goat lady for years), I can say that this cosplay is incredibly well done. The armor looks heavy and real, the wig is laid, the stance impeccable.

Tav and Shadowheart cosplayers stand together.

I love seeing well-constructed armor, and hoo boy, is this a great eaxmple of that. Tav is wearing the Flawed Helldusk Armor, one of my fave sets in Baldur’s Gate 3, and Shadowheart is in her base armor. These two cosplayers are husband and wife, which makes this even better.

A Nesta cosplayer wields a sword.

The BookTok girlies were in attendance at Katsucon! This is Nesta, a warrior woman with a cold, hard exterior. The A Court of Throns and Roses book series (or ACOTAR, as fans call it), doesn’t have illustrations, so this is a really cool thing to see at a ‘con as it’s purely interpretive. And it’s beautiful.

A Syanna cosplayer looks off-camera, hand on their sword hilt.
A Korpokkur Kolossus stands amongst plants.

I have learned that Korpokkur Kolossus are rideable things. This outfit is rad, but how does this person see?

A Latte Cookie cosplayer poses in a garden.

I do not know what Cookie Run is, but this cosplayer looks divine. The velvet! The beautiful contrasting soft pink and chocolate brown colors! That hat!

Jin Sakai stands in full armor.

Hell. Yes. I love Jin Sakai. I love this cosplay. Look at the details!

A Lady Dimetrescu cosplayer smiles menacingly.

Love to see some Lady D representation at conventions—I especially enjoy the slightly different takes on her dress and or clawed gloves. She must be such a fun character to embody!

A Enforcer cosplayer stands at attention, gun in hand.

I’m scared!

Anna and Elsa cosplayers sit together on a bench.

I love to see a big, gorgeous train pooling on the ground, and these cosplayers gave me two of them!

A Halone cosplayer stands with their hands at their sides.

This is just breathtaking. I can’t say anything more.

Baldur's Gate 3 cosplayers pose together.

The skimpy Shadowheart lingerie, the cat-girl Astarion fit, the tiefling Tav—this is unhinged, and I love it.

A cosplayer in Totoro x Monster Hunter armor stands amongst trees.

This cosplayer dared to ask: “what if you hunted Totoro and made armor out of his corpse?” Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions, people.

An Esdeath cosplayer playfully lifts their skirt.

I don’t know who this is, but I respect going to a ‘con double cheeked up.

A Malenia cosplayer poses, their eyes hidden by a golden helm.
A Chikorita cosplayer smiles while holding a Chikorita plushy.

Chikorita is so effin’ cute and so is this cosplay!

A Reiju cosplayer strikes a pose.

I believe this cosplayer used a drag technique called “brow blocking” to basically erase the end of their eyebrows to change their shape. This is very cool, and it looks flawless. From head-to-toe, this is how you do details right.


What was your favorite look from Katsucon 2024? Let us know in the comments below!