According to Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai’s 2026 Policy Address, the Macau government is set to further develop a public-private-community cooperation model, aimed at enhancing the city’s brand recognition through cultural industry events.
Between late March and mid-April, MGM, in collaboration with China Literature Limited (阅文集团), hosted a series of anime IP-themed events across Macau. According to the organisers, these events attracted both residents and tourists, boosting foot traffic and consumer spending as visitors flocked to take photos of popular anime characters.
The Post recently interviewed three seasoned cosplayers – nicknamed Eeza, Lily, and Sandra –, at a studio on Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga, to gain an insight into the development of the local cosplay industry.
Cosplay is a performance art in which participants, known as cosplayers, wear costumes and accessories to portray specific characters.
The group also ran a booth called “The Little Wish” at the 21st Macau Comic Festival (MCF21) last year. The booth held a raffle during the event to raise funds for Anima-Society for the Protection of Animals, offering anime- and cosplay-themed photo opportunities.
Sandra, Lily, and Eeza – a hotel receptionist, a university sophomore, and a PhD student at the University of Macau (UM), respectively – each have over six years of experience in their hobby. What began as simple curiosity during their schooldays has evolved into an integral part of their lives. They describe cosplay as a turning point, noting that the practice helped them transition from introverted youngsters to more confident individuals.
However, behind the glamour, cosplayers often face significant pressure. Common challenges include anxiety over online engagement, appearance-based criticism, skin allergies caused by heavy makeup, and pressure from family members who question whether the activity is a “serious pursuit.” Some cosplayers also report being targeted for “over-editing” their photos. They are calling on the public to view cosplay as an ordinary hobby – comparable to engaging in sport or playing video games – rather than through a judgmental or dismissive lens.
As Macau has seen a rise in government-supported anime events and commercial exhibitions, the trio agrees that cosplay is becoming increasingly mainstream.
Sandra notes that in the past, cosplayers were reluctant to use public transport in full costume. Now, it is common to see young people in full makeup and fully dressed on buses and at the Barrier Gate checkpoint, indicating a marked improvement in public acceptance. However, they caution that this commercialisation is a double-edged sword: while it enhances professionalism, it may also lead some youths to pursue fame and financial gain at the expense of their social values. They acknowledge that the impact of commercialisation on young people requires careful management.
Regarding income, the three noted that revenue streams in Macau are becoming increasingly diverse.
Lily explained that she previously worked as a freelance wig stylist and makeup artist, earning a four-figure monthly income during peak convention seasons. Eeza added that some individuals accept “commissions” to play specific characters –accompanying clients on shopping trips or to dinner – a service similar to professional companionship that is particularly popular in the Chinese mainland.
Sandra noted that some photographers pay an hourly rate for photoshoots, occasionally covering the cost of costumes and makeup. She added that many local cosplayers now curate their personal image on Instagram, aiming their activities at an international audience rather than limiting themselves to the local market.
Ultimately, however, they maintain that Macau’s market remains too small to make a living from cosplay alone. Most participants continue to “fuel their passion through love,” relying on full- or part-time employment to support their hobby. They expressed hope for a future in which civil society views their subculture with greater understanding and public acceptance.
Eeza
Lily
Sandra
Undated and unlocated photos courtesy by Eeza, Lily and Sandra, respectively
