Resident Evil costume: Gun? Check. First aid spray? Check. Leon’s wig. Check.
An amazing cosplay subculture exists purely due to the Resident Evil franchise. If you’ve ever tried to decide on a costume from the various games or films you realize what a challenge it can be to pick one. First off, it would be good to know whether you’re a boy or a girl. Unless you want to cosplay Alfred Ashford, in which case it doesn’t really matter. Then you have to choose a specific character. There’s over 25 - not including monsters. Some have only appeared once, while others are landmarks. Next, which outfit? From which game? By the time you add in unlockable alternate costumes you’re head is spinning. Here are some talented cosplayers from around the internet who knew what they wanted and managed to do it with style.
Claire and Chris Redfield
Probably the two most popular characters of the series and for cosplaying. They’re a lean, mean, sibling zombie-fighting team! Photo by MindFall from Otakon 2008.
Jill Valentine
Also a fan favorite, she’s one of the few to make the transition to the big screen in Resident Evil: Apocolypse. Word is she’ll be making an appearance in Resident Evil 5 due March 13th. Photo by BlankLogo Photography.
Yup, that’s me! Jill’s alternate costume was my very first attempt at cosplay for the first New York Comic Con. I hadn’t planned on attending until I learned Milla Jovovich (my idol!) was going to be appearing. For me, it was a matter of simplicity (I already had most of the outfit in my closet) and the fact we share the same first name that sold me on the idea. I didn’t go for the wig obviously but other than that I was fairly satisfied with my first time out.
Leon S. Kennedy
One of the most prominent RE characters, especially in recent years. He starred in RE4 and the movie, Resident Evil: Degeneration. Photo f cosplayer Shadownet752 by PhotoPanda.
Rebecca Chambers
That’s “Officer” Chambers to you. Cosplayer OrionFlame depicts the rookie medic from the original game and prequel, RE Zero.
Cosplay isn’t just reserved for the stars of the Resident Evil franchise. There’s lots of minor characters who have just as much (if not more) personality and draw to the fans.
Ada Wong
Master costumer Yaya Han is picture perfect as the recurring thorn in everyone’s side. Can you really blame anyone for falling for her act though?
The Merchant
“Got sumthin’ that might interest ya.” This new characters dialogue insured his spot in RE history and cosplaying future. Photo of Kenshiro-FDP by Kolibri-Chan.
In life there are those who were born to be bad. In the cosplaying world, there were those who were born to be bad guys. Zombies are a dime a dozen but it’s far less common to find monsters from RE. Considering it’s difficulty level if you’re going that route you’re likely very dedicated.
Licker
Why be a zombie when you can be a Licker? At least this one still knows how to dress himself. That’s a hard quality to find. Photo by TifaRose.
Alexia Phase I
Fifteen years in a cryogenic state would make anyone grumpy but Alexia made it look good in Code Veronica. Sure, you could go the easy route and wear a purple ball gown, but this is a real challenge. Crazy talented cosplayer Cantarella is photographed here by Feytaline.
Nemesis
An experiment gone horribly, horribly wrong or wonderfully right depending on how you look at it. Poor guy just can’t figure out how to ask Jill Valentine out on a date. (Am I coming on too strong? It’s my tentacles, isn’t it?) Cosplayer Zend as photographed by Melinda Wong.
Don’t forget, there are three live-action Resident Evil films to choose from when cosplaying. Milla Jovovich wears very distinct outfits in each that had costumers foaming at the mouth.
Alice from Resident Evil
Red probably isn’t the best color to wear while trying to avoid zombie attacks but you gotta admit, the girl has style. Cosplayer Winters Knight must be a big fan, she’s produced several other RE costumes as well.
Alice from Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Joined by game characters Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira, Alice gave a new definition to ripped jeans in the second RE film. Picture by Cayusa from Dragon*Con 2007.
Claire Redfield from Resident Evil: Extinction
Ali Larter brought the beloved Redfield sister to the big screen in the latest film. She may not have had a red vest and a ponytail but she was fighting the good fight. Cosplayer: ThePretender
Now that I have a few costumes under my belt I’ll definitely be reworking my Jill outfit for future use. Maybe I’ll even find someone new to dress up as from Resident Evil 5. I highly recommend trying a RE cosplay. Getting a group together, like a lot of folks do, would be a lot of fun. So, who’s with me?
March 10th, 2009 at 8:17 am
I did Alice from Nemesis but couldn’t find a good green mesh to go over it. Even the one shown is the wrong kind of mesh, but better than anything I found. I love the classic Jill at the top. Great cosplay article!
March 10th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Jill Valentine and Claire Redfield were my fav. oh wait, Ada Wong YOWZA!
March 10th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Haha I am trying to get my boyfriend to cosplay as Leon for the New York Anime Festival this year! I like that you posted not just the main chars — the sexy merchant too! <3
March 10th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I’m not familiar with the franchise at all, but some of those costumes are really good. Good article!
March 10th, 2009 at 9:57 am
^_^ great article hun! I love seeing all the cosplayers for RE ^_^
March 10th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Great article! Loved the costumes, you looked so cute as jill! I’ve been working on an Ada from RE4; that’s my next cosplay I’m going to do.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
http://fc98.deviantart.com/fs19/f/2007/247/8/6/claire_redfield_cospaly_8_by_pheonix_blood.jpg
http://fc48.deviantart.com/fs19/i/2007/247/2/5/claire_redfeild_cosplay_6_by_pheonix_blood.jpg
Didn’t know I was a Claire cosplayer, did you? lol
also hand painting that jacket was a bitch. I also dyed my hands bright pink 3 days before the con.
March 10th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Very cool!
March 10th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Thanks everyone!
ClaireBear, do it!!
Melissa you’d make a great Ada!
Oh crap Pheonix, I had no idea. I totally would have included you if I knew earlier. The blood looks great and so does the jacket. My hands were like claws after I did my Poison Ivy costume. What we do for art…
March 10th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Yes they all were good, but I’d have to say Jill and Ada work for me. I couldn’t pull of an RE costume unless I was a licker.
March 10th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Damn, Hollie. Your Claire is my favorite.
Also, these are some great costumes. I’ve always wanted to cosplay, but I fail at it.
March 10th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I’m not bold enough for cosplay myself, but it’s cool to see people really commit to it like this.
March 10th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Vanessa did a fantastic job on the classic Jill costume…I love it! And as always, Yaya looks amazing. I also have a version of the alternate Jill costume that I need to rework, I whipped it up for a zombie pub crawl with Kannaya. It is a good start, but not done yet!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/virtualgirl/1507463781/in/set-72157602116816490/
March 10th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Man, I really need to work on getting myself some gun holsters. Where do you guys shop for them?
March 11th, 2009 at 12:07 am
you can get them at Army surplus stores
March 11th, 2009 at 12:50 am
That actually is a pretty dead-on Claire, Hollie. Some good looks all around, and it’ll be good for variety now that Sheva is a main character.
March 11th, 2009 at 7:18 am
All I can add is: can’t wait to see people trying the alternative costume Chris & Sheva.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Girls have to defend themselves better than boys, since girls taste better.
March 11th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
never done cosplay, but I enjoy seeing cool things fans do with it. good RE showcase here.
also, Milla is awesome.
March 12th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Why have I not seen any good cosplay on Albert Wesker. Despite him being one of the villains in the series, he is one of my favorite characters.
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:09 am
OMG, I love the Claire Redfield (extinction) cosplay! She looks just like Ali Larter from the movie!
O.O Of course, the Ada Wong, Yaya Han, is impressive.
How about some Ashley Graham cosplay?
July 4th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
LOL my older sister and I will be cosplaying as Jill and Claire for Halloween this year. My boyfriend and his older brother is going to be Leon and Chris this year. This is my favorite game EVER, and next year we’re all going to be Final Fantasy characters. (ME: Rikku, SIS: Yuna, BF: Cloud, BRO: Tidus)
September 11th, 2009 at 6:58 am
dude!!
that needs to be the new ada wong!!
shes sexyyyy!
and in the new resident evil they need to bring
ada into the story and rebeca