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{{redirect|Cosplay|the {{p|Pikachu}} that can be dressed in different costumes|Cosplay Pikachu}}
'''Pokémon cosplay''' (short for '''Pokémon costume play'''), or '''Pokémon dressup''', is the act of dressing up in a {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} costume. This hobby is seen in both the Pokémon [[canon]] and among fans.

==In the games==
[[File:ORAS Poké Maniac.png|thumb|220px|A Poké Maniac in Generation VI]]
In {{2v2|Red|Blue}}, cosplay is referenced by a {{tc|Poké Maniac|PokéManiac}} in [[Rock Tunnel]]. The PokéManiac asks if {{ga|Red}} has heard of costume players. After defeat, he explains that costume players dress up as Pokémon for fun.

Since their introduction in [[Generation II]], male {{tc|Poké Fan|Pokéfans}} have been accompanied with their children who are dressed up like {{p|Pikachu}} or {{p|Pichu}}. In [[Generation IV]], {{g|Sword and Shield}} and {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, these cosplaying children can also be found on their own, called {{tc|Poké Kid}}s.

{{tc|Poké Maniac}}s wear pants that are similar to {{p|Charizard}} in [[Generation]]s {{gen|III}} and {{gen|VI}}, albeit lacking a flame at the tail's tip. In {{LGPE}}, they instead dress up as {{p|Slowpoke}}.

[[Fantina]]'s dress is notably inspired by {{p|Drifblim}}. However, it is considerably different from a typical cosplaying costume.

The [[Colosseum Leader]]s in {{g|Battle Revolution}} all cosplay as Pokémon. {{OBP|Taylor|Battle Revolution}} is dressed as {{p|Pachirisu}}, {{OBP|Marina|Battle Revolution}} is dressed as {{p|Kyogre}}, [[Rosie]] is dressed as {{p|Roserade}}, [[Voldon]] is dressed as {{p|Electivire}}, [[Terrell]] is dressed as {{p|Groudon}}, and [[Dusty]] is dressed as {{p|Lucario}}. All of these costumes can be {{Shiny}} and both forms are available for players as well. Additionally, the {{tc|Pikachu Fan}} trainer class dresses as Pikachu. The clothing items they wear can also be individually purchased at the shop and worn by the player; wearing the complete set will result in the Pikachu Fan title becoming available for their [[Custom Pass]].

In [[Pokémon Conquest]], most of the outfits worn by [[Warlord]]s, and some of those worn by regular [[Warrior]]s, incorporate elements of Pokémon designs. Many Rank II Warlord designs could qualify as cosplay, such as those of {{OBP|Aya|Conquest}}, [[Kotarō]], and [[Muneshige]].

In {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}, the player can obtain a [[Cosplay Pikachu]], a special female {{p|Pikachu}} that has five different costumes it can wear, each with their own associated move.

In [[Pokémon GO]] and [[Pokémon UNITE]], players can customize their characters with several Pokémon-inspired clothing items.

In [[Pokémon Masters EX]], [[Sygna suit|Sygna suits]] are outfits that give Trainers a stronger connection to their Pokémon. These outfits match the appearance of their partner Pokémon.

==In the anime==
{{MTR}} of {{TRT}} is well-known for dressing up as other Pokémon when needed. [[Jessie]] and [[James]] also occasionally wear Pokémon costumes, though not as often as Meowth.

In ''[[EP037|Ditto's Mysterious Mansion]]'', [[Duplica]] dresses up as a {{p|Gloom}}, a {{p|Horsea}}, and a {{p|Bulbasaur}} during a flashback.

In ''[[EP138|The Superhero Secret]]'', [[Mr. Parker]]'s costume as Gligarman is based on a {{p|Gligar}}, as is his daughter [[Latoya Parker|Latoya]]'s costume as Gligirl. In the same episode, {{MTR}} and [[James]] dress up as two Metapod.

In the [[Who's That Pokémon?]] for the Japanese version of ''[[EP161|The Bug Stops Here]]'', [[Jessie]] turns out to be the subject, cosplaying as a {{p|Venomoth}}. In the Japanese episodes, ''Who's That Pokémon?'' is called ''Dare da?'', or ''Who is it?'', so when the "Pokémon" is revealed and the narrator says "Venomoth", the children shout "Wrong!"

In ''[[EP215|Octillery the Outcast]]'', Ash wears an {{p|Octillery}} costume.

{{Ash}} wore a {{p|Seviper}} costume in ''[[AG048|ZigZag Zangoose]]'' to help [[Nicholai]] figure out how to battle a {{TP|Jessie|Seviper}} using a {{p|Zangoose}}.

[[Nicholai]] is well-known for his cosplaying. He wears the costume of any Pokémon he sends out into {{pkmn|battle}} or of whatever Pokémon he might be trying to {{pkmn2|caught|catch}}. He has been seen wearing costumes of {{p|Mudkip}}, {{p|Zigzagoon}}, {{p|Gligar}}, {{p|Tentacruel}}, {{p|Bellossom}}, {{p|Aipom}}, and {{p|Zangoose}}.

[[Harley]] wore clothing that is based on his Cacturne.

Ash, {{an|Dawn}}, and {{an|Brock}} entered the [[Pokémon Dress-Up Contest]] in ''[[DP033|All Dressed Up with Somewhere to Go]]''. In this contest, however, it was their Pokémon which cosplayed, not themselves, though {{Si|Rhonda}}, [[Officer Jenny]], and [[Nurse Joy]] were respectively dressed up as {{p|Cherrim}}, {{p|Growlithe}}, and {{p|Chansey}}. Ash entered {{AP|Pikachu}}, who did many impressions of other Pokémon. Dawn entered her {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} as a {{p|Weedle}}, but lost when he broke character and used a {{m|Bubble Beam}}. The winner of the contest was Brock and his {{TP|Brock|Croagunk}}, who dressed up as a {{p|Politoed}} and continued his impression of one throughout the entire episode.

[[Bill]] wore a {{p|Kabuto}} cosplay in ''[[EP013|Mystery at the Lighthouse]]''. This costume was used for Bill's research.

In ''[[DP026|Getting the Pre-Contest Titters!]]'', a flashback shows {{an|Dawn}} dressed as a {{p|Slowpoke}} for a play in which she appeared when she was younger.

Dawn wore a Piplup cosplay in her dream in ''[[DP043|Malice in Wonderland!]]''.

In ''[[YEAH!]]'', an ending for ''[[Pokémon Sunday]]'', cosplayers are dressed up as a {{p|Treecko}} and {{p|Wobbuffet}}. 

On its own, ''Pokémon Sunday'', and its [[Generation V]] successor, ''[[Pokémon Smash!]]'' has some of its hosts dress up as Pokémon. ''Sunday'' had {{p|Lucario}} and {{p|Chimchar}}, while ''Smash!'' has {{p|Zoroark}} and {{p|Oshawott}}.

In ''[[BW039|Reunion Battles In Nimbasa!]]'', [[Jimmy Ray]] wears a {{p|Watchog}} costume.

In ''[[BW057|The Mighty Accelguard to the Rescue!]]'', [[Charles]] (as the Mighty Accelguard) has a costume based on {{p|Accelgor}}, [[Dr. Ferrara]] (as Cryogonal Man) wears a {{p|Cryogonal}} mask, and [[Dr. Ferrara's henchmen]] both wear costumes based on {{p|Vanillite}}.

In ''[[BW069|Climbing the Tower of Success!]]'', a portion of the [[Wishing Bell Festival]] contest required those who made it through to the round to dress up. The Trainer had to dress up as an important Unova figure while their Pokémon dressed up as the Pokémon used by the figure. {{Ash}}, {{an|Iris}}, and [[Stephan]] dressed up as [[Alder]], [[Professor Juniper]], and [[Nurse Joy]], respectively. [[Ash's Pikachu]], [[Iris's Axew]], and Stephan's {{p|Sawk}} in turn dressed up as {{p|Bouffalant}}, {{p|Darumaka}}, and {{TP|Nurse Joy|Audino}}, respectively. [[Ricky]] was to dress up as [[Officer Jenny]] while his {{p|Elgyem}} was to dress up as {{p|Herdier}} but Elgyem used its {{t|Psychic}} powers to manipulate {{an|Miles}}'s mind into thinking they were dressed up. Lastly, {{an|Cilan}} dressed up as [[Elesa]] and {{TP|Cilan|Pansage}} dressed up as {{P|Emolga}}. However, they did not pass to the next round because Cilan could not remember his lines.

In ''[[BW080|Clash of the Connoisseurs!]]'', in [[Ricard Nouveau]]'s fantasy there was a {{p|Lilligant}} and standing next to her was a young woman cosplaying one.

In ''[[XY021|A Pokévision of Things to Come!]]'', {{an|Serena}} wore a {{p|Fennekin}} cosplay for filming her [[Pokévision]] video.

There were multiple cosplays during the [[Gourgeist Festival]] in ''[[XY082|A Festival Trade! A Festival Farewell?]]'', including: Ash as a {{p|Snorlax}}, Ash's Pikachu as a {{p|Psyduck}}, Serena as a {{DL|List of Pokémon with form differences|Flabébé, Floette and Florges|Red Flower}} {{p|Florges}}, {{an|Clemont}} as a Watchog, {{an|Bonnie}} as a {{p|Ludicolo}}, [[Clemont's Dedenne]] as a {{p|Corphish}}, [[Clemont's Chespin]] as a Pikachu, Jessie as a {{p|Mismagius}}, James as a {{p|Gourgeist}}, Meowth as a {{p|Banette}}, [[Jessie's Wobbuffet]] as a {{p|Sawk}} and [[James's Inkay]] as a Pikachu.

[[Samson Oak]] wore an {{p|Exeggutor}} costume in ''[[SM002|The Guardian's Challenge!]]''.

In ''[[SM093|Lillier and the Staff!]]'', Ash, {{an|Lana}}, {{an|Sophocles}}, and {{an|Mallow}} portray the [[guardian deities]] in their play, alongside {{an|Kiawe}} as {{p|Solgaleo}} and Jessie as {{p|Lunala}}. 

In ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]'', [[Dot]] dons a costume of {{p|Nidorina}} when streaming as her online persona, Nidothing.

===Gallery===
<gallery>
File:Misty Goldeen outfit.png|Misty dressed as a {{p|Goldeen}}
File:EP094 Team Rocket Disguises 2.png|[[Jessie]] disguised as a {{p|Snorlax}}
File:Gligarman.png|[[Mr. Parker]] as Gligarman
File:Gligirl.png|[[Latoya Parker]] as Gligirl
File:EP142.png|Ash, Misty, Brock, and [[Kurt]] dressed as {{p|Slowpoke}}
File:Dare da EP161.png|Jessie dressed as a {{p|Venomoth}} in [[EP161]]'s "{{tt|Dare da?|Who is it?/Who's That Pokémon?}}"
File:Team Rocket Disguise EP088.png|Jessie and [[James]] as a pink {{p|Tauros}} and {{p|Gengar}}, respectively
File:Team Rocket Disguise EP194 2.png|[[Jessie's Wobbuffet]] as a {{p|Miltank}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise AG042.png|Jessie as an {{p|Illumise}} and James as a {{p|Volbeat}}
File:Nicholai Cosplay.png|[[Nicholai]] battling with his {{p|Mudkip}} in a Mudkip costume
File:Nicholai Tentacruel Cosplay.png|Nicholai dressed as a {{p|Tentacruel}}
File:Nicholai Bellossom Cosplay.png|Nicholai dressed as a {{p|Bellossom}}
File:Nicholai Aipom Cosplay.png|Nicholai dressed as an {{p|Aipom}}
File:Nicholai Gligar Cosplay.png|Nicholai dressed as a {{p|Gligar}}
File:Nicholai Marshtomp Cosplay.png|Nicholai dressed as a {{p|Marshtomp}}
File:Nicholai Zigzagoon Cosplay.png|Nicholai dressed as a {{p|Zigzagoon}}
File:Nicholai Zangoose Cosplay.png|Nicholai dressed as a {{p|Zangoose}}
File:YEAH!.png|Scene from ''YEAH!''
File:Dr Gordon Machoke costume.png|[[Dr. Gordon]] as a {{p|Machoke}}
File:DP033.png|[[James's Mime Jr.]] dressed as a {{p|Claydol}}
File:Rhonda Dress-Up Contest.png|{{si|Rhonda}} dressed as a {{p|Cherrim}}
File:Dress Up Contest Judges.png|[[Officer Jenny]] dressed as a {{p|Growlithe}} and [[Nurse Joy]] as a {{p|Chansey}}
File:Dress Up Contest Piplup.png|[[Dawn's Piplup]] as a {{p|Weedle}}
File:Croagunk Politoed.png|[[Brock's Croagunk]] as a {{p|Politoed}}
File:Dawn piplup costume.png|{{an|Dawn}} dressed up as a {{p|Piplup}}
File:Seviper Milotic.png|[[Jessie's Seviper]] dressed up as a {{p|Milotic}}
File:Jimmy Ray.png|[[Jimmy Ray]] in his {{p|Watchog}} costume
File:James Moltres costume.png| [[James]] in a Moltres costume
File:Pikachu Bouffalant.png|[[Ash's Pikachu]] dressed up as [[Alder]]'s {{p|Bouffalant}}
File:Axew Darumaka.png|[[Iris's Axew]] dressed up as {{p|Darumaka}}
File:Sawk Audino.png|[[Stephan's Sawk]] dressed as [[Nurse Joy's Audino]]
File:Pansage Emolga.png|[[Cilan's Pansage]] dressed as [[Elesa]]'s {{p|Emolga}}
File:The Lilligant woman.png|[[Ricard Nouveau]]'s fantasy with a {{p|Lilligant}} and a young woman cosplaying one
File:Meowth Leafeon.png|[[Jessie's Wobbuffet]] dressed as a {{p|Glaceon}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise BW137.png|Jessie as a {{p|Dusknoir}} and James as a {{p|Gengar}}
File:XY012.png|[[Clemont's Chespin]] disguised as a {{p|Spewpa}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise2 XY013.png|James dressed as a {{p|Beartic}}
File:XY028 error.png|{{an|Professor Oak}} dressed as a {{p|Fletchinder}} 
File:Ash Serena Bonnie pajamas.png|{{an|Bonnie}} in her {{p|Tyrantrum}} pajamas
File:Bonnie cooking suit.png|Bonnie in a {{p|Snubbull}}-inspired chef's uniform
File:Bonnie swimsuit.png|Bonnie in a {{p|Slowbro}} swimsuit
File:XY group snow wear XY083.png|Bonnie in a {{p|Delibird}} snowsuit
File:Team Rocket Disguise XY117.png|Team Rocket as members of the {{p|Ralts}} evolutionary line
File:XY119 Bonnie Clemont Snow Wear.png|Bonnie in a {{p|Slurpuff}} snowsuit
File:Serena Fennekin Cosplay.png|{{an|Serena}} dressed as {{p|Fennekin}}
File:Nurse Joy Gourgeist Festival Costume.png|Nurse Joy dressed as a [[Nurse Joy's Wigglytuff|Wigglytuff]]
File:Clemont Gourgeist Festival Costume.png|{{an|Clemont}} dressed as a {{p|Watchog}}
File:Clemont Chespin Gourgeist Festival Costume.png|Clemont's Chespin dressed as a {{p|Pikachu}}
File:Bonnie Clemont Dedenne Gourgeist Festival Costume.png|{{an|Bonnie}} and [[Clemont's Dedenne|Dedenne]] dressed as a {{p|Ludicolo}} and a {{p|Corphish}}, respectively
File:Serena Gourgeist Festival Costume.png|{{an|Serena}} dressed as a Red Flower {{p|Florges}}
File:Ash Pikachu Gourgeist Festival Costume.png|Ash's Pikachu dressed as a {{p|Psyduck}}
File:Team Rocket Gourgeist Festival Costume.png|Team Rocket in their [[Gourgeist Festival]] costumes
File:Ash Gourgeist Festival Costume.png|Ash dressed as a {{p|Snorlax}}
File:James diving suit.png|James in a {{p|Corsola}} diving suit
File:Poké Problem extra scene SM015.png|[[Ash's Rowlet]] as a {{p|Darumaka}}
File:Ash Passimian disguise.png|Ash disguised as a {{p|Passimian}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise SM093.png|Jessie dressed as a {{p|Lunala}}
File:Ash Rowlet Decidueye costume.png|Ash's Rowlet as a {{p|Decidueye}}
</gallery>

===={{MTR}}====
<gallery>
File:Team Rocket Disguise3 EP138.png|As a {{p|Metapod}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise2 EP191.png|As a {{p|Dunsparce}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise EP265.png|As a {{p|Sneasel}}
File:Meowth Sunflora.png|As a {{p|Sunflora}}
File:AG042 Meowth disguise.png|As a {{p|Volbeat}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise AG080.png|As a {{p|Wingull}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise AG168.png|As a {{p|Smoochum}}
File:Team Rocket disguises AG173.png|As a {{p|Sudowoodo}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise DP039.png|As a {{p|Minun}} alongside James as a {{p|Plusle}}
File:Team Rocket Disguise DP082.png|As a {{p|Croagunk}}
File:Meowth Aipom.png|As an {{p|Aipom}}
File:Meowth Banette.png|As a {{p|Banette}}
File:Meowth Dewott.png|As a {{p|Dewott}}
File:Meowth Golem.png|As a {{p|Golem}}
File:Meowth Kirlia.png|As a {{p|Kirlia}}
File:Meowth Murkrow.png|As a {{p|Murkrow}}
File:Meowth Persian.png|As a {{p|Persian}}
File:Meowth Spinda.png|As a {{p|Spinda}}
File:Meowth Shiftry.png|As a {{p|Shiftry}}
File:Meowth Umbreon.png|As an {{p|Umbreon}}
File:Meowth Wailord.png|As a {{p|Wailord}}
File:Meowth Weavile.png|As a {{p|Weavile}}
File:Meowth Phione.png|As a {{p|Phione}}
File:Meowth Cubchoo.png|As a {{p|Cubchoo}}
File:Meowth Leafeon.png|As a {{p|Leafeon}}
File:Meowth Pelipper.png|As a {{p|Pelipper}}
File:Bewear disguise SM013.png|As a {{p|Bewear}} with [[Jessie's Wobbuffet]]
File:Team Rocket disguises SM122.png|As a {{p|Stufful}}
File:Meowth Disguise JN081.png|As a {{p|Wobbuffet}}
</gallery>

==In the manga==
[[File:Newspaper Ash Pikachu Halloween.png|thumb|x200px|Ash wearing a Pikachu costume in the [[Pokémon Newspaper Strip]]]]

==={{MangaArc|Diamond & Pearl}}===
In ''[[PS338|Stagestruck Starly]]'', {{adv|Diamond}}'s {{p|Munchlax}}, {{adv|Lax}}, wears a {{p|Magikarp}} costume for Diamond and {{adv|Pearl}}'s comedy act.

===Pokémon RéBURST===
While cosplay doesn't officially appear in most [[Pokémon manga]], there is a technique based on Pokémon cosplay in the [[Pokémon RéBURST]] manga called [[Burst]]. Unlike usual Pokémon cosplay, the Burst techniques are used for battle purposes.

===Magical Pokémon Journey===
The cover of ''[[The Passionate Primeape]]'' depicts [[Hazel]], [[Almond]], [[Coconut]], [[Peanut]] and [[Walnut]] dressed as {{TP|Hazel|Pikachu}}, [[Squirtle (MPJ)|Squirtle]], {{TP|Coconut|Eevee}}, {{TP|Peanut|Charmander}} and [[Master Ditto|Ditto]] respectively.

===Pokémon Newspaper Strip===
In {{strip|8}}, {{OBP|Ash Ketchum|Pokémon Newspaper Strip|Ash}} wore a {{p|Pikachu}} costume for Halloween.

In {{strip|56}}, {{OBP|Misty|Pokémon Newspaper Strip}} wore a {{p|Horsea}} costume for Halloween.
{{-}}

==Pokémon.com==
When it was relaunched in January 2010, [[Pokémon.com]] added a [[Pokémon Trainer Club]], where players play games and earn coins to buy clothing at a Trainer store, some of which are Pokémon costumes.

<gallery>
File:Trainer Store Donphan Liepard costume.jpg | Donphan costume and pieces of the Liepard costume
File:Trainer Store Heracross Pinsir costume.png | Heracross and Pinsir costumes
File:Trainer Store Gengar costume.png | Gengar costume
File:Trainer Store Mudkip Torchic Treecko costume.png | Mudkip, Torchic, and Treecko costumes
</gallery>

==In books==
In ''[[Let's Find Pokémon!]]'', [[Duplica]] can be seen dressed as a {{p|Clefable}}, putting on a show at the [[Celadon City]] Fair.

==In the fandom==
[[File:Teamrocket2000.jpg|thumb|150px|A photo of a girl cosplaying as [[Jessie]] at the [[Pokémon 2000 Stadium Tour]]]]
Like most anime, manga, and video game fandoms, {{wp|cosplay}} is common within the [[Pokémon fandom]]. Most fans will dress up as [[human]] characters from the {{pkmn|games}} and {{pkmn|animated series}} such as {{Ash}}, {{TRT}}, female generational protagonists like {{an|Misty}}, {{an|May}}, or {{an|Dawn}}, and [[Officer Jenny]] or [[Nurse Joy]]. Many female fans {{wp|crossplay}} as either Ash or [[James]] because of their youthful male looks, commonly known in Japan as ''{{wp|bishōnen}}'', or "bishie" for short in English. 

Additionally, many fans dress up in costumes of their favorite {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} species, especially if it is in the ''kigurumi'' or ''gijinka'' style of cosplay. '''{{wp|Kigurumi#Disguise pajamas|Kigurumi}}''' is basically a hooded coverall pajama jumpsuit disguise of a character like {{p|Pikachu}}, while a '''{{wp|Moe anthropomorphism|gijinka}}''' (also called "moe anthropomorphism") is a human form of a species.  Because of the popularity of {{p|Pikachu}} as the mascot of the Pokémon franchise, many young women dress in a {{DL|wp:Lolita fashion|Sweet Lolita}} style of dress at conventions.
{{-}}

==See also==
* [[Pokémorph]]

[[Category:Pokémon world]]
[[Category:Pokémon meta]]

[[it:Cosplay Pokémon]]
[[ja:ポケモンコスプレ]]