A recent study conducted by Hearts Land, an online gaming platform, has unveiled the most popular characters to cosplay, based on Instagram hashtags. The research encompassed over 150 pop culture icons and grouped them into four categories: superheroes and villains, anime, gaming, and film and TV characters. By analyzing Instagram posts alongside the hashtags ‘cosplay’ and ‘costume,’ the study determined the characters that dominate the cosplay world.
The results of the research indicate that Harley Quinn reigns supreme as the top character for cosplaying worldwide. Garnering a staggering 758,449 combined hashtags on Instagram, the term ‘Harley Quinn cosplay’ records an average of 11,000 monthly searches globally. Since her live-action debut in the 2016 film Suicide Squad, portrayed by Margot Robbie, this DC villainess has captivated audiences worldwide. With various iterations of Harley Quinn in comics, films, and animations, fans have a plethora of options to choose from when it comes to cosplaying her.
Claiming the second spot is Spider-Man, with a remarkable total of 710,667 Instagram hashtags. As the most popular Marvel character for cosplaying, Spider-Man boasts more than double the number of hashtags compared to DC’s Batman, who takes the third position.
The study further reveals that Batman follows closely as the third most popular character among cosplayers, with a combined total of 347,639 hashtags on Instagram. Batman’s enduring popularity is evident, with the phrase ‘Batman cosplay’ receiving an average of 8,600 monthly searches worldwide.
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Chasing closely behind is Batman’s arch-nemesis, the Joker, with a combined hashtag count of 321,166. With various actors portraying this iconic character, from Joaquin Phoenix in Joker to Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, the Joker continues to inspire cosplayers with his ever-evolving looks.
Taking the fifth spot is Deku, also known as Izuku Midoriya, from the popular anime series My Hero Academia. Deku stands as the most popular anime character for cosplaying, accumulating a combined total of 248,935 Instagram hashtags. Cosplayers frequently embrace Deku’s recognizable green and black hero costume, complete with his distinctive hairstyle and signature freckles.
Rounding out the top ten are DC’s Wonder Woman in sixth place, followed by D.Va, Deadpool, Todoroki, and Poison Ivy in seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth places, respectively.
A spokesperson from Hearts Land expressed their thoughts on the findings, stating, “Cosplay has witnessed a surge in popularity in recent years, enabling fans to showcase their creativity and connect with like-minded individuals. With the highly anticipated San Diego Comic-Con just around the corner this summer, these insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the characters we can expect to see the most.”
“These findings underscore the enduring popularity of Harley Quinn cosplay, which serves as a testament to the beloved character’s unwavering allure. It is beyond doubt that this popularity will continue to soar, particularly with the upcoming release of the highly anticipated Joker: Folie à Deux in 2024, featuring Lady Gaga in the iconic role.”