The 5 Most Popular Cosplay Weapons to Choose From!

 The word cosplay comes from the English words "costume" and "play". Cosplay is growing in popularity around the world and this has given rise to many groups dedicated specifically to cosplay such as Cosplay.com (which is built by gamers, for gamers).

Cosplay is a shortened term for "costume play", which is short for dressing up and pretending to be someone else. The word also refers to the wearing of costumes and clothing on a regular basis as part of a hobby or outside events, such as a competition, Halloween party, or charity fundraiser. What is cosplay? 

Cosplay is the art of dressing up and acting like someone else while being photographed in character. Cosplayers are often seen wearing costumes from movies, TV shows, comic books, or even video games. They might spend hours sewing elaborate outfits with intricate details that go all the way down to their shoes or gloves. They might spend hours in the make-up chair to get that perfect look.

Cosplayers often build elaborate handmade costumes. Many are good enough to wear for Halloween or for costume contests, where winners can win cash prizes. Some costumes I've seen include a knight's suit of armor, an elaborate sushi chef's outfit, and even a full-sized TIE Fighter spaceship (like the ones from "Star Wars").

Popular Cosplay Weapons:

We spent hours scouring the internet to find the best, most beautiful, and most scientifically accurate cosplay weapons. We've sorted them by type of weapon; check out our list of the top 5 and start building your costume!

Normally, when someone says "cosplay weapon", they mean a prop that might not be as pretty or accurate as an actual weapon. And while we have plenty of those too, this article is all about offering up some of the best cosplay props on the Internet for those who are looking for perfection in their costumes. The next time you're building a costume for a convention or craft night, make sure it's armed with one (or more) of these five things:

1. Sword

The ultimate and quintessential cosplay weapon. The sword is simple and elegant, with the added bonus of a sharp point and a long blade. For serious cosplayers, this is the weapon of choice for their costume. Heck, for us, it's even more important than our swords! If you don't have this in your arsenal, you're missing out!

2. Saberstaff

The companion to the sword, the saberstaff is a long staff with a hook on one end that allows it to be used as a sword. This makes it similar to its bigger cousin (the katana), but you can also spin it around like a lightsaber, allowing you to use it in multiple ways.

3. Dao

A Dao is a traditional Chinese sword that looks more like a fighting staff than a sword. It's similar to the saberstaff in that it has the hook at one end and can be swung to use it as a single-hand or dual-wielded weapon. The best part about this weapon is that its hard to make look good, which means you have an advantage over your friends when you show up at the event fully dressed in costume.

4. SlingBlade

A cross between the katana and a sling, these cosplay weapons make for fantastic long blades that are also easy to use and store! They'll also work as excellent staffs if you want more of a melee weapon.

5. Katana

The katana is a long, double-edged sword that is most famously used by the samurai and ninja in the Japanese military. It's heavy and has a wide blade, but it packs serious power for its size. Its length also makes it an easy weapon to accessorize with, which means you can turn your costume into a showpiece that looks amazing from every angle! 

When deciding between these cosplay weapons for your cosplay, think about how comfortable you'll be using each one during the time you spend on set for your photo shoots.

Advantages of Cosplay Weapons:

Cosplayers can feel much safer while they enjoy their hobby with those cosplay weapons made specifically for them. Now, who wouldn't want to live out their "warrior princess" fantasies?! Here are five benefits that may entice any cosplayer into starting their own personal arsenal.

1. Durable and Practical

Unlike the more traditional weapons, cosplay weapons are designed for the specific purpose of being a safe costume accessory. That means that they are not going to be used for any sort of actual fighting. This makes the need for durability far less important than it is with real weapons. 

As long as they can survive being crushed by luggage and dropped in hotel rooms, they'll be good to go! Since practicality is a necessity, these weapons are often made out of hard materials like plexiglass or hard plastic which can withstand injury somewhat well compared to normal weapons made out of metal or wood.

2. Lightweight

The materials used for these weapons are also, quite often, the same materials that are used for the costumes themselves. This means that the weapons will be relatively lightweight. If you compare your rapier to a real rapier, there's going to be a big difference in weight. The lightweight nature of these weapons allows you to lug around your entire wardrobe without becoming too exhausted or weighed down by it.

3. Inexpensive

It's actually very rare to find cosplay weapons that are made out of very high-quality materials. Most of these weapons are designed to be as cheap as possible, so they can be sold at an affordable price. Compare the prices on swords and costumes and you're going to see that it's usually quite a bit cheaper than any other option. This is also one of the biggest reasons why these weapons are so popular – they are so incredibly affordable!

4. Their Purpose is More Flexible

Finally, these weapons can be used for more than just costume props. Since they are made to fit into full costumes, they are able to be worn comfortably and with dignity. As long as you take the time to make sure your armor or sword will fit securely in the arm or at your waist, you can wear it comfortably as you would any other piece of clothes.

5. Easy Accessibility

With all of these advantages, it seems obvious that cosplay weapons could be an easier alternative than normal weapons for a lot of people. Since they are not likely to be used for real combat, many cosplayers may not feel a need for a more common weapon like a sword or firearm. The ability to carry around the entire arsenal without cumbersome pieces attached is another benefit that makes them seem more appealing from this perspective.