ECG souvenir: Team USA!

This year, second place went to Kaye Cosplay and Matthew Garcia for their cosplays whose costumes are taken from the performance of The Phantom of the Opera. More specifically, Piangi's costume is inspired by Cleyton Pulzi's from a 2018 Brazilian performance, and Christine Daaé's is taken from Eva Malmgren's costume from her 2003 performance in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The scene opens with the two characters, Piangi and Carlotta, returning from a rehearsal sabotaged by the Phantom of the Opera. Take this opportunity to admire the work done on the costumes by the two cosplayers, and in particular the colossal amount of work that went into Carlotta's dress, details of which can be found by clicking here. A debate ensues as to the existence of the Phantom of the Opera. Then a mysterious letter appears, written by someone called O.G., for Opera Ghost...

The third character in the performance, the Phantom of the Opera himself, drops a few scathing lines to the two singers before summoning Carlotta to abandon the role and let young Christine Daaé take her place. The cosplayers' acting during the performance is particularly noteworthy, taking us from amusement to fear in the blink of an eye!

As Piangi disappears behind the screen to change, Carlotta theatrically announces her refusal of the proposal.

But that's without counting on the ghost of the opera! With impressive staging, the atmosphere of the Ichigo stage changed when the screen collapsed to make way for Piangi's hanging! Kaye Cosplay and Matthew Garcia's work on lighting and music transported us, for a moment, into a real play!

Relive this breathtaking performance on the Extreme Cosplay Gathering YouTube channel!

A big thank you to the sponsors of this year's event, Osaka Tourism and Nankai Railways!

We'd also like to thank our partners Bernette and Holiday Matsuri!