The cosplay community has long been seen as a space for creativity, self-expression, and connection—but for some, it’s starting to feel very different.
Manila-based professional cosplayer Hippochii recently took to social media to share a deeply emotional message calling out the growing culture of bullying within the scene. Known for portraying characters like Arcane’s Jinx, League of Legends’ Exalted Jinx, and several from Nikke and Tower of Fantasy, Hippochii didn’t hold back.
Photo: Hippochii/Facebook
Their post raises a difficult but important question: how much harm is being caused behind the scenes of what many still consider a “fun” and “accepting” hobby?
According to Hippochii, repeated incidents of harsh criticism, nitpicking, and outright bullying have created an environment in which some individuals feel pushed not just to quit cosplay but to question their own well-being.
“We are talking about people not only wanting to end the hobby but their life,” Hippochii shared. “This isn’t the cosplay community I know anymore.”
She also emphasized that not everyone has the same capacity to brush off negativity. While some may be able to move past hurtful comments, others are more deeply affected—something that often goes unnoticed in online spaces.
The post also touched on the pressure of being a public figure. Despite being warned that speaking up might affect her career, Hippochii chose to use their platform anyway, saying they would rather advocate for others than stay silent.
“I started this cosplay journey for the fun, to be accepted, and to have friends… because I felt the hope in it.”
Their message doesn’t position the issue as unsolvable. Instead, it points to individual accountability—encouraging people in the community to reflect on how they engage with others, online or in person.
Rather than dismissing toxicity as something inevitable, Hippochii suggests that change can start on a smaller, personal level: choosing kindness, offering support, and remembering that there are real people behind every costume and post.
As conversations around mental health and online behavior continue to grow, posts like this highlight how even niche communities aren’t immune to larger issues—and how important it is to keep checking in on the spaces we’re part of.
For many—including Hippochii—cosplay was once a place where they first felt seen.
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