Lip Sync History

What is a Cosplay Lip Sync?

A cosplay lip sync is a performance where cosplayers lip-sync to songs, often adding choreography and character acting. It’s a fun way for participants to showcase their creativity and performance skills. The Cosplay Lip Sync Events have become a fan favorite in the Kumoricon community. Cosplayers work hard to create a performance to wow the judges and audience as their favorite characters.

History of Kumoricon Lip Sync

Beginning in 2017, Momma Sammu was invited to introduce the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown event to Kumoricon. They coordinated and co-hosted the show alongside Uptown Cosplay, with over 18 entries competing for 15 spots.

“When I was asked to start the Cosplay Lip Sync event in 2017, I could have never imagined the community that would grow around it. From the beginning, my co-host and I have wanted to create a welcoming and supportive space for people to perform. Over the years we’ve gotten to watch performers discover their passion, thrive on our stage, and create a family along the way. I’ve been in a lot of different cosplay-based competitions, and the backstage of the Lip Sync is the most supportive and loving one I have ever been in. I will always remember the cheers from backstage being louder than the audience our first couple years. This community means the world to me, and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” said Momma Sammu.

In 2018, Momma Sammu and Uptown Cosplay once again teamed up to run and co-host the Kumoricon Lip Sync Showdown, which featured over 25 entries vying for 15 spots.

2019 marked the third year of the Kumoricon Lip Sync Showdown. A new audition system was implemented due to the first-come, first-served spots filling up too quickly. There were over 30 entries for 18 spots, with Momma Sammu and Uptown Cosplay continuing as established co-hosts.

In 2020, the in-person Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown was canceled due to the global pandemic. Instead, DigiKumo hosted a virtual Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown, with 13 participants submitting performance videos. Momma Sammu and Uptown Cosplay co-hosted the event. This year marked a transition between the outgoing coordinator, Momma Sammu, and the new coordination team. By separating the MC duties from behind-the-scenes coordination, Momma Sammu and Uptown Cosplay were able to dedicate all their time and energy to performing and hosting this fantastic event.

2021 saw the return of the in-person show, with Momma Sammu and Cosplaimee co-hosting, while the new coordination team managed the behind-the-scenes aspects. There were over 20 entries, with 18 spots available.

In 2022, Uptown Cosplay returned to co-host the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown with Momma Sammu. The event saw a significant increase in popularity, with over 50 applicants competing for just 20 spots.

2023 saw RedPandaKai join Momma Sammu and Uptown Cosplay as hosts to MC the first 18+ Lip Sync Battle at Kumoricon. Starting this year, two separate lip sync shows were implemented. This second show added more performance spots to the growing popularity of the Kumoricon Lip Sync events. The 18+ Lip Sync Battle operated on a level system different from the Cosplay Lip Sync Showdown. The total number of applicants for both shows was over 60 for 35 spots.

RedPandaKai told us: “The lip sync competitions are everything but competitive. They have created such an amazing community that continues to grow and evolve every day, not just during the events. I love the community that’s been built around this. The unity and family that is constantly growing around the lip syncs. It even opens up more meetups and hangouts for others on smaller scales, workshops, and brainstorming opportunities for different types of performances.”

This year, the Cosplay Lip Sync Events saw continued growth in popularity, with applications exceeding available spots by nearly double. RedPandaKai, Uptown Cosplay, Momma Sammu, and the coordination team are working tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare for these exciting shows. Nearly 70 applications were submitted for just 35 available spots.

The dedication of the hosts, the coordination team, and all the participants have helped shape this event to the hit it is now. It will be exciting in the future to see how the Cosplay Lip Sync Events continue to change and grow.

Uptown Cosplay said, “This event has grown into more than just a stage to perform—it’s become a place where you can find family, and I am beyond proud of how far our community has come. I have always believed that cosplay can be a medium of so many passions, and I want everyone to have their opportunity to be onstage no matter what experiences they bring. I still remember the first time we asked for auditions and watching everyone’s video submissions in a little room with my co-host. That moment of realizing that enough people wanted to be a part of our community that we’d have to have a waitlist was very surreal, and I’m still amazed at the incredible love and support others share for the show we’ve created.”