26-04-2025
Cosplay passion shines across generations at OtaZo 2025 in Kuching's Boulevard Mall
Najib shows his 3D-printed Ecto Goggles. — Photo by Galileo Petingi
KUCHING (April 26): Age is just a number for 46-year-old Mohd Najib, who confidently donned his Ghostbusters outfit on the first day of OtaZo 2025, a vibrant pop culture event taking place at Boulevard Shopping Mall here.
Sporting a khaki-brown jumpsuit reminiscent of the iconic 1984 film, Najib's ensemble was complete with a replica Proton Gun, Proton Pack, and meticulously 3D-printed Ecto Goggles.
His attention to detail was evident, reflecting years of dedication to his craft.
'I'm not the first person to cosplay this outfit – there was someone before me. But when I saw him wearing it, I thought it was the right time to put everything together.
'That's when I started searching for materials to craft the outfit,' he told The Borneo Post when met at the event today.
Having been in the scene since 2013, Najib's journey began with cosplay of Captain America, followed by his longest-running portrayal as Batman.
For this year's OtaZo, he opted for the Ghostbusters attire to fully embrace the experience alongside fellow cosplayers.
'When it comes to age, I don't think it's an issue. There are cosplayers out there who are even older than me,' he said.
Emphasising that cosplay is a passion that transcends generations, Najib pointed out that some older cosplayers overseas had even managed to cosplay as Jedi Masters at such events.
The OtaZo featured a vibrant mix of cosplayers or 'cosers', majority of whom are in their 20s and 30s.
Their costumes ranged from simple yet accurate anime-inspired apparel to intricately designed outfits from Japanese series such as 'Sakamoto Days' and 'The Apothecary Diaries', as well as popular video games including 'Genshin Impact', 'Helldivers 2', and 'Warhammer 40K'.
Among the event's exhibitors was 27-year-old full-time cosplayer and prop maker Mira Sufine, also known as 'Explo Coser'.
Her booth, showcasing handcrafted props, souvenirs and photos of her previous cosplays, attracted enthusiastic attention from fellow cosplayers, fans, and visitors alike.
At the event, she cosplayed as 'Xavier' from the videogame 'Love and Deepspace'.
Mira poses for the camera at her exhibition booth. — Photo by Galileo Petingi
'This has been a hobby of mine since 2015 – it's been ten years now. It became my full-time career in 2022, and I've been doing it ever since,' she added.
Attending the event for the first time was 27-year-old network engineer Jan Chong Cheng, who sported a simple costume inspired by 'Jujutsu Kaisen'.
He was accompanying his girlfriend, who had set up a booth selling hand-drawn anime character artworks.
'This event brings something more to life – it connects people with shared interests, especially those who love anime,' he said.
Jan in his cosplay inspired by 'Jujutsu Kaisen'. — Photo by Galileo Petingi Boulevard Shopping Mall cosplay Kuching OtaZo 2025
