Yaya Han
Cosplayer
Atlanta, GA
Biography:
Yaya Han discovered cosplay in 1999, when it was still a small, quirky section of the geek-fandom. Armed with a used $40 sewing machine, Yaya threw herself into making costumes headfirst, and quickly absorbed the heart and soul of costume design and creation. To this day, Yaya has made over 375 personal costumes in every fandom genre imaginable, as well as her own original designs. Her long-standing consistency of creating intricate and lavish costumes has made her a Craftsmanship Icon in the cosplay world, and inspired countless people to get into cosplay. She has been invited to appear as a Guest, Panelist, Judge, Performer and Host to hundreds of conventions and events all over the world.
Over the years, Yaya has played a pivotal role in introducing cosplay to the mainstream audience. She has been a Guest Judge on 3 seasons of TBS TV Network's "King of the Nerds" competition show, starred in the Syfy TV Network's Docu-Series "Heroes of Cosplay", and been interviewed countless times by media outlets about fandom and cosplay.
Last year, Yaya lent her image to the comic book series "Wonderous 2: The Yaya Han Saga", produced by Lionforge Comics, and became a legitimate superhero in the comic book world.
Yaya's current focus is on making tools and materials more available to the cosplay community, through collaborations with global creative companies.
She has been designing a popular line of cosplay sewing patterns with The McCall Pattern Company. Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores released the Cosplay by Yaya Han fabric line, making high quality cosplay-centric materials easily accessible to professionals, and amateur users in North America. Most recently, Yaya became a Brand Ambassador for the Bernina Sewing Machine Company and helped them launch the new series of B500 machines.
Commercial ventures aside, Yaya often participates in charitable projects involving cosplay, and strives to be a positive force in the community. Through hard work, unmatched passion and infectious enthusiasm, Yaya has helped cosplay gain respect and integrity as an art form in the fandom world and art communities, and her decade long campaign for creativity has helped raise Cosplay to the standards we know today. Everyday, Yaya continues to pave the path for the beloved art and lifestyle we know as Cosplay.
Convention Guest Appearances
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2025
- Super Magfest 2025 - January 23-26, 2025 in National Harbor, MD 2024
- AthensCon 2024 - December 6-8, 2024 in Palaio Faliro, Greece
- New York Comic Con 2024 - October 17-20, 2024 in New York, NY
- Dragon Con 2024 - August 29 - September 2, 2024 in Atlanta, GA
- Anime El Paso 2024 - June 22-24, 2024 in El Paso, TX
- Colossalcon 2024 - May 29 - June 2, 2024 in Sandusky, OH
- Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2024 - April 26-28, 2024 in Chicago, IL
- Nishi Fest 2024 - April 20-21, 2024 in Fort Worth, TX
- Anime Milwaukee 2024 - March 8-10, 2024 in Milwaukee, WI
- Super Magfest 2024 - January 18-21, 2024 in National Harbor, MD 2023
- Holiday Matsuri 2023 - December 20-22, 2023 in Orlando, FL
- Dragon Con 2023 - August 31 - September 4, 2023 in Atlanta, GA
- Anime Magic! 2023 - August 18-20, 2023 in Rosemont, IL
- Washington State Summer Con 2023 - June 23-25, 2023 in Puyallup, WA
- Anime Focal 2023 - June 10-11, 2023 in Luxembourg
- A-Kon 2023 - June 2-4, 2023 in Irving, TX
- MomoCon 2023 - May 25-28, 2023 in Atlanta, GA
- Animefest 2023 - May 5-7, 2023 in Brno, Czech Republic
- SC Comicon 2023 - April 15-16, 2023 in Greenville, SC
- Katsucon 2023 - February 17-19, 2023 in National Harbor, MD
- Kami-Con 2023 - February 10-12, 2023 in Birmingham, AL 2022
- Holiday Matsuri 2022 - December 16-18, 2022 in Orlando, FL
- Cosplay Expo 2022 - December 9-11, 2022 in Las Vegas, NV
- German Comic Con Dortmund Winter 2022 - December 3-4, 2022 in Dortmund, Germany
- Nishi Fest 2022 - November 4-5, 2022 in Arlington, TX
- Anime Magic! 2022 - August 5-7, 2022 in Rosemont, IL
- London Film & Comic Con 2022 - July 8-10, 2022 in London, UK
- Anime Expo 2022 - July 1-4, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA
- YetiCon 2022 - June 17-19, 2022 in The Blue Mountains, ON, Canada
- A-Kon 2022 - June 3-5, 2022 in Irving, TX
- Anime St. Louis 2022 - April 22-24, 2022 in St. Charles, MO
- Katsucon 2022 - February 18-20, 2022 in National Harbor, MD
- Kami-Con 2022 - February 11-13, 2022 in Birmingham, AL 2021
- Holiday Matsuri 2021 - December 17-19, 2021 in Orlando, FL
- Nishi Fest 2021 - October 30, 2021 in Arlington, TX 2020
YetiCon 2020 - June 19-21, 2020 in The Blue Mountains, ON, CanadaConvention CancelledFan Expo Dallas 2020 - June 19-21, 2020 in Dallas, TXConvention Cancelled- Kami-Con 2020 - January 31 - February 2, 2020 in Birmingham, AL 2019
- Holiday Matsuri 2019 - December 13-15, 2019 in Orlando, FL
- Armageddon Auckland 2019 - October 25-28, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand
- Dragon Con 2019 - August 29 - September 2, 2019 in Atlanta, GA
- FanExpo Canada 2019 - August 22-25, 2019 in Toronto, ON, Canada
- Gen Con 2019 - August 1-4, 2019 in Indianapolis, IN
- Japan Expo 2019 - July 4-7, 2019 in Paris, France
- A-Kon 2019 - June 27-30, 2019 in Dallas, TX
- Puerto Rico Comic Con 2019 - May 17-19, 2019 in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- MegaCon Orlando 2019 - May 16-19, 2019 in Orlando, FL
- Ottawa Comiccon 2019 - May 10-12, 2019 in Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Fan Expo Dallas 2019 - May 3-5, 2019 in Dallas, TX
- Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2019 - March 22-24, 2019 in Chicago, IL 2018
- Holiday Matsuri 2018 - December 14-16, 2018 in Orlando, FL
- Oz Comic-Con: Sydney 2018 - September 29-30, 2018 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Oz Comic-Con: Brisbane 2018 - September 22-23, 2018 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Comic Con Africa 2018 - September 14-16, 2018 in Midrand, South Africa
- Michigan Comic Con 2018 - August 17-19, 2018 in Detroit, MI
- Fan Expo Boston 2018 - August 10-12, 2018 in Boston, MA
- Tampa Bay Comic Con 2018 - August 3-5, 2018 in Tampa, FL
- London Film & Comic Con 2018 - July 27-29, 2018 in London, UK
- Atlanta Comic Con 2018 - July 13-15, 2018 in Atlanta, GA
- San Francisco Comic Con 2018 - June 8-10, 2018 in Oakland, CA
- MegaCon Orlando 2018 - May 24-27, 2018 in Orlando, FL
- Anime St. Louis 2018 - May 4-6, 2018 in St. Charles, MO
- South Texas Comic Con 2018 - April 27-29, 2018 in McAllen, TX
- Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2018 - April 6-8, 2018 in Chicago, IL
- Indiana Comic Con 2018 - March 30 - April 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, IN 2017
- Stan Lee's Los Angeles Comic Con 2017 - October 27-29, 2017 in Los Angeles, CA
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2017 - September 28 - October 1, 2017 in Atlanta, GA
- Awesome Con 2017 - June 16-18, 2017 in Washington, DC
- A-Kon 2017 - June 8-11, 2017 in Fort Worth, TX
- MegaCon Orlando 2017 - May 25-28, 2017 in Orlando, FL
- El Paso Comic Con 2017 - April 21-23, 2017 in El Paso, TX
- Lexington Comic & Toy Convention 2017 - March 10-12, 2017 in Lexington, KY 2016
- Central Canada Comic Con 2016 - October 28-30, 2016 in Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- F.A.C.T.S. 2016 - October 22-23, 2016 in Ghent, Belgium
- Japan Weekend Madrid 2016 - September 24-25, 2016 in Madrid, Spain
- FanExpo Canada 2016 - September 1-4, 2016 in Toronto, ON, Canada
- Närcon Sommar 2016 - July 28-31, 2016 in Linköping, Sweden
- Montreal Comiccon 2016 - July 8-10, 2016 in Montreal, QC, Canada
- Otafest 2016 - July 1-3, 2016 in Calgary, AB, Canada
- Beijing Comic Convention 2016 - June 9-10, 2016 in Beijing, China
- A-Kon 2016 - June 3-5, 2016 in Dallas, TX
- Anime North 2016 - May 27-29, 2016 in Toronto, ON, Canada
- Polymanga 2016 - March 25-28, 2016 in Montreux, Switzerland
- Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2016 - March 18-20, 2016 in Chicago, IL 2015
- Wintercon 2015 - December 5-6, 2015 in Jamaica, NY
- Comic Con Stockholm 2015 - October 30 - November 1, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden
- Oz Comic-Con: Sydney 2015 - September 26-27, 2015 in Rozelle, New South Wales, Australia
- Oz Comic-Con: Brisbane 2015 - September 19-20, 2015 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Dragon Con 2015 - September 4-7, 2015 in Atlanta, GA
- FanExpo Canada 2015 - September 3-6, 2015 in Toronto, ON, Canada
- AVCon 2015 - July 17-19, 2015 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo 2015 - April 16-19, 2015 in Calgary, AB, Canada
Emerald City Comicon 2015 - March 27-29, 2015 in Seattle, WACancelled Appearance- London Super Comic Convention 2015 - March 14-15, 2015 in London, UK
- Katsucon 2015 - February 13-15, 2015 in National Harbor, MD
- SacAnime 2015 - January 2-4, 2015 in Sacramento, CA 2014
- Wintercon 2014 - December 6-7, 2014 in Jamaica, NY
- Ottawa Pop Expo 2014 - November 22-23, 2014 in Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2014 - October 31 - November 2, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA
- New York Comic Con 2014 - October 9-12, 2014 in New York, NY
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2014 - September 26-28, 2014 in Atlanta, GA
- Montreal Comiccon 2014 - September 12-14, 2014 in Montréal, QC, Canada
- FanExpo Canada 2014 - August 28-31, 2014 in Toronto, ON, Canada
- Anime Revolution 2014 - August 22-24, 2014 in Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Anime 2014 - June 13-15, 2014 in The Hague, Netherlands
- A-Kon 2014 - June 6-8, 2014 in Dallas, TX
- Otafest 2014 - May 16-18, 2014 in Calgary, AB, Canada
- Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2014 - April 25-27, 2014 in Chicago, IL
- London Super Comic Convention 2014 - March 15-16, 2014 in London, UK
- Katsucon 2014 - February 14-16, 2014 in National Harbor, MD
- Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con 2014 - February 7-9, 2014 in New Orleans, LA
- Animate! Miami 2014 - January 17-19, 2014 in Miami, FL 2013
- Hal-Con 2013 - November 8-10, 2013 in Halifax, NS, Canada
- Rhode Island Comic Con 2013 - November 1-3, 2013 in Providence, RI
- Arte Cosplay 2013 - October 19-20, 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Connichi 2013 - September 13-15, 2013 in Kassel, Germany
- Anime Evolution 2013 - June 28-30, 2013 in Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Anime Matsuri 2013 - March 29-31, 2013 in Houston, TX
Con-Nichiwa 2013 - March 22-24, 2013 in Tucson, AZCancelled Appearance- MomoCon 2013 - March 8-10, 2013 in Atlanta, GA
- Emerald City Comicon 2013 - March 1-3, 2013 in Seattle, WA
- Katsucon 2013 - February 15-17, 2013 in National Harbor, MD 2012
- Holiday Matsuri 2012 - December 14-16, 2012 in Kissimmee, FL
- Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con 2012 - November 30 - December 2, 2012 in New Orleans, LA
- Armageddon Expo Auckland 2012 - October 19-22, 2012 in Auckland, New Zealand
- Armageddon Expo Melbourne 2012 - October 13-14, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2012 - September 28-30, 2012 in Atlanta, GA
- Dragon*Con 2012 - August 31 - September 3, 2012 in Atlanta, GA
- Albuquerque Comic Expo 2012 - June 8-10, 2012 in Albuquerque, NM
- A-Kon 2012 - June 1-3, 2012 in Dallas, TX
- Anime St. Louis 2012 - April 20-22, 2012 in Collinsville, IL
- Anime Matsuri 2012 - April 6-8, 2012 in Woodlands, TX
- Convención de Juegos de Mesa y Comics 2012 - March 16-18, 2012 in Monterrey, NL, Mexico
- Katsucon 2012 - February 17-19, 2012 in National Harbor, MD
- Naka-Kon 2012 - February 10-12, 2012 in Overland Park, KS
- Albuquerque Comic Con 2012 - January 13-15, 2012 in Albuquerque, NM
- Sukoshicon: Destin 2012 - January 7-8, 2012 in Destin, FL
- Ikkicon 2012 - December 30, 2011 - January 1, 2012 in Austin, TX 2011
Gobble-Con 2011 - November 18-20, 2011 in Stamford, CTCancelled Appearance- Eirtakon 2011 - November 11-13, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland
- Saboten-Con 2011 - September 30 - October 2, 2011 in Phoenix, AZ
- Otakuthon 2011 - August 12-14, 2011 in Montreal, QC, Canada
- Tokyo in Tulsa 2011 - July 15-17, 2011 in Tulsa, OK
- Metrocon 2011 - June 17-19, 2011 in Tampa, FL
MomoCon 2011 - March 12-13, 2011 in Atlanta, GACancelled Appearance- Sac-Anime 2011 - January 7-9, 2011 in Sacramento, CA
- Ikkicon 2011 - December 31, 2010 - January 2, 2011 in Austin, TX 2010
- Auchinawa 2010 - November 19-21, 2010 in Edinburgh, UK
- Anime USA 2010 - November 12-14, 2010 in Arlington, VA
- Realms Con 2010 - October 1-3, 2010 in Corpus Christi, TX
- Saboten-Con 2010 - October 1-3, 2010 in Phoenix, AZ
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2010 - September 17-19, 2010 in Atlanta, GA
- Dragon*Con 2010 - September 3-6, 2010 in Atlanta, GA
- Metrocon 2010 - July 23-25, 2010 in Tampa, FL
- Florida Supercon 2010 - June 18-20, 2010 in Miami, FL
- A-Kon 2010 - June 4-6, 2010 in Dallas, TX
- Anime North 2010 - May 28-30, 2010 in Toronto, ON, Canada
- ImagiCon 2010 - May 21-24, 2010 in Birmingham, AL
- MegaCon 2010 - March 12-14, 2010 in Orlando, FL
- Ikkicon 2010 - January 1-3, 2010 in Austin, TX 2009
- Anime USA 2009 - November 20-22, 2009 in Arlington, VA
- Saboten-Con 2009 - October 30 - November 1, 2009 in Mesa, AZ
- Realms Con 2009 - October 2-4, 2009 in Corpus Christi, TX
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2009 - September 18-20, 2009 in Atlanta, GA
- Metrocon 2009 - June 19-21, 2009 in Tampa, FL
- Florida Supercon 2009 - June 5-7, 2009 in Miami, FL
- A-Kon 2009 - May 29-31, 2009 in Dallas, TX
- Middle Tennessee Anime Convention 2009 - April 3-5, 2009 in Nashville, TN
- Animation & Gaming Ohio 2009 - March 13-15, 2009 in Cincinnati, OH
- Con Nooga 2009 - February 20-22, 2009 in Chattanooga, TN
- Broward Anime Festival 2009 - February 6-8, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, FL 2008
- Atlanta Supercon 2008 - November 21-23, 2008 in Atlanta, GA
- Convención de Juegos de Mesa y Comics 2008 - November 14-16, 2008 in Monterrey, NL, Mexico
- Anime X Gamer Experience 2008 - October 17-19, 2008 in St. Augustine, FL
- Expo Comics Cancun 2008 - October 4-5, 2008 in Cancun, QE, Mexico
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2008 - September 19-21, 2008 in Atlanta, GA
- Kakkoi|con 2008 - August 1-3, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN
- Metrocon 2008 - July 18-20, 2008 in Tampa, FL
- PersaCon 2008 - June 27-29, 2008 in Huntsville, AL
- Florida Supercon 2008 - May 23-25, 2008 in Weston, FL
- Anime Matsuri 2008 - March 21-23, 2008 in The Woodlands, TX
Ikkicon 2008 - February 8-10, 2008 in Austin, TXCancelled Appearance 2007- Anime South 2007 - December 28-30, 2007 in Destin, FL
- JaniCon 2007 - November 2-4, 2007 in Jacksonville, FL
- Ani-Magic 2007 - October 5-7, 2007 in Lancaster, CA
- T-MODE 2007 - September 14-16, 2007 in Arlington, VA
- Anime Center 2007 - August 25-26, 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Metrocon 2007 - July 6-8, 2007 in Tampa, FL
- Anime Matsuri 2007 - April 27-29, 2007 in Houston, TX
- TNT 2007 - February 2-4, 2007 in Mexico City, DF, Mexico 2006
- Japantown Anime Faire 2006 - September 16-17, 2006 in San Francisco, CA 2005
- Anime USA 2005 - November 18-20, 2005 in Vienna, VA
- Ani-Magic 2005 - September 30 - October 2, 2005 in Lancaster, CA
Momo-con 2005 - March 26-27, 2005 in Atlanta, GACancelled Appearance- AniZona 2005 - March 25-27, 2005 in Phoenix, AZ 2004
- Oni-Con 2004 - October 22-24, 2004 in Houston, TX
- Ani-Magic 2004 - October 1-3, 2004 in Valencia, CA 2003
- Ani-Magic 2003 - October 3-5, 2003 in Lancaster, CA 2002
- Ani-Magic 2002 - October 4-6, 2002 in Lancaster, CA
- A-Kon 2002 - May 31 - June 2, 2002 in Dallas, TX 2001
- Ani-Magic 2001 - October 5-7, 2001 in Lancaster, CA
193 confirmed guest appearances