Character design in video games is one of the most crucial elements to many players, and Sub-Zero from the Mortal Kombat franchise is one character that has stood the test of time with cosplayers showing off their renditions of the cold-blooded killer.
The Mortal Kombat franchise keeps the trend going with one of gaming's most bone-chilling characters, Sub-Zero. These cosplayers show their takes on their favorite masked fighter in blue from the Mortal Kombat series. Cosplay takes time, with there being many different ways to interpret Sub-Zero cosplay, but all of these manage to stand out.
Sub-Zero Cosplay by Matt Hunter
Cosplayer Matt Hunter, for example, took the time to make sure not just his cosplay was good enough. He went the extra mile and teamed up with Ansen Mono to make his cosplay come to life, and the duo is able to sell the cosplay to make him look like he's in a cutscene. The ice-filled after-effects used by Mono give Hunter's cosplay that extra flare that real life cannot quite replicate. The pose worked in this photo is a creative take on Sub-Zero's iconic fatality in which he freezes his opponent and rips their skull and spine from the body.
Fem Sub-Zero Cosplay by Just Yeliz on YouTube
One of the best parts about cosplay in the video gaming community is that there are no gender restrictions when cosplaying a character. Cosplayer Just Yeliz has a full video showing each component that comprises her costume on the legendary fighter. She became an ambassador for Mortal Kombat 11 for the game's release back in 2019 for her skills as a costume designer and modeling skills.
In her video, she shows off each component that goes into one costume. One of the best parts of Sub-Zero's character design is that, despite the differences in costume design, she still does Sub-Zero justice. Design flexibility is one of the major benefits of a franchise character like Sub-Zero, as he has a wide range of character designs throughout giving artists such as Just Yeliz a chance to shine with their own design.
Sub-Zero LED Cosplay by Dr. Dana Holmes on Twitter
Conventions are where cosplayers get to shine the most, especially if they don't have high-tech photography gear and editors to make their cosplay come to life on the screen. Instead, these cosplayers bring the characters to life for fans to interact with, role-play, and take pictures with the cosplayer. Twitter cosplayer Dr. Dana Holmes brings Sub-Zero to life with the help of LED lights in the cosplay. The use of sneakers that fit Sub-Zero's color scheme along with the impressive use of LED eye-pieces to get that iconic blue glow to Sub-Zero's design gives Holmes' costume that modern edge.
The more cosplay surrounding a franchise just goes to show how dedicated fans are to their series. Cosplaying also allows fans to engage with developers, as well as role play at conventions.
Mortal Kombat 11 is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X