Cosplay around the world

Cosplay, or costume play, is an international phenomena in which fans dress up as characters found in comics, manga, anime, films and more. Known as cosplayers, annual conventions like Comic Con, which just finished up in New York City, draw devoted fans and celebrities alike. 

Below is a gallery featuring Associated Press photos of cosplayers from around the world.

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NY Comic Con

Costumed attendees pose outside the Jacob K. Javits Center during the New York Comic Con fan convention in New York, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)

San Diego Comic Con

Comic-Con attendee Cher Delacy, dressed as a character from "Alice in Wonderland" talks on her cell phone at Comic-Con International Thursday, July 22, 2010 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

LA Comic Con

Jordan Kruegar dresses as Batman as he arrives to Comic-Con Wednesday, July 11, 2012, in San Diego. The annual comic book and popular arts convention attracts over 100,000 people and runs through July 15. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

San Diego Comic Con

People pass in costumes during Comic-Con Thursday, July 24, 2014, in San Diego. Thousands of fans with four-day passes to the sold-out pop-culture spectacular flocked to the event Thursday, many clad in costumes. (AP Photo)

San Diego Comic Con

Dave White, dressed as a zombie, relaxes in a hotel lobby with a bottle of water during Comic-Con Friday, July 19, 2013, in San Diego. Thousands of sci-fi fans flocked to downtown San Diego Friday, as the four-day annual event continued. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Mexico Comic Con

A child wears a Captain America mask as he poses for a photo at the Comic-Con two-day convention in Mexico City, Saturday, July 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

San Diego Comic Con

Christine and Justin Skolek walk outside during Comic-Con Thursday, July 24, 2014, in San Diego. Thousands of fans with four-day passes to the sold-out pop-culture spectacular flocked to the event Thursday, many clad in costumes. (AP Photo)

Hong Kong Cosplay

A "cosplayer" dressed as an animation character poses during the annual Comics Festival and Game Fair in Hong Kong Sunday, July 31, 2011. "Cosplay," literally means costume play, is disguise by fans of animation and comics. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Hong Kong Cosplay

Participants wearing cosplay outfit featuring as animation characters blow bubbles on the first day of the annual Comics Festival and Game Fair in Hong Kong Friday, July 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Germany Book Fair

A painted visitor looks in the camera at the cosplay Manga competition during the International Leipzig Book Fair in Leipzig, central Germany, Sunday, March 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

France Japan Expo

Local cosplayers (costumed role players) pose for photos at the Japan expo dedicated to Japanese culture, cosplay events and mangas at Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, ouside of Paris, France, Thursday, July 5, 2012. Some 200,000 Japanese pop culture enthusiasts are expected to visit the largest annual 13th Japan Expo showcasing the country's pop arts and subculture that begins for a four-day run. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Japan Cosplay

A costume players or cosplayer pauses during AnimeJapan 2014 anime festival in Tokyo, Saturday, March 22, 2014. Cosplay, or "costume play," is a growing art form in which fans create detailed costumes to accurately represent their favorite characters in pop culture. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Germany Book Fair

Visitors dressed in fancy costumes take a break in the glass hall at the cosplay Manga competition during the International Leipzig Book Fair in Leipzig, central Germany, Sunday, March 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

China Daily Life

A Chinese cosplay enthusiast dressed as a cartoon character waits for her performance behind the curtains during the Chinajoy Cosplay Contest at a theater in Beijing, China Sunday, July 13, 2014. Cosplay, from the term "costume play," involves participants dressing up as their favorite cartoon characters. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

China Cosplay

Chinese cosplay enthusiasts prepare to take part in the Animation and Comics Fair in Beijing, China Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Cosplay, from the term costume play, involves participants dressing up as their favorite cartoon characters. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

China Cosplay

A costumed enthusiast, right, takes a closer look at another cosplay enthusiast taking a rest at the Animation and Comics Fair in Beijing, China Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Cosplay, from the term costume play, involves participants dressing up as their favorite cartoon characters. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Japan Cosplay

A costume player, or cosplayer, center, poses for anime fans during AnimeJapan 2014 anime festival in Tokyo, Saturday, March 22, 2014. Cosplay, or "costume play," is a growing art form in which fans create detailed costumes to accurately represent their favorite characters in pop culture. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

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