Yaya Han
Cosplayer
Atlanta, GA, USA
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.
Anime Convention Guest Appearances
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2024
- Dragon Con 2024 - August 29 - September 2, 2024 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- Anime El Paso 2024 - June 22-24, 2024 in El Paso, TX, USA
- Colossalcon 2024 - May 29 - June 2, 2024 in Sandusky, OH, USA
- Nishi Fest 2024 - April 20-21, 2024 in Fort Worth, TX, USA
- Anime Milwaukee 2024 - March 8-10, 2024 in Milwaukee, WI, USA 2023
- Holiday Matsuri 2023 - December 20-22, 2023 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Dragon Con 2023 - August 31 - September 4, 2023 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- Anime Magic! 2023 - August 18-20, 2023 in Rosemont, IL, USA
- Anime Focal 2023 - June 10-11, 2023 in Luxembourg
- A-Kon 2023 - June 2-4, 2023 in Irving, TX, USA
- MomoCon 2023 - May 25-28, 2023 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- Animefest 2023 - May 5-7, 2023 in Brno, Czech Republic
- Katsucon 2023 - February 17-19, 2023 in National Harbor, MD, USA
- Kami-Con 2023 - February 10-12, 2023 in Birmingham, AL, USA 2022
- Holiday Matsuri 2022 - December 16-18, 2022 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Cosplay Expo 2022 - December 9-11, 2022 in Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Nishi Fest 2022 - November 4-5, 2022 in Arlington, TX, USA
- Anime Magic! 2022 - August 5-7, 2022 in Rosemont, IL, USA
- Anime Expo 2022 - July 1-4, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
- YetiCon 2022 - June 17-19, 2022 in The Blue Mountains, ON
- A-Kon 2022 - June 3-5, 2022 in Irving, TX, USA
- Anime St. Louis 2022 - April 22-24, 2022 in St. Charles, MO, USA
- Katsucon 2022 - February 18-20, 2022 in National Harbor, MD, USA
- Kami-Con 2022 - February 11-13, 2022 in Birmingham, AL, USA 2021
- Holiday Matsuri 2021 - December 17-19, 2021 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Nishi Fest 2021 - October 30, 2021 in Arlington, TX, USA 2020
YetiCon 2020 - June 19-21, 2020 in The Blue Mountains, ONConvention CancelledFan Expo Dallas 2020 - June 19-21, 2020 in Dallas, TX, USAConvention Cancelled- Kami-Con 2020 - January 31 - February 2, 2020 in Birmingham, AL, USA 2019
- Holiday Matsuri 2019 - December 13-15, 2019 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Armageddon Auckland 2019 - October 25-28, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand
- Dragon Con 2019 - August 29 - September 2, 2019 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- FanExpo Canada 2019 - August 22-25, 2019 in Toronto, ON
- Japan Expo 2019 - July 4-7, 2019 in Paris, France
- A-Kon 2019 - June 27-30, 2019 in Dallas, TX, USA
- MegaCon Orlando 2019 - May 16-19, 2019 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Fan Expo Dallas 2019 - May 3-5, 2019 in Dallas, TX, USA 2018
- Holiday Matsuri 2018 - December 14-16, 2018 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Comic Con Africa 2018 - September 14-16, 2018 in Midrand, South Africa
- MegaCon Orlando 2018 - May 24-27, 2018 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Anime St. Louis 2018 - May 4-6, 2018 in St. Charles, MO, USA 2017
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2017 - September 28 - October 1, 2017 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- A-Kon 2017 - June 8-11, 2017 in Fort Worth, TX, USA
- MegaCon Orlando 2017 - May 25-28, 2017 in Orlando, FL, USA 2016
- 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
- Närcon Sommar 2016 - July 28-31, 2016 in Linköping, Sweden
- Otafest 2016 - July 1-3, 2016 in Calgary, AB
- A-Kon 2016 - June 3-5, 2016 in Dallas, TX, USA
- Anime North 2016 - May 27-29, 2016 in Toronto, ON
- Polymanga 2016 - March 25-28, 2016 in Montreux, Switzerland 2015
- Dragon Con 2015 - September 4-7, 2015 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- FanExpo Canada 2015 - September 3-6, 2015 in Toronto, ON
- AVCon 2015 - July 17-19, 2015 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Katsucon 2015 - February 13-15, 2015 in National Harbor, MD, USA
- SacAnime 2015 - January 2-4, 2015 in Sacramento, CA, USA 2014
- Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo 2014 - October 31 - November 2, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
- New York Comic Con 2014 - October 9-12, 2014 in New York, NY, USA
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2014 - September 26-28, 2014 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- FanExpo Canada 2014 - August 28-31, 2014 in Toronto, ON
- Anime Revolution 2014 - August 22-24, 2014 in Vancouver, BC
- Anime 2014 - June 13-15, 2014 in The Hague, Netherlands
- A-Kon 2014 - June 6-8, 2014 in Dallas, TX, USA
- Otafest 2014 - May 16-18, 2014 in Calgary, AB
- Katsucon 2014 - February 14-16, 2014 in National Harbor, MD, USA
- Animate! Miami 2014 - January 17-19, 2014 in Miami, FL, USA 2013
- Connichi 2013 - September 13-15, 2013 in Kassel, Germany
- Anime Evolution 2013 - June 28-30, 2013 in Vancouver, BC
- Anime Matsuri 2013 - March 29-31, 2013 in Houston, TX, USA
Con-Nichiwa 2013 - March 22-24, 2013 in Tucson, AZ, USACancelled Appearance- MomoCon 2013 - March 8-10, 2013 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- Katsucon 2013 - February 15-17, 2013 in National Harbor, MD, USA 2012
- Holiday Matsuri 2012 - December 14-16, 2012 in Kissimmee, FL, USA
- 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, USA
- Dragon*Con 2012 - August 31 - September 3, 2012 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- A-Kon 2012 - June 1-3, 2012 in Dallas, TX, USA
- Anime St. Louis 2012 - April 20-22, 2012 in Collinsville, IL, USA
- Anime Matsuri 2012 - April 6-8, 2012 in Woodlands, TX, USA
- 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, USA
- Naka-Kon 2012 - February 10-12, 2012 in Overland Park, KS, USA
- Sukoshicon: Destin 2012 - January 7-8, 2012 in Destin, FL, USA
- Ikkicon 2012 - December 30, 2011 - January 1, 2012 in Austin, TX, USA 2011
Gobble-Con 2011 - November 18-20, 2011 in Stamford, CT, USACancelled Appearance- Eirtakon 2011 - November 11-13, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland
- Saboten-Con 2011 - September 30 - October 2, 2011 in Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Otakuthon 2011 - August 12-14, 2011 in Montreal, QC
- Tokyo in Tulsa 2011 - July 15-17, 2011 in Tulsa, OK, USA
- Metrocon 2011 - June 17-19, 2011 in Tampa, FL, USA
MomoCon 2011 - March 12-13, 2011 in Atlanta, GA, USACancelled Appearance- Sac-Anime 2011 - January 7-9, 2011 in Sacramento, CA, USA
- Ikkicon 2011 - December 31, 2010 - January 2, 2011 in Austin, TX, USA 2010
- Auchinawa 2010 - November 19-21, 2010 in Edinburgh, UK
- Anime USA 2010 - November 12-14, 2010 in Arlington, VA, USA
- Realms Con 2010 - October 1-3, 2010 in Corpus Christi, TX, USA
- Saboten-Con 2010 - October 1-3, 2010 in Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2010 - September 17-19, 2010 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- Dragon*Con 2010 - September 3-6, 2010 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- Metrocon 2010 - July 23-25, 2010 in Tampa, FL, USA
- A-Kon 2010 - June 4-6, 2010 in Dallas, TX, USA
- Anime North 2010 - May 28-30, 2010 in Toronto, ON
- MegaCon 2010 - March 12-14, 2010 in Orlando, FL, USA
- Ikkicon 2010 - January 1-3, 2010 in Austin, TX, USA 2009
- Anime USA 2009 - November 20-22, 2009 in Arlington, VA, USA
- Saboten-Con 2009 - October 30 - November 1, 2009 in Mesa, AZ, USA
- Realms Con 2009 - October 2-4, 2009 in Corpus Christi, TX, USA
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2009 - September 18-20, 2009 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- Metrocon 2009 - June 19-21, 2009 in Tampa, FL, USA
- A-Kon 2009 - May 29-31, 2009 in Dallas, TX, USA
- Middle Tennessee Anime Convention 2009 - April 3-5, 2009 in Nashville, TN, USA
- Animation & Gaming Ohio 2009 - March 13-15, 2009 in Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Broward Anime Festival 2009 - February 6-8, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA 2008
- Anime X Gamer Experience 2008 - October 17-19, 2008 in St. Augustine, FL, USA
- Anime Weekend Atlanta 2008 - September 19-21, 2008 in Atlanta, GA, USA
- Kakkoi|con 2008 - August 1-3, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Metrocon 2008 - July 18-20, 2008 in Tampa, FL, USA
- PersaCon 2008 - June 27-29, 2008 in Huntsville, AL, USA
- Anime Matsuri 2008 - March 21-23, 2008 in The Woodlands, TX, USA
Ikkicon 2008 - February 8-10, 2008 in Austin, TX, USACancelled Appearance 2007- Anime South 2007 - December 28-30, 2007 in Destin, FL, USA
- JaniCon 2007 - November 2-4, 2007 in Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Ani-Magic 2007 - October 5-7, 2007 in Lancaster, CA, USA
- Anime Center 2007 - August 25-26, 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Metrocon 2007 - July 6-8, 2007 in Tampa, FL, USA
- Anime Matsuri 2007 - April 27-29, 2007 in Houston, TX, USA
- TNT 2007 - February 2-4, 2007 in Mexico City, DF, Mexico 2006
- Japantown Anime Faire 2006 - September 16-17, 2006 in San Francisco, CA, USA 2005
- Anime USA 2005 - November 18-20, 2005 in Vienna, VA, USA
- Ani-Magic 2005 - September 30 - October 2, 2005 in Lancaster, CA, USA
Momo-con 2005 - March 26-27, 2005 in Atlanta, GA, USACancelled Appearance- AniZona 2005 - March 25-27, 2005 in Phoenix, AZ, USA 2004
- Oni-Con 2004 - October 22-24, 2004 in Houston, TX, USA
- Ani-Magic 2004 - October 1-3, 2004 in Valencia, CA, USA 2003
- Ani-Magic 2003 - October 3-5, 2003 in Lancaster, CA, USA 2002
- Ani-Magic 2002 - October 4-6, 2002 in Lancaster, CA, USA
- A-Kon 2002 - May 31 - June 2, 2002 in Dallas, TX, USA 2001
- Ani-Magic 2001 - October 5-7, 2001 in Lancaster, CA, USA
133 confirmed guest appearances
View Yaya Han on FanCons.com for 61 additional guest appearances