Biography
Momo Kariño Cosplay (formerly known as Momo Kurumi) is a veteran cosplayer, seamstress, artist, and designer,
who strives to spread happiness and inspiration to all! Initially starting off in cosplay by buying her first few costumes, she later learned to craft her own, and went on to earn a Bachelor's of Science in Apparel Design. Her experience
as a seamstress ranges from theater, to fashion, parades, theme parks, alterations, commissions, manufacturing, and even bridal! She also has worked as an illustrator, graphic artist, technical designer, and lead pattern maker.
Momo has won numerous awards for her creations, and has served as a craftsmanship judge at several cons like Anime Central, Anime St. Louis, and more! She has also worked with brands such as Funimation, Viz Media, Neopets, and Purple Plum Wigs. Her experience at Disney Parks as a stores hostess, and later, entertainment costumer, brings a world-class level of engaging, upbeat interaction, which she still practices in her professional and personal life.
Professional Philosophy
Momo became closely involved with conventions as a way to give back to a community that has shown her over a decade's worth of valuable lessons. A believer in "cosplay is for everyone", she advocates for diversity, acceptance, and positivity in the cosplay community and beyond. Through exciting and educational panels, she has spoken to thousands of cosplayers and attendees across the U.S. to inform and entertain on a variety of topics.
Through the years, Momo has sought to celebrate and reward the passion that cosplayers have for their craft and characters, and make cosplay a fun time for all! Be it through conventions or online, she is always eager to collaborate with those that share the same goal.
Momo subscribes to five core values, and infuses these ideals into every aspect of her life. They are to:
Lead by Example, Embody Kindness, Advocate for Accessibility,
Fight for Diversity and Representation, and Support the Community
Basic Info
•Momo started going to cons and cosplaying in 2007
•She has been cosplaying for 15 years
•Graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor's in Apparel Design
•Has been entering cosplay competitions for 13 years
•Has competed in 40+ contests and won 30+ awards!
•Has done 150+ cosplays, and made over 100 of them
•Worked in theatre, theme parks, bridal, and more
•Guested at 17+ unique conventions since 2017
Social Media
•Total Reach: 995,700+ Total Followers
•Facebook: 877,000+ Momo Karinyo
•Instagram: 54,000+ @momokarinyo
•Twitter: 24,100+ @momokarinyo
•TikTok: 39,500+ @momokarinyo
•Youtube: 1,100+ @momokarinyo
.
Click on the purple links to go to each social media
Note: these numbers fluctuate, and may not always be up to date
Audience Demographics
•55% male, 45% female
•65% ages 21-29, 18% ages 20 and under, 17% ages 30+
•80% based in USA, 10% based in UK, Canada, & Mexico
•Top 5 US states: California, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, New York
•46% income $30k-$50k, 35% income <$30k, 19% >$50k
•Occupations: artists, students, writers, designers, musicians
•Likes/Interests: gaming, comics, tech, anime, film, fantasy
•Brand affinities: Marvel, Playstation, Disney, Nintendo
Guest & Contest Judge
Animatic Con 2019
Available Services
•Convention guest appearances
•Cosplay contest judge, emcee, and director
•Convention panels and workshops host
•In-character appearances and "meet and greets"
•Booth attendant, booth cosplay model/mascot
•Social media brand promotion, brand ambassador
•Product reviews, sponsored posts, blog posts
•Media appearances and interviews
Rates vary per project, email me at
info@momokarinyo.com for business inquiries!
Convention Guesting & Work History
•Tempe Fan Con 2023: Cosplay Guest
•LibCon West 2021-2022, 2019: Cosplay Guest
•Tekko 2022: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge
•Phoenix Fan Fusion 2022: Cosplay Guest
•OhayoCon 2020: Cosplay Guest
•A-Kon 2019: Cosplay Guest
•Anime Central 2017-2019: Hall Cosplay Contest Judge
•Animatic Con 2019: Cosplay Guest, Cosplay Contest Judge
•OhayoCon 2019: Cosplay Guest, Fashion Show Judge
•Indy PopCon 2018: Contest Judge
•EvilleCon 2018: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge
•Wizard World STL 2018: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge
•KentokyoCon North 2018: Cosplay Guest
•Cincinnati Comic Expo 2017: Cosplay Guest
•KentokyoCon 2017: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge
•SoyCon 2017: Cosplay Guest
•Anime St. Louis 2017: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge
•GojotekiCon 2017: Cosplay Guest, Contest Judge
•AnimaticCon 2017: Cosplay Guest
•IkasuCon 2014: Contest Judge
•RamenCon 2012-2014: Masquerade Director
Examples of Table Displays
Tekko 2022
Phoenix Fan Fusion 2022
A-Kon 2019
A-Kon 2019
OhayoCon 2019
Animatic Con 2019
KentokyoCon North 2018
Cincinnati Comic Expo 2017
Booth & Event Experience
•Cosgear at Fan Expo Canada 2022: Cosplayed, modeled, promoted, and sold Cosgear products to convention goers
•Pokemon Night 2019 at Florence Freedom UC Health Stadium: Played Officer Jenny, participated in crafts, games, & songs
•Juleps and Jockeys 2019 with Louisville Tourism: Blogger/Influencer guest appearance, live event posting to social media
•Viz Media at Anime Expo 2016: Official Sailor Mars Cosplayer for launch of Sailor Moon S
•Funimation at Anime Boston 2013: Booth Ambassador, Official Michiko Cosplayer for U.S. premiere of Michiko to Hatchin
•Funimation at Anime Central 2013: Cosplayer & Booth Ambassador
Pokemon Night 2019 at Florence Freedom-
UC Health Stadium
Viz Media at Anime Expo 2016
Photo by Cospix
Juleps and Jockeys 2019 at Pinecroft Estate-
Hosted by Louisville Tourism
Michiko to Hatchin U.S. Premiere at
Anime Boston 2013
Panels & Workshops
•Fake It 'Til You Make It: Cosplay Hacks and Tricks
•Lesser Known Cosplay Materials and Tools
•Intro to Competitive Cosplay Contests
•Diversity in Cosplay
•Building a Cosplay Brand
•Intro to Fabrics for Cosplay
•The Best Worst Character Design Game
•Working at the Most Magical Place on Earth
•Time Management for the Cos-Procrastinator
•Con Horror Stories
To see full descriptions and info for each panel,
be sure to visit my Panels & Workshops page!
RamenCon 2013
Photo by CosIT Photography
Social Media Promotion
•Neopets 2021-2022: created Instagram posts featuring various Neopets merchandise and products
•Night City 2021: created Instagram and YouTube content with makeup looks featuring various Night City cosmetic products
•Doss Direct - Doss Genie 2019: created Instagram posts in cosplay and at conventions for the Doss Genie wireless speaker
•Warner Brothers - Detective Pikachu 2019: participated in the #pikapika hashtag on Instagram and Twitter
•Marvel - Avengers Endgame 2019: Instagram post of my "Endgame Look" as Scarlet Witch and Black Widow
•Viz Media - Sailor Moon S 2018: cosplayed Sailor Chibi Moon for a product post on Instagram
•Keikii Arts - Monster Girl Enamel Pins 2018: brought awareness to Keikii Arts' enamel pins Kickstarter
•Viz Media - Sailor Moon Crystal 2017: cosplayed Sailor Pluto for a product post on Instagram
Brand Ambassador Experience
•Purple Plum Inc: Cosplay Wig Brand Ambassador
Purple Plum Inc. Cosplay Wig
Brand Ambassador
Purple Plum Inc. Cosplay Wig
Brand Ambassador
Examples of Event Promotion
Tempe Fan Con 2023
Ganbatte Matsuri 2022
Phoenix Fan Fusion 2022
A-Kon 2019
A-Kon 2019
Wizard World St. Louis 2018
OhayoCon 2019
Media Appearances
•Cosplay Realm 2021: how-to article and cosplay featured in CRM's May "The Crafting Issue" (CRM No.49)
•Cosplay Realm 2021: cosplay featured in Cosplay Realm Magazine's Feb "The Remix Issue" (CRM No.46)
•Cosplay Realm 2021: cosplay featured in Cosplay Realm Magazine's Jan "The Nostalgia Issue" (CRM No.45)
•Cosplay Realm 2020: multiple Sailor Moon cosplays as a spread in CRM's Nov "Magical Girls Issue" (CRM No.43)
•Cosplay Realm 2020: cosplay featured in Cosplay Realm Magazine's June "The Final Fantasy Issue" (CRM No.39)
•Cosplay Realm 2020: cosplay featured in Cosplay Realm Magazine's May "The Galactic issue" (CRM No.38)
•Cosplay Art & Photography 2019: featured on the cover and in the pages of of CAP's Jul 2019 (Issue #3)
•Cosplay Realm 2019: cosplay featured in two pages of Cosplay Realm Magazine's Jun "Pride issue" (CRM No.27)
Cosplay Realm Magazine
May 2021 "The Crafting Issue" (#49)
Cosplay Realm Magazine
February 2020 "The Remix Issue" (#46)
Cosplay Realm Magazine
January 2021 "The Nostalgia Issue" (#45)
Cosplay Realm Magazine
June 2020 "The Final Fantasy Issue" (#39)
Cosplay Realm Magazine
November 2020 "Magical Girls Issue" (#43)
Cosplay Realm Magazine
May 2020 "The Galactic Issue" (#38)
Cosplay Art & Photography Magazine
July 2019 "The Cos Days of Summer" (Issue #3)
Cosplay Art & Photography Magazine
July 2019 "The Cos Days of Summer" (Issue #3)
Cosplay Art & Photography Magazine
July 2019 "The Cos Days of Summer" (Issue #3)
Cosplay Realm Magazine
June 2019 "The Pride Issue" ($27)
Notable Awards 🏆
•Louisville SuperCon: Best in Show for Psylocke
•Lexington CTC: Best Needlework for Princess Anna
•Anime Crossroads: Best Masters for Princess Belle
•OhayoCon: Best Masters for Sailor Neptune
•KabochaCon: First Place for Mizore Shirayuki
•MatsuriCon: Best Masters for Sailor Mars (Version 2)
•Long Beach Comic Expo: Best Construction for Aurora
•MatsuriCon: Best Masters for Space Faerie
•KollisionCon: Best Craftsmanship for Yoko Littner
Click on the purple links to go to each costume's info page.
To see all of my awards, visit my Awards & Honors page!
Skills & Abilities
•machine sewing, hand sewing, alterations
•draping, flat patterning, pattern grading
•illustration, drawing, sketching, design
•Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate
•video recording and editing
•basic DSLR portrait photography
•public speaking, presenting panels, emceeing
•basic wig styling and dyeing
•prop building and fabrication
•brand development and promotional partner