Thousands of anime fans descended upon the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend to celebrate North America’s largest Japanese culture convention, Anime Expo. Among the countless people who attended the four-day event, there were many who participated in the art of cosplay. Hours, days and even months go into creating some of these intricate costumes that allow fans to breathe life into fictional characters. The participants themselves come from many walks of life, from being web celebrities to normal 9-to-5 employees. We hung out with some of the most vibrant cosplayers to pick their brain. Meet 13 of our favorites below, and delve even deeper into the world of Anime through our Anime Expo photo gallery.

Connie, 22

How long have you been cosplaying? For about three years.
Who are you cosplaying? Today I'm cosplaying a street fashion version of Bee from Bee and PuppyCat .
What is your favorite anime? Ouran High School Host Club.
How long did it take you to make your outfit? That's a funny story because I wasn't planning to come to Anime Expo. I was in town last week for Vidcon and decided to stay. So I literally made this cosplay in two hours yesterday.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? I plan on spending a fortune because I've never been here before.
Who's your favorite character? It’d have to Shiro from a show called “No Game No Life.”

Stephanie, “25ish”

How long have you been cosplaying? Oh, gosh. Professionally for three years, but off and on since middle school.
Who are you cosplaying? Today I am Super Sonico Racing Queen version in a collaboration with Mori Chack’s “Gloomy Bear.”
What is your favorite anime? It's a tie between Cowboy Bepop and Fushigi Yûgi.
How long did it take you to make your outfit? Probably a good solid month to get everything together.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? I'm on a budget so I'm trying to not spend too much.
Who's your favorite character? I like a lot, but female would be Sakura Kinomoto from “Cardcaptor Sakura” and male would be Spike Spiegel from “Cowboy Bebop.”

Kate, 22 

How long have you been cosplaying? Around a year.
Who are you cosplaying? Shiro from Deadman Wonderland.
What is your favorite anime? Hmm… probably Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
How long did it take you to make your outfit? About two weeks.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? Probably like $300 with ticket and hotel.
Who's your favorite character? This is a hard question, I have too many.

Reagan, 21 

How long have you been cosplaying? Less than a year.
Who are you cosplaying? Tenten from Naruto.
What is your favorite anime? Full Moon o Sagashite.
How long did it take you to make your outfit? I made it this morning ^.^
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? However much food costs me. All the food!!!
Who's your favorite character? Rapunzel.

Chris, 23

How long have you been cosplaying? About a year now.
Who are you cosplaying? Kiba from Naruto.
What is your favorite anime? Full Metal Alcha— no wait. Pokemon!
How long did it take you to make your outfit? About a week.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? Hopefully nothing, but we'll see.
Who's your favorite character? Ash Ketchum

Ezra, 22 

How long have you been cosplaying? Oh God, like 8 years.
Who are you cosplaying? A Pokemon-themed costume I made up I call Queen Eevee.
What is your favorite anime? Berserk
How long did it take you to make your outfit? Me and my friend Angel made it and took about a day and a half.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? Not a lot.
Who's your favorite character? Lavi from D.Gray-man

Sarah, 20 

How long have you been cosplaying? Going on six year now I think? I started in 8th grade
Who are you cosplaying? Tinker Bell.
What is your favorite anime? Inuyasha.
How long did it take you to make your outfit? About a couple months. It was more like saving to buy stuff. The wings alone were almost $400.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend?  Around $200. I usually don't spend that much at cons. I want to spend, but I can't.
Who's your favorite character? Tinker Bell :D

Nicolle, 27 

How long have you been cosplaying? 2 years so far.
Who are you cosplaying? Shiro from “No Game No Life”
What is your favorite anime? Magic Knight Rayearth
How long did it take you to make your outfit? This one I bought, but it took a couple hours to style the wig.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? Hopefully nothing. I don't usually come to cons to shop, I come to cons to shoot ;)
Who's your favorite character? I'm gonna go with my favorite Disney character: Pocahontas.

Haiden, 17 

How long have you been cosplaying? 5-ish years
Who are you cosplaying? Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
What is your favorite anime? JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
How long did it take you to make your outfit? About 60-80 days.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? Not too much.
Who's your favorite character? Diego Brando from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Rachel, 27 

How long have you been cosplaying? Since birth. I was born on Halloween.
Who are you cosplaying? Serena from Pokemon X&Y
What is your favorite anime? Pokemon!
How long did it take you to make your outfit? Just two weeks but the skirt was a bitch.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? About $200.
Who's your favorite character? Leela from Futurama.

Kate, 27 

How long have you been cosplaying? For two years now
Who are you cosplaying? Xerneas from Pokemon X&Y
What is your favorite anime? Food Wars.
How long did it take you to make your outfit? I'd say a month.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? $500 not including room and travel.
Who's your favorite character? I’d say Xerneas.

Thattrainerdude, 26 

How long have you been cosplaying? Year and a half, maybe two years.
Who are you cosplaying? Sylveon from Pokemon.
What is your favorite anime? I'd say Clannad.
How long did it take you to make your outfit? This one didn't take too long, maybe about 5 work hours.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? Stupid amounts.
Who's your favorite character? Itami from “Gate.”

Hendo, 26 

How long have you been cosplaying? 1.5 years cosplaying.
Who are you cosplaying? An armored version of Spider-Gwen inspired from the game Diablo.
What is your favorite anime? Pokémon is my favorite from childhood, Samurai Champloo is my favorite for story, Ouran High Host Club is my favorite funny one!
How long did it take you to make your outfit? It took three months for this.
How much do you plan on spending this weekend? I plan to spend about $60 in total on parking and gas, too poor to buy anything though.
Who's your favorite character? I have too many favorite characters from too many favorite things!