Gallery: These Cosplayers Do An Amazing Job Of Bringing Fantasy Characters To Life

In a male-dominated world, it's good to know there's one industry where women rule, even if it isn't technically real —The Cosplay Realm. And these women make geeking out on sci-fi and fantasy look so damn cool! In fact, a woman is credited with inventing the concept back in the late 1930s.

Unfamiliar with the term? 

Here's how the word "cosplay" is defined on Urban Dictionary:

COSPLAY:

It is a word that has its root in costume play. It is both a noun and a verb. 

Cosplay can mean the actual costume, as well as the action of wearing it. Contrary to popular belief, many cosplayers (well over 98%) do not believe they are the characters they are 'cosplaying' as.

What we admire most is that a lot of cosplayers and their collaborators make their costumes from scratch, often employing skilled craftsmanship and clever use of materials to capture fantasy realms in the real world. You don't have to be a gamer geek or fantasy nerd to appreciate how these talented folks work hard at their craft to channel their favorite animated characters. Some people, like Jessica Nigri, have even turned cosplay into an occupation, giving them celebrity status in the gaming and Comic-Con communities.

OK, then. With that being acknowledged, Instagram is brimming with cosplayers (men and women) the world over. And we couldn't help but share our favorites. We've rounded up some of the coolest, craziest, most amazing cosplayers we could find! Be sure to follow them all on their social, fellow nerds!