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Ever wonder what it's like to cosplay so convincingly that Google mistakes you for the actual actor? This happened to our guest UwuPapi, whose M'Baku cosplay from Black Panther became so iconic that at one point, his photos appeared in search results instead of Winston Duke's.

UwuPapi takes us behind the scenes of his viral moment, revealing the overwhelming experience of being unable to cross a hotel lobby without dozens of photo requests. With nearly a decade of cosplay experience, he shares the painstaking 11-month process of creating his signature costume and how that single character transformed his convention experience forever. From humble beginnings at MomoCon 2015 to becoming featured on their official poster years later, his journey illustrates both the rewards and challenges of finding unexpected fame in the cosplay community.

Beyond the spotlight, we dive into the realities of serious cosplaying—planning costumes two years in advance, working with commission artists to bring characters to life, and developing the necessary thick skin to handle online criticism. UwuPapi offers candid advice for newcomers to the hobby while reflecting on representation, explaining how he deliberately chooses characters rarely portrayed by Black cosplayers. His perspective balances passion with practicality, celebrating the community's supportive aspects while acknowledging its challenges.

The conversation shifts to gaming, his other passion, with discussions about upcoming Pokémon and Borderlands releases, streaming across platforms, and collective frustrations about the current state of the industry. Whether you're a cosplay enthusiast, gamer, or someone curious about creative self-expression, UwuPapi's story demonstrates how embodying fictional characters can unexpectedly shape your real-world identity.

Find UwuPapi on Twitch, TikTok, and Instagram as UwuPapi760 to follow his gaming streams and upcoming cosplay projects.

https://www.carolinaotakus.com/