Trailer: Syfy's Cosplay Reality Show 'Heroes Of Cosplay'

Syfy will begin airing a six part reality series titled Heroes of Cosplay beginning on August 13th 2013. The show will follow a bunch of cosplayers as they imagine, prepare and create costumes for upcoming cosplay competitions. So if you liked Holly Conrad's story in Morgan Spurlock's documentary Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope, this seems to be the small screen tv show version of that. In fact, the television show even features Conrad. While I don't really have an interest in costuming, I admire the creative process that goes into some of the more elaborate costumes, and this show seems interesting in that respect. Watch an extended trailer embedded after the jump.

About the Series (from Syfy):

Cosplayers and cosplay contests are a fixture and highlight at the many comic book and genre fan conventions around the world. These conventions provide an international stage for fans to showcase often spectacular handcrafted costumes and portray their favorite characters from sci-fi movies, video games, anime and more. In Syfy's new Heroes of Cosplay (formerly Cosworld), nine passionate fans put their imagination and skills to the test to make a name for themselves in the competitive world of cosplay.

Heroes of Cosplay is a tantalizing docu-series that lifts the veil on the imaginative world of cosplay competition, because fans at the comic book conventions don't merely dress up as their favorite character; they also compete to see who's the best!

The series follows cosplayers of all levels, from legend Yaya Han, to rising stars and newbies, as they make a splash at comic book conventions around the country. The series will dive deep into their lives, following their process as they create extravagant and visually arresting costumes each week. These nine constantly defy odds and race against the clock to transform themselves into amazing fictional characters that push the boundaries between fantasy and reality, all in hopes of impressing the convention judges to win a cash prizes and take their cosplay stardom to new heights.

The Heroes of Cosplay cast bring to life a variety of fictional characters but the pressure each one faces and the drama that ensues is very real. The cast includes:

Yaya Han – Yaya is one of the acknowledged legends of cosplay whose entrance at each convention – always in full costume – never fails to create a stir. A source of inspiration and intimidation to the contestants, Atlanta-based Yaya Han is often a judge at contests.

Riki LeCotey – Riki moved from rural Canada to the United States to follow her passion for cosplay. A special effects technician on sci-fi films, she is also the founder of Cosplay for a Cause, which has raised money for victims of the Japanese Tsunami.

Monika Lee – Monika is from Atlanta and a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she's majoring in industrial design. A cosplayer since the age of 13, she's competed in numerous craftsmanship contests winning several "Best in Shows" and various other awards.

Victoria Schmidt – Victoria is co-founder of the geek fashion and style blog settostunning.com. A passionate fan of cosplay since high school, she's especially proud of being Princess Leia on LucasFilm's Star Wars float in the 2007 Rose Parade.

Chloe Dykstra was almost fated to be in the cosplay community; her father is an F/X legend, having worked on the original Star Wars and Star Trek films. An actress and model, she hosts the Just Cos show on YouTube's Nerdist channel.

Jessica Merizan and Holly Conrad – Jessica has performed in regional theater in Southern California since she was five years old. Together, she and fellow cast member Holly Conrad co-founded a costume fabrication shop, cosplay community and new media entertainment company.

Holly was mentored by her very qualified grandfather, Dorse Lanpher, an F/X animator for Disney and others. She now works in the special effects business for several major studios, in addition to her business with Jessica.

Becky Young – Becky has created costumes since attending San Diego Comic-Con in 2006. A trained actress, she has voiced Video Game Nussie on Maxim Radio and was a judge on CBS Sports' Guitar Hero Competiton show. She lives in Burbank.

Jesse Lagers – Jesse lives in Portland, Oregon, where he works as a software systems administrator. He hopes that success in cosplay competitions will lead to his own business creating costumes and props. Jesse is a stickler for realism and authenticity in all of the costumes he creates.

Heroes of Cosplay premieres on Tuesday, August 13 at 10:30 PM/9:30c following the special 90-minute Season 5 premiere of Face Off. It then moves to its regular time – 10/9c on Tuesdays – starting on August 20th.