Nobody rocks the cosplay world like Nigri does. As one of the reigning queens of cosplay, Jessica Nigri has been the face of innovation, creativity, and fun in the convention and nerd culture scene since its explosion in the early 2000s, and she’s only just getting started. The rising relevance and presence of cosplay in today’s pop culture has only increased the need for creative minds and innovative entertainers, and in that regard, Jessica has the costume game on lock. As we’ve stated in a previous article, Jessica has and always will be a hot name in cosplay, and there’s hardly a conversation about cosplay that goes by without some mention of Nigri’s brilliance and influence.
But aside from showing off skillful and detailed recreations of fan-favorite characters, Jessica is also known for putting her own spin on known characters. This is most apparent in her interpretations of male characters from video games, movies, and TV. Join us as we check out some of Jessica’s most cosplays of male characters, from the sexy to the badass. Let us know your favorites in the comments below, and tell us if we missed an awesome Nigri costume that you think deserves a spot on this list!
20. Still Not A Ginger, But Still Lovely
Allons-y! Everyone’s favorite timey-wimey transdimensional traveler gets a tantalizing twist thanks to Jessica’s cute-yet-classy take on this nerd culture icon. The trademark aspects of The Tenth Doctor are still present: the dapper trench coat, the black-framed eyeglasses, the Sonic Screwdriver, all these things evoke fond memories of David Tennant’s reign as The Doctor. The twist comes in the form of Jessica’s long brunette hair, a shake-up from Tennant’s short and spiky style, as well as the dress suit-inspired ensemble that retains the classiness and sophistication of The Doctor while painting this as a Nigri original. While one can consider this a more conservative and modest look from a cosplayer known for her playful eccentricity, this costume goes to show that Jessica is capable of demonstrating a wide breadth of styles, from the wild to the refined.
19. A True Heroine Of Time
Any fan of the Legend of Zelda series is well-aware of the long-standing “What If Zelda Is A Girl” meme that eternally plagues our flute-playing pot-smashing protagonist, Link. Jessica looks to blow that tidbit of trending troll trivia wide open with her female version of the Hero of Time, pictured above next to fellow cosplay queen Lindsay Elyse as Navi. With this costume, Jessica plays it closer to the iconic design, complete with a simple green tunic, white leggings, and minimal use of accessories, resulting in a familiar yet well-executed look. As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and that adage holds true even in cosplay. Sometimes, it’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about making the best wheel you can make, and in that regard, Jessica beautifully presents a classic, no-fuss version of this beloved video game mascot.
18. Maximum Effort? More Like Maximum Steamy
Roll out the chimichangas and hold on to your butts, ‘cuz we’ve got a hot one incoming! Sorry Wade Wilson, but while you can certainly fill out the red and black body suit nicely, Jessica’s killer curves take this foul-mouthed merc to a whole new level of s*xy. Who knew a cosplay could look so tantalizing while showing virtually no skin? Such is the Marvel that is Jessica Nigri, who uses her eye for precision in tandem with her alluring beauty to reinvent and reinvigorate popular characters into something new and exciting. Deadpool is already amazing by design, so Jessica takes care to preserve the character’s core aesthetics, toting the full arsenal of katanas, branded grenades, and twin pistols while allowing her flawless figure to rock the Spiderman-esque super suit.
17. Barrel Rolling Into Our Hearts
While the Star Fox games focused heavily on aerial combat and maneuvering sequences, it would a real shame to keep a pilot as good-looking as this cooped up in that Arwing cockpit. We like to think that Jessica took some inspiration from the one-off Star Fox Adventures release, which features Fox McCloud facing fierce foes and tackling dangerous endeavors on foot rather than in a vehicle. In any case, this Foxy lady has us wanting less space time and more face time in the next release. The execution of this costume is brilliant, channeling a grace and allure similar to Zero Suit Samus via the dynamic pose and use of props. Stylish and sexy, this is an instant highlight of Nigri’s creativity and we absolutely love it!
16. The Princess Of All Saiyans
This… this power! What is she!? Why, she’s the one and only princess of all Saiyans, of course! Jessica’s sexy version of Vegeta was made and worn in the early stages of her career, and it’s so crazy to think that with how awesome this cosplay is, she was only just starting to power up as a cosplayer! The design for this fem-Vegeta is also creative in how it captures not just the first-time appearance of the pint-sized prince (with full-fledged armor and a scouter) but also incorporates the aesthetic of general Saiyan battle gear to turn this into a unique genderbent offering. The minimalist design evokes the iconic look of the Saiyan elite fighters, mixing mobility with protection to allow Jessica to move freely across the battlefield (or convention floor, in most cases) while showing off her fit form.
15. A Mutant Mistress Of Metal
Forget Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters; we want to join the Brotherhood and serve this magnificent mutant maestro! Once again, Jessica slays the costume game with her creative designs, adapting the infamous dark and gritty design of Michael Fassbender’s version of Magneto from X-Men: Apocalypse to her own form and style. But it’s the cold and slightly devious facial expression that really brings this costume to life. Much like the magnetic mastermind of the Marvel universe, there’s no telling what this vermillion-armored vixen is going to do next. Is she going to crush us with a storm of metal? Is she going to convince (ie. threaten) us to join her side? We hope it’s the latter rather than the former; there’s only one side in this mutant war, and it’s Jessica’s side!
14. This Overwatch Cosplay Is Crushing It
What happens when you take one part precision German engineering, one part epic cosplayer, and sprinkle on a dose of video games? Well, we’re not sure either, but we do know that this Reinhardt cosplay by Jessica is 100% awesome and worthy of all the honor and glory! Jess really shows us how it’s done by combining her armor-crafting skills with her adaptive sense of style, the result of which can only be described as “the ultimate girl-crush machine.” Overwatch‘s justice-bound juggernaut has never looked so good, and Jessica’s display of technical skill and beautiful badass-ness instantly makes her the (Cos)Player of the Game in our hearts and minds. Lady Nigri, you really hammered this cosplay home, and we salute you for it!
13. The Rarest Of Encounters
Cubone may be a common Pokémon out in the wild, but how many of them look as jawbone-dropping as this? Inspired by traditional tribal wear and the ragged aesthetics of Wasteland festival outfits, Nigri is at her best in this bodacious offering, which utilizes Cubone’s trademark bone weapon as a motif throughout the costume. Savage and sexy, this head-turning costume is an elaborate and fearless endeavor by Jessica, embracing the wild side of her personality and brimming with more confidence than you can shake a Bone Boomerang at. And that’s what makes Jessica such an admirable figure in the cosplay world: she dares to push the envelope with her art, and her passion is very apparent in her work. Mewtwo and Lugia got nothing compared to this legendary catch!
12. We Wubba-Lubba-Love This Cosplay
Lo and behold! We found something sweeter than Szechuan sauce and more exciting than an entire afternoon at Blips & Chitz: a totally hot Rick cosplay by Jessica Nigri! She riggity riggity wrecks our hearts with this sexy little number, and we can’t wait to be whisked away to our next dangerously exciting adventure across the universe by this brainy blue-haired babe. It seems quite fitting that the queen of all things crazy and cosplay would take her shot at recreating the sultan of getting schwifty, and as you can see, the results are quite stunning. Here’s hoping she’ll bust out a Pickle Rick cosplay in the near future. Given her history of donning full-body costumes of lobsters, tacos, and T-Rex’s just for fun, it’s not entirely impossible.
11. This Treasure Hunter Is A Gem
Jessica may be the one who’s all dressed up and looking for treasure, but WE’RE the ones who are treated to an exquisite find! Even the most dangerous tombs and ruins feel like a thrilling vacation when this sultry salvage expert is leading the charge, and maybe she’ll even teach us a thing or two about history along the way. Aside from the costume, which is well-done and has clever personal touches like the scraped knee, a big draw of Jessica’s version of Nathan Drake also comes from the gorgeous locations where this shoot takes place. Calculated photo compositions incorporating forest and river scenery help to create a sense of adventure and urgency in every shot, and Jessica even stretches her parkour muscles in a couple dynamic mid-action pics where she is jumping over rocks and ducking behind ruined buildings.
10. Worthy Of A 1-Up
Jessica must have Blue Shells for eyes, because one look from her has got us stunned! This 1-Up worthy cosplay shows off Jessica’s love for classic consoles and retro games, and even without a Fire Flower she definitely knows how to turn up the heat. I bet if Bowser got an eyeful of this beautiful Bob-ombshell, he wouldn’t be so quick to run off to the nearest castle. Jessica fully embraces the fun and whimsical flavor of the Super Mario Bros. games with this costume, and even with all the photo effects, she still stands as the brightest Super Star of all. And if you’re wondering where Luigi is, don’t worry; Jessica wore this costume as part of a duo photo set with the lovely Lindsay Elyse as her green-garbed sibling, so do yourself a favor and look them up!
9. Fortune And Glory Never Looked So Good
Now for something a bit different! As you can see, Jessica’s costume repertoire is not just confined to video games and cartoons. Even staples of the silver screen such as Indiana Jones are shown some cosplay love, and this delectable doppelganger of the eponymous archaeologist has got us whipped up into a frenzy! Originally meant to be a light travel-friendly outfit for an intense hike through rugged stretches nature, Jessica was struck by inspiration and ingenuity, and turned this casual affair into a sensational saunter into the wilds. We love the rugged, well-traveled aesthetic of this ensemble. Perhaps we’ve caught her in a moment of rest after a rigorous temple run or an encounter of the snaky kind. In any case, we can’t wait to book an express biplane flight to our next adventure with this tantalizing tomb raider (sorry Lara Croft).
8. Her Hotness Level Is Over 9000
There’s no need to summon the Eternal Dragon when Jessica is already making all our wishes come true. I’m just… Saiyan. But in all seriousness, many remember the debut of Jessica’s fem-Goku as a standout moment of her early costuming career, and we can’t help but gush over it even today. What at first seems like a fairly plain costume is elevated to the next (power) level with the effective use of detail work: bloodstains, rips and burns, and even the bruise makeup all add to the effect of this costume, which captures the essence of a post-battle Super Saiyan Goku. No scouter ever made can properly measure the level of badassery that this costume brings, and it really shows another way of cosplaying this king of Kaio-ken.
7. She Has Us Hooked
You don’t want to be in the way when this petite porcine powerhouse is pushing the Payload! We’re going hog wild over this amazing rendition of Overwatch‘s resident hookmaster, and it looks so good that you don’t need to tell us to “Come here!” twice. Roadhog is usually seen as one of the biggest and baddest behemoths on the battlefield, but we’re certainly not complaining about Jessica’s smaller and sexier version. She even made sure to include the finer details of the original design, like the stomach tattoo and individual buttons and patches on the harness. When it comes to Overwatch cosplays, this one-woman apocalypse is a prime specimen that always takes Player of the Game. We’re gonna need healing, ‘cuz cosplay has sunk its hook deep into our hearts.
6. If Looks Could Kill…
In the world of Assassin’s Creed, nothing is true, and everything is permitted. But even so, please permit us to say that there is at least one true fact in this world, and it’s that Jessica is the hottest assassin in the entire Order! The tomahawk-toting renegade of Assassin’s Creed III, Connor Kenway, takes on a whole new life when given the Nigri twist, and the resulting cosplay is as beautiful as it is deadly. This is actually one of two Assassin’s Creed cosplays that Jessica has done, the other being Edward Kenway, and both show off a high amount of attention to detail from the arsenal of assassination tools to the meticulous sewing and button placements. No Leap of Faith required to fall for this alluring assassin!
5. A League Of Her Own
Captain Teemo reporting for duty! This was one of the first League of Legends cosplays that Jessica has done, and made its glorious debut at Anime Expo 2013. Jessica’s love for yordles, the tiniest and most polarizing of League‘s many races, is very apparent in her body of work, and we can credit her infatuation with the the fuzzy denizens of the Rift to this Teemo cosplay. Before she brought her bodacious flair to the likes of Veigar, Ziggs, and Kled, we all got to behold her as the shroom-tossing, dart-spitting scout that we all love/hate. Whether you go AD or AP, Nigri never fails to be OP! This cosplay goes to show that you should never underestimate the power of the Scout’s Code, or the power of Nigri’s creativity.
4. Siren Of The High Seas
Even the power of the Devil Fruit couldn’t create a cosplay as hot as this! Portgas D. Ace from One Piece gets a sultry and summery makeover in this classic number by Nigri, and the result speaks for itself. The fiery fist fighter looks more like she’s ready for a pool party rather than a punchout! This cosplay made its first appearance at Anime Revolution 2013, and the sunny seasonal locale made a surprisingly fitting backdrop for the occasion. We’re hoping for more One Piece-inspired cosplays like this in the future, and if this one is any indication, they are sure to make waves. Nami better count herself lucky that she doesn’t have to share the spotlight with this seafaring siren, ‘cuz when Jessica’s around, there’s no question as to who the Pirate Queen is here!
3. Long Live The Queen
With killer instincts and killer looks, we’ll gladly follow this khal-turned-khaleesi into the heat of battle! The dothraki from Game of Thrones may be more infamous for their brutality than for their beauty, but Jessica reminds us that it’s always best to get you a girl that can do both. Her savage and sensuous take on Khal Drogo is actually the first cosplay she has done from Game of Thrones, and we hope she continues to enchant and innovate us with more creations from the fan-favorite HBO series. The level of detail and clever adaptation from male to female design is impressive, and Jessica expertly melds ideas into a look that shows off her feminine form while preserving the wild warrior vibes from the original character.
2. She’s The Very Best Like No One Ever Was
No cosplay countdown would be complete without a classic Pokémon costume, and even a popular character like Ash Ketchum never seems to get old when people like Jessica make it look so good! Dubbing herself “Ashley Ketchum,” Jessica kicks the nostalgia hype train into overdrive with this lovely look, which emulates a “girl next door” vibe that has us pulling our best Brock impressions. Fun fact: this isn’t the only time Jessica has cosplayed from Pokémon. Her cosplay catalogue also includes gijinka designs for Cubone, Charizard, Blastoise, Houndoom, Slowking, Litten, all the Eevee-lutions, and even Pikachu, which many consider to be her first breakout cosplay of her career. But speaking of Electric Pokemon, forget Pikachu; Ashley Ketchum, please choose ME to be your partner in your battles and travels!
1. She’s Gonna Rock Your World
By now, you’ve probably already seen this mindblowing cosplay floating around the ol’ Internetz, whether it was in recaps and photo albums of Blizzcon or rampaging around the Lich King ice cream stand at San Diego Comic Con 2017. This cosplay, which is an original design by illustrator extraordinaire Zach Fischer, shows off the best of Jessica’s talents from armormaking to makeup work to posing and photo production. The hours Jessica has spent meticulously hand-crafting these pieces is covered in a video on her YouTube channel, and as we watch the magic unfold we can see her blood, sweat, tears and passion practically pour out of every scene. This costume, representing the efforts of artist and creator and community love, embodies cosplaying at its finest, and easily tops our list as Jessica’s best male character cosplay.
