Life just got a little easier for The Legend of Zelda cosplayers: now, you can purchase replicas of Link's Master Sword and Hylian Shield from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
Online gaming retailer Merchoid released the sword and shield as part of its Legend of Zelda cosplay line recently. For costumers on a budget, the best part of the line is the price: the shield retails for around $35, with the sword only costing around $40.
The sword and shield are screen accurate replicas of Link's accessories in the 2011 Wii game. Both highly detailed items are plastic, which also gives them some durability, as well as makes them con safe. The sword also comes with a scabbard.
The Legend of Zelda Cosplay Collection includes some other accessories, too, including hoodies, elf earmuffs, a beanie hat with elf ears and Link's armor bracer.
But note that these cosplay accessories are not kids' toys, though. The sword measures almost 26 inches long, perfect for adult cosplayers. The shield is around 19 inches wide by 15 inches long.
"Cosplay keeps getting more and more popular each year and nearly every videogaming event now has some form of cosplay element," Merchoid Community Manager Jessica Adams said. "We wanted to help Zelda fans by providing a collection of well made, officially licensed, accurate cosplay accessories they can use for their costumes. The sword and shield are exact replicas of the in-game weapons, so they're the perfect items to finish off a Link costume."
Cosplayers interested in getting their hands on the sword and shield can place preorders now with shipments expected to begin on July 15.
Cosplayers have become a new target market for many retailers, thanks to the popularity of costuming and comic cons. Jo-Ann Fabrics recently released a collection of fabrics and supplies for cosplayers. Even companies offering wigs for cosplay now see big business.
Syfy jumped on the cosplay bandwagon several years ago with its Heroes of Cosplay reality show, although many cosplayers complained that the series showed them and their hobby in a negative light as it focused solely on "professional" cosplayers and costume competitions.
