They're out of this world

ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post

COSPLAYERS: Grace Smith is Freya Chobits from the Japanese manga series Chobits, Mandy Watkins is a draenei from video game World of Warcraft, and Sarah Smith as Chii Chobits.

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Fantasy became reality for Wellington's sci-fi, comic and pop culture fans at the Armageddon Expo.

Three 17-year-olds - twins Grace and Sarah Smith, and Mandy Watkins - dressed as their favourite characters: Grace going as Freya Chobits from the Japanese manga series Chobits, Mandy a draenei from video game World of Warcraft, and Sarah as Chii Chobits.

The two-day event, which celebrated everything from video games to elaborate costumes, saw more than 14,000 people file through TSB Bank Arena at the weekend.

Organiser Bill Geradts said it was an "amazing weekend" with guest speakers entertaining packed crowds.

"The two most popular acts were Dr Who's Peter Davison and Michael Winslow's sound effects, which blew them all away. They were the most fan-friendly and popular guests we've ever had."

Mr Geradts said more people chose to dress up in costume than other years, making it a "mecca for cosplayers".

Cosplay short for costume play is a type of performance art in which people dress up as characters from video games and fantasy movies and act out scenes.

"I personally liked the four girls who turned up as Jem and her band [the Holograms] from the 80s cartoon," Mr Geradts said.