A pair of The Last of Us Part 2 cosplayers have caught the attention of developer Naughty Dog. Last of Us cosplays have become quite common in recent years, with many standouts having been honored by Naughty Dog on social media. Recently one Last of Us cosplay of Joel and Sarah from the game's tragic opening received a similar honor.
The Last of Us made quite the impact in 2013, captivating critics and players alike with its compelling blend of gameplay and narrative. The cross-continental journey of Ellie and Joel in the wake of a post-pandemic infection had something for all walks of players ranging from intense action, a dose of survival horror, and quite a bit of tragedy. Its follow-up, The Last of Us Part 2, would introduce players to Dina, Ellie's girlfriend, who provided support for Ellie during her grueling journey through the dystopian landscape this time around. As might be expected from such an impactful series, there was no shortage of fan love in its aftermath. Many of Last of Us' more passionate fanbase made their love for the series known with impressive cosplays honoring their favorite characters, like one horrifying Last of Us 2 Clicker cosplay paying tribute to the infected fungal monsters stalking the game's setting.
On Twitter, Naughty Dog recently spotlighted two cosplayers paying homage to Ellie and Dina from The Last of Us 2. The featured photo starred veteran cosplayers Luna Rae as Ellie and Clouded Calypso as Dina inside a room full of the game’s infamous Cordyceps spores responsible for turning people into the mindless infected. As expected from a pair noted for brilliant cosplays in the past, their outfits are incredibly accurate, from Ellie’s denim jacket and arm tattoo to Dina’s worn jacket and gas mask. The pair even sports an impressive armament as Ellie brandishes a cruel-looking machete with her trademark bow slung on her back and Dina is armed with a handgun and rifle.
This isn’t the first time Naughty Dog spotlighted an Ellie and Dinah cosplay, with two other brilliant cosplayers assuming the roles late last year. It’s also worth mentioning that this isn’t the first time Luna Rae and Calypso have joined forces together in cosplay. Many of their Instagram photos show the two teaming up to bring other properties to life like Kill la Kill, Overwatch, The Witcher, and Disney Princesses. Though some images are a bit risqué, their talented designs are no less impressive.
Naughty Dog has developed a reputation for consistently sharing the works of dedicated fans on their social media platform. Many passionate cosplayers and fan artists deserve recognition, and to receive it from the creator of their favorite experiences is one of the highest honors a cosplayer can receive. With so much Last of Us content coming soon for fans to adapt to cosplay, it would be nice to see Naughty Dog continue this trend of fan celebration.
Sources: Naughty Dog/Twitter, Luna Rae/Instagram, Clouded Calypso/Instagram