We speak to well known cosplayer ‘Hiker Charlie’ about his journey from childhood gamer to Pokémon Hiker. You can explore a small number of Hiker Charlie’s items, alongside artwork which showcases the creativity and craftsmanship of cosplay, captured live at MCM Comic Con 2026, in our summer exhibition Together We Play.
Explore Together We PlayFor many fans, Pokémon is more than just a game or television series. It’s a lifelong companion. For London-based cosplayer Charlie, that journey began in the late 1990s and has since evolved into a unique way of celebrating the franchise he grew up loving.
Like many children of his generation, Charlie’s first introduction to Pokémon wasn’t through a Game Boy, but on Saturday morning television. Watching the Pokémon anime on TV sparked an instant fascination with the Pokémon world. Soon afterwards, his mum managed to track down a Game Boy Pocket and a copy of Pokémon Blue—only because Pokémon Red had completely sold out. It was the height of Pokémania, and Charlie was all in.
His passion for gaming, however, stretched well beyond Pokémon. After receiving an SNES as a child, he quickly fell in love with titles such as Super Mario All-Stars, before a Nintendo 64 opened the door to classics including Super Mario 64, Diddy Kong Racing and Banjo-Kazooie.
“My biggest passion has always been video games. Those first days playing Super Mario All Stars on my SNES shaped my love for the hobby into what it’s become today; a deep appreciation of the joy it brings everybody.”
Those memories became even more meaningful because they were shared with his mother, and this story sits as a great reminder that gaming has always been about creating lasting memories with the people closest to you.
Speaking about his favourite games console, the Nintendo 64, Charlie says “For me, the most important moments are the ones that have a deep personal connection, and this console came with many, thanks to the bond it helped to strengthen between my mother and I.”
Charlie’s Pokémon cosplay journey began in 2014 with Professor Birch the main Pokémon Professor from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.
Later, inspiration struck when he realised one corner of the Pokémon universe was consistently overlooked: the Trainer Classes. While Gym Leaders and protagonists are regular cosplay favourites, the everyday trainers players encounter throughout their adventure rarely receive the same attention.
‘Hiker Charlie’ is Charlie’s current cosplay, based on the classic Hiker Trainer Class, complete with custom-made badges and a carefully constructed Zubat companion. Rather than creating an entirely original character, Charlie simply noticed there wasn’t already a Hiker named Charlie and made the role his own.
“My goal was to help show people that every character is important in your Pokémon journey, even the ones who only appear for moments at a time,” he explains.
After attending a couple of conventions in this cosplay, Charlie quickly realised it resonated with fellow fans. Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response, he launched an Instagram account and began sharing regular photoshoots, helping the character gain recognition beyond convention halls.
Some of Charlie’s proudest moments came at the Pokémon Europe International Championships in 2025, where enthusiastic reactions from attendees led to an unexpected BBC News interview. Later, taking part in The Pokémon Company International’s first-ever cosplay showcase proved equally unforgettable.
Reflecting on the experience, Charlie says: “The reception from the crowd when I came onto the stage made me feel amazing, and I’ll never forget all the people who spoke to me afterwards, asking for photos and even giving me gifts. I’ve had such a positive and warm reaction from everybody who approaches me. It’s honestly so nice to experience such a welcoming community full of wonderful people.”
This story is a reminder that cosplay isn’t always about the biggest or most famous characters. Sometimes it’s about celebrating the unsung heroes of a beloved series and inspiring others to look beyond the main characters.
From childhood mornings spent watching Pokémon on television to becoming a recognisable face at major events, Charlie’s journey shows how a lifelong passion can evolve into something creative, rewarding and deeply connected to the community that first sparked it.
Charlie’s story continues in our Together We Play Exhibition.
