From Batman to Bellatrix: 15 Best Cosplays of 2016

3. Hodor

Is it too soon for this? Probably, but “Hold the Door” door stoppers were on sale seemingly moments after Hodor’s heartbreaking death on this season’s Game of Thrones. Cosplays were sure to follow. Sometimes the best way to deal with grief is to laugh your way through it, which is a coping mechanism that the Thrones audience is all too familiar with.

Hodor’s death in particular packed a punch right through the fandom. I’ve never seen so much heartfelt, genuine grief over a fictional character, which can likely be attributed to the fact that Hodor was an absolute innocent fans never imagined we’d lose. He seemed neither throwaway nor significant enough to kill off, and yet we never knew how much he meant to us until the show did just that. And so we commemorate him with cosplay.

This get-up is a simplistic take on Hodor’s struggle against the oncoming wights, but the emotional resonance is such that you have to give this guy a top spot on any cosplay countdown. Show this photo to any Thrones fan and they’re sure to respond with an “Oooh, no,” “Too soon, man!,” or perhaps a chuckle that may sound sadistic, but really they’re just trying to hold back the tears. Although I think it’s safe to say that none of us will ever be able to hold the tears as well as Hodor could… Well, you know.

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