The cosplay world was left reeling with a profound loss in November 2025, when Ashley, known affectionately as Ash or @squidkid1111, said their final farewell at the tender age of nineteen. Ash, with their use of 'they' and 'them,' had woven a captivating web of fans over the course of seven years, each one enraptured by their intricate and humorous cosplay creations inspired by anime and Japanese culture. To their admirers, Ash was not just a newcomer in the fandom; they were a shining beacon of creativity and vitality.
But on November 13, 2025, the world of cosplay bid its final adieu to this vibrant spirit. Ash's Instagram page, in a heartfelt post addressed to fans, friends, colleagues, and the cosplay community as a whole, reflected on their extensive social circle, both online and offline. "For the past seven years, Squidkid or Ashley has shared their love of cosplay across the internet," the entry began. "They met many of you on Instagram but also at conventions, clubs, campus, professional photo shoots, and in everyday interactions."
The post continued, "They genuinely cherished the transformation and magic of cosplay and connecting with others through that community. So it is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform you of Ashley's passing."
While the post did not reveal the cause of Ash's death, it was evident from the outpouring of condolences that their influence extended far and wide, and their absence would be deeply felt.
A Community in Search of Answers Despite the lack of a direct statement on the reason behind Ash's death, an anime-related page, 'A Dose of Anime,' shared a post that hinted at what many in the community had feared. The page claimed that various members of the community suspected Ash to have taken their own life due to relentless online racism, colorism, and harassment for portraying light-skinned or non-Black characters. This was not based on any truth but rather on a deeply ingrained prejudice.
"Ash's death was heavily influenced by relentless online racism, colorism, and harassment they faced for portraying light-skinned or non-Black characters," the post claimed. "Comments targeting their skin tone and appearance made their struggles with depression even worse, leading to this heartbreaking outcome."
Though the specifics remain unclear, one thing is evident from this conversation in fandom communities: cosplay is meant to be a celebration of imagination and artistry, but it has never been an equal playing field for black artists.
