Saw some posts trending about her, wasn't familiar with her, but thought this could benefit the board.
One of my worst fears as a parent is my child doing this and me not knowing the torment they received and how they were feeling.
"The 19-year-old cosplayer’s death has reignited conversations about racism and harassment faced by Black creators in fan communities
Ashley, known across social media platforms as Ash or squidkid1111, died in November 2025 at 19 years old, leaving behind a cosplay community grappling with grief and searching for answers. For seven years, Ash built a devoted following through elaborate anime and Japanese-inspired character recreations that showcased both technical skill and infectious enthusiasm for the craft.
The announcement arrived on Instagram on November 13, when someone with access to Ash’s account informed followers that the young creator who used they and them pronouns had passed away. The message celebrated Ash’s dedication to cosplay and the connections they forged through the hobby, describing how their influence extended beyond digital spaces into conventions, campus interactions and professional photo shoots throughout their creative journey.
No official cause of death was disclosed in the announcement. Yet the silence surrounding those details has only amplified speculation and anguish within fan communities that watched Ash grow from a preteen enthusiast into an accomplished creator whose work brought joy to thousands of followers.
In the days following the announcement, the anime focused social media page A Dose of Anime shared images of Ash in costume alongside claims that the creator faced persistent racist harassment. According to the post, community members suspected Ash died by suicide after enduring continuous attacks targeting their appearance and choice of characters to portray.
The harassment allegedly centered on Ash’s decision to cosplay light-skinned or non-Black characters, including Ellen Joe from the game Zenless Zone Zero. Critics reportedly bombarded Ash with comments about their skin tone, questioning their right to embody characters who did not share their racial identity. The page suggested these attacks exacerbated existing struggles with depression, contributing to a tragic outcome that might have been prevented.
While specific details about the harassment remain unverified, the allegations align with documented patterns of abuse that Black cosplayers have reported for years. The practice of cosplaying while Black has become fraught with criticism from multiple directions, as creators face accusations of either appropriating characters or failing to represent their own racial identity adequately, creating an impossible standard that white cosplayers rarely encounter..."
One of my worst fears as a parent is my child doing this and me not knowing the torment they received and how they were feeling.
Squidkid1111 dies at 19 as fans cite racist abuse
Squidkid1111, a 19-year-old cosplayer, has died amid allegations of racist harassment. The tragedy sparks discussion about toxicity in fandom.
rollingout.com
"The 19-year-old cosplayer’s death has reignited conversations about racism and harassment faced by Black creators in fan communities
Ashley, known across social media platforms as Ash or squidkid1111, died in November 2025 at 19 years old, leaving behind a cosplay community grappling with grief and searching for answers. For seven years, Ash built a devoted following through elaborate anime and Japanese-inspired character recreations that showcased both technical skill and infectious enthusiasm for the craft.
The announcement arrived on Instagram on November 13, when someone with access to Ash’s account informed followers that the young creator who used they and them pronouns had passed away. The message celebrated Ash’s dedication to cosplay and the connections they forged through the hobby, describing how their influence extended beyond digital spaces into conventions, campus interactions and professional photo shoots throughout their creative journey.
No official cause of death was disclosed in the announcement. Yet the silence surrounding those details has only amplified speculation and anguish within fan communities that watched Ash grow from a preteen enthusiast into an accomplished creator whose work brought joy to thousands of followers.
In the days following the announcement, the anime focused social media page A Dose of Anime shared images of Ash in costume alongside claims that the creator faced persistent racist harassment. According to the post, community members suspected Ash died by suicide after enduring continuous attacks targeting their appearance and choice of characters to portray.
The harassment allegedly centered on Ash’s decision to cosplay light-skinned or non-Black characters, including Ellen Joe from the game Zenless Zone Zero. Critics reportedly bombarded Ash with comments about their skin tone, questioning their right to embody characters who did not share their racial identity. The page suggested these attacks exacerbated existing struggles with depression, contributing to a tragic outcome that might have been prevented.
While specific details about the harassment remain unverified, the allegations align with documented patterns of abuse that Black cosplayers have reported for years. The practice of cosplaying while Black has become fraught with criticism from multiple directions, as creators face accusations of either appropriating characters or failing to represent their own racial identity adequately, creating an impossible standard that white cosplayers rarely encounter..."
