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feature

See the Best Anime and Video Game Costumes at Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fes.

Happy Halloween! Check out our cosplay gallery of some of the best anime and video game costumes from Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fes.! ― It's Halloween time in Tokyo. And that means everywhere you look, you'll find people dressed up as their favorite anime and manga characters. While Shibuya Ward is always the life of the party around Halloween, the mayor of Shibuya Ward is trying to keep the party ...
convention

Tokyo Game Show 2023 Cosplay Gallery Day 2

The games have been played, the news has been announced, and the cosplayers enjoyed one more day of cosplaying at the Tokyo Game Show 2023 ― The games have been played, the news has been announced, and the cosplayers enjoyed one more day of cosplaying at the Tokyo Game Show 2023. Are there some familiar faces? Sure. But why settle for dressing up as one character for two days? Or hanging with the sam...
interest

First Stop Cosplay Launches Persona 5 Royal Sewing Patterns

First Stop Cosplay, in collaboration with ATLUS, is releasing a licensed Persona 5 Royal cosplay sewing pattern for fans of the popular RPG. ― Cosplay as a fandom activity has been blowing up concurrently with anime's growing popularity all over the world. Cosplay itself has never been restricted to just anime and manga but also games and other media. After all, it is also a way to show appreciation ...
convention

Our Favorite Cosplay from Comiket 102 (Part Two)

Here's all of our favorite cosplays from the second day of Comiket 102! ― Many anime and manga fans in Japan must make a difficult decision around Summer Comiket: go to Comiket or visit their relatives for the Obon holiday. Luckily, this year the unofficial national holiday lasts between August 13-16. So, fans are only missing one day of the holiday to purchase new independently published fan-made an...
convention

Our Favorite Cosplay from Comiket 102 (Part One)

While a majority were there to purchase the latest fan-made comics or comics by an independent author, many were at one of Japan's biggest summer events for cosplay. ― Although a typhoon was slowly bearing down on Japan, anime and manga fans showed little worry as they gathered on a bright and clear Comiket 102 day 1 on August 12. While a majority were there to purchase the latest fan-made comics or ...
news

U.K. Team Wins World Cosplay Summit 2023

Latvia, Mexico win 2nd, 3rd place ― The official Facebook account for the World Cosplay Summit (WCS) announced this year's full awards list on Saturday. 1st Place and Grand Champion: U.K. 2nd Place: Latvia 3rd Place: Mexico Alumni Category / Tamakoshi Award: Latvia Action Category / SAMURAI ENERGY Award: Indonesia Dramatic Category / Nagoya University of the Arts Award: Vietnam Sound and Direction Ca...
convention

Wonder Festival 2023 [Summer] Cosplay Gallery

In the heat and humidity of mid-summer, cosplayers from around the country we were gathered at Wonder Festival 2023 [Summer] to kick off Japan's summer cosplay season. ― In the heat and humidity of mid-summer, cosplayers from around the country we were gathered at Wonder Festival 2023 [Summer] to kick off Japan's summer cosplay season. And there was a real smorgasbord of cosplayers at this year's sec...
convention

Anime Expo 2023 - Anime Expo 2023 Masquerade & World Cosplay Summit Finals Report

Kirari Cosplay wins World Cosplay Summit USA Finals as Madoka and Homura! ― On the evening of Day 2, Anime Expo returned with another year of the World Cosplay Summit and the AX Masquerade. Usually falling on Day 3, the key event was pushed up to land on the traditional Sunday late-night slot. Unfortunately, that put the shared stage show up against two other highly anticipated events: AX Summer Fes...
interest

Cosplay Highlights From Comiket 101

Even a quieter year for Comiket is home to some fantastic cosplay. See Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, and more! ― Cosplayers from all around the world had one last cosplay event for 2022. It was none other than Comic Market 101. It might have been a quieter event compared to previous years, but there were a lot of fantastic cosplayers in attendance. While we were only the...
convention

Anime NYC 2022 - Cosplay Gallery

Check out some of our favorite costumes from Anime NYC 2022! ― IMG img_1846.png IMG img_1988.png IMG img_1823.png IMG img_1894.png IMG img_1923.png IMG img_1974.png IMG img_1820.png IMG img_1959.png IMG img_1947.png IMG img_1843.png IMG img_1892.png IMG img_1834.png IMG img_1859.png IMG img_1825.png IMG img_1883.png IMG img_1886.png IMG img_1850.png IMG img_1869.png IMG img_1877.png IMG img_1985.png...
interest

Cosplayer Enako Strikes a Pose as Female Ranma

Enako's has an upcoming photo collection book where she will portray 10 characters from Rumiko Takahashi's manga ― Popular cosplayer Enako continued her streak as Rumiko Takahashi heroines in this year's 18th issue of Shogakukan's Big Comic Superior magazine. In gravure images included in the beginning of the magazine, Enako appears as the female version of Ranma from Takahashi's Ranma 1/2 manga and ...
convention

Crunchyroll Expo 2022 - Crunchyroll-Hime's Cosplay Cup

It was an event full of glitter, ruffles, and amazing armor at this year's Crunchyroll-Hime Cosplay Cup! ― After two years of being a strictly virtual event, the Crunchyroll Hime Cup is back with a physical presence at Crunchyroll Expo 2022. Hosted by Mario Bueno (@emp_maniac) and Linda Le (@VampyBitMe), the Hime Cup showcases dozens of cosplay finalists from all around the world. Before the contesta...
interest

World Cosplay Summit to Hold Selection Event at Ghibli Park

Ghibli character cosplayers will parade inside the park on August 7, ahead of venue's official November 1 opening ― The World Cosplay Summit (WCS) event announced on Tuesday that it will hold a selection event for Ghibli anime cosplay inside the Ghibli Park on August 7, ahead of the park's official opening on November 1. Applications are open until June 30 for 10 groups of cosplayers to walk down the...
feature

Anime Boston Cosplay Gallery

Check out the costumes from Anime Boston for everything from Pokémon to the internet's current favorite anime girl, Yor from SPY x FAMILY! ― Freelancer Reuben Baron (AndalusianDoge) headed to Anime Boston on May 27-29 and snapped photos of all the amazing cosplay. Check out the costumes below for everything from Pokemon to the internet's current favorite anime girl, Yor from Spy x Family! IMG animebo...
review

Cosplay: The Fictional Mode of Existence

This is the most scholarly and straightforward approach to the idea of cosplay that I have ever seen. ― Cosplay is one of the cornerstones of pop culture celebration. Whether it's science-fiction, fantasy, western, or eastern animation, it feels like you don't have to go far nowadays to come across people that wear their love for these mediums on their sleeves in a very literal way. Granted, in my pa...
interest

The Coolest Cosplay at AnimeJapan 2022

Cosplayers came out in force at AnimeJapan's first physical event in three years ― AnimeJapan 2022 was in full swing last weekend with talk shows, vendors, and cosplay. The cosplayers came out ready to show off what they've been working on or saving for the past three years. Here's a handful of the cosplay we saw at the show: Kirto (left) and Eugeo (right) from Sword Art Online. Cosplayers: Karuraru ...
interest

Wrestling Star Jade Cargill Flexes My Hero Academia Cosplay

Cargill dresses as Mirko for Halloween cosplay ― All Elite Wrestling performer and fitness model Jade Cargill showed off her appreciation for My Hero Academia by flexing her muscles in a Mirko cosplay alongside fellow wrestler Sonny Kiss. She posted her photo of her Halloween cosplay on her official Twitter account: Miruko 🐰 @SonnyKissXO Watch #AEWRAMPAGE TONIGHT ON TNT @tntdrama at 10/9c! @AEW @aewo...
interest

Former NEWS Band Member Yuya Tegoshi Cosplays as Kaworu in Surprise World Cosplay Summit Appearance

Annual cosplay event took place in Nagoya last weekend ― The former NEWS band member Yuya Tegoshi made a surprise appearance as Evangelion's Kaworu at this year's World Cosplay Summit on Sunday. He wore Kaworu's plugsuit, as depicted in the Rebuild films, as he gave a performance of the Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time theme song "One Last Kiss" by Hikaru Utada. He also performed his original ...
feature

Cosplay Must-Haves According to Pros Cowbutt Crunchies, SoloRoboto, & Amanda Haas

The means of creation, particularly 3D printing, are now much more affordable for cosplay hopefuls. ― From simple clothing to detailed and decadent costumes, cosplay can be a daunting affair. In the past decade, the increasing accessibility of technologies such as 3D printing have opened new doors for the cosplay toolkit. Tips, tricks, and materials that were once difficult to find are now a booming ...
interest

Japan's Weekly Playboy Magazine Features One Piece Cosplayers

Issue commemorates manga's 1,000th published chapter ― Japan's Weekly Playboy magazine is commemorating the One Piece manga's 1,000th published chapter with an issue featuring One Piece cosplay. The cover shows fashion model Miyuu Ikeda (also known as "Michopa") cosplaying as Nami. Besides Nami, Ikeda also cosplayed a selection of other characters, including Chopper. Other models cosplaying in the is...
news

World Cosplay Summit to Have Physical, Online Event This August

Event canceled Championship, International Representative events last year due to COVID-19 ― The World Cosplay Summit (WCS) event announced on Friday that it will have both physical and online events this year. The physical event will take place on August 7 and 8 at various locations centered around Oasis 21 in Nagoya. Events will include cosplay events with photo shoots and stage events, as well as ...
interest

Lawmaker Yamada Explains Implications of Proposed Copyright Guidelines on Cosplay Income

"On the other hand, what does relate to the issue of derivative works is how creators can collect money in the age of mass reproduction over the internet. There are aspects of the current legal system that are out of step with the digital age." ― After it was reported that the Japanese government is considering rules that will allow copyright holders to regulate cosplayers for income earned from cosp...

Japanese Government Considers Codifying Copyright Rules on Cosplay Income

Government investigates whether income earned from cosplaying qualifies as copyright infringement ― The Nikkan Sports newspaper reported on Saturday that the Japanese government is considering rules that will allow copyright holders to regulate cosplayers for income earned from cosplay activity. While cosplayers who do not earn money from their activity are not violating laws, those who do have an in...
interest

Is the order a rabbit? BLOOM Tops COSPA's 2020 Cosplay Sales Rankings

The winter uniform depicted in Is the order a rabbit? BLOOM topped COSPA's yearly list of top-selling outfits. ― The winter uniform depicted in Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? BLOOM (Is the order a rabbit? BLOOM) topped cosplay outfit maker COSPA's yearly list of top-selling outfits. The top ten list is as follows: Middle school winter uniform (Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? BLOOM) Fruit Tart outfit (Dropout ...
feature

A Growing Anime Fandom in Zambia

The expansion of streaming services has helped ignite fandoms all over the world. In Zambia, original animation and comics, cosplay, and conventions are beginning to flourish. ― Artwork by Rhymeswithfate Anime is a globally revered medium, it's huge in Europe with countries like France even co-producing some anime and hosting the world's second biggest anime convention. It's obviously massive in Nort...
interest

Enako Cosplays Rent-A-Girlfriend in Latest Weekly Shonen Magazine Issue

Cosplayer and Cool Japan ambassador Enako appeared in a color-page pin-up shoot inspired by the Rent-A-Girlfriend series in Weekly Shonen Magazine's 37th issue, which shipped in Japan on Wednesday. She dressed as the manga's heroine Chizuru Mizuhara to commemorate the premiere of the television anime on Friday. The theme of the shoot is "real date." Enako is shown in places where a real date may h...
interest

One Piece Cosplayers Around the World Make #passthevivrecard Tribute Video

Over 200 cosplayers including Anri Okita participate in relay cosplay challenge ― One Piece cosplayers around the world have been participating in the #passthevivrecard relay challenge on social media platforms, where they cosplay a character from the series while staying at home. Over 200 cosplayers participated, including Anri Okita, who has over 1 million followers on Instagram and 391,000 followe...
interest

Voice Actress Kotori Koiwai Will Help You Rest Easy with ASMR Video

Voice actress Kotori Koiwai, who has her own recording studio set up at home, streamed an ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) video on April 22 to help her listeners rest easy during these difficult times. In her announcement tweet, she said that she used a Neumann KU100 dummy head microphone. Koiwai has previously claimed that she can do narration, dialogue, and song recordings all inside...
interest

Cosplayer Enako Appears as Re:Zero's Rem in Monthly Comic Alive

Cosplayer and Cool Japan ambassador Enako appears in a pin-up shoot as Re:Zero's formidable maid Rem in the June issue of Monthly Comic Alive. ― Cosplayer and Cool Japan ambassador Enako appears in a pin-up shoot as Re:Zero's formidable maid Rem in the June issue of Monthly Comic Alive. The magazine, released on April 27, includes photos of the popular cosplayer in a blue wig and cat-themed pajamas. ...
interest

Cosplayer Enako Appointed Cool Japan Ambassador

"I will do my utmost to spread the pop culture I love, as an ambassador and as a cosplayer!" ― Professional cosplayer Enako announced on her Twitter account on Wednesday that she has been appointed a Cool Japan ambassador. "I will do my utmost to spread the pop culture I love, as an ambassador and as a cosplayer!" she wrote. 【お知らせ】政府が進めているクールジャパンを推進するため、内閣府から『クールジャパン・アンバサダー』に任命されました。大好きなポップカルチャーという文化...
interest

Comedian Atsushi Tamura Seeks Nezuko Cosplayer

Tamura plans to create video imitating style of Demon Slayer Opening ― Comedian Atsushi Tamura announced on Twitter on Sunday that he is creating a video in the style of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba opening for his London Boots channel. To that end, he is seeking a cosplayer to play the part of Nezuko in the video. 『募集』ロンブーチャネルにて紅蓮華 鬼滅の刃OPっぽく撮ってみたの動画撮影に参加してくれる禰豆子を探してます!禰豆子コスで写真を送ってください!バストアップと全...
interest

Cosplayer Enako Transforms into All of the Quintessential Quintuplets

This year's eighth issue of Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine features a cover shoot of five cosplayers dressed as the characters from Negi Haruba's The Quintessential Quintuplets manga. At least, it looks like five cosplayers but the image really stars just one: Enako. The seasoned costumer appears as Nino, Yotsuba, Itsuki Nakano, Ichika Nakano, Miku Nakano, and Raiha in wedding garb. Inside the ...
interest

Cosplayer, Activist Lai Pin-yu Wins Seat at Taiwan Election

Taiwanese youth activist Lai Pin-yu won a legislative seat at Taiwan's general election on Saturday, representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). When announcing her win on Facebook, she posted a photo of herself cosplaying as Sailor Mars from the Sailor Moon anime series, along with the message: "Hello, friends. I am Lai Pin-yu, lawmaker of New Taipei City's 12th District. Please advise m...
interest

Original Love Live! Uniforms Top COSPA's 2019 Cosplay Sales Rankings

Costumes from original Love Live!, upcoming Nijigasaki anime series take top two spots ― Cosplay outfit maker COSPA released a list of its top-selling outfits for 2019. The Otonokizaka Academy uniform depicted in the original Love Live! TV anime series from 2013 topped the list, followed by the Nijigasaki Academy uniform from the upcoming Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Dōkōkai (Nijigasaki A...
feature

Locked Up for Dress Up: Cosplayers Recount Harrowing Week in Malaysian Prison

In June, a raid at an event in Malaysia found several cosplayers incarcerated at the infamous Semenyih Immigration Detention Centre in Selangor where the prisoners were whipped, bleeding, and hungry. ― Readers of ANN, especially those who follow cosplay news, may have heard about two serious incidents in Malaysia in 2019. Both involved international cosplayers attending fan events in the country who ...
feature

Gallery: The Cosplay of New York Comic-Con 2019

Here's a gallery of some of our favorite incredible cosplay from this year's New York Comic-Con and Anime Fest 2019! ― IMG resized_img_3915.jpeg IMG resized_img_3916.jpeg IMG resized_img_3917.jpg IMG resized_img_3929.jpeg IMG resized_img_3931.jpg IMG resized_img_3932.jpeg IMG resized_img_3933.jpeg IMG resized_img_3934.jpeg IMG resized_img_3936.jpg IMG resized_img_3940.jpeg IMG resized_img_3941.jpeg ...
interest

Cosplayer Enako's Elizabeth Cosplay is Sinful

This year's 44th issue of Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine includes a new photo shoot by popular cosplayer Enako. The versatile cosplayer appears as two fan-favorite ladies from The Seven Deadly Sins manga and anime series, Elizabeth and Diane. The magazine couples Enako with art of Melodias and King for a gravure photo shoot. Enako was the cover girl for this year's fifth issue of Young Gangan m...
interest

Ikebukuro's Halloween Cosplay Festival Returns for Plenty of Scares and Fantasy

The Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival will take over the streets of Tokyo again this year on October 26-27. The festival will return with cosplay fashion shows, cosplay stage performances, and a parade along with some new entertainment. Anisong DJs will keep the scene rocking, tea parties will entrance lolita cosplayers of every stripe, and the final round of the "Cosplayer of the Year" contest...
interest

9 'Spiritually Japanese' Cosplayers, Cartoonists Arrested in China For 'Anti-China Extremism'

One cartoonist is reported to have drawn comics depicting Chinese people as pigs ― A total of nine "spiritually Japanese" Chinese youths were arrested in China for alleged anti-China extremism on July 28. Yahoo! News Japan defines "spiritually Japanese" (or Jingri as they are known in China) as a derogatory term for Chinese fans of Japanese anime and cosplay. However, the Communist Youth League of Ch...
interest

Australia Wins World Cosplay Summit 2019

USA and France place 2nd, 3rd ― The World Cosplay Summit announced in a Facebook post on Sunday that Australia took first place in this year's competition. The second and third places went to the USA and France respectively. The finals took place in Nagoya. K, one of the two winning cosplayers, posted photos from the event and a notice about her team's victory on Twitter and Instagram. ⭐QUEST COMPLET...
interest

11 Cosplayers Arrested on Alleged Immigration Violations in Malaysia

The Malaysian Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia; JIM) arrested multiple cosplayers attending an anime convention at a hotel in the nation's capital of Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. JIM reviewed a total of 52 participants suspected of abusing social visit passes and work permits to attend the event, according to immigration director Hamidi Adam. The raid ended with the arrest of 11 vis...
interest

One Piece Cosplay King Grand Prix Offers 3D-printed Trophies of Winners' Costumes

The World Cosplay Summit (WCS)'s One Piece Cosplay King Grand Prix will offer 3D-printed trophies of the three winning cosplay outfits. There will be a "crystal" trophy for the grand prize winner and "original" trophies for the runner-up winners. The official website has also posted video comments from One Piece voice actors and contest judges Toshio Furukawa (Ace) and Toru Furuya (Sabo) encouragi...
interest

Gothic Lolita Clothing Brand Algonquins Declared Bankrupt

Gothic Lolita clothing brand Algonquins was declared bankrupt by the Tokyo district court on March 1. The business had a debt of approximately 260 million yen (US$2.3 million). Algonquins was first established in 1987, and gained a name for itself by providing the clothing worn by youth-oriented magazine models and visual-kei bands. At its peak, it had approximately 20 branches throughout Japan. I...
interest

Cosplayer Enako Channels Hestia for Young Gangan Cover

This year's fifth issue of Young Gangan magazine's cover girl is popular cosplayer Enako dressed as none other than Danmachi goddess Hestia. The collaborative gravure photos were taken to promote the theatrical release of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Arrow of the Orion on February 15. Enako appears in the magazine as Hestia and other "other world" style characters including a...
feature

Interview: Cosplay Drag Diva Oriana Perón

From Sailor Moon cosplayer to one of the most in-demand convention guests in the midwest, Oriana Perón has come a long way from early fandom years to hosting Drag Race competitions at cons. Perón breaks down her journey so far and what she's looking forward to in the years to come. ― Hailing from Bloomington IN, Christopher Simanton — whose larger-than-life drag persona, Oriana Perón, has quickly sol...
interest

Registration Opens For World Cosplay Summit's One Piece Cosplay King Grand Prix

The World Cosplay Summit (WCS) opened online registration on Monday for the One Piece Cosplay King Grand Prix. To celebrate the TV anime's 20th anniversary, the World Cosplay Summit is recruiting 20 One Piece cosplayers from around the world: 9 characters from the Straw Hat crew, and 11 others. Movie-original characters are applicable. The 20 selected cosplayers will appear at the World Cosplay Su...
interest

Laid-Back Camp Event Brings Warmth to Chilly Yamanashi

Since the anime premiered in January, Laid-Back Camp has inspired throngs of newbies to give the great outdoors a try. Visitors tripled at the Yamanashi prefecture's camp sites as Laid-Back Camp fans headed to the areas seen in the series. All the new campers need to stock up on the necessities for their first time out in the wilderness. Camping gear companies teamed up with Laid-Back Camp to offe...
interest

Zombies, Monsters, Magical Girls Take Over Ikebukuro for Halloween Cosplay Festival 2018

The entire Ikebukuro district in Tokyo became one of Japan's largest cosplay venues last weekend as everyone got into the Halloween spirit. Cosplayers dressed in their favorite anime and video game characters to mingle, dance, and spook and delight event goers. During the festival, the entire town of Ikebukuro transformed into a cosplay paradise as magical girls, superheroes, and Super Saiyans hun...
giveaway

Win Tickets to Anime NYC - NYC's Biggest Anime Convention!

Here is your chance to win a weekend pass to NYC's biggest anime convention, Anime NYC! ― New York City's biggest Anime Convention, Anime NYC is coming up Nov 16-18, 2018 in Manhattan's Javits Center! Amazing list of guests, features, and more await you. As a special treat for ANN Readers, we are giving away weekend passes to 10 lucky winners! Anime NYC's features include... Anisong World Matsuri Th...
interest

Take Your Cosplay to Kabukicho's Hottest Host Club at 1-Night Special Event

The male host club "TOPDANDY" in Kabukicho is offering a cosplay event for one night only, and it's promoted as a first for the industry. On November 18, women are welcome to show up with their costumes and spend the afternoon with the club's handsome guys. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., before the night activities get started. Non-alcoholic drinks will be on hand that visitors ...
interest

Weekly Cosplay - Alissa Sallah's Marina Cosplay is Off the Hook

Weekly Cosplay is a new series of weekly profiles focusing on diverse groups that make up the fandom community. These profiles will highlight cosplayers of all skill and experience levels and introduce a place to discuss inspiration and challenges from costume creation to embodying the characters we all know and love. Weekly Cosplay is open to all fandom characters, whether its anime, manga, video...
interest

Weekly Cosplay - Hey Jay is the Best Jeanist, Naturally

Weekly Cosplay is a new series of weekly profiles focusing on diverse groups that make up the fandom community. These profiles will highlight cosplayers of all skill and experience levels and introduce a place to discuss inspiration and challenges from costume creation to embodying the characters we all know and love. Weekly Cosplay is open to all fandom characters, whether its anime, manga, video...
interest

Weekly Cosplay - Izzy Saeko's Kasumi from Dead or Alive Kicks Ass

Weekly Cosplay is a new series of weekly profiles focusing on diverse groups that make up the fandom community. These profiles will highlight cosplayers of all skill and experience levels and introduce a place to discuss inspiration and challenges from costume creation to embodying the characters we all know and love. Weekly Cosplay is open to all fandom characters, whether its anime, manga, video...
interest

Weekly Cosplay - EscoBlades Takes on Black Panther's Mantle

Weekly Cosplay is a new series of weekly profiles focusing on diverse groups that make up the fandom community. These profiles will highlight cosplayers of all skill and experience levels and introduce a place to discuss inspiration and challenges from costume creation to embodying the characters we all know and love. Weekly Cosplay is open to all fandom characters, whether its anime, manga, video...
interest

Nagoya Mayor, Aichi Governor Suit Up to Greet World Cosplay Summit Contestants

The World Cosplay Summit is in full swing in Nagoya and each country's representative made a courtesy call to the area's local officials. Aichi prefecture governor Hideaki Ōmura and Nagoya city mayor Takashi Kawamura, who decided to dress up to meet the world's best cosplayers. Ōmura chose to embody Kirito from Sword Art Online this year and Kawamura channeled One Piece's Trafalgar Law. Ōmura shar...
interest

Canadian Cosplayer Arrested in Japan on Suspicion of False Marriage

Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested Canadian cosplayer Shannon Danielle Jean Wong on July 11 on suspicion of falsifying a marriage. She was arrested with her allegedly fake husband Michinari Sasaki, a 37-year-old construction worker. Wong and Sasaki reportedly admitted to the charges. 日本でコスプレしたくて偽装結婚 カナダ人の女逮捕日本でコスプレをしたいと、コスプレ会場で知り合った男に偽装結婚を持ちかけた疑いで、カナダ国籍の女が警視庁に逮捕された。https://t.co/VrKAkPajTi#FNN pic....
interest

Cosplayer Job Site Launches in Japan

Cosplayers Archive, a social network site for Japan's top-level cosplayers, opened the CosJob website on Thursday. The new website offers job information to serious cosplayers. Apparently, both the number of cosplayers looking for professional work and companies seeking to hire cosplayers have been increasing in Japan. The aim of the website is to help cosplayers and companies connect and promote ...
interest

Japan's "No.1 Cosplayer's" Salary Revealed on Abema TV

Abema TV aired a segment titled "Kyūyo Meisai" (Salary Statement) on June 3 revealing what Japan's "No.1 young cosplayer" Uramaru earns for her photo shoots. According to the program, Uramaru earns 10,000 yen per minute (US$100) for photo sessions plus an additional 1,000 yen (US$10) for a two-shot check. Even though the price is high, participants say a photo with Uramaru is worth even more than ...
interest

Pop Team Epic's Popuko, Pipimi Inspire Cosplay, Shoes

For double the trouble, Pop Team Epic fans can cosplay as Popuko or Pipimi with Cospa's new costume set. The set includes a blouse, scarf, skirt, scrunchies, and a bow, and available sizes are ladies' medium and large. The set costs 8,800 yen (about US$80) and is slated for release in October. For fans who want to wear Popuko and Pipimi rather than become them, Amnibus is offering Pop Team Epic s...
interest

3 Kids Crush the Competition in Functional Transformers Costumes

Three kids are destined to own the competition in their functional Transformers costumes. Twitter user @MrBoak shared a video of the costumes in action with the caption "Seriously any other kids attending this fancy dress competition have no idea how badly they're about to get owned" on Sunday and it's already been shared 136,000 times. Since the video was posted, Twitter has blocked the video pos...
interest

Character Designer Mel Kishida Creates Art for World Cosplay Summit 2018

Hanasaku Iroha character designer will also attend event ― This year's giant World Cosplay Summit (WCS) event is heading to Nagoya from July 28 to August 5 and popular character designer and part-time "cosplayer" Mel Kishida is drawing brand new artwork for the event. Kishida's character, who is still unnamed, is the fifth to be created for the cosplay event. Mascot characters already include Yuni, R...
news

Crunchyroll Announces Special Preview of 1st 2 Episodes of Magical Girl Ore Anime

Available for Crunchyroll members now, official launch on April 2 ― Crunchyroll announced on Saturday that it is hosting a special preview broadcast of the first and second episodes of the Magical Girl Ore (Maho Shojo Ore or Magical Girl Boy) anime. The two episodes are available now. The anime series will officially premiere for free users on April 2. Crunchyroll will stream the series worldwide exc...
interest

Japan's Largest Asian Studies Library Welcomes Cosplayers

Cocofuri is collaborating with Tokyo's Toyo Bunko (The Oriental Library) library for a unique cosplay event. Cosplayers and their photographers can make reservations to use the library for photo shoots on April 10, April 24, and June 17. Toyo Bunko is Japan's largest Asian studies library, and it is home to about 1 million volumes. Cosplay photo sessions will be available in the Morrison Archive a...
interest

Event Report: 14th Nippombashi Street Festa in Osaka

150+ photos of Osaka's biggest anime event ― Spring is in the air in Osaka. The plum blossoms are at their peak in Osaka Castle Park, and the cherry blossoms should start blooming next week. And it's time again for Osaka's biggest anime event: the Nippombashi Street Festa. This year was the 14th festival, held in Den Den Town, Osaka's equivalent of the otaku paradise of Akihabara. For those unfamilia...
interest

Celebrity Kanō Sisters Get Custom Cutie Honey Costumes at AnimeJapan

The celebrity duo Kyōko and Mika Kanō are no strangers to saucy photo shoots and appealing to their otaku fanbase. The ladies previously starred in a campaign for the Ensemble Stars! male idol game, appeared in commercials for Comic Toranoana dōjin store, and attended last year's summer Comiket convention. Their popularity in otaku circles is actually pretty new. The Kanō sisters were mostly known...
interest

JoJo Fans Discover Uniqlo Ensemble is the Perfect Kakyoin Cosplay

Cosplay and anime fandom go hand in hand but an exact replica costume of a popular character can get pretty expensive whether it's a sailor uniform or intricate battle armor. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders character Kakyoin already made his high-end casual cosplay debut on the Paris runway, but for those who don't want to fork out a small fortune, some clever fans discovered a less e...
interest

Cosplay Merchandising Giant COSPA Reveals the Most Popular of 2017

Which costumes dominated the cosplay circuit this year? COSPA, one of the largest purveyors of anime, manga, and game costumes, released its list of top-sellers. The results? Fans love to dress up as the girls from Love Live just as much as they like to watch it. The top two spots were taken by Love Live Sunshine's Uranohoshi Girls' High School's summer uniform and the original Love Live's Otonoki...
news

Baito Saki wa Aku no Soshiki!? Super-Villain Comedy Novel Gets Net Anime

Vertical Anime app debuts anime about high schooler working at evil organization on November 13 ― An anime adaptation of Cherubim's Baito Saki wa Aku no Soshiki!? (My Part-Time Job is at an Evil Organization?!) novel has been green-lit on Production I.G 's Tate Anime (Vertical Anime) app. The anime will premiere on November 13. The comedy story centers around Yūji Aokura, a high school student who be...
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BREAKERZ Band Wears Kemono Friends, Gintama Cosplay to Halloween Concert

The rock band BREAKERZ never shies away from a good costume or three. The group donned festive attire again this year for the rock band VAMPS' Halloween Party 2017 concert event. The event was held at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba from October 27-29. The band wore two different anime-inspired sets of costumes this year. Band member Daigo posted pictures on Twitter of the group's ou...
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Fans Pick Their Dream Anime Halloween Costumes

The website Anime! Anime! asked its readers to pick which male and female anime characters they'd like to dress up for Halloween this year. The poll offered choices from some of today's most popular characters but also offered a free input box so participants could write in their choice. A total of 123 people answered the poll, approximately 44% were male and 56% were female. Approximately half we...
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The Cosplay of the Tokyo Game Show 2017 — Part II

More of the awesome cosplay we saw at Tokyo Game Show 2017.
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The Cosplay of the Tokyo Game Show 2017 -- Part I

Here are some of the cosplay highlights from the first public day of the Tokyo Game Show 2017.
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Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, August 7-13

your name. sells 12,806 + 3,140 + 2,658 more, followed by Shouta Aoi, Little Witch Academia, Kamen Rider x Super Sentai, Sailor Moon box ― Shouta Aoi Live 2017 Wonder lab. ~prism~ sold 4,194 copies to rank #4 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. Kamen Rider x Super Sentai Chō Superhero Taisen Collector's Pack landead at #11 with 1,738 copies. The Blu-ray + DVD edition was #30 with 700 copies. Haruka T...
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The Official Cosplay at Fate/Grand Order Fes is Spot On

Fate/Grand Order celebrated its 2nd anniversary this weekend. While there was no fan cosplay, the official cosplay on display was fantastic.
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Justice League's Ezra Miller Cosplays as Fullmetal Alchemist's Ed at Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con International brought out all the superheroes this weekend in the one event where fans can catch glimpses of Chris Hemsworth, Ben Affleck, Mark Ruffalo, and Cate Blanchette in the same place. One of the DC Universe's biggest stars, Justice League's Flash actor Ezra Miller, was also there, but he wasn't in red supersuit. Miller spent the weekend dressed as none other than Edward...
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Actress Rika Adachi Cosplays as Kemono Friends' Serval

The Kemono Friends franchise has a new celebrity fan. Actress Rika Adachi posted pictures on Instagram and Twitter of herself cosplaying as Serval on Sunday. Adachi wore the outfit for her appearance on the FM Nack 5 radio station's "Nack5 Special 'Anison Friends'" program. Adachi hosted the program with singer-songwriter and actor Yūtaro Miura. In the station's first program dedicated to anime so...
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Best Saber Cosplay Yet Uses Projection Mapping Tech

Saber (Artoria Pendragon) is a popular character to cosplay from the Fate franchise. Even cats are getting in on the costumed action. Gomi and his tech circle TechnoAlta revealed what may be the best Saber cosplay yet in a "Summoning the 'King of Knights'" video earlier this month. The video begins with the project's complete two-minute cosplay video then explains the multi-faceted approach Gomi a...
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Anime Expo 2017 Cosplay Gallery

Four days' worth of incredible cosplay photos from the biggest anime convention in the United States. ― IMG dscn0492.jpg IMG dscn0493.jpg IMG dscn0494.jpg IMG dscn0499.jpg IMG dscn0501.jpg IMG dscn0502.jpg IMG dscn0503.jpg IMG dscn0505.jpg IMG dscn0506.jpg IMG dscn0508.jpg IMG dscn0509.jpg IMG dscn0510.jpg IMG dscn0512.jpg IMG dscn0514.jpg IMG dscn0516.jpg IMG dscn0517.jpg IMG dscn0520.jpg IMG dscn0...
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DIY Video Series Shows How to Make Your Own Yu-Gi-Oh! Millennium Puzzle

The web series "DIY Prop Shop" took on Yūgi Mutō's Millennium Puzzle in its latest video. While the version doesn't contain the memories of a deceased Egyptian pharaoh, it does make a stunning display piece or cosplay prop. Host Vinny Logozio breaks down how to make the item using cardboard, foam, and a little bit of free-handing to make the item really pop. The DIY Prop Shop series has more video...
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Controversial Oculus Founder Cosplays as Metal Gear Solid 5's Quiet

Oculus founder Palmer Luckey has recently caused controversy with scandal rumors, lawsuits, and his departure from social media and Oculus. Now he is stirring things up more by attending anime conventions cosplaying as Quiet from Metal Gear Solid V. Attendees of Machi Asobi, a convention in Tokushima, Japan, spotted Luckey in full costume. He wore a bikini top and ripped fishnet stockings, and hel...
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Gintama Classifieds: Cosplay as Elizabeth for 50,000 Yen

The part-time job news service An has already posted listings for positions such as manga "extra," Resident Evil zombie, and Death Note Shinigami. The latest in the site's series of pop culture-related listings is recruiting someone to cosplay as Elizabeth for an event for the live-action Gintama film. The website is collaborating with the film to offer the one-day job to one person. The successfu...
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Cute Cat Tries Out Fate/Stay Night Saber Cosplay

Tokushima's Machi Asobi anime festival brought out one particularly cuddly cosplayer on Friday. The cat's blue dress and scaled armor meant only one thing: someone accomplished the impossible and found a cat that would serve them instead of vice versa. Such a rare feline could only have been summoned using magic of some kind, as it is against the laws of the natural world for a cat to be a human's...
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Sakura-Con 2017 News Round-Up: Day One, Two

The Anime News Network crew are on site at the Pacific Northwest's largest convention as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. Keep checking back for news and cosplay photos! ― April 14-16 2017 Seattle, Washington Day One Headlines Funimation Licenses Hyouka Anime Aniplex USA Adds Katsugeki! Touken Ranbu TV Anime Series Sekai Project to Release CyberRebeat -The Fifth Domain of Warfare- Game This Year ...
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Syfy's Cosplay Melee Challenges Cosplayers to Outdo Each Other for $10,000

As any con-goer can tell you, cosplayers put a lot of dedication, skill, patience, creativity, and an eye for detail into their work. In fact, sometimes it seems like the most impressive cosplayers draw almost as much attention as the guests. Cosplayers have received more and more mainstream attention as well, as demonstrated in a new reality competition series on Syfy channel, Cosplay Melee. A co...
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From Hobby to Professional: Growing Up as a Cosplayer in Japan

It's a long, hard road to do cosplaying professionally--even in Japan.
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The Cosplay of AnimeJapan 2017: Day 2

From Hellsing to Steins;Gate, here's some more of the cosplay we ran across at AnimeJapan 2017.
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The Cosplay of AnimeJapan 2017: Day 1

KONOSUBA, Kemono Friends, Ensemble Stars, Black Butler, Attack on Titan and more.

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