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COSPLAY NATIONSPHOTOGRAPHY SHOTA HATAMATHE TOKYO BIBLE

VOL.01/ FALL 2009COSPLAY ISSUE

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Javits Center, NewYork, NYC

September, 2009

COSPLAY NATIONS

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Many Japanese words are used around the world today such as, Samurai, Ninja, Yakuza, Sushi, Manga, and Sake. It seems like people fetishize

not only its culture but also its subculture. Cosplay, short for “costume play” is a type of performance art representing a specific character or idea, which are often drawn from manga, Japanese comic books, anime and video games. It differs from Halloween and other masquerade costume wear, not only not in existing on any particular holiday, but also in its goal. Moreover, the biggest difference between Japanese cosplay and Western cosplay is their style. Western cosplay is based primarily on science fiction and historical fantasy as opposed to animation. It is more common for Western cosplayers to recreate characters from live-action series such as Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter than it is for Japanese cosplayers. Western costumers also include subcultures of hobbyists who participate in Renaissance faires, and historical re-enactments such as Civil War battles. However, cosplay, which Japanese people use, completely differs from them. It is much cooler, more unique and fabulous. Cosplay represents the most interesting Japanese subculture today.

FETISHISMOF

JAPANESESUBCULTURE

TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY SHOTA HATAMA


At Anime Festival ’09, Javits Center, NYC, there were many people who are love in Japanese subculture, such as not only cosplay, but also anime, manga, and video game. However, hero and heroine here was cosplayers.

The more fantastic the costumes he or she is wearing, the more attention they get. So, it seems like their dreams come true. In Japan, many of teenagers gather with like-minded friends in places Harajuku and Akihabara in Tokyo, both cities are popular cities known as the most abnormal places in Japan, as well as the most unique and eccentric cities in the world. Indeed, since 1998, Akihabara has contained a large number of cosplay cafés, called “maid cafés” in Japan, catering to devoted anime and cosplay fans. The waitresses at such cafés dress as video game or anime characters; maid costumes are particularly popular. To those people who sympathize and are crazy about cosplay, such places are like a heaven. And, to them, cosplay is a never ending hobby, that is to say, it is a Peter Pan syndrome. It is sure that this day was such a NEVER LAND for them.

COSPLAYINgIS LIkE A

PETER PAN SYNDROME


T hose people who addicted to cosplay usually think, ”I wanna be famous” or “ I should be the one who

looks like its character.” If one tries to take a picture of them, one would understand what I am trying to say here. Staring into their eyes, one might think “Yes, she is the one.” Not only their eyes, but also their pose have strong robust which makes one fascinate it. As if they are like one of actual

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characters from manga, anime and video game. Age and sex are not considerable aspects to do cosplay. The only matter is to declare one’s intentions. Even though the character is a man in the manga, girls who love his would do a cosplay like him. In the contrast, even if the character were a girl, one who fascinated with her would do too. Age is the same as sex. If the character who one love are old, he or she would make up

“WHODOESN’T

WANT TO BEFAMOUS?”

like the elder. Those reason, I san say cosplay is a borderless entertainment; furthermore, if you are very similar to the character, it is possible to become most famous model in the wonderland. Once again, “who doesn’t want to be famous?”

COSPLAY ISSUE


Photography Shota Hatama

Boasting fascinating costumes and rich expression, the cosplay is both in name and reality the highest honor in subculture that can be bestowed in the world today. At the NYAF’09, Anime Festival New York 09, there were thousands people who were not only from New York City, but also from other countries such as France, Italy, Japan, and so on. To them, cosplay might be a sort of fashion bible, “the Tokyo Bible.”

THETOKYO

BIBLE











Creative Director / Art Director / Editor / Photographer

Shota [email protected]://www.hatasho.net

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHOTA HATAM AAT NEW YORK AN IME FEST IVAL ,09

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