Dressed to thrill

Chinese fans of Japanese culture.. good to see.

Cosplay Summit is a weird concept. A summit for people who dress up to look like anime? What's to discuss? also, shame this is seen as one of Japan's key cultural areas of focus.

Cosplay Summit is a weird concept. A summit for people who dress up to look like anime? What's to discuss? also, shame this is seen as one of Japan's key cultural areas of focus.

Are you serious? Japan THRIVES on this quirky, geeky, ultra-cool and weird image. It's a huge asset for Japan, and the reason why so many visitors long to visit and experience Japan.

Cosplay = silly narcissism, but still several cuts above piercing and tattooing.

This is not a Japanese phenomena or invention. The rest of the world has had it for years as well, it is called FANCY DRESS. We even do it at cricket matches but I don't know why. Do you really believe that the Japanese were the first to dress up as characters?

What costume is the vice minister wearing? And why is he holding a Doraemon doll?

Thank god there was a caption or I might have thought it was a new cabinet.

Cosplay = silly narcissism, but still several cuts above piercing and tattooing.

And not an insult really considering that all of us have narcissistic traits in us. Co-play conventions like this are really just alike minded folks getting a chance to show off their latest "fashion".

Doraemon! <3

Cosplay Conventions, Trekkie Conventions, Comic Con... They are all very popular with many dressing up.

I only know Ash Crimson... The one with blonde hair...

I think the Vice Minster is cosplaying AS the Vice Minister :)

nothing wrong with having fun, cosplay is an enjoyable activity and is neither more nor less an acceptable ie fine thing to do than any mass sports event where people just sit there and do nothing themselves..at least cos players are being pro active and DOING something themselves. If you want to learn more about cosplay, i suggest the first two seasons of the great anime series Genshiken, the latest third season is not worthy of the first two, so ignore it. Enjoy and i am glad the cosplayers got some coverage here :)

Andrea and Massio's neckties are awesome! And nice salutes!

It's a huge asset for Japan

Kinda like Mickey's a huge asset for Disneyland..

Kind of an odd role reversal. Usually it's foreign dignitaries who come in and are surrounded by Japanese tarento, mascots and whatnot.

Cosplay = silly narcissism

How is it narcissism to minimize one's own identity and dress up as someone else?

Thank goodness the newspaper identified Vice Foreign Minister Kenta Wakabayashi, third from left.