Have you ever thought of going to Japan to experience the cosplay world there? To join in their competitions.?

Well I have.. and I am planning on going there someday....



Share your thoughts..

Thank You for the information you're giving to this thread of mine.. it is very helpful. Hindi ko po aakalain na some of you here have already gone to Japan.

i wanted travel to japan not only to experience their cosplay events there but also to learn and and see how they conduct their cosplay events there and maybe we could adopt their system ^^

paging PRINCE_OSHARE....share ur story here...


and btw, he has been to japan and as he have said...wula daw catwalk catwalk dun..and maybe he should tell the rest...

ang gusto ko lng makuha natin sa cosplaying event nila is yung mga sponsors.....kasi more sponsors means more freebies, fun and Frizes..

lols...pinilit na tatlong F..hehe ^_^

lamang lang sila sa ganda at gwapo pero lamang tayo sa creativity and skills...heheheeheh..

so lets call it fair!

I'd like to be able to see the famous Harajuku district for myself -- I've been told that it's a very colorful place, in terms of lolita, visual kei, j-rock, or just plain costripping.

One of the admins here are just going there for the lolis. :D

Me, i'd probably just cover an event. Harajuku district is mostly J-Rock/J-Pop/Gothloli themed costrip, so im basically out of the game. Akihabara on the other hand, is the place for me, even if im not going to cosplay.

But if given a chance to actually cosplay there, i'd probably would, if i get my hands on proper building materials.

adapting their system you say, that is good. Para ma-improve lalo ang cosplay dito sa Pilipinas.

Kasi nga naman, maraming nagcocosplay, pero yung iba hindi pa talaga alam why people cosplay,(gaya ko) hehe.. ayun! kasi nga naman yung iba hobby na, yung iba para pampalipas oras.

Pero mukhang sa Japan iba nga naman talaga ang ibig sabihin ng cosplay.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

and i expect this sign when we arrive to japan XDDD

i'd agree with you eva_guy...not only loli's...shota's as well...:D

been to japan before...business trip (w/ pleasure of course hehehehehe)
di nga lang ako nakapaggala masyado, around shibuya-roponggi & nagoya lang ako...
hopefully this time with my current company (based in nagoya), makapaggala na ko esp. to our heaven...Akiba...

sephi's right also...it's a good thing to know how japanese organize/do cosplay...and like jiteroshi stated according to prince_oshare (who has been to japan)...cosplay's there do not have catwalks...which is true...

maybe for me, cosplay is only a part of my list...my main reason for going (back) to japan is their rich culture...gusto kong puntahan lahat ng castles & shrines nila esp. matsumoto (nagano pref.) & nagoya castle, and kiyomizu temple in kyoto...bitin ako from my last trip eh...hehehehehe

Since I've caught glimpses of Akihabara@Deep...

I think (do correct me if I am wrong), the cosplay events there is like costripping: Be in costume, pose for the camera, wander around the venue...

^^;;

Why not create a Cosplay competition with a longer goal or prize ex: bound for japan? :P


The current Cosplay practice here in the Phil. is, parang "Guerilla warfare."
Seperate conventions different organizers "Most" with-out reasonable prizes, very few with.

Proposal:
1. Create a consolidated/ planned cosplay event by levels or by region:

a.) meaning a competion screening the best cosplayers per region in the philippines or by category.

Winners will represent their regions

Final round will be held in Manila.

b.)after that the CHAMPION shall we say will represent the philippines in world cosplay conventions "Japan!!!". Ala ANIMAX ATA yun nung si SAITO yung nanalo a few years back between 1999-2002 i think though Hongkong was the destination then.

Advantage:
1. Competitions will have a direction.
2. Longetivity of cosplaying will be possible
3. For organizers and cosplayers predictability of attendees and events will be a lot easier!!
4. Data for future planning and financial projections for organizers will also be possible :P


Why not ask organizers or cast votes with in this community if this proposal is possible??? :P

naku, matagal nang dream iyan ng mga cosplay organizers,
dami lang talagang sakit ng ulo para mabuo iyan.

simulan natin sa FINANCE (sagutin ang tanong: bakit mag i invest ang mga sponsor?)

tapos MANPOWER (ang volunteers, kung hindi student, ay may day job, therefore may ibang bagay na inaasikaso bukod sa cosplay hobby nya...)

tapos... MATH (as in, "you do the math" :P hehehe)

*********

si Krizelle, nag cosplay/cosplay trip na sa TokyoGameShow dati, naka Kafra Girl sya ng Ragnarok,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Pol.../DSC01167-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Pol...ad/DSC01201.jpg


ang nangyari parang lakad lakad and then pose nga lang yung ginawa niya (tulad ng iba pang mga Japanese cosplayers doon)...

*********

hindi ba yung mga cosplayer sa Japan ay hindi naman talaga nagco contest, nagpupunta lang sila sa isang area sa akihabara (or shinjuku?) kapag weekend para mag dress up ?

isang way din yata yon para i-show off ng mga amateur& upcoming clothes designers ang kanilang skill ?

or kung hindi naman ay may mga specific theme yung events na binabagayan nila, tulad ng Comiket (anything goes cosplay - anime, manga, games, doujin & orig characters), or Tokyo Game Show nga (mostly videogames), or sa mga toys/collectibles events like Wonderfest (dito yata nagdadatingan yung mga Gundams/mecha cosplayers) ?

*********

?
?
profit
win?

especially since one ticket to japan costs around 30k, but thankfully, that's a two-way (back and forth) trip na. then you'll have to worry about accomodations.

cosplay there aren't actually competitions like we do here. by chance, we happened upon the cosmode spring gathering while we were there and it was mostly photographers and cosplayers gathered in one place, like one big photoshoot. tapos people there bring suitcases for their costumes. :P but i guess it's convenient since they use the train lang naman.

if you really want to see cosplayers in japan, there are more in akiba, especially on sundays, when they close off the main road. although sometimes on the weekdays there are the occasional sightings of crossplayers--we saw a guy walking around dressed in rei and asuka's school uniform. the place to go to for goth/jrock stuff is takeshita dori, but the goth/loli/jrock cosplayers during the weekends are supposedly in yoyogi-koen, which is behind JR line's harajuku station but we weren't able to pass by and see. anyway, if you want lolis, there are quite some of them walking around in various parts of tokyo because that seems to be the fashion there. :P and yes, they shop and dine and walk around in those dresses, with the ruffles and bows and the curly hair. may nakasabay kami actually while touring the ghibli museum.

Polidread=
Hmm!! on the first place organizers are already investing. Profit is there the perspective being used by organizers aim only at immediate return of investment.
Typical mentality for an enterprenuerial setting.

Your question:
1.why invest?(as an organizer)
=They are investing basic marketing/ advertising perspective or principle. Product exposure for games, brand recognition and to haul in the crowd.

Cosplayers serve as the catalyst or shall we say models for free :P

=advertising aims at POTENTIAL customers increasing sales for toycon, level-up etc. Cost benefit analysis even potential benefit.

2. Manpower?
=Volunteers for the event you mean? an organization can forsee the cost even the profit they already have the data (projection). Total fixed cost (manpower, venue, etc) + I.R.R (internal rate of return)

=if your refering to cosplayers?
there consistent though the Turn-over rate (meaning persentage of old cosplayers to new ratio) aint yet available though assumptions is possible.

3.Math?
= +/- 200-500 thousand for large organizations is irrelevant now that should cover the expenses for the trip i believe.
=AMORTIZzzzE the expense they can do that. :P

What's lacking is:
1. Motivation: a sense of direction even purpose.
2. Exposure: the culture of cosplaying in genaral.
3. Unified organization creating the events itself.

Note: We have the talents and the skill (halata naman), a precedent also exist (saito). A japanese speaker in PTCC once said "The Philippines lacks leadership or a leader figure" i would like to believe its not true!!!

<OT>

Sa pagkaka-alam ko nagsimula naman talaga ang cosplay dito sa pilipinas bilang "hobby" talaga. Yun nga minsan nagagamit ang cosplayers panghatak ng tao o' kaya pang-palaki ng profit.^_^
wish ko lang sana na wala nalang competitions sa mga events sana cosplay gatherings nalang para walang pagtatalo. At para walang ding lalaki ang ulo diba?

<OT OFF>

Basta kapag pumunta ako sa cosplay capital nila dun magdadala ako ng madaming memory stick para mahaba-habang picturan.
Pagkatapos kakain ng ramen habang naka-sanosuke costume...hehehe..

>> Post Removed <<
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with regards of sending representatives in Japan...it's the thing of the past just like polidread has stated, matagal na dream yan...it's true organizers are facing a common dilemma when it comes to that, why? simple: investment/finances, & sponsorship.

in a typical philippine business setting nowadays...they usually go for "x-deals" due to minimized budget/expenditures...siguro it would take a miracle for the organizers to get a cash sponsor eh...and most of the finances usually came from the pockets of the organizers themselves knowing the return of investment is 50/50 or baka 40/60 or worst 30/70...kaya mahirap talaga.

===================

on the other hand:

higa: i would like to suggest your post should be posted on the thread you created...this is a different topic from what you are posting. thanks!

lets just say nalang na ang cosplay ngaun ay isa nalang laro ng mga anime, game and japan culture enthusiasts.....

retsu = dont forget they do also history and values..after the math heheehhehe

naku, masaya nga mag cosplay sa japan mismo, noh?

yung makikita mo yung ibang cosplayer doon (detalyado ang mga costume nila na sila mismo ang gumawa, tela or tahi or mecha)

yung magpipicture ka na ang background ay maganda (kasi nga nasa japan ka, malamang may magandang lugar n backdrop mo)

tapos matutuwa sila sa iyo kasi unique din yung costume mo, tapos foreigner ka pa (mahilig din sila sa foreigner, aliw na aliw din sila kapag pareho ng hilig nila yung ginagawa mo- cosplay!)

baka may matutunan ka pang techniques sa pag improve ng costumes mo!

Wow, after many years this topic resurfaces. As I guess most people are new to the scene, it might be good to review the facts:

1) Cosplay in Japan is *not* a competition like it is here. There are no regionals or anything at the national level (other than media events.) In fact, they don't even have a catwalk in most cases. They just hang around an area and take pictures. Is it really worth it for a company to send people over there to have their pictures taken?

2) Cosplay is *not* a sport. There aren't a huge line of sponsors lining up to back competitions with big bucks. Most cosplayers don't do their costumes themselves (in fact, most cosplayers in Japan have it commissioned or rent them out).

3) Cosplay is *not* a fashion show. The designs are derivative (they have to be) and cosplay is not recognized by fashion magazines or fashion designers. If they were original designs, they would be fashion shows.

4) Cosplay is *not* a performing art. Sorry, but we don't do competitive dance routines or sing like champions.

5) There is no universal sanctioning body that presides over cosplay. There are no federation or even universal rules as they change from event to event.

6) In most cases, cosplays have been side events or gatherings, not events in themselves. To be honest, they're just there for added crowd draw, not to draw more sponsors.

7) You have to somehow convince a company here to shell out big bucks with a partner company in Japan. The Hong Kong AXN championship was organized by Singaporeans not the Japanese. Ever wonder why it never happened again? If it was a financial windfall, don't you think it would've been repeated over and over? Even Animax is diverging more into fashion and music rather than cosplay.

actually, i was under the impression that a lot of them DO make their own costumes. there are quite a number that have them commissioned but even so it can be expensive even for them. besides, japanese students have homerooms where they are taught how to sew so it is possible that they do make their own costumes.

i can vouch for the fact that not a lot of the cosplays we saw last summer were "perfectly made", but those were mostly the unique costumes. common dresses, like maid outfits, were possibly mostly bought from stores.

going back to the topic...

i think the main draw for cosplaying in japan is, well, japan itself. they may not have started the hobby, but they are the ones responsible for anime and manga, whose characters make the hobby flourish, so it's understandable that it would be a dream for avid fans to make cosplaying there a sort of pilgrimage. for that to come true, however, will have to require means other than getting other people to sponsor you (by winning it as a prize, representing the country, etc. etc.) since, as it currently stands, the cost does not justify the returns said sponsor will get by doing so.

i'd be a little apprehensive, actually, as a foreign (filipino) cosplayer amongst local japanese cosplayers. :P but that's just me.

Perhaps a lot of the casual cosplayers do their own costumes, but most of the ones you see on the internet that people drool over were commissioned or rented. In addition, a lot of those pictures were photoshopped. This is, of course, based on conversations with Akira (the guy who exported costumes made here to Japan) and the Japanese cosplay magazines I've seen with a lot of advertising for pre-made costumes, costume rentals, or costume commissions.

Perhaps a pilgrimage to Japan could be appealing to some, but I feel those people would feel out of place as cosplay there is completely different from cosplay here. I feel that cosplay here has more of a similarity to cosplay in the US or Canada than in Japan. At least in those countries, they have a catwalk.

I just feel it's odd since I feel one of the greatest draws to cosplay here is seeing familiar faces and talking about how costumes are made or just hanging out together. Imagine being in a foreign country where you're surrounded by people whose language you barely understand. I bet the cosplayers would feel alienated in that environment. Perhaps if they were just spectators, it would be alright, but as competitors in another culture, they'll feel like outsiders.

There are other alternatives though that are more feasible, but I feel cosplay needs more exposure and to be more mainstream than it is now. I feel we have made big steps towards it through the hard work of certain cosplayers, but we still have some ways to go. After all, it was only a few months ago that we had a cosplay magazine and only about a year or two ago that the media even paid attention to cosplay.

...and somewhere, somehow, a fanboy lets out an anguished scream and dies.

Yes, I agree with the previous two posts. For me, cosplaying is one of my favorite hobbies simply because you get to interact with people who have similar interests with you. But how do you go about that in a foreign place with only foreign faces? I'd rather start out as a photographer, thank you.

gotta remind ourselves that cosplay for the japanese is an end unto itself, meaning when a japanese cosplayer completse the costume and get to wear it in a public place and flaunts his individuality even for just an afternoon, then that's it.

but when a foreign cosplayer intends to cosplay in japan, one of his main purposes for doing so is to go to the roots of his hobby - japan.
he may feel it's more authentic and one of the pinnacles of his hobby to be cosplaying in japan.

he may be a "cosplay celebrity" in his native country, but obviously out there nobody knows him - so it's more of a personal learning/feeling experience than anything.

it has happened to American cosplayers who visited and cosplayed in Comiket, the same thing for Japanese cosplayers who came and visited and cosplayed in the SanDiego Comicon. The individual gets to enjoy his cosplay moment in a foreign terrritory and is celebrated by others there for being a foreigner who enjoys the same hobby, but afterwards, that's it - cosplay is an end onto itself.

and you dont necessarily have to drag in any sponsors for your own gratification, it's just inappropriate. Much better for the sponsor to invest in something like The Olympics and their nation's Olympic contingent

Thanks VERY NICE POINTS!!!! VEeeeeRRY informative

I've heard from a friend in Advertising regarding the "X-Deal" thanks for clarrifying the stuff retsu.

I'm looking at the events set-up and planning base on a different industry in which im familiar with and it really seems that each industry is unique to itself!!! :P

Crow=
Yes I agree that Cosplay itself has gone a long way in terms of Media Coverage and Magazine!!
Also thanks i've over looked the fact that AXN did'nt organized a second event in Hongkong (taught it was animax :P ), now come to think of it even GMA7 for anime explotion!!!

Also I agree that the reason why we liked cosplaying is because of the interaction with people! the endless conversation with those of the same hobbies and inetrest

Polidread=
as all of you pointed out, it seems the end was already foreseen by most of you!!! :P

To all: Thanks :bow: bow:
still i would like to see how this all will come to a close!!! I still believe that there is a very huge place for improvements in organizing and managing this types of events! Me pagka anti-admin lang siguro talaga ako!!

But again i appreciate your comments!! To the person who've started the topic I think you have some of the answers your looking for (Why you like or choose cosplaying!!) But in the end the answer will still come from YOU ALONE!!

like polidread said na marami kadin matutunan sa kanila even also you can make friends w/ them kc parang kakaiba kc ang mga aura...lets just say na curious sila sa atin

ako sinama na ako ng tita ko sa Japan when I was 12 years old (now i am 14). Masaya toh, promise! and what i really appreciate sa kanila ay walang pakialamanan system ang umiiral sa COSTrippers and cosplayers dun...i wore LOLI's, harajuku fashion and other characters..:D super asteeg kasi natutuwa pa sila..They're very open with new fashion breakthroughs and they talk with you even if they do not know you. that's why mrame akong friends na japanese s XDCOSTrippers and cosplayers. XD
but i do remember that my tita also brought me in the AXN competition nung 2000 sa singapore..that's why i am familiar with JM chua...XD haha

sama ko lang ito as refference...

retsu = sorry kung nai-post ko...na carried away ako sa pic na yun eh...heheheheheh^_^ ang ganda!...world coslay summit ng japan 07 sa nagoya

Cosplay competitions are very rare in Japan.

The last time I attended one was during the Square Enix Party (May 2007)---and that was only limited to Square Enix characters. Yun talaga may prize for the winner pero it isnt much eh...mga goodies lang wala pa nga atang cash e...i cant remember na...

Cosplay there is really something like "pang-trip lang".
Yung Kafra costume na sinoot ko nung TGS2005 and another Kafra costume nung TGS2006 was just out of "trip lang" mode. xD

It's funny because during TGS 2005 I just wore the costume from the house I stayed in all the way to the convention hall. It feels really good to walk around in your costume and the people that pass by just look at you like a normal person xD

Pero nung TGS 2006, nagdala na ako ng luggage to put my costume in (it's common there kay super obvious kung cosplayer ka kasi may luggage kang dala na maliit @_@;;;) tas nagbihis nalang ako dun sa c.r. ng convention hall.

Tas yung mga cosplayers sa mga events usually that is initiated na by the fans themselves and not by the organizers. Nagkakaroon lang ng interference with the organizers if they see na ang daming cosplayers palang dumadating so usually what they (organizers) do is they leave an open space area and set-up changing booths for those who want to cosplay.

Yun lang, just sharing my numerous experiences with cosplays in Tokyo.

Dice

sakang kicks = pero some or few cospalyers are also envy at you (kahit ako) na makaranas ng ganun...your lucky to join in that event

OT-
azikiel, multiple postings in the forum is not allowed for the sake of the other posters. sent you a pm about it.

I can't speak of first-hand experience of cosplaying in Japan, but I've had many friends that have gone there to cosplay at Comiket.

Comiket is the biggest anime/manga-related event in Japan that draws thousands of people from all over the country twice a year (there's a summer and winter Comiket). Cosplay there is only allowed in an outdoor "Cosplay Plaza" and you must pay about ¥800 to do so. As a cosplayer, there are several rules you have to follow:

1) You cannot arrive in costume. You must change in specially designated changing rooms at Comiket (one for males and one for females). These rooms are typical changing rooms, but more like large rooms without curtains or doors to partition any spaces off.

2) You cannot wear your costume anywhere but the Cosplay Plaza. This is for crowd control... since Comiket is so huge and busy, any traffic caused by cosplayers posing for pictures anywhere outside of the Cosplay Plaza would be very difficult to organize.

3) You cannot have any costume pieces that extend beyond about 30 cm from you.

4) No props/weapons/etc.

5) No revealing excess skin. If you're wearing a skimpy costume, you generally get ushered to a table before you're allowed to the plaza so that Comiket staff can make sure that your costume won't cause any embarassing/revealing "wardrobe malfunctions." If they deem you too scandalous or not covered up enough, they won't let you out. This is the reason why you may see a lot of girls at Comiket that wear full-body leotards underneath certain costumes.

Summer Comiket is usually mid/late August... when it's really humid and hot in Tokyo. If it rains during that weekend, they rope off a section of the center (Tokyo Big Sight) just for cosplayers, but it gets even more crowded in that case. Winter Comiket usually happens the weekend after Christmas and it's generally freezing cold outside.

There are a TON of cosplay events in Japan compared to anywhere else. Many of them are themed events where they only allow cosplayers of a certain series (D.Gray-man, Bleach, Maria-sama ga Miteru, etc.) and not all of the events have as strict a set of rules as Comiket. However, Comiket is the event that draws the biggest crowds and has the biggest amount of international cosplayers. Most events, however, do charge an admission fee for all cosplayers and photographers.

wow, that's very informative! thanks for sharing!

kawawa pala ang pilipino cosplayer pag nagpunta siya sa Comiket -

matigas ang ulo at pasaway - hindi lulusot sa rules!

nyaha!

@positivespace

thanx for sharing that info ^^
i've also heard of rules for cosplay photographers at Comiket...do you have an idea on what the rules are? ^^

"ask the cosplayer nicely if you want to take upskirt photos of her"

"if she denies your request, try your best not to get caught while stealing a shot anyway"

uh ? XD

dont misinterpret me, kiddo.


what i meant is - the point of cosplaying is COSPLAYING.

you dress up as your favorite character and that's it.



you may gain a prize of wealth or fame or tons of "friends" but all of that is secondary.

but that's just my opinion. im sure other folks have their own main reasons for cosplaying.

Share ko lang rin, info from one of my online comms:
@Comiket - This is primarily a convention where mangaka and/or doujinka circles meet and sell their wares, right? It's a very large convention and that's the reason why there are so many restrictions on the cosplayers -- there have been incidents involving disgruntled cosplayers and perverted photographers.

Photographers must always ask for permission first before taking pictures of cosplayers. Some photogs have sold pictures of cosplayers without permission, leading to nasty spats between Comiket organizers and some people.

The upside is, some of the best of the best (redundant phrase is redundant) cosplayers go to Comiket. Thus photographers actually fly to Tokyo and pay the fee. It's a nice way to meet hundreds of other cosplayers. Downside? As positivespace said, it depends on which Comiket, Summer or Winter. It's outdoors, so the booths and the people are at the mercy of nature.

Want to see the rules of Comiket? Very, very strict.

For Retsu or crowe or free for all!! :P

Just a few questions:
1. How come other contries have representatives for WCS (world cosplay summit)?
What is WCS anyway?
It seems they have eliminations for the invitation rites, right within their countries? :unsure:

2. Ahm why cant I see the flag of the philippines at cosplay.com? dont we have any forums like this there? :unsure: