Anime Costumes - Japanese Anime Cosplay

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Anime Themed Costumes

Anime costumes are a serious affair in Japan. They fuel a viral subculture called "cosplay" (a hybrid word combining "costume" and "play" and pronounced kosupuray; syllables can't end with consonants in Japanese.) From the streets of Harajuku, known for its outré fashions, to nightclubs, amusement parks and cafes in Akihabara: it's not unusual to bump into real life versions of characters typically encountered only in manga and anime.

But probably the greatest concentration of fantastic anime costumes can be found during the semi-annual "Comiketo" ---the largest comic convention in the world--- held in Tokyo proper, in August and December, with over half a million attending. Admission is free.

Cosplay subculture, and the popularity of anime costumes, spread from Japan to other Asian countries and soon had inroads all over the world. Anime conventions and cherry blossom parades from San Francisco to Boston now host their own contingents of cosplayers. This Halloween, don't be too surprised if you see some of these surreal characters popping up at your party or doorstep! And if you ever choose toleave home in such a costume, especially for something mundane like grocery shopping, well, as Jeff Foxworthy might say, "you may be an otaku."

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