Beyond Shibuya! Why are super cosplayers “gathering in Ikebukuro”? | FRIDAY DIGITAL

Beyond Shibuya! Why are super cosplayers “gathering in Ikebukuro”?

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LINE

The “Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2022” was held for two days from October 29 to 30 at Toshima Municipal Toshima Midorino Disaster Prevention Park (nicknamed “IKE-SUNPARK”) in Ikebukuro.

Scene on the day of the Halloween event

The Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest is a cosplay event that includes various events such as “Cosplayer Of The Year 2023,” where cosplayers compete for the grand prize of the year and their love of cosplay, and the “World Cosplay Summit Stage,” where cosplayers from around the world show their cosplay.

Events such as the “Ikehara Cosplay Parade” held from Sunshine Street in front of Hareza Ikebukuro and the “Cosplay Gathering” where cosplayers of the same work or theme enjoy taking group photos with other cosplayers are also held on a pre-COVID-19 crisis scale. Ikebukuro was vividly decorated by cosplayers.

In “Cosplayer Of The Year 2023,” the centerpiece event of the “Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2022,” 87 Pumpkin won the overall grand prize. On stage, he said, “I never thought I would receive such an award. I was very happy to be able to interact with so many cosplayers. Thank you very much.

87Kabocha” won the overall grand prix of “Cosplayer Of The Year 2023.

In addition to the parade and stage, many cosplayers participated in the event, showing off their cosplay of the games “Uma Musume,” “FGO (Fate/Grand Order),” “Harakami” and the anime “SPY x FAMILY,” “Chainsaw Man” and “Oni no Kane”.

People from various backgrounds, including those who normally work as accountants in companies or receptionists as civil servants, enjoyed an extraordinary experience as they underwent spectacular transformations in the locker rooms.

Cosplayers enjoying the Halloween event (Yukito-san)
Cosplayers enjoying the Halloween event (yuyu on the left, RINKo on the right)
At the Halloween event, Toshima Ward provided information on the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence. (A female Toshima Ward employee)

Beside these ordinary cosplayers who enjoy cosplaying as a hobby on their days off, there was a cosplayer who was “working” with great ambitions burning brightly. When we asked her about it, she told us that she was aiming to become a “professional cosplayer.

Pro cosplayers are cosplayers who make a living from photo collections and fan clubs. The most famous cosplayers in Japan, such as Enako, fall into this category.

In order to be called “professional cosplayers,” these women display their well-thought-out poses and costumes. Dozens of photographers lined up to take pictures of the popular cosplayers.

Dozens of photographers lined up to take pictures of popular cosplayers (Yushiko-san)
Popular cosplayers with dozens of photographers lining up to take their pictures (Emilia Sakurai on the left, Rua on the right)
Popular cosplayers with dozens of photographers lined up

A person from a cosplayer dispatch agency who was promoting the cosplayers he manages at IKE-SUNPARK said, “Cosplayers are between the ages of 20 and 30.

Cosplayers are in their prime between the ages of 20 and 30. Our girls are going to events all over Japan to become the next Enako,” said a person at a cosplayer management agency.

The cosplayers’ expressions and poses are enthusiastic, as if they could become very famous cosplayers who would appear on TV and magazine covers.

We can’t take our eyes off these cosplayers who are climbing the ladder to become big stars of the future!

Scenes from the day of the Halloween event
Scenes from the day of the Halloween event
Scenes from the day of the Halloween event
Ikebukuro on the day of the Halloween event
Ikebukuro on the day of Halloween event
  • Photographed by Takero Yui

Photo Gallery12 total

Photo Selection

Check out the best photos for you.

Related Articles