Sachiko Kobayashi takes a photo with cosplayers who visited the event.
Ikebukuro, not Shibuya, may have been the most exciting town for Halloween this year.
The “Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2023 Powered by dwango” (Ike Halloween) was held for two days from October 28 to 29 at Toshima Ward’s Toshima Midori no Bosai Park (nicknamed “IKE-SUNPARK”) in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. This is in contrast to Shibuya Ward, which enforced traffic restrictions, etc. Toshima Ward promoted Ikehalo, with Toshima Ward Mayor Miyuki Takagai (58) participating in cosplay, and it has grown into one of the largest cosplay events in Japan, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
This year, a record 140,000 Halloween revelers gathered, and on the 28th, Sachiko Kobayashi (69), who became the 10th anniversary ambassador, appeared in the parade as Kibutsuji Musan, the “rus-boss” of the anime “Blade of Oni no Kai”. The audience was excited by her impressive power, saying, “Her aura is too bad! (The audience was also excited. Kobayashi also got into the groove at the press conference, opening his speech with a laugh, “He’s the rasbos! Kobayashi was in high spirits as he opened the press conference by saying, “I’m the last boss!
I think everyone has a desire to transform themselves. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more enjoyable performance. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, both the cosplayers and the audience. Above all, everyone was obeying the rules and had good manners. I think it’s a really good event,” said Kobayashi.
As Kobayashi said, the age range of participants was wide, including junior high and high school students, children, and the elderly, and there was a healthy atmosphere in the venue. The atmosphere at the event was healthy and wholesome. This is probably evidence of the good public safety.
Yutaka Kiyatake of Golden Bomber also participated as part of a project for his YouTube channel, and was laughing on stage.
Some of the cosplayers spent tens or hundreds of thousands of yen to prepare their costumes.
I was particular about the color contacts because the character has distinctive eyes, and I bought them for 7,000 yen on the Internet,” said Nyankichi, who dressed up as Makima from the anime “Chainsaw Man. The costume cost 110,000 yen at the time. I bought it on an overseas website, but I’m glad I bought it before the yen depreciated” (a male office worker who dressed up as Darth Vader from the movie “Star Wars”). The custom-made “Dragon Armor” he ordered from an acquaintance of the creator cost 70,000 yen. I spent a total of 130,000 yen for the costume,” said Liliy Elven, who participated in her original cosplay.
Professor Sangenko, who was dressed as the goddess Athena from the anime “Saint Seiya,” said, “Everyone’s costumes and props are getting better and better every year. I can’t lose to them.
Cosplay can also be a job if you put your mind to it. Natsuhaha, who dressed up as the first plane from the anime “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” introduced an unexpected job opportunity: “I cosplayed as the first plane in Neon Genesis Evangelion.
A pachinko parlor asked me to play Eva’s pachislot game while dressed as the first plane. I participated in a contest at last year’s Ikehalo, and I was on the main stage, and I guess I became well-known, so the number of requests for cosplay work increased.
Like makes like. The next breakout cosplayers may be born in Ikebukuro.
Kyonsie in original cosplay (by Kao)Makima from the anime “Chainsaw Man” (by Nyankichi-san)Makima from the anime “Chainsaw Man” (by Nyankichi-san)Makima from the anime “Chainsaw Man” (Nyankichi-san)Marshana from the smartphone game “Goddess of Victory: NIKKE” (Uryu-san)Marsh Kyrielite (Ruri Sakura) in the smartphone game “Fate/Grand OrderMarsh Kyrielite (Ruri Sakura) in the smartphone game “Fate/Grand OrderThey are actually a married couple (left: Ruri Sakura, right Uriu)Cosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenCosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro Halloween
Sachiko Kobayashi Appears as a Last BossSachiko Kobayashi Appears as a Last BossSachiko Kobayashi as the last bossSachiko Kobayashi as the last bossSachiko Kobayashi as the last bossSachiko Kobayashi who appeared as the last boss, the woman with the red hat is Miyuki Takagishi, the mayor of Miyuki ward.Sachiko Kobayashi as the last bossCosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenCosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenSachiko Kobayashi appeared as the last boss
Sachiko Kobayashi, who appeared as the last bossJILL at the exhibition hall of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutJILL-san at the exhibition hall of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutJILL-san at the exhibition hall of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutHaruo”, the official character of SalonpasEmployees of SalonpasCosplayers (Monchutan on the left and Shirohato on the right) taking a photo with “Haruo”, the official character of SalonpasCosplayers (Monchu-tan on the left and Shirohato on the right) taking a photo with “Haruo”, the official character of Salonpas.O-JI-san in his original cosplay (instructor of the specialized school “Vantan”)
Company employee man dressed as Darth VaderLa Vie en Rose (Enya-san) from the anime “Reiwa no de ji Carat” (De Di Carat in Reiwa)A view of the exhibition hall for the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutA view of the exhibition hall of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutMarshana (Uryu-san) of the smartphone game “Goddess of Victory: NIKKECosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenCosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro Halloween
Zoya (Momo Momo) in the smartphone game “Jiken MazeZoya (Momo Momo) in the smartphone game “Jiken Maze” (Momo Momo)Zoya (Momo Momo) in the smartphone game “Jiken Lost” (Momo Momo)Zoya (Momo Momo) in the smartphone game “Jiken Lost” (Momo Momo)Zoya (Momo Momo) in the smartphone game “Jiken Lost” (Momo Momo)Zoya (Momo Momo) in the smartphone game “Jiken Lost” (Momo Momo)Cosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro Halloween
Sachiko Kobayashi Appears as a Last BossSachiko Kobayashi, who appeared as the last bossChiyang-san at the exhibition hall of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutNana Yukino at the exhibition hall of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutJILL at the exhibition of smartphone game “Arena BreakoutMr. O-Ji in his original cosplay (instructor of the specialized school “Vantan”)Ms. Yokora at the exhibition of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutMomoko Aoi Aoi at the exhibition of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutMomoko Aoi Aoi at the exhibition of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutShokora-san at the exhibition of the smartphone game “Arena BreakoutCosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenOriginal cosplay “Red and Black Cat Girl” by EirashiTralock from the smartphone game “Fate/Grand Order” (by Futsure)Original “Witch-like Cosplay” (Kokoro Shinozaki)Original “Witch-like Cosplay” (Kokoro Shinozaki)Original “Witch-like Cosplay” (Kokoro Shinozaki)Cosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro Halloween(Ayaki Miyamoto) participated in an original cosplayAyaki Miyamoto participated in her original cosplay.Cosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenYutaka Kiyatake of Golden Bomber participating in Ikebukuro HalloweenYutaka Kiyatake of Golden Bomber participated in Ikebukuro Halloween
Golden Bomber Yutaka Kiyatake at the Ikebukuro HalloweenKiki Kuroko, emcee of the Ikebukuro Halloween FestivalMorrigan Arnsland (Ikumi-san) from the “Vampire” fighting game seriesMorrigan Arnsland (Ikumi-san) from the “Vampire” fighting game seriesMorrigan Arnsland in the “Vampire” fighting game seriesMorrigan Arnsland in the “Vampire” fighting game seriesMorrigan Arnsland in the “Vampire” fighting game series (Ikumi-san)Wattson from the FPS game “Apex Legends” (kipi-san)
Watson (kipi) in the FPS game “Apex LegendsWatson (kipi) in the FPS game “Apex LegendsMakima from the anime “Chainsaw Man” (by Nyankichi)Cosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenCosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenOriginal cosplay “Red and Black Cat Girl” (Eirashi)Masked Rider #1 from the movie “Masked Rider The First” (by TETSU)Masked Rider #1 from the movie “Masked Rider The First” (by TETSU)Original “Witch-like Cosplay” (Kokoro Shinozaki)Cosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenOriginal cosplay by Liliy ElvenOriginal cosplay by Liliy ElvenArtorius from the RPG game “Dark Souls” (by Akiha Rei)Goddess Athena from the anime “Saint Seiya” (by Professor Tortoiseshell Cat)Goddess Athena from the anime “Saint Seiya” (by Professor Sangenko)Cosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenCosplayers Enjoy Ikebukuro HalloweenCosplayers Enjoying Halloween in IkebukuroCosplayers Enjoying Halloween in IkebukuroCosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenStudents cosplaying as Ran Fujishiro from the online game “Sword DanceCosplayers enjoying Halloween in IkebukuroKuroe Shizuku (me) from the anime “That dress-up doll will fall in loveCosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenOriginal character “Zack Traeger” (Nao-san, the predecessor)Female Youkai “Yashaku-sama” (Lady Yashaku), who also appears in the movie “Resort Bite” (Yashaku-sama-sama)Kanko Tatsu (left) and Iris (right) from the anime “Flame Fire Brigade” (left: Pyon-san, right: Ichigoka-san)Kankotachi (left) and Iris (right) in the anime “Flame Fire Brigade” (left by Pyon, right by Ichigoka)The first plane of the anime “Neon Genesis Evangelion” (Natsu is Mr. Kitchen Man)The first plane of the anime “Neon Genesis Evangelion” (Natsuha is a person with a kitchen disease)Cosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenCosplayers enjoying Ikebukuro HalloweenKyonsie in original cosplay (Kao)Kyonsie in original cosplay (by kao)
Interview and text by: Keitaro Haga PHOTO: Takero Yui