Cosplay
The word cosplay is a Japanese portmanteau
of the English words ‘costume’ and ‘play’.
Cosplay sources include; manga and anime,
comic books, cartoons, games and a range of films. Cosplay grew in the 1990’s,
particularly in Asia which influences Japanese street fashion.
Cosplay in Japan
Increased interest in cosplay events in
Japan lead to event such as Gomiket being set up. Events such as this, have led
to a range of cosplay restaurants to be set up in the Akibara district since
1998. These restaurants are devoted to anime and manga, café’s such a maid café’s
focus on the having the customers served by maid’s.
Harajuku is a favourite place for people to
gather for cosplay in public. In Harajuku cospay influence fashion is popular,
for example, different types of Lolita fashion.
