The Real Japan...

After almost a year and a half in Japan I think I just discovered the REAL Japan. Far from the beautiful temples of Kyoto, mega car companies, black suits, questionable labour practices and impressive technology there lies a place where one can really see what it means to be Japanese. Or at least that`s what they tell me... This place is the World Cosplay Summit 2006, being held as we speak in Nagoya. Where else can you find a place filled with people from all over the world and all walks of life, dressed in bizarre costumes inspired by Anime characters. Where else can you watch a musical act consisting of ladies dressed in skimpy French maid costumes and sounding vaguely like rusty hinges. Where else can you see giant robots dancing to techno beats. These things and more can only be found at a Cosplay event in Japan.

Just when I thought I had seen it all, we come across this event right in our own backyard. What an interesting experience. It is admirable to be SO interested in comic books that you want to travel far from your homes just to show other people your costumes and meet with other Cosplayers. It leaves me only with one question.... Why?! But who am I to judge, maybe given different circumstances I would be parading around the world dressed as Homer Simpson. Infact, maybe I`ll do that. Watch out Canada, I`m going to start practicing my dance routine!

Here`s the link!

http://www.tv-aichi.co.jp/cosplay2006/e/index.html