By JQ Magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
As reported at Sakura Matsuri earlier this month, cosplay (costume play) is a growing trend among youthful patrons of public Japan-related gatherings. Last year, New York’s Japan Society hosted its first-ever cosplay party as part of its KRAZY! exhibition dedicated to anime, manga and video games. The event was a sold-out success, drawing nearly 500 fans who expressed their visual zeal (not to mention their tailoring abilities) for the more contemporary facets of Japanese culture. This year’s edition, fittingly titled Cosplay Party 2.0, kicks off Saturday, May 15, and is expected to top last year’s inaugural event.
The day promises a chance to meet and mingle with other cosplayers, nonstop musical entertainment by cosplay DJ Ruby Red, a photo booth, free admission to Japan Society’s current exhibition Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters and a full-tilt costume competition, hosted by Uncle Yo and judged by World Cosplay Summit 2009 Team USA along with guest judge and Japan Society artist-in-residence Hiroki Otsuka. During the party, Japan Society’s theater will host New York’s big screen premiere of the anime film Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone.
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We went to Cosplay Party 2.0 and thought it was a blast. Although the turnout wasn’t as big as last year’s party, a good amount of people came.
We posted up some content from the event for you to share on our blog. You can check it out at: http://blog.samuraibeatradio.com