Layers Paradise is, according to DannyChoo.com and several other good sources, one of the largest cosplay events of the year in Japan. This is where many cosplayers come out with all their glory, to exchange high quality photography time with one another, compete in the costume contest, and dance at the DANPA (meaning Dance Party, I think) where everyone has memorized literally dozens (or more) of dances that integrate Para Para (hand motion dances). We decided to go in a group this year and cosplay ourselves, so I want to share that experience with you. I apologize in advance that I cannot upload the high. res. photos of any cosplayers at this time because you have to get special permission to do so. I will put up a couple of nice sweeping photos of crowds, but that's all I can do for now. Although I did register for a press pass, they ask that you don't upload anyone's "posing" photos without permission, so I'm going to abide by the actual rule and the social guideline.

This is the mass of preparing cosplayers in the morning. The center itself and some of the layout almost reminds me of the inside of Anime Boston, actually.

     So, first of all...we were the ONLY Americans (actually, foreigners, period...lol.) at this event other than THREE press people who were running around like maniacs with press passes and getting avoided by as many cosplayers as possible. Note #1 for you to take in: if you're not a cosplayer, you don't have well-known credentials, or you're not Japanese...you will probably be somewhat off-putting to Japanese cosplayers and they may shy away from taking your photo. Why? Because tons of Otaku foreigners flock to Japan interested in the origins of cosplay and do a lot of very socially unacceptable things like taking photos without permission (ALWAYS ASK!) and worse yet they upload them to the internet (which is definitely not good to do without asking and you better speak fluent Japanese for this one because believe me they will just outright say no if you don't speak enough). It's not that they don't want their pictures online... just put yourself in their shoes for a minute. Would you really want some random stranger uploading pictures of you to the internet without your permission? Or, what if you were a cosplayer but during the week had an office job where (in Japan) it was bad if your employer or co-workers found out you were a cosplayer and found your photo on the internet!?! I can totally understand and respect why many Japanese people don't want their photos to just end up on some persons website. I don't even know if these cosplayers realize that the American press that went to this event are totally going to use their photos on their site. Seriously, I hope they at least gave them business cards.

    Note #2 for you to take in: we had no idea that we'd be the only foreigners cosplaying at this event. Now, we normally stand out a whole bunch as foreigners, which is fine. I've gotten over the fact that some people descriminate against us or think we're some kind of oddity...and I've heard the word gaijin so much that it just kind of washes over me now. Honestly, it doesn't bother me that much because many Japanese people don't care and are happy to see some foreigners in Japan. At the con...this experience took on a whole new...shade? It was interesting to see EVERYONE that passed us staring at us. Most said different things...but then we realized the main reason we were being stared at was because we were cosplaying as the one thing that NOBODY cosplays at these types of events = horror characters. I had been wondering for quite some time why I never saw any characters from the myriads of horror series and games from Japan at these events, but apparently it's because scaring the public - particularly children, is an unfortunate side effect of dressing scary and walking around Tokyo Dome. Woops...well...needless to say we cosplayed as some Zombies and a Frank West from Dead Rising and this got some ridiculous attention by cosplayers and staff. Many people told us we were scary, some said they recognized Kona (who cosplayed as Frank West from Dead Rising), and the staff from the event said "Please do not go outside the building because you are scaring the public." Alright, well, so much for that idea! Note to self, do not make realistic zombie costume at cosplay events in Japan...

     I raced to wash the blood off myself (which was a huge challenge because we had used theatrical makeup and all I had to wash was my Zombie-ripped, white T-Shirt turned inside out and some soap from the bathroom sink) and change back into my street clothes so I could return to anthropologist mode. I was trying to hang out and observe! Not stand out like a sore thumb and cause a big scene in which we got scolded by staff!!!

     Other than our immensely entertaining event in the morning we had a pretty awesome day and met some really great cosplayers who were, in every sense of the term - "Hard Core." The costumes were INCREDIBLE. Full detail, excellent craftsmanship - even weapons were done with an ultimate level of perfection. I think this event was something most people had been planning for a while, but it was definitely impressive when it came to the judging for the costume contest. A fantastic "Final Fantasy XIII" team won (I think Best in Show) an award, as well as some "Kamen Riders" and "Pokemon" (which were actually female personifications of Piichu, Pikachu, and Raichu...SO CUTE!). An honorary award was given to an ADORABLE team of two little kids who dressed up as Pokemon Trainers. SOOO CUTE! I didn't take pictures of them because that's totally socially unacceptable but I can assure you they looked perfect and looked like they were having a great time. Their mother was also cosplaying (I'm not quite sure who she was because it was from a newer Pokemon series I haven't seen). All I have to say about that is Family Cosplay is made of win.

     The DANPA was pretty cool. I've never seen so many people know so many choreographed dances in my life!!! Granted that most of the motions are with the hands and I was told uploaded online so that people can learn them in their bedroom before going...but still...the fact that people took all this time to learn all these dances is awesome. I have to admit, I really wish I knew some because it looked really fun! They even had a dance to "My Oh My" by Aqua, a song I haven't heard in a long time but it made me laugh because I had no idea that it ever came to Japan!

     All in all it was a pretty fun event and next time we decided we're going to cosplay as some acceptable characters. I have wanted to cosplay as a certain Lady Une for quite some time now...so maybe I'll be getting to that for the next event. Since the cosplay club at TUJ is trying to budget for a Sewing Machine now, we should be able to start making some neat outfits for the next event. Wish me luck!

     As the anime loving community increases in the United States, there has been a recent increase in the travel of artists and personalities from Japan coming to major cities in the US to perform and work. Reni Chan, now a growing star in the NYC Otaku Community. is gaining a lot of popularity through her performances around NYC and at the NYC Anime Convention every year, plus social networking sites like Youtube, Facebook and other social media sites that allow her to connect with new people. I had a chance to interview Reni and was happy to find out more about how she came to the US to perform and become a part of the growing Otaku Community.

Here is a short version of her biography:
Reni Mimura Bio (Medium Version):

      Reni, born and raised in Japan, currently resides in New York City and specializes in Akihabara style performances, a genre that emphasizes the cute look of Japanese pop-culture with the hip appeal of Japanese animation. Through her singing and dancing she creates an adorable, peaceful, yet exciting mood. Her first Japanese CD, released in 2006, was produced by Takahiro Yamautsuri, who composed the music for one of the Pokemon movies. In 2009, she began her regular monthly Japanese 'Maid' Show events in NYC, and has been invited as a guest performer to Japan Society, Otakon and NY Anime Festival. Reni offers the most fun and authentic Japanese pop experience without ever having to travel to Tokyo. Reni is quickly winning over the hearts of many new local fans, thanks to her pretty stage costumes, upbeat personality, and her outstanding singing talent.

(Interview questions and my responses are listed in Italics)
 
 Do you think the travel of things like cosplay, anime and manga are shaping a new community of people in the US?

      Yes! It is great to see! This is largely a result of the Internet society.
I think the community will grow bigger and bigger to overcome stress and isolation in society.

Why did you come to the United States?

     The internet has made our life very convenient, but people need to make places to interact socially and physically more actively and consciously. I am here as an artist, committing myself to create the kind of environment focusing on communications among people through entertainment. I would like to play an active role not only in Japan, but in the world. To do that I thought it might be better living in the U.S. than in Japan.

Do you enjoy living in New York City? Have you found yourself a part of a new, vibrant community there?

      I enjoy it very much. I see many different people, cultures, lifestyles, expressions, but I also see the similarities we share as human beings. Things like being lonely, happy, and in love are shared around the world. NY makes me feel like I am a baby again because it is so new to me. I am curious about so many things.

As a cosplay singer, what does your average day involves?

      I take dance lesson everyday, train my voice, image and plan the future performances, have a meeting with staffs. I always think about my fans (I call them friends and angels). How they like to enjoy my shows, what idol they want to be, and so forth.
      I get lonely sometimes, but angels give me energy and keep me moving.

Do you find that you get a lot of enthusiasm from fans who are very interested in cosplay and anime culture? What does that enthusiasm mean to you?

     I feel It is very important, for my style of performance, that the entertainment has to be easy to be enjoyed by people in the culture. Japan has different style of entertainment from the one in the U.S.
      Doing shows in the U.S. and getting a lot of reactions and suggestions from friends (fans) are precious resource that I have in order for me to grow as a better artist.
      So I will never forget these fans. Of course, Jessie, you are the one too (^ ^)/

Why do you think cosplay has been growing so much in the US and around the world in recent years?

      Cosplay can transform you to different personality. For example, by wearing different costume from usual, it might make you speak to other people easier and more friendly, The other example is for a couple doing cosplay - through it their relationship might be refreshed. You can be a main character or anything you like. We can have a lot of fun with it, and make people happy at same time. I think this is very futuristic thing to do. It's like a game in real life!

And Last Question: What would you like most to achieve in your career in the cosplay media industry?

     I would like to communicate with people by actually meeting and seeing them in person, and looking at their eyes. I would like to focus on finding out what we lose from the heavy use of the internet, and be one who is participating to solve those problems. I would like to see people with no scary feelings toward each other, no lonely hearts, and see them having happy lives together in peace.

Thank you so much (^ ^)

And Thank you Reni Chan! I look forward to more of your performances on Youtube. Since I am in Japan I currently keep up with Reni through her youtube videos. You can see some of her performances below and on her youtube channel.
 
Find Reni's blog at http://www.renireni.com/ and listen to her new album at http://www.dfjamsstore.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=1360
 Join Reni's facebook fan page here.

First Name: Barbara or Bobbie
Age: 24

When did you first get interested in cosplay?

I’ve been into anime since I was at least 10 and that lifestyle came to my attention through that. I liked the pictures I saw of people dressed like characters I loved. I had no idea until at least closer to the end of high school that it was a lifestyle, and that it existed in forms outside of anime characters.

What do you like most about cosplay?

The dedication to a lifestyle.  Especially the Cosplayers that don’t just dress for cons and such. The Cosplayers that live cosplay are so admirable. The sheer balls it takes to defy convention and live with your insides on the outside for all to see. I love the time and love that goes into the clothes that cosplayers wear. For myself I love the idea of putting someone else on for a little while. It’s kinda empowering.

What does cosplay mean to you?

I think of myself as a storyteller. If you ask any costume designer worth their salt they’ll tell you that a character’s outside can tell you a lot about their inside. If I create a character; and for the most part with steampunk that’s the way to go, you want people to know what to expect by just looking. You don’t want to have to read them your bio page, no matter how awesome it is, in order to understand what you are about. Nobody is going to do that anyway. Tell a story without speaking, and other mystic kung fu sounding stuff.

What are the main reasons you enjoy cosplay?

I like becoming someone stronger or prettier or just different from myself. I like telling stories.

How often to you practice cosplay or make costumes?

I’d say it’s really only a hobby. I don’t have the juevos to live out loud like that all the time. Usually during con season and Halloween.

What were your influences?

Firefly, various and sundry steam punk novels, Pirate adventure novels, Errol Flyyn movies, comic books, Sherlock Holmes, Cowboy Bebop, Steam punk animes, a love of storytelling. I got a lot of inspiration from the recent Sherlock Holmes movie…

So why steampunk?

It honestly could’ve been anything. Steampunk just happened to come into my life a the time that was right; when I also happened to be into cosplay. It could change tomorrow…but I doubt it will. Steampunk allows for me to be creative…not a lot of anime characters for me to identify with on a physical basis either. I like authenticity in my costuming. Most anime characters, especially females, are not of the brown persuasion.

Character Name: Winifred Pistol

Description: The illegitimate daughter of a wealthy British landowner. She was sent to the Americas “to be educated” with her foster mother; a Mrs. Esther Darling, and Mrs. Darling’s son Charlie. She ended her formative years in a boarding school for young ladies after Mrs. Darling passed away. She was promised to Charlie Darling before he went off to the wars. The news of his death devastated Winnie. She joined the Woman’s Steam Rifle Corps as soon as she was eligible with her friend from Mrs. Firth’s Finishing School for Young Ladies of Distinction, Henrietta LeRue. After Hen left to be married Winnie opened a bookshop and was content in the life until Hen returned, a wealthy widow. Hen asked Winnie to be her boson and first mate on the steamship she purchased with the money her much hated husband left to her. They, with the rest of their crew of mischief makers, have a “shipping business” that takes them all over the wide and frightening world.

Character Name: Harriet Dolores Revvel

Description: The spoiled daughter of an admiral in the Queen’s Navy. She was forced into service by her father after an incident of temper in Picadilly Circus that left a shop girl seriously injured and her father fined 100 pounds for damages. She took to leadership like her father and plans to work her way into the Captaincy of the Bethlehem, a war-class sky ship.