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Richmond event draws dozens of Japanese anime cosplayers

Death Note, Demon Slayer and Neon Genesis Evangelion were some of the anime series that were featured on Saturday at The Trove.

FEater from Arknights, Misa Amane from Death Note, Super Sonico Gloomy Bear, Ayanami Rei from Neon Genesis Evangelion and Inosuke Hasiibira from Demon Slayer.

These were just some of the Japanese anime characters that were at Cars and Cosplay in east Richmond on Saturday night, an event with car enthusiasts, a DJ, vendors – and a promotion for “itasha,” a car wrap that features anime characters.

Cars and Cosplay was an “otaku” event – that is, a display of “Japanese nerdy culture,” as one participant described it the Richmond News.

Organizer Kei Tai told the News the event at The Trove was a bigger success than anticipated with more than twice as many tickets sold than expected.

Anime characters and car enthusiasts intermingled with cosplayers posing in front of the luxury and vintage cars.

Tai has been doing cosplay himself for about two years, something that can be a “money pit” with all the costumes, wigs, makeup and other accessories.

But dressing up in your favourite character from the vast array of Japanese anime creates social connections at events and can be a lot of fun, he added.

“Some people put so much energy into it – it’s amazing,” Tai said.

It's a big part of “anikura,” Japanese pop music culture, he added.

According to Tai, the cosplay community in the Lower Mainland is the largest in Canada with about 10 big events every year.

Next weekend, the SFU Anime Club is hosting the “Summer Festival,” with with music and a cosplay contest on stage as well as panel discussions throughout the day. The event runs  from 1:30 to 8 p.m. at SFU’s Burnaby campus.

Tai and his promotions company Off*line YVR will be hosting the after-party at the Rec Room at Brentwood Mall starting at 9 p.m.

For Richmondites interested in learning more about Japanese anime culture, Aberdeen Mall will be hosting “Anime Social” on Sept. 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.


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