Cosplayers Fulfill Their Longing for the Stage at “ACOS photosession in Nihon-Seinenkan!” [1/2]

The Nihon-Seinenkan was first built in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics. At that time, it was used as a press center. Since then, it has been used as a conference center, hotel, and musical theater. Recently, the first cosplay event was held at this historic building. Of course, TokyoOtakuMode went to bring you all the details.

The cosplay event, titled “ACOS photosession in Nihon-Seinenkan,” was put on by the shop ACOS, which specializes in official cosplay outfits for anime works as well as many cosplay goods and accessories for those who make their own outfits. The event took place in the large hall of the Nihon-Seinenkan, the same hall where a musical based on the extremely popular anime and manga The Prince of Tennis took place.

It may be different overseas, but in Japan, the fanbase for The Prince of Tennis is overwhelmingly made up of females. However, on this day, a musical wasn’t being performed on stage, but rather cosplay photo shoots. The event was crowded, with fans gathering to take pictures of the cosplayers. Coincidentally, 99% of the fans at the event were female, making it an unprecedented cosplay event.

When the stage was opened, cosplayers longing for their time on stage gathered in their favorite cosplay followed by legions of photographers. The crowd featured cosplayers who also doubled as photographers, as well as cosplayers who brought assistants along to help them, which seems to be becoming a trend. Cosplay areas at regular cosplay events are usually outdoors and thus cosplayers can make use of natural light. However, at this event, professional lighting was set up on the stage, allowing cosplayers to get shots using a variety of different lighting effects. Because of this, cosplayers were able to create different shots than normal.

Among the fans at the event were some really great cosplayers! Find out more in our continuation report!