Int'l 'cosplayers' take to Nagoya streets for summit parade

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NAGOYA, Aug. 1 Kyodo -
About 500 ''cosplay'' costume role players, including two Mexican women dressed
as warriors from the Japanese animated film series ''Evangelion,'' took to the
streets of Nagoya on Saturday entertaining cosplay fans and passers-by.
The colorfully dressed participants from 14 countries plus Japan, mostly fans
of ''anime'' films, games and ''manga'' comics, took part in a parade for the
three-day World Cosplay Summit, which began in the central Japan city the same
day.
''Cosplayers'' representing Finland and Australia received a big round of
applause in the Sakae and Osu shopping and entertainment districts of the city
as it is the first time that people from the two countries have participated in
the international event since it started in 2003.
''I came here today because I'm an 'otaku' nerd. This is the best event I have
ever joined,'' Trevor Cordell, 30, a cosplayer from Canada dressed as the main
character from ''V for Vendetta,'' said in Japanese.
Nadia Baiardi from Italy was dressed as super girl Haruhi Suzumiya, the main
character in ''The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya'' anime series.
''I want to come to Japan'' again, the 20-year-old said, praising the event as
''a wonderful festival.''
Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura was also flying high in Sakae, masquerading as
Amuro Ray, a boy warrior from the Japanese popular anime ''Mobile Suit
Gundam.''
On Sunday, a total of 30 performers from the 14 countries and Japan will
compete for a grand prize.
The cosplay summit was mainly organized by the Japanese Foreign Ministry and
tourism-related organizations based in Nagoya to boost cultural exchanges with
other countries through the Japan-originated subculture of cosplay.
The 14 countries are Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and the United
States.
==Kyodo
2009-08-02 00:13:07