A Look at the Cosplay of Magic Kyoto 2019
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This year’s Magic Kyoto convention brought together an international crew of world-famous cosplayers, all in the same room at the same time – a true show of just how big a movement cosplay culture has become. Whether you’re a fan of anime like Naruto, games like League of Legends, or even big Hollywood superhero blockbusters like Aquaman, there’s a little bit of cosplay here for you.
From Magic Monaco to Magic Kyoto
Image Source: Magic Kyoto
In 2015, the very first Magic Monaco event was held just outside of Monte Carlo. It was a gathering for lovers of animation and video games, fantasy and science fiction, and anybody who likes a little magic in their lives. After seeing repeated success in Monaco, 2018 brought the very first Magic Kyoto to Japan, an international convention held in the heart of ancient Japan. This year, Japankuru had the chance to join in on the 2019 event. Not only did we get to learn about working on shows like Game of Thrones, and games like Shenmue, we also got to see pro cosplayers in action!
2019’s Cosplay Ambassadors
This year's Magic Kyoto featured a full 40-minute cosplay performance, set to music and coordinated to show off each of the talented cosplayers' fantastic costumes to their fullest. The "cosplay ambassadors" came from all over the world (10 cosplayers plus one cosplay photographer, from 8+ different countries), each bringing a little bit of their home country's cosplay culture with them.
Image Source: Magic Kyoto
Of course the costumes were pretty varied as well, with Naruto, Kakashi, and Blair from Soul Eater standing side by side with Mera from Aquaman and Xayah from League of Legends.
You can find a full list of this year's guests, and a little information on each of the cosplayers' past accomplishments, right here.
Touring Kyoto with the Cosplayers
Aside from just pulling off an extended cosplay show on the day of Magic Kyoto 2019, though, the cosplay ambassadors had a busy schedule on the surrounding days as well.
In costume and in everyday wear, the cosplayers toured Kyoto, seeing a little bit of what the region has to offer, and in turn sharing a little bit of international cosplay culture with the Kyoto countryside.
In addition, working with J.Funding crowdfunding, the cosplayers filmed a video in collaboration with Gainax Kyoto (the studio behind Neon Genesis Evangelion). Taking advantage of the nearby Toei Uzumasa Eigamura (Kyoto Studio Park), the cosplayers explored the old-fashioned film sets while suited up in costumes of all kinds, with an underlying theme of being "transported to another world". If you love the imagery, you can still support the video project by buying the connected photobook.
This year's Magic Kyoto brought together a community with members all over the world, creating connections and friendships between different nations… and different fandoms. Look out for Magic Kyoto 2020, to find out what fantastic cosplay these and other talented creators will come up with in the next 12 months!
In the meantime, if you love to cosplay yourself and want to set up a photoshoot in Japan (or you just want some great pictures in everyday clothes), we recommend you head north to Aizumura for some truly fantastic settings!
Did you make it to Magic Kyoto 2019? Or maybe you just like to cosplay closer to home? Tell us all about your experiences, and share your pictures with us, on twitter, instagram, and facebook!
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NAME:Magic Kyoto 2019
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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