Tokyo, JP (September 11th, 2019) – Niconico, the largest social video service in Japan operated by Dwango Co., Ltd. (https://dwango.co.jp/english/index.html), and the anime/manga/game retailer Animate Ltd. will together host the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2019 which will take place in Ikebukuro Tokyo, Japan during October 26th (Sat.) – 27th (Sun.).

What is “Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival”?

The Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival, which started in 2014, is one of the largest Halloween events in Japan. The festival takes place on the streets east of Ikebukuro station in Tokyo – an area which has been gaining attention as a new subculture mecca. More than 20,000 cosplayers gather from home and abroad. Additionally, the number of attendees has also been increasing over the years – during last year’s 2 day event, attendees marked a record high of approximately 105,000 people.

One of the major features of this event is that cosplayers can roam around the streets dressed in their costumes. In the main streets, parks and stores of the Ikebukuro station east exit area, loads of activities will be held that everyone can enjoy – domestic/foreign cosplayers, those cosplaying for the first time, those visiting the event by themselves and anime/manga fans alike. Popular activities include cosplay fashion shows, cosplay stage performances and a cosplay parade. Additionally, this year’s festivities will also include DJ events and activities held inside restaurants during evening hours to cater to the night-time economy.
The event will be streamed live worldwide via Niconico Live Streaming.

“Enako” Appointed as First Ambassador for Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2019
The popular Japanese cosplayer Enako has been appointed as the first ambassador for Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival. Enako began her involvement in cosplay during middle school and her strong devotion and respect for the original work have earned her high support from cosplay fans. As a cosplayer, Enako appears in various media outlets such as TV, radio, and magazines and contributes to the introduction of cosplay culture

＜Event Outline＞
■Dates: October 26th (Sat.) ~ 27th (Sun.) / 10:00-18:00 (Stage Event 11:00 – 17:00) *for both days
■Host: Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival Executive Committee
■Co-host: Toshima-ku / Toshima Shopping District / Toshima City Tourism Association / Sunshine City
■Support: The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Toshima Branch / The Sankei Shimbun
■Management and Production: Animate Ltd. / Dwango Co., Ltd. / Hacosta Inc.
■Sponsor: Dwango Co., Ltd.
■Special Cooperation: Canon Marketing Japan Inc.
■Cooperation: acosta! / Cure WorldCosplay / COSPLAY MODE / Cosplayer’s Archive / World Cosplay Summit / niconico / Hareza Studio / Vantan / Hareza Ikebukuro Area Management Association / Tokyo Tatemono Co.,Ltd. / The Sankei Building Co., Ltd. / Bic Camera Inc. / Sunshine City Prince Hotel
■Participation Fee: Participation and viewing are free of charge.
・Cosplayer/Photographer Registration Fee : 2,000 Yen (tax included)
・Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 1 Day Premium Passport: 3,500 Yen (tax included)
・Late Out Ticket : 500 Yen (tax included)

Ticket Purchase Page:https://eplus.jp/cosplay/
■Official Website:http://ikebukurocosplay.jp/en
*Schedules are in Japanese Time

Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival – Event Highlights

●niconico cospllection
Niconico cospllection which will be held at the main stage in Naka-Ikebukuro Park will showcase a plethora of cosplay related activities which include cosplay stage performances, cosplay fashion shows, “Parent & Child Cosplay” show and cosplay arm-wrestling tournaments.

●Cosplay Parade
A cosplay parade involving hundreds of cosplayers will take place in the streets of Ikebukuro. The parade is scheduled to be held on October 26th (Sat.) and is free to attend for all visiting cosplayers (requires a prior application).

●DJ Anime Song Party
The event will hold its first-ever DJ show featuring anime/vocaloid songs where participants can join the excitement dressed in their cosplay outfits. The DJ show will be held in 2 nearby live music clubs – mismatch Ikebukuro and BANANA BONGO.
DJ Caeser / DJ Tadanon / DJ A.T.E / DJ Kuroneko / DJ LOPE and more
Tickets:https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/3077380001-P0030001

●Ikebukuro Halloween Tea Party
The Ikebukuro Halloween Tea Party is a chance for cosplayers and cosplay fans to network and mingle with participants sharing similar interests such as anime and game. The party will be held simultaneously in various restaurants in the Ikebukuro Station east exit area. Each venue will offer drinks, snacks and games.
Details:https://machicon.jp/events/pwmcjs/

●Ikehallo Suite Princess Package
For the first time, Prince Hotel Sunshine City located at Ikebukuro will offer a limited accommodation package “Ikehallo Suite Princess Package” for event-goers. Guests using this package can stay at the suite overnight and then head towards the venue the next day dressed in their cosplay outfits. The package also includes attendants cosplaying as “princes”/”butlers”, an exclusive photographer, tea service, welcome champagne service and other relaxations.

●Two-shot Cheki Photo Session
In this new program, visitors can take pictures together with popular cosplayers and odorite (dancers) in cosplay outfits using instant cameras. During the 2 days event, approximately 50 cosplayers and odorite will make appearance.
Eiji / Yayotaro / Miyacos / Yuzuki / Mokotan / Lemi / Kuroneko / LOPE / Yamatoya Momiji / Rino / Isshiki Kazuki / Kanzawa Arisa / Apricot* / Lovematsu / GMP / Mariyan / Mini / Mihomi / Koimomo Amina / Alan / Miyuchi / Will / Miyamoto Saki and more

●Cosplay Photography Session
Visitors can get a hands-on experience on cosplay photography with their own camera/smart phone or with a rented popular camera provided by Canon Marketing Japan Inc. This year’s cosplay photography session will be held at Hareza Park Plaza’s red grand staircase.
Uramaru / Sithle / Kuroneko / Itsuki Akira / Kashou Rosiel / Miyamoto Saki

●Cosplay Gathering
In this program, cosplayers matching a certain “theme” will all gather in one location to enjoy networking and taking photos – all cosplayers in the area are free to join (themes will be announced at a later date).

●Cosplay Prop Area
This area offers handmade cosplay props crafted by skilled modelers from around Japan. Visitors can pose and take photos with weapons and items from anime/manga/game. All visitors (cosplayers/non-cosplayers alike) are free to try out.

●#Compass Collaboration Booth
The smartphone app game “#Compass－Battle Providence Analysis System,” (developed jointly by Dwango and NHN PlayArt) and Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival will open a collaborative booth where fans can pick up merchandises and attend the #Compass cosplay gathering.

●”Cosplayer Of The Year” Final Competition
The new cosplay contest “Cosplayer Of The Year” will hold its final competition at the venue. Finalists that made it through the first and second selection process on the cosplay app “Claps!” and ”Niconico Live Streaming” will appear on the main stage to compete for the Grand Prix title and luxurious prizes. Those watching Niconico Live Streaming can also participate in the judgment via online survey.
Cosplayer Of The Year Official Website:https://coty.tokyo/

＜PRESS CONTACT＞
Dwango Co., Ltd. E-mail：dwango-pr@dwango.co.jp