Doujin "Cosplay ROM" Events in Japan

One increasingly popular way for amateur cosplayers in Japan to expand their network, reach out to more fans AND put some yen in their pockets is to participate in "cosplay ROM" events such as Cos-Express, Cosprecious, Cosnug. and Cosholic in Tokyo and Cosplay ROM Express in Osaka. It's important to specify "doujin" here, which means fan-organized or fan-based. Although the majority of the goods being bought and sold are cosplay CD-ROMs containing photos as well as photo books, you can also find posters and even keychains, pins, badges and the occasional fashion accessory or clothing item catering to niche customers. Another service some cosplayers offer, both as a way to communicate with fans and to make additional income, is mini photo-sessions for fans who attend the event.

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Earlier this month, enticed by a possible opportunity to offer our readers a look into this rapidly growing aspect of cosplay culture, our grape Japan staff attended one of the newest cosplay ROM events, called Cosnug.

Cosnug. in Akihabara, Tokyo

Overview

Conveniently located on the 5th Floor event space of the Hirose Musen Building in Akihabara, just 3 minutes away from JR and Tokyo Metro's Akihabara Station, Cosnug. is one of the easiest cosplay ROM events to attend. Here's the sign outside the building. The hand-drawn letters hint at the fan-centric nature of the event.

As soon as the clock struck noon on June 10th, 2018, fans who had formed a long line winding down the stairwell of the building hurried into the event space, eager to meet their favorite cosplayers.

Those who have already attended doujin comic events such as Comic Market or Comitia will already be familiar with the setup. Several rows of tables run the length of the room, with cosplayer circles or individual participants stationed at their posts, sometimes accompanied by assistants or friends helping them with transactions and other logistics.

A fun feature of Cosnug. is your admission automatically gives you a chance to enter a lottery to win a prize. This time, lucky winners would take home one of several commemorative dustcloths printed with cosplayer photos.

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Here are some of the cosplayers who graciously allowed us to take their pictures for this article.

Cosplayers

Chamomile

Usagi, from cosplay circle Rabbit Hutch

Aoi Shinonome, from cosplay circle GFProject, as Lum from Urusei Yatsura.

Marin from cosplay circle Claris

Okazaki (left) as Katsuragi from Senran Kagura and Hotaka (right) from cosplay circle Nukobu.

Koron Yanagiba from cosplay circle Koronsui Clinic (left) and Yuri Inami (right).

By coincidence, we bumped into Meru (aka Delicious Meru), who we met when doing research for our story on Maid Gym last year. Meru is a hip-centric training enthusiast, model and occasional cosplayer.

Shops

Order-made fashion circle Harihuku, makes kawaii clothes and accessories for teenage girls and young women.

Cosplayer and creator Chachasuke modeled at the Harihuku table

Mini Photo Shoot Sessions

Our cameraman for the day, Nathan Gey, was eager to do a photo shoot with Chamomile, who you may remember from our article on cycling gym and bar CYCLE:HOLIC. Chamomile modeled for their promotional materials.

As fans will surely recognize, Chamomile was cosplaying Mika Jougasaki from THE iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls.

Here are the pictures from the photo shoot. What do you think?

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Cosnug. Information

• Name: Cosnug.
• Date {Next Time}: November 11th (Sun.), 2018
• Address: Last held at 5F Hirose Musen Bldg., 1-10-5 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021 〒101-0021 東京都千代田区外神田1丁目10番5号 廣瀬本社ビル5F
• Access: 3 minutes from JR and Tokyo Metro Akihabara Station
• Hours: 12:00-17:00 (on 6/10)
• Admission: 2,000 JPY
• Website: Cosnug. (in Japanese)
• Twitter: Cosnug.
• Note: Due to the inclusion of some adult content, admission is prohibited to those under 18 years of age.