A quick search suggests that this particular style is called Animegao. And those who indulge in it are apparently dollers. But regardless of how correct that may or may not be, what is for definite is that it makes for a wonderfully odd sight.
Massive anime head madness
Taki says
Being half Japanese, I’m always hearing about these things told to me around the office. This one is new though. *sigh*
My first thought was also that it was a male dressed up there. I’m hoping this was as rare to you as it was to me
Lee says
Ah, I feel for you on that one…
But happy to confirm that yes, this was just as new to me. Never seen such a thing before, and really don’t expect to do so again.
Len says
Wow! I can hear the cries…”Run away!!!!”
Lee says
You could run all you like, but with those big unblinking eyes she’d always find you…
Hans ter Horst says
Wow, new to me too; weird yet not so unexpected, in a way. If you continue that line and the technical advances like ASIMO, the robot made by Honda, keeps up, soon we have cosplay conventions where nobody actually shows up but dressed up robots and people watching the proceedings back home via built-in cameras.
Lee says
Either that or it’d be the new robot overlords looking on baffled as the humans dress up.
An Expat says
My first thought was to grin, but see this as a sad cry for attention in a mass culture as bland and empty as a cone of MacDonald’s vanilla ice cream
Lee says
Can’t deny the screams for attention. Donning something like that will certainly get you noticed. But fortunately mass culture aside, Japan has a lot more going on — albeit sometimes under the surface.
Takami says
feel thankfull that it’s not Brazilian mass culture mans :v
Marcin says
So s/he goes about his whole day in this outfit or was that some street performance/promotion thing?
Lee says
I’m afraid your guess is as good as mine…
Dang says
The upward curve of the inner thighs above the knee and the large wrist size suggest that the subject is male.
Lee says
Cheers. That clears up one thing at least.
Benjamin says
If I ever turn into a deranged serial killer, I know what I’m dressing up in.
Lee says
Haha, that would be scarily suitable…
Squidpuppy says
The performer is an Animegao (アニメ顔?), the form is called Kigurumi (ç€åŒ…ã¿); a composite of to wear and wrap or cover. It’s spread to the USA and Europe in the past five years, or so too. Personally, I’d just as soon not run into one of these on the street; they terrify me.
Lee says
Yeah, there’s definitely something very creepy about them. I presume cute is the aim, or at least one of them, but the result is anything but.
Bernadette Marchetti says
My interest in Japan began academically (anthropology), but I soon got hooked on anime, and now I’m a HUGE fan. An appreciation of anime will inevitably lead to an encounter with cosplay, and I understand the appeal of it, but I’ve never felt the desire to dress as my favorite characters. The closest I’d get is Lolita fashion. But *this* is on another completely different level that I hope I never encounter personally. I also hear the cries to “run away!” I even hear them in Graham Chapman’s voice.
On the other hand….I have socks like that. And that purse is really cute.
Lee says
The whole anime and manga thing has, for some reason, always passed me by. Maybe I’ve not seen the right film or read the right book, but it has never appealed. Odd really as I can definitely appreciated the artistry involved.
Get a purse like that and you are halfway there. Then all you’d need would be a bit of papier-mâché magic and you’d be all set!
Oh, and the cry of “Run away!” In Graham Chapman’s voice is comedy gold. Thank you!
Martin B says
Isolated Haikyo, creepy scarecrow mannequins, scary dolls and now people dressed as anime characters, I reckon you have the basis for a really good (bad?) horror movie, you just need to get Godzilla involved somehow.
Thinking about it, forget Godzilla, work Hello Kitty into it and you’re on to a winner, I’d pay to see that.
Lee says
Yeah, no need at all for Godzilla when you’ve got a cast as thoroughly disturbing as that.
Gareth says
Frank Sidebottom’s girlfriend?
Lee says
Haha, Brilliant! The similarity hadn’t crossed my mind at all.
If it is though, she’s a long way away from Timperley…
willy says
Rip me to shreds! This another tenticle of madness! More dishing it up! yeh!
jessica kawaii says
none of these harsh and rude comments are having any effect on this cosplay hobby type, other then being insensitive and rude, it shows how humans are just idiots who fear and hate anything different
Takami says
nah they say that because they want to try it out but are afraid of what the other would think hahah
Mai Eien says
You know Jess, it’s more like this comments freaked me out, then those commenters demand they are freaked by kigurumi. One thing – kig masks with open mouths are more difficult to play, because angles come into play a lot, and can play a lot against you, but overall kigurumi are nothing but cuteness and beauty. Just got from a con where got literally tons of cheers and praises (which may be characterize festival more than me), after that those “freaked” commenters seem only just like trolls.
cici says
hehe~ These comments are for the most part people who not accustomed to full contact cosplay. I don’t find then offensive just agnostic of Kigurumi. Even the dude.. umm Squid dude or something like that.. At least he had enough energy to look it up and give a definition to our type of cosplay. I find fear out there of those unaware of our existence. In others I see a sense of wonder and joy! Those are the people we do this for.. We work hard to perfect our craft.. So never be concerned with the nasayers, they have their voice, they have said what they will say. The silence of the positive options are noted too.. Who wants to get spammed on for supporting our community.. Geez….
cici, kigurumi cosplayer and maker…
Lee says
Thanks for the support, cici.
I haven’t found the comments to be offensive or overly critical. In fact not really critical at all. And my post and photo isn’t either. At least not intentionally. Rather just surprise, and yes, a compete lack of understanding/experience when it comes to this kind of thing.
As I first wrote, it was a very odd sight indeed. And obviously a complete surprise. But despite my lack of knowledge/understanding, a surprise and oddness I really enjoyed.