UNITED KINGDOM: Life imitated art in London as fans of anime and manga dress as their favourite characters for launch of highly-successful anime series "Naruto"

Record ID: 767071

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Life imitated art in London as fans of anime and manga dress as their favourite characters for launch of highly-successful anime series "Naruto"
  • Date: 24th May 2007
  • Summary: JAPANESE POP GROUP "MIAMI" FANS WATCHING MORE OF "MIAMI"
  • Embargoed: 8th June 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA40GBFI90R6GL7UIRPDXW5WIC
  • Story Text: Cosplay - or the art of dressing like manga, anime, or video game characters - helped turn London Japanese on Monday (May 21) for the launch the launch of the highly-successful anime series "Naruto".

    The term is derived from joining the words "costume" and "play" and has evolved to include live action Japanese television shows, fantasy movies, or Japanese pop bands.
    The phenomenon started in none other than the birthplace of anime and manga, Japan, and has travelled across the globe to find fans in the U.S. and now the U.K.
    It is the first time "Naruto" has hit the British high street and anime voice-actor Dave Wittenberg, who has voiced a number of characters including Kakashi Hatake in "Naruto" and video games like "Final Fantasy" and the upcoming Lara Croft Tomb Raider series, said it is important to give credit to the fans who go the extra mile to show their devotion.
    "It's just another way for fans of a show to show how much something means to them. For somebody to take the time and trouble to make a Kakashi (anime character) outfit -- there were two or three people that looked better than the animated character does."
    In the West, the "cosplayers" are similar to "trekkies" - Star Trek fans who dressed as characters from the television series and movies.
    But Stephanie Dodd, a cosplayer, said the movement is more than simply attire.
    "You could have the worst costume but if you got the personality down to a T, then it makes it a good cosplay."
    Cosplayers Laura Carter and Keith Thompson met while at a convention. Thompson said he had no shame entering public dressed as a cartoon character.
    "I can't defend myself, it's a very geeky habit but I really really love it and I'm not going to pretend otherwise."
    Cosplayers travel throughout Japan and increasingly between continents to meet and greet others who share their passion for anime character fashion.
    Japanese pop duo "Miami" who blended an unusual mix of violin with driving techno and drum and bass performed as did British rockers "Levelload".
    The latest DVD series of "Naruto" is currently available across the U.K.
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