
With the myriad of cosplay costumes available in Japan, first-time cosplayers must be overwhelmed with all the choices. Luckily, Cospa, a major cosplay costume company in Japan, has narrowed down the choices, releasing the 2012 costume sales rankings. Coming in at number one is everyone’s favorite vocaloid, Hatsune Miku.
Check out the rest of the top ten cosplay costumes of the year:
#1 Hatsune Miku

Picture source: Rakuten
#2 Steins Gate
Picture source: Rakuten
The parka worn by Steins Gate’s main character, Kurisu Makise, came in at number two.
#3 Hyoka
Picture source: Rakuten
Hyoka is a Japanese mystery novel that was adapted into a manga and anime.
#4 Rurouni Kenshin
Picture source: Rakuten
Also known as Samurai X, Rurouni Kenshin’s assassin protagonist came in at number 4 in this year’s list of the most popular cosplay characters, likely thanks in part to a live-action film released earlier in the year.
#5 Yuru Yuri

Picture source: Rakuten
Schoolgirl uniforms were very popular this year and the junior high school costume from Yuru Yuri is just the second on the list.
#6 K-On!
Picture source: Rakuten
At number 6 is the costume of the high school students/pop group members from K-On!
#7 Dragon Ball Freeza
Picture source: Rakuten
Freeza, the villain from Dragon Ball Z. Proper usage of the costumes can be found here.
#8 Evangelion
Picture source: Rakuten
Yet another school girl uniform, this time from Evangelion.
#9 DC3
Picture source: Nandemo
Whaddaya know, another schoolgirl uniform. This one’s from DC 3, a “love adventure game” for Windows and PSP.
#10 To Aru Majutsu no Index (a certain magical index)
Picture source: Stage Pimps
The school uniform from A Certain Magical Index, a light novel series turned anime and manga, is the last costume on our list. Surprise, surprise, it’s a schoolgirl uniform.
Source: NicoNicoNews


















The Japanese cat with over 100 cosplay costumes
Japanese men reveal their least favourite cosplay styles on women
Cosplay Yokocho: Tokyo alley where customers eat and drink in cosplay costumes
Cosplay indoors with new range of Taisho Roman schoolgirl costumes from Japan
Please, baby, just one time! – Japanese men reveal the costumes they want their girlfriends to wear
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Cosplay costume room tour by Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako is an eye-opener【Video】
Cosplay like an angelic student in a winged Japanese schoolgirl uniform
Japanese cosplayer creates amazing outfit: Sailor Moon’s transformation sequence!【Photos】
Cosplay lucky bag delivers costumes aimed at first-time cosplayers in Japan
Cosplay from the comfort of home in unique police uniform loungewear from Japan
Japanese cosplayer dresses as female high school student for new road bike campaign
Cosplayers make Japan Weekend feel like Spanish Comiket【Photos】
Thai schoolgirl uniforms poised to edge out traditional Japanese ones in Japan?
Top cosplayer Enako dons Year of the Dragon costume to celebrate the new year【Photos】
Cosplay like cup-clinger figurine Fuchiko with specially designed costumes from Japan!
Japanese cosplayer wows crowds in Akihibara with four-legged centaur costume 【Video, photos】
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 budget Japanese Halloween costumes 【Weird Top Five】
Japan ranks the top 10 anime that will leave viewers in tears
Marshmallow girls want to cosplay too! Plus-size costumes to be released next fall
The awesome costumed fans of Nagoya’s World Cosplay Summit 【Photos】