This month Kantai Con, ‘the anime convention on an aircraft carrier’, was held aboard the USS Yorktown in South Carolina, and attracted some fabulous cosplayers dressed up as the hottest warships in town.
Kantai Collection, more usually referred to as KanColle (KanKore in Japanese) by those in the know, is the latest fad that otaku in Japan are going crazy for. It started out as a free-to-play online card game, but has since grown into a huge franchise encompassing manga, music, drama CDs, and more. Oh, and it has also just got itself an anime, scheduled to begin airing in January 2015. Who’d have thought that a game about World War II warships would get so popular? It probably has something to do with the fact that within the game said warships are personified as super-moe anime girls!
It seems like in its continuing quest for world domination, KanColle mania is now infecting hordes of otaku overseas too! This was the first year for the Kantai Convention, a con for anyone who’s a fan of battleships and anime held aboard a genuine aircraft carrier. From the looks of the video, attendees were a little thin on the ground, but there were plenty of fun activities such as martial arts lessons and demonstrations, and of course the cosplayers were out in force.
KanKore was without a doubt the hottest thing to cosplay at this year’s Comiket, but the Kantai Con cosplayers were more than a match for them (although hopefully suffered from less intrusive photo-taking). In particular one muscular chap’s male version of fan-favorite Shimakaze is a fresh take on the character, and he pulls it off with aplomb.
▼ Montage of some of the cosplayers, set to seriously epic music.
▼ Ahoy there, sailor!
▼ Japanese cruiser Tenryū.
▼ Every hero worth his salt spends at least 10 minutes per day staring broodingly into the distance.
▼ Kendo practice.
▼ Japanese destroyer Shimakaze in moe-girl form.
▼ Japanese destroyer Shimakaze in irl-moe-girl and guy form.
Battleships: cuter than you thought, right?
Source: Culture LAB, KantaiCon, YouTube
Other images: KanColle Wiki (Shimakaze image), Twitter
Gamer goes to play naval-themed anime game at Japanese arcade, finds real sailors already there
KanColle? More like ManColle as real Japanese men parody anime opening 【Video】
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
All-you-can-drink deal for US$4 in Shinjuku is one of the best finds in Tokyo
McDonald’s Japan partners with anime English teacher, but did they commit a cultural error?[Video]
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Studio Ghibli diorama boxes are much more beautiful than your elementary school art project【Pics】
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
New and improved self-transforming Transformer toys fight, dance, and are overall awesome【Videos】
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
Japanese movie theater chain’s popcorn earns highest Grand Prix quality certification
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Fans farewell Akihabara’s iconic Sega building as anime poster removal begins
Y-shaped naked anime girl pillow cover features spreadable legs【Pics】
Leave a Reply