Comiket 88, the world’s largest dojinshi fair, is now underway at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre. And while thousands of people are already rushing to buy some of the best and rarest anime, manga and video game merch money can buy, others were there for one thing only: cosplay.
Despite the beating sun and intense humidity that comes as standard with Summer Comic Market (you did read our Comiket survival guide, right?), the almost complete lack of shade outdoors did not deter Tokyo’s cosplayers, who stood out for photo after photo, striking their best poses and wowing our reporters with their incredible outfits.
Join us after the jump for a look at some of our favourites!
Welcome to Comiket 88, folks! Let’s make like the swarms of otaku and dive right in, shall we? Here’s just a sample of the cosplay on display at this summer’s event.
▼ Love Live! was perhaps the most popular choice for cosplayers this year
▼And no cosplay area would be complete without some Sailor Scouts, would it?
▼Remember the No Education Employment or Training recruitment task force? They actually got out of bed in time for the event!
▼ Vocaloid’s Lily strikes a pose
▼ Cased Closed‘s Detective Conan looking as young as ever
▼ Good to see some international cosplay action too!
▼A Japanese cosplay favourite: the “No More!” anti-movie piracy guy
▼ Further proof that Nintendo has a hit on its hands: the Splatoon gang turned up!
▼Shining Hearts‘ Xiao Mei, whom our reporter P.K. Sanjun fell quite in love with
▼Show By Rock‘s ChuChu gives us a smile
▼ Ken and Ryu, complete with epic eyebrows
▼Mazinger Z and Transformers unite
▼JoJo‘s Jean Pierre Polnareff wins the Hair of Show award
▼ Another crowd favourite: Kantai Collection‘s Shimakaze in two unique forms…
▼ Mario, Luigi, and Princess Daisy – with a SNES Super Scope!
▼ Mario and Luigi again, but a little bit different…
▼ Kill La Kill‘s Nui Harime
We’re sure there’ll be much more cosplay to enjoy over the coming days at Comiket, so if you’re in the area be sure to head over and check it out!
All photos © RocketNews24
Check out the awesome cosplay at Comiket 87! 【Photos, Photos, and more photos】
Cosplaying beauties, knights, and sextuplets brave the cold on Comiket 89’s opening day【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 3 of Winter Comiket 2018【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 1 of Summer Comiket 2019【Photos】
Cosplayers make Japan Weekend feel like Spanish Comiket【Photos】
Why do foreign tourists queue up to eat at Tokyo Little House?
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Japanese man arrested after pretending to be foreigner while trying to rob convenience store
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Burger King Japan brings back its insane all-you-can-eat One Pounder Challenge
You can send your suitcase from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Shinkansen for same-day delivery… but it’ll cost you
Pokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The best Japanese cosplayers from day two of Winter Comiket 2018【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from the first day of Winter Comiket 2018【Photos】
The awesome fan cosplayers of Summer Comiket 2025【Photos】
The best cosplayers from Day 1 of Winter Comiket 2022【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 3 of Summer Comiket 2019【Photos】
The best independent fan cosplayers of summer Comiket【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 3 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】
The picture-perfect cosplayers of Comiket 100’s Day 1【Photos】
The best cosplayers of Day 1 of Winter Comiket 2021【Photos】
Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako creates jaw-dropping crowd at Winter Comiket【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 2 of Summer Comiket 2019【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 4 of Summer Comiket 2019【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 1 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 2 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】
The best cosplayers from Day 2 of Summer Comiket 2023【Photos】
An inside look at Comiket 86, the world’s largest dōjinshi manga fair!【Photos】