Japanese enthusiasts show us that military cosplay is serious business.
The military otaku is a subgenre of otaku that can be spotted en masse in matching uniforms at Comiket or playing survival games with replica weapons so detailed you could easily mistake them for the real thing. While some go for the sexy look, there are plenty of people who strive for realism and historical accuracy, and there’s no denying that a tremendous amount of effort goes into the outfits.
If you’re a hardcore military buff you’ll probably be able to spot a few issues (apparently wearing hats inside is a major faux pas), but to the undiscerning eye these photos might look like they’re from a Very Serious military council. They are, however, actually from a Very Serious cosplay convention that recently gathered for a photo shoot in Japan, and were subsequently shared all over Twitter.
▼ “Can you believe this is a cosplay photo shoot?”
https://twitter.com/asiihoumiushi/status/701724662573588480
▼ The event seems to have had a strong focus on formality and remaining in character.
https://twitter.com/asiihoumiushi/status/701744570044850177
▼ Everyone looks very smart…
礼装
— いーぐる (@116teruduki) February 22, 2016
通常礼装
一種軍装
写真 ぽちさん#御影鎮守府 pic.twitter.com/OY02ZW1qDs
▼ …although that skirt doesn’t look regulation.
https://twitter.com/shinano634/status/701944857384734722
▼ I spy some Kancolle props.
僅かながらにある艦これ要素
— いーぐる (@116teruduki) February 22, 2016
礼装の大尉 ナオキさん （ @naoki_yukimugi ）
一種軍装の少尉候補生 @116teruduki #御影鎮守府 pic.twitter.com/K77bZ4FlSV
▼ Kancolle has ruined everything for serious military buffs; no meeting is now complete without at least one shipgirl.
https://twitter.com/tukasa0204/status/701696434937069568
Every country has its share of military buffs, but Japan’s certainly go that extra mile!
Source: Twitter Matome Box
Header Image: @MagTecht_fuka on Twitter
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