
Why be a robot or sexy superhero when you could be an awkward old dude instead?
Usually cosplay outfits are supposed to look cool, not lame. But what if you could cosplay as something so incredibly lame that it went full circle and ended right back up at cool again?
That’s what our Japanese writer Ryou did when he decided to cosplay as an old Japanese man, an ojisan.
▼ Oh yes. I can smell the 60 years of cigarettes already.
Just like any good cosplayer, Ryou went with an outfit that complemented his natural features. At 33 years old, he’d always been told that he had an “older-looking face,” so rather than dress up as a kawaii-disaster, he just went all out ojisan.
▼ This strapping young thirty-something turned into…
▼ “Oh! You know… English? I like… English joke.”
▼ “Where is… Ohio? It is next to… gozaimasu!“
▼ “You know ‘ohayo gozaimasu?’ It is Japanese ‘good morning.’
Good joke, right?”
▼ With those eyes who could resist his dad jokes and outdated advice?
▼ And best of all the ojisan cosplay is easy and cheap!
Just a bag, glasses and hat will easily add thirty years to your appearance.
▼ “Ohhh, it’s raining again today,” he says to no one.
▼ “Better wait out the storm here, hope the guys at the Go parlor
won’t be upset if I’m only 20 minutes early today.”
▼ Of course dressing up as an old man also gives you license to show that you
don’t care about what society thinks anymore by drinking anytime you want, and…
▼ …obnoxiously shoving food in your face
while exclaiming loudly how good it is, and…
▼ …complaining about how the world is going to hell,
and everything was much better back in your day.
▼ Can you spot the ojisan?
▼ “Oh! You know… English? I like… English joke.”
If you’re going to cosplay as an ojisan though, you have to be able to talk the talk. That means brushing up on your terrible jokes, so be prepared to spend some time getting your ojisan giggle down pat. And if you can cosplay as a flying ojisan, well then, you may achieve the best cosplay of all time.
Photos: ©RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]















Sushi restaurant in Tokyo serves up a plate of “old guy” for only 200 yen
We tried Tokyo’s “rent a middle-aged Japanese man” service, and it was awesome!
Anime cosplayer burglar arrested in Japan, can’t stop dressing up/stealing
Japanese makeup tutorial shows how a middle-aged man can turn into a beautiful young woman
Sailor Suit Old Man origin story revealed! Not an extra-dimensional wizard after all
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
What’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
Starbucks Japan has a mesh bag so cute it’s a sell-out hit
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Art exhibition coming to Tokyo this month brings the cute, scary, and weird to ukiyo-e
Extra-cute Sea Animal crepes come to Japan’s cafe chain born from a sweet fashion brand
New littering fine now being enforced in some of Tokyo’s most heavily touristed areas
And now, a crazy-looking way to stay cool this summer, from Japan’s crazy gadget company
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
Japan’s adorable pudding chick becomes a transit card mascot
The Japan Burger Championship 2026 in Yokohama next month is the ultimate battle of the beef
Mr. Sato takes a walk on Tokyo’s American-style street to get some American/Japanese ice cream
Sushi Pizza surprises diners in one of the best food destinations in Japan
Pikachu cakes and other adorable Pokémon 30th anniversary food coming to Tokyo luxury hotel
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
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
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japanese cosplayer steals the show at New York Comic Con with awesome Iron Man costume 【Photos】
Picture-perfect, totally accidental anime cosplay gives Japanese otaku a new friend【Photos】
Our Japanese writers dress up as Winter Shogun
Handsome Japanese cosplayer finds renewing driver’s license hard after huge transformation【Pics】
Japanese man dresses up as Terminator to meet his sister’s new fiancé but it ends up backfiring
How to throw off your suit and shirt like a Like a Dragon tough guy, starring Mr. Sato【Videos】