We sent one of our Japanese reporters, “Rei-chan,” to the “RAAR’s Night” crossplaying event in Shinjuku. Here’s his story.
“RAAR’s Night” isn’t exactly an eye-catching title for one of the biggest crossplaying events in Tokyo, featuring dozens of men in effeminate cosplay attire, but you’d be missing out if you gave the event a pass on name alone.
Our very own Go Hattori (heretofore “Rei-chan”), fresh off his crossdressing makeover at RAAR Salon in Shinjuku and craving some Halloween action, decided to attend the event while still in his feminine garb on the weekend of October 22. Rei-chan reported that, while feeling confident in her feminine appeal before attending the event, she was stricken by the sheer volume of beautifully dressed dudes at RAAR’s Night and quickly lost her conviction in her otherwise stunning attire.
In fact, RAAR’s Night proved to be one of the greatest gatherings of immaculately dressed crossplayers in all of Japan. Viewing Rei-chan’s photos of the event, it’s clear a lot of attendees put a huge amount of love and care into their costumes, and it definitely shows. If the ideal for a crossplayer is to look as much like a real woman (or man, in other cases) as possible, most of the RAAR’s Night contestants crossed that line and then some.
Yeah, we said “contestants,” because, of course, the night culminated in a runway contest that it seems our ill-fated Rei-chan had no possible chance of winning, despite a quick pregame tequila shot on the streets of Shinjuku to psych herself up for the proceedings.
Sure, we feel bad for Rei-chan, who visibly resembles a late 30-something guy despite RAAR Salon’s best efforts, but she says she had a great time anyway at RAAR’s Night.
The annual RAAR’s Night also features singing, dancing, general mingling and all manner of Halloween fun, so if you’re interested in checking it out next year, you can find details here.
Also, if you want to check out Japan’s crossplay culture any time of year, you can head over to Girl’s Club in Shinjuku, which we’ve covered before and is open to first-timers all year round.
Images: RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Our male reporter cross-dresses for second time, learns more about how hard it is to be a woman
Our male Japanese-language reporter gets a professional makeover, becomes pretty cheerleader
We test out wax hair removal strips from the 100-yen store on our hairy, manly legs
Japanese company selling bear-proof automatic doors
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Viral 3D ice creams land in Japan… but are they worth the hype?
Foreign driver’s license conversion test passes plummet from over 90% to 33% in Japan
Popular Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran’s lucky bags are great value for money
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Anna Sui’s new manga accessory collection includes anime eye pouches and torso bags
Open mail with the awesome Sailor Uranus Space Sword from Japan!
Hen na Hotel Haneda: What it’s really like to stay at Tokyo’s “Weird Hotel” with dinosaur robots
Boys’ love at the temple? Sensual ikemen art that raised eyebrows in Japan now set to be removed
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Leave a Reply