Run for your lives! Shizuo Heiwajima’s coming through with a massive, life-sized street sign.
Shizuo Heiwajima has a reputation for being the strongest man in Ikebukuro – that’s according to Durarara!!, the anime and light novel series he stars in.
The tall and lanky blonde-haired character is known for having a hot-headed temper, which causes him to fly into a rage that sees him throwing around enormously heavy objects like drink machines, vehicles and, more often than not, metal-poled street signs.
For an introduction to Shizuo and his superhuman strength, check out the clip below:
One Japanese cosplayer recently revealed his talent for bringing the character to life, with a series of photos showing him dressed up in Shizuo’s signature waistcoat-and-bow-tie outfit, while sporting a spiky blonde hairstyle and oozing an air of cool aloofness.
What sets this guy apart from many other cosplayers we’ve seen, however, is his impressive prop, which he deftly wields without even having to drop his cigarette.
Not only does the prop help to create a number of impressive, powerful-looking poses…
…it also helps to draw a huge crowd due to its head-turning size.
The weighty-looking pole he has slung over his shoulder, which he displayed at a cosplay event held in Ikebukuro’s busy Sunshine Street shopping district recently, is modelled after a local road sign usually seen towering over traffic in the area.
The massive creation has been designed to look like it’s just been ripped up from the side of a nearby road.
This photo gives us a better idea of the full scale of the ambitious design, which the creative cosplayer made entirely from scratch. Unlike the anime character, however, no superhuman brawn was required to lift the realistic-looking street sign, thanks to the materials used in its design.
The pole was constructed from a series of lightweight foam pieces, carefully carved into cylindrical shapes and connected with long metal rods in the centre.
The scale of the project was so large it ended up dominating the cosplayer’s living space, with two rooms needed to complete the project.
This was no simple creation either – plans were drawn up to scale in order to enhance the realism of the final product.
A steady hand and some neat lettering was required to give the prop its final finishing touches.
The final product was so impressive that it even got the thumbs up from Celty Sturluson, the mysterious, helmet-wearing “Black Rider” from the series who rides around Ikebukuro looking for her stolen head.
Given that Shizuo has been known to reach for other large objects when his anger rises, we can’t wait to see what other new props we might see on the streets of Tokyo when this creative cosplayer next makes an appearance. Let’s just hope he never meets up with this guy in a cramped room, or else there won’t be any room for either of them to strut their stuff!

Fan artist fuses Pokémon into creatively cute combinations【Pics】
Japan’s number one cosplayer Enako wows crowds at Halloween event in Tokyo
The best cosplayers from Day One of the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2023
The best cosplayers from Day One of the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival
Tokyo indoor anime theme park launches new cosplay rental service
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
The dream of riding Final Fantasy Chocobos is coming to Tokyo VR centers
Häagen-Dazs Japan releases new ASMR ice cream called “Rocky Crunchy!”
Japan now sells…sake made with moth poop?!?
Paired Sailor Moon bracelets are femininely eye-catching and represent all 10 Sailor Senshi
Two new Pokémon parks coming to Oshawott’s prefecture, plus new Pokémon manhole covers【Video】
Ramen restaurant in top Tokyo tourist neighborhood skips price gouging, but how does it taste?
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Japanese cosplayer wows crowds in Akihibara with four-legged centaur costume 【Video, photos】
Amazing photos of Studio Ghibli cosplay bring all your favorite characters to life 【Pics】
“Hijab Cosplayer” wows the world with her take on Japanese anime characters【Photos】
Amazing Swedish Totoro cosplay steals the show at World Cosplay Championship【Pics, video】
Let your cosplay soar: Make it look like you’re really flying with this awesome, simple trick【Pics】
Japanese military cosplay convention is almost too real【Pics】
JoJo cosplay by buxom Japanese celebrity seriously wows Internet【Pics】
Cosplay-friendly interior design — Japanese cosplayer shows off crazy apartment entryway
What happens when a cosplayer takes anniversary bridal photos? Hadokens and Force chokes【Pics】
Awesome snowboarding cosplayer hits the slopes as Mobile Snowboarder Gundam【Videos, pics】
Anime pregnancy cosplay turns baby bump into Baki bump【Photos】
Japanese full armor cosplayers head to their local Adventurer’s Guild for a fantasy feast【Photos】