
“Gosh darn it, Hanako, is that the Kamehameha or the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki they’re practicing this time?”
Are all those pesky neighborhood cosplayers on the roof keeping you up at night? We didn’t even know that was a thing, but there is indeed a service you can call for free advice about any and all of your roof troubles–especially if you happen to be the unlucky victim of yet another sunrise photography session on your roof.
Roof renovation contracting firm Mori Kenchiku Bankin Kogyo (“Moribankin“), located in Yamatotakada City, Nara Prefecture, is offering “Cosplayers on the Roof Countermeasure Services” for grievances based in Tokyo, Osaka, and Hyogo Prefectures. The company excels at any kind of roof repair work, including general maintenance and simple measures to prevent leaking. The free “cosplayers on the roof consultations” came to fruition as part of the company’s goal to provide the general public with easily accessible knowledge about roof care without anyone having to feel like they were asking dumb questions. In other words: You’ve got a question about roofs, and they’ll happily answer it–no matter how outlandish it may seem.
But still, there’s that nagging question–why cosplayers on the roof?!
As detailed on the company’s website, it all started on that fateful (mythical?) day when Moribankin Company President Ryosuke Mori received a phone call from a client saying, “There’s a strange noise coming from my roof! Could you please check it out?” Not one to be deterred from the unknown, Mori immediately hightailed his way over to the house in question. While climbing his ladder, he indeed heard some strange noises, and curiously peered over the top…
▼ President Mori couldn’t digest the full situation right away…
Mori: “Could it be…?”
…to be met by two ardent cosplayers in the middle of a rooftop duel!
▼ “It’s cosplayers, just as I thought! And there are two of them…”
After grabbing their attention, he yelled out to them that they should not be cosplaying on the roof. They didn’t take very kindly to this order, however, and challenged him to a duel of his own.
▼ “You’re cosplaying with a helmet yourself, aren’tcha!”
“Just try and beat me, Mr. Helmet.”
And so Mori whipped out his ultimate technique and sent it flying in the direction of his foes…
…only to have them stare back at him with looks of incredulity.
Actually, they thought that his attack was so lame that they conceded defeat out of sheer pity for him. They all then had a civil conversation in which he explained why their little stunt was so damaging to the roof, and even showed them some basic roof maintenance pointers. They were eventually impressed enough by his professional knowledge that they agreed to find a different place to enact their hobby, undoubtedly to the delight of both the homeowners and the roof itself.
Thus ends the immortal tale of the cosplayers on the roof. Moribankin saved the day once, and to commemorate Roof Day on September 8 (anything is possible in Japan, folks), the company also offered specially crafted copper animal statues to the first ten people who requested a free roof diagnosis up until September 15.
As a whole, net users responded to the cosplayers-on-a-roof story in a mix of disbelief and skepticism:
“Wait, that’s actually a problem?”
“It seems that roofs have become quite infested with cosplayers recently.”
“Yeah, they’ll go to great lengths to take pictures in strange places.”
“Ponyo on the Roof!”
“I think the company workers just want to use it as an excuse to cosplay themselves.”
While it’s unclear how much of Mori’s story lies in actual fact, the Cosplayers on the Roof Countermeasure Service is a great way to drum up interest in the company and get the public interested in what goes on above their houses. Now, if only another company would tackle some other decidedly more serious scourges on society–such as diners who refuse to say thank you after their meal.
Source: Niconico News via My Game News Flash
Images: Moribankin






Carlos Ghosn leaves jail in workman cosplay, causes hilarious Twitter storm in Japan
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
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]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
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
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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
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