There’s a very different face hiding underneath this Idolmaster character.
Time and time again, we’ve seen cosplayers bend genders, recreate fantastical costumes, and pull out all the poses to bring manga, anime, and video game characters to life.
Now there’s a viral hashtag going around the cosplay community that looks at the person beneath the makeup, showing the before-and-after photos behind the look. And one Twitter user is making news for her particularly stunning transformation, that sees her go from this…
▼ Looking cute as Shin Sato from the Idolmaster Cinderella Girls.
日曜日のホココス大阪から参加下さった「いたわさ」ちゃんです。可愛いお顔と衣装がマッチングしています。 #ホココス @itws_a pic.twitter.com/fiXRtKN9E4
— tada_cb1000 (@tada_cb1000) May 21, 2019
To this.
▼ On the left, without makeup
#レイヤーのオンとオフ
— いたわさ🅿︎シンステ上方15 (@itws_a) May 29, 2019
閲覧注意
1枚目 無加工寝起きスキンケア直後にコーヒー飲んでるわい。
2枚目 この間 pic.twitter.com/F9pxypwHoL
That’s a pretty impressive magical girl transformation right there! Itawasa, who goes by the Twitter handle @itws_a, says the photo of her on the left was taken by her mother in the morning, when she was having a cup of coffee after waking up and finishing her pre-makeup skincare routine.
▼ Same girl, outside in cosplay.
ホココスお疲れ様でした!
— いたわさ🅿︎シンステ上方15 (@itws_a) May 19, 2019
はぁとでした💗💗💗
お会いして下さった方、貴重なお時間ありがとうございます😭!お会いできなかった方、またイベント等でお会いしましょう😎👍🏻✨
今回も沢山差し入れありがとうございます😭😭😭!!大事に頂きます😌🌸#ホココス #ホココス2019 #ホココス2019春 pic.twitter.com/EOYPvgx1xD
People online were suitably impressed by Itawasa’s cosplay skills and her confidence to bare all, leaving comments like:
“It’s so rare to see a cosplayer without makeup! I have nothing but praise for her.”
“I always thought I didn’t have the looks to cosplay but this has given me the confidence to give it a try. Thank you!”
“Omg her makeup-free skin is gorgeous! What’s her secret?”
“She is glowing in that before image.”
“Well done for putting it all out there. Definitely following her and supporting her from now on!”
Itawasa says she’s surprised at all the attention she’s been getting following her tweet, and it’s certainly boosted her followers. She’s not the only cosplayer to show off their before-after images, though, and you can join them too, by simply sharing your photos with the hashtag “#レイヤーのオンとオフ” (“Cosplayer On/Off”).
And while you’re there, you might want to take a look at the #キャラの初コスと現在を比較 (“first and latest character cosplay comparison”) hashtag for some amazing then-vs-now transformations!
Source: Net Lab
Featured image: Twitter/@itws_a
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

When you fall in love with a cosplayer【Photos】
Japanese makeup tutorial shows how a middle-aged man can turn into a beautiful young woman
Japanese cosmetic artist posts photo with only half her face made up, internet freaks out【Pics】
Cosplay makeup hack: How to bring anime sparkle to your eyes
Ugly-cute makeup genius feeds off negative troll comments on Twitter
Tokyo ward looking to change lodging laws, ban more than half of its Airbnb-style rentals
Okinawa man convinced he won 700 million yen by scammers, saved by convenience store staff
Uniqlo’s sister brand will be waiting with Pokémon sweaters and parkas this fall [Pics]
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Mister Donut releases new sweet potato doughnuts in Japan, and we’ve ranked them from best to worst
Tokyo’s red-light district cafe lets you dine inside a real 1960s cabaret
New Japanese ice cream is Ballin, in more ways than one
Shinto shrine gate parfaits that tell your fortune now being served in Tokyo
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
Anime magical girls grow to gigantic size with new Madoka Magica plushies [Photos]
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
New Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
New Japanese convenience store rice balls taste like instant noodles [Taste test]
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japanese Twitter user displays the awesome power of her makeup kit, men gasp in horror
Cosplay catastrophe countermeasure: How to keep your makeup nice at a sweaty anime convention
“Is that the real Scarlett Johannson?” Japanese makeup goddess Zawachin amazes yet again
Handsome Japanese cosplayer finds renewing driver’s license hard after huge transformation【Pics】
Seven million yen in cosmetic surgery later, Japanese coplayer looks completely different
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 1 of Summer Comiket 2019【Photos】
Sexy Japanese bikini model Waka Inoue snaps back into shape with dramatic before/after video
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 3 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】
Japanese star’s makeup transformation goes viral online 【Videos】
Anya makeup how-to for transforming into the Spy x Family star for Halloween or cosplay
Cosplayer reveals secrets behind her awesome transformation into Lightning from Final Fantasy
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 1 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】
The best Japanese cosplayers from Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2019【Photos】
2021’s top stories in cosplay and makeover news【SoraNews24 Year in Review】