Team Japan gets first overall victory in 12 years, but it’s a safe bet that no one will ever forget this Totoro.
World Cosplay Summit
All of the teams were awesome, but Team Mexico’s fantastic costumes and amazing choreography won them the championship!
When you’ve got a meeting with cosplayers from around the world on your schedule, a suit and tie just won’t due.
This is what happens when one of the country’s most adulated cosplayers makes an appearance at a cosplay convention.
It’s not every day you get to see cosplayers fronting an ad campaign for one of the annual convention’s main sponsors.
About one week ago, we at RocketNews24 gave you an inside look at how things happen behind the scenes at the annual World Cosplay Summit (WCS). Now, it’s time for a follow-up!
On Saturday, July 3, in Nagoya, Japan, the WCS held its highly anticipated championship finals, wherein 20 teams of cosplayers from countries around the world competed for prizes and the prestige of being named World Cosplay Champions. This year, for the first time, the championships were streamed live on Niconico Douga, Japan’s YouTube, for the whole globe to see. But, just in case you missed it, here’s a photo album introducing all of the teams and announcing to you the winners of this years WCS.
Warning: The cosplay featured in these photos will take your breath away.
Every year the city of Nagoya plays host to the World Cosplay Summit (WCS), a large-scale competition between cosplay representatives from around the world. Teams of two from 20 different countries are all brought to Japan to take part in this life-changing opportunity. The championship finals will be held on the outdoor stage of Oasis21 on Saturday, August 3, starting at 7 p.m. Japan time. Tickets are available, though they are not required to watch the event. In fact, you don’t even have to be in Japan to watch this year’s world-class cosplay performances. It’s been announced that for the first time Niconico Douga will be stream the entire event on the World Cosplay Summit’s official channel.
But you know, not everything to do with the WCS involves competition. Cosplay itself is about bringing together people of similar interests and building a sense of community between those who like to dress up as Japanese characters. These cosplay teams must prepare not only as performers but as representatives of cosplay culture in each of their respective countries. Before the finals even take place, teams must take part in a week’s worth of parades, photo shoots, and official meetings. it’s a good thing there are some opportunities to relax worked into the schedule as well.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Bear meat noodles?!? Tokyo restaurant adds a new kind of niku soba to its menu【Taste test】
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japanese vending machine serves up unique drinks at four Tokyo train stations
Pikachu’s chunky original design is back as a plus-sized plushie【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
For richer or poorer? — What Japanese women really think about money and marriage
An overnight trip on the Sunrise Izumo, Japan’s awesome Tokyo-Shimane sleeper train【Photos】
How to get all-you-can eat doughnuts at Mister Donut for just 12 bucks!
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Weekly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】- Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】- Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Monthly
- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】- Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo- Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Yearly
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
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- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
The Yellow Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is so bad it may damage Japan-US relations
For richer or poorer? — What Japanese women really think about money and marriage
An overnight trip on the Sunrise Izumo, Japan’s awesome Tokyo-Shimane sleeper train【Photos】
How to get all-you-can eat doughnuts at Mister Donut for just 12 bucks!
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Demon Slayer anime franchise gets new edible content with Kimetsu no Yaiba-yaki sweets【Tasting】
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
Tokyo’s downtown Chuo Line now has first-class Green Car carriages for no additional cost to ride
Japanese idol singer holds memorial concert for 55-year-old fan who died alone and had no funeral
We stumbled upon “Pudding Street” in Hanoi, so of course we had to investigate
We try all-you-can-eat raw eggs for 730 yen, turns out to be way better than it sounds
-
