Author - Tom Phillips
www.animetion.co.uk
When I first starting attending anime events around three years ago, barely anybody cosplayed (cosplay - costume play, to dress up as an anime/manga/game character). The first event I attended was the MCM London Expo in May 2005, traditionally a less hardcore event then anime conventions. The difference between the Expo now, and the Expo is staggering. Back then, It was a relatively even split between anime, sci-fi and err...wrestling, but now it is dominated by anime & manga fans.
Anime fans turn out in their thousands now, the vast majority in cosplay, many of them for the first time. The quality varies from cosplay to cosplay, but that is no bad thing. A few experienced cosplayers may bemoan another teenager dressed as a character from Naruto or Death Note (the most common cosplays), which is sad as thise could discurage newcomers from delving further into the anime community. Also the Expo os vitally important to the anime community, since it brings in so many new fans. Anyone can buy a ticket and anyone can show up on the day and enter. True, you may have to queue for ages if you didn't buy in advance, but you will still get in. The amount of attendees - over 20,000 - proves how many are willing to wait.
The more anime fans attend Expo the better, as the anime community needs more fans. The more we get, more titles will be released and, hopefully, shown on TV and cosplay is the strongest way to show alligence to anime. Event organisers, press and distribution companies are more likely to notice large amounts of fans in cosplay then in normal clothing, and will take note. Most companies will even recruit cosplayers to promote their wares, on occasion even asking first-time cosplayers. Not only could you gain recognition that way, but are bound to make new friends whilst cosplaying.
Since I started interviewing cosplayers for my website - www.animetion.co.uk - I have come to realise that cosplaying is something special to the anime community. Every cosplayer I have interviewed says cosplay help them either gain new friends, skills and travelling experiences. Plus all of them state that their first anime event was the MCM London Expo, as well as their first cosplay experience. Many of them have gone on to attend anime conventions such as Amecon and Minamicon, as well as still attending the Expo. They have become more hardcore, but have not forgotten their roots.
So the Expo remains the most important event in the anime calender, held twice yearly in May & October. It is responsible for allowing access to a huge number of fans into the anime community. The recent October Expo expanded in size to allow greater capacity and it was still a hugely busy event, which is an excellent sign. The organisers could easily expand again in May 2009 and the event would still be filled.
May the MCM London Expo grow and grow.
To see enlarged images of the above and more MCM Expo pictures check here
