Interview with Mr. Dousai, Chief Editor of COSMODE.NET

A: How many cosplay geeks are there in Japan?

Dousai: There might be 70,000 to 90,000 judging from my experience. The number contains those experienced the participation in a cosplay event and have favorable position toward the subculture named a cosplay, including potential maniacs. In addition this includes the subscribers to “COSMODE” and the number of accesses to COSMODE.NET websites. These people are different from actual users as cosplayers. This is a mass surrounding a cosplay as business.

A: Has it increased more than before?

D: It can be said that the geek-ship has expanded, rather than an increase in the number of geeks. Until now the women aged 22 to 30, called “OTAKU” have struggled to making costumes to join a cosplay event. Today older people aged about 40s and young people aged 12 to 18 (junior high and high school students) have increased.

A: What make them join a cosplay?

D: One of the reasons is an appearance of the costume makers. COSPA is famous. Even if people have not craft sewing, they can easily get a wonderful costume at a reasonable price as much as the allowance of high school student part-time job.

A: Could you tell us about the cosplay events in Japan?

D: Currently there are few cosplay events in Japan because Japanese do not try to challenge new goals. There are a lot of industry-related people who think they are able to keep the industry if they maintain the present financial performances. Many industry-related persons don’t understand the cosplay makes people enjoy although some organizers to hold cosplay events properly grasp the property of cosplay.

A: May I ask you about COSMODE.NET?

D: COSMODE is a magazine by Eichi Shuppan. I am entrusted to operate the official website of the publisher. This magazine is absolutely different from this kind of other media because it targets girls for the first time in the media covering a cosplay.

A: What does “targets girls” mean?

D: Generally speaking, the “cosplay” media usually targets men. When a cosplay was popularized 12 to 13 years ago, it became a scheme that a cosplay was erotic. However, the readership which supports a cosplay is not men wanting pornography.

A: Is the range of a cosplay as business narrow?

D: That’s right. However, I think I will succeed. I got several ideas, for instance, mail-order sale to East Asian countries and mail-order selling clearing agent for importing from South Korea where there are abundant materials with high quality and cheap price.
We have a plan to cosplay tours to “Sakuracon” and “OTACON” to be held in the U.S.A. In addition, we are planning to conduct such tours to Europe due to receiving many requests.

A: As I recall, there is an event that you are tying up with Anime Gamers U.S.A. Inc. Is that right?

D: Yes. The president of BROCCOLI INTERNATIONAL USA, INC.　is one of my friends for over a decade. Currently we are discussing several plans.
ADV will publish a magazine carrying photo of COSMODE. We will penetrate overseas markets from now on. Actually we have some offers from Europe and China.

A: Please tell me the conditions of Cosplay in America.

D: I have learned the situation in the U.S.A since the Anime Expo 8 years ago. But the situation of the cosplay industry in the U.S.A has recently remarkably progressed.

Especially the figurative arts in costumes amazingly have evolved. The event is something like a wild party with an American spirit. The Japanese should partially follow the cue of the event, I think.

A: Thanks for your comment today.