We went to Manifest the 13th which is reported as the biggest Cosplay event in Victoria, Australia. There were many stalls selling Anime stuff and Cosplay costumes, some cartoonist who drew your portrait in Anime style, a seminar area, game area, movie theatre and even a maid café!
Things sold there were quite expensive! It seemed 4 or 5 times more expensive than those sold in Japan. Yet, we saw many people with big bags and a lot of stuff. Cospalyers tend to be of the younger generation, people in their teens and 20’s. When cosplayers reach their 30’s, they become photographers.
Since Manifest is an annual three-day event, most cosplayers save their money to buy stuff there, and take time to plan and make their costume. Of course, there are some Anime/cosplay shops in the city, but it is rare to have many selections and varieties all in one place. So, many Anime fan and cosplayers do shopping at Manifest.
Just in case you do not know about cosplay……
Cosplay is a word made up from “costume” and “play”. It started in the late 60’s in Japan but the idea of dressing up came from American Halloween Science Fiction festivals. Instead of dressing up in a scary costume, people decided to dress up as Anime characters. In the U.S., Comic-Con is popular and people dress up as American cartoon/film/tv game characters, such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, etc.
Looks like you had a great time. Love the pictures…especially the ones with you and the big yellow “bear,” standing face to face and you and the “owl.” But, it would have been interesting to see what the two of you would look like as Anime characters. That would have been a hoot!