INTRIGUED expressions and a few curious smiles were shared by foot traffic at Civic Square yesterday as a trio of Launceston cosplayers gathered to promote the upcoming MAICon event.
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The celebration of Japanese culture is in its fourth year and will again see University of Tasmania’s Launceston campus swamped by fictional characters and their fans.
The showcase is a miniature version of Hobart’s successful AICon gathering, which is gearing up for its 10-year anniversary in March next year.
A cosplay competition, card and video games, a trade room, anime screening and more will be part of next month’s display.
Anime cosplayers Ash Pinner, as Ayumu Aikawa from Is This a Zombie?, Shar Sward, as Dot Hack’s Shino, and Carl Martell, as Ken Kaneki of Tokyo Ghoul, already have their costumes set to go.
‘‘I’m a very last-minute cosplayer,’’ Ms Sward said.
‘‘I made this in a week using a squirty bottle and a salad bowl, one of my friends made the staff for me — that took them about six months.
‘‘Making the costumes is part of the fun of it, but it can get quite stressful when things don’t work out.’’
Mr Pinner said his costume was custom-made in America and Japan, whereas Mr Martell took to modifying casual wear for his character.
For more information go to www.aicon.org.au
FACT FILE
WHAT: MAICon.
WHERE: University of Tasmania, Launceston Campus, Newnham Drive.
WHEN: 9.30am to 6pm, September 6.