 |
|
Animated: YuRiE played characters Hatsune Miku and Megurine Luka in Vocaloid Derivative. — Photo coutersy of Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange |
HA NOI — Japanese costume players, known as cosplayers, will come to Viet Nam for the first time to appear in a photo and video exhibition at the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Ha Noi today.
The exhibition will feature photos and videos by YuRiE, a collaborative cosplay team formed by the two young Japanese cosplayers YuRi and RiE.
Seven videos and 47 photos will feature characters from Japanese artworks such as Vocaloid Derivative, Sengoku Basara and Macross F.
YuRiE was declared cosplay champion of the world at the World Cosplay Summit 2009 in Nagoya. Their performance included portrayals of Sanada Hiroyuki and Date Masamune, characters from the computer game Sengoku BASARA.
Cosplay, or dressing up as characters from various animation, manga and games, is the visualisation of two dimensional images into three dimensional figures, according to organisers from the centre.
Cosplayers not only make and sew the clothes, wigs and accessories themselves, but they also set up the location of the shoot and pose for photos and videos.
Creativity and realistic portrayals of characters are essential to being admired as cosplayers. YuRiE is one of the most highly revered cosplayers in the world, the organisers said.
YuRi began her cosplay performances in 2008. As the champion of the World Cosplay Summit 2009, she has been invited to Spain, Finland, China and South Korea to participate in cosplay events. She will also be a jury member for a tournament of local Chinese cosplayers at their World Cosplay Summit 2010 in Shanghai.
The exhibition launch party will be held today at 2pm at the Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange, 27 Quang Trung Street. Visitors can enjoy the exhibit until September 23.
YuRiE will also participate in the Acctive Expo 2010 in Ha Noi. Many pop culture activities will be packed into the one day event at the Ha Noi Children's Palace, 36 Ly Thai To Street tomorrow from 8am to 9.30pm.
YuRiE will be members of the Cos'Night jury which will see five groups of Vietnamese cosplayers compete against each other. They will also perform at night and pose for photographs with Vietnamese fans.
Booths will display toys, magazines and comic books to introduce Japanese culture at the event. — VNS