Yoshimitsu TakanoTokyo COSPLAY Paradise

Subculture and Tokyo: otaku and the city

Though cities and the societies that make them often undergo change through a variety of external factors, otaku culture has managed to evolve in its own unique way with hardly any influence from other cultures. This special culture is no longer limited to Japan, but in the past few years it has found a worldwide voice, and influences people in a myriad of ways.

This project began several years ago, prompted by a chance encounter at work.

The girls I photographed were "talents", "cosplayers" and performers in Tokyo's Akihabara district; supporters of the otaku culture. They are symbols of the numerous Japanese subcultures that have served to lead the cyber-society in which the otaku live.

As talents, these girls are genuinely versatile : some work in television, magazines and radio; some are lyricists and music composers; while others are voice actors for video games and anime productions. And among this talent pool there are even closet otaku, who suppress their tastes and interests as they attend school or work and go about their daily lives. They limit their otaku activity to things like participating in cosplay events on their days off.

Otaku culture is distinctive throughout the world, and these girls played a major part in its formation. I found that the way they expressed themselves was highly original and I was charmed by the yin and yang they offered as photo subjects.

Their costumes are all their own designs, a sublimation and personalization of all of their otaku interests.

I was inspired to capture these girls in the same frame as Tokyo's cityscape. I didn't want them simply depicted as old-meets-new contrasts of nostalgic scenes and new cultures or comparisons of everyday Tokyo life with its fringe elements. I wanted to express what results when the girls' are juxtaposed against the metropolis, and from that, hope that others will see the various elements of Tokyo and how they are transformed into entirely new cultures. I found that shooting these photos had me exploring that vibe and really feel it on a physical level.

Although the number of foreign cultures and customs that are beating a path to Japan is growing, I believe otaku culture will no doubt travel in the opposite direction and gain new legions of fans all around the world. I look forward to its continued evolution and to capturing it on film in the future.

- Yoshimitsu Takano, August 2007 

Softcover under illustrated dust jacket, 25,8 x 18,7 cm, color photographs. Two fold-out pages in the middle. First edition. In very good condition !