Sydney dresses up for major cosplay event

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More than 15,000 Sydneysiders met up Saturday and Sunday to celebrate all things anime at Australia's biggest convention for Japanese pop art.

Now in its 11th year, SMASH! brings together comic lovers, gamers, artists and the fanatical cosplay devotees who wear extravagant costumes of their favorite cartoon characters.

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"I think cosplay is a very unique form of expression," president of SMASH! Andrew Qiu told Xinhua on Sunday.

"People have been using fashion to express themselves, but if you combine that with what you love, the character, the games all the content that you love, you can become who you really love and that's really taken off," he said.

Anime has been soaring in popularity in Australia and according to Qiu, he believes this is due to the wide embrace of multiculturalism Down Under.

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"Because we celebrate different cultures (in Australia), it makes it much easier for people to accept and enjoy anime," Qiu said, "Being together with other people who do the same, it creates a good vibe."

Over recent years, a tight knit community of cosplayers has developed in Australia, as participation in the trend continues to grow.

"A lot of people know what each other is doing, they coordinate cosplay together... and that's what is fun about it, you are part of a creation together," one fan said.

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For many at the event, it's the community of like-minded people that make dressing up so enjoyable.

One cosplayer who spoke to Xinhua at the convention revealed that it took her over one month to create her costume.

"A lot of money goes into it as well and just time, stress, blood, sweat and tears," the cosplayer said.

"It's a lot of effort, but at the end of the day it's all worth it, when you come to a convention and see the photo's that people get and see the smile on people's faces."

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency