Machi★Asobi hits day two with cosplayers and over 100 events

The Machi★Asobi anime festival is living its second and final day this October 18 in downtown Tokushima. Since early morning, the streets filled with cosplayers and fans who came from different parts of Japan to enjoy the event.

This edition is the 31st of a festival that started in 2009 and has already become a classic gathering for the Japanese otaku community. The idea is simple: take over the city and turn it into a meeting point where anime is lived on the streets.

Cosplayers are the soul of the festival. In the testimonials collected by local broadcaster JRT, one participant said it took her about a year to prepare her costume: "It's big, with all the equipment included. I want to stand out." Another, who traveled from Kagawa, said what she enjoys most is that many people see her cosplay.

There was also someone who summed up the spirit of the event in one sentence: "The best thing is wearing a costume that makes you feel an atmosphere outside the everyday. It's the best."

Over 100 activities in two days

Machi★Asobi's lineup isn't limited to street cosplay. The stages host talks, girl band concerts, and other shows. In total, the organization prepared over 100 activities spread across Saturday and Sunday.

The festival closes its doors today at 8 p.m. local time. After that, Tokushima will return to its usual pace until the next edition.

Machi★Asobi is one of those events that show how anime can transform an entire city. It's not a convention in an exhibition center: it's Tokushima itself that dresses up for a weekend.