In โVitrolles, Everyone Does What They Cosplay: Manga Expo Draws Enthusiastic Crowds
Vitrolles, France, played host toโ teh 3rd edition of Manga Expo this weekend, attracting hundreds of visitors deeply immersed in the vibrant world of manga,โฃ anime, and cosplay. The event showcased a stunning array of creativity andโฃ dedication, with attendees โtransforming themselves intoโ beloved characters from โคacross the popโ culture spectrum.
Even before entering the main event hall, named after artist Guy Obino, attendees were greeted by a spectacle: two towering robots, easily surpassing the height of basketball player Victor Wembanyama (2 meters tall). These impressively detailed androids, reminiscent of theโข “transforming” franchise, immediately transported visitors into a different reality.
Inside, the atmosphere was electric.The crowd was a diverse mix of enthusiasts, mirroring the eclectic clientele of a Tatooine bar from Star wars. Characters from โฃ The Lord of the Rings,Mario Bros., and Pirates of the Caribbean mingled amongst attendees celebratingโ Japanese animationโค and comics.
To navigate this bustling landscape, our team enlisted the helpโข of Cylan, a cosplayer portraying Obanai Iguro,โ a popular characterโค from Demonโฃ slayer. Accompanied by hisโ friends, portal and Mael,โ who embodied Mitsuri kanroji, also from Demon Slayer, Cylan provided invaluable insightโ into the nuances of this passionate subculture.
Demon Slayer โฃ itselfโค is a global โphenomenon, having sold over 220 million copies since โits debut in 2016.Cylan, portal, and Mael were eager to share their knowledge with newcomers, explainingโข the core โprinciples of manga, pop culture, andโค cosplay.
Though, Cylan was swift to emphasize a crucial distinction: “There’s a big difference between cosplay โand a disguise.” he stressed that โคcosplay is a dedicated art form, requiring significant time, effort, โand respect for the โsource material. It’s about embodying a character, not simply wearing a costume.
Manga Expo in Vitrollesโ proved to be a โresounding success, demonstrating the growing popularity of manga and anime in France and the dedication of its passionateโฃ fanbase. The event offered a captivating glimpseโ into a world where imagination takes physical form, and where everyone truly does what they cosplay.