Promoting Tokyo to Anime, Manga, and Game Fans Worldwide

The Core of Cosplay

For cosplayer, model, and content creator Hakken, Japanese culture has always been a familiar presence: In Malaysia, where they grew up, major malls had areas dedicated to Japanese media, and some communities even held Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese festival.

Their first inspiration to try cosplay came when, as an elementary school student, they saw people online dressing up as Naruto characters. "I felt really inspired," Hakken recalls. They began cosplaying in 2010 and have, by now, garnered millions who follow their work.

In addition to honing creative skills such as photography, makeup, and costume-making, cosplay also opened up the world for Hakken. "It brought me into this community and this culture, as well as to different places of the world for shoots and events," they say.

Some of their best-loved work includes portraying popular characters such as Howl from Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle, Sesshomaru from InuYasha, Uchiha Itachi from Naruto, and Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen.

Hakken's dedication to each project and attention to detail are evident in their work. However, they emphasize that getting a cosplay right goes beyond the visuals. "When I portray a character, the crucial part is to capture their essence," they explain. "That is what pulls all the crafts together. It is the core when it comes to cosplay."

A Sense of Belonging

Hakken first visited the metropolis soon after graduating high school. "My first time going to Tokyo was an eye-opening experience, because what I had seen online and in anime was actually in front of my eyes. As a kid, I was so excited," they remember.

"There were so many things to take in, and, because Tokyo is such a diverse city, there are so many things to do. I stayed for about two weeks. When I returned home, I was like, 'It is not enough—I need to go back,'" they add.

Hakken says that, as a cosplayer, Tokyo provides a sense of belonging.

"You can find all kinds of different cosplayers that portray characters differently, very much in their own way, in Tokyo," they elaborate. "There are also specific places dedicated to the anime, manga, and games community like in Ikebukuro and Akihabara—places where you can literally find everything."

Originally famous as Tokyo's go-to spot to buy electronics and other gadgets, the Akihabara neighborhood is now also home to myriad shops dedicated to anime, manga, game, and cosplay. The Ikebukuro area, meanwhile, boasts cafes with anime-related themes as well as stores that cater specifically to female fans.

Events are important places for fans and creators to connect and share their passion, and Tokyo hosts some of the world's largest, such as the bi-annual event Comic Market, known as Comiket. Hakken, who has attended, described Comiket as pleasant and well-organized.

Another special experience in Tokyo for cosplayers is shooting in dedicated cosplay studios, which anyone can book. "The settings in the studios are really well organized, really well made," they say, also noting that the spaces come equipped with wigs, makeup, and colored lenses. "It makes it so convenient for cosplayers to create in Tokyo."

Hakken is also interested in fashion outside of cosplay, to which Tokyo provides plenty of inspiration as well. "I love the fashion culture in Tokyo. I visit Omotesando a lot; it is where all types of fashion come together and a place where people express themselves through fashion," they say.

Alongside clothing and accessory shops that range from tasteful boutiques to major Japanese and international fashion brands, the Omotesando neighborhood also offers art museums like the Nezu Museum and fine dining.

Promoting Tokyo to Fans Around the World

In 2023, Hakken was invited to become a Tokyo Tourism Ambassador. The ambassadors' role involves participating in public relations initiatives to showcase "the diversity of Tokyo's tourism assets to audiences in Japan and overseas" and support "Tokyo's ongoing endeavors to boost visitor numbers and revitalize local communities."

After the initial shock of being asked to serve as a Tourism Ambassador wore off—"I was like, 'Is this for real?!'"—Hakken was more than happy to assume the role. "Getting appointed as a Tokyo Tourism Ambassador was such an honor," they say. "Having this opportunity to explore more and do something for this city means a lot to me."

As a Tourism Ambassador, they promote the metropolis by producing content, either in collaborations with other organizations or for their own social media. "I share the places I go, what I do, and what it is like from my experience with my community," they explain.

Even for individuals less interested in Japan's pop culture, Tokyo has much to offer, and Hakken encourages visitors to linger. "If possible, try to stay a little bit longer in Tokyo, because every part of the city has its own essence, its own specialty," they say, highlighting the metropolis's traditional elements alongside its city life and nightlife. "It is like going to different cities every time you go to different parts of Tokyo. It is really interesting to see the differences."

Hakken

Hakken is a Malaysian cosplayer, model, and content creator known internationally for highly detailed portrayals of anime, manga, and video game characters. Rising to prominence through social media, Hakken built a global following through their photography, makeup techniques, and character interpretation that blends cosplay with fashion-oriented modeling, and they have appeared as a guest at major cosplay and anime conventions around the world. They have served as a Tokyo Tourism Ambassador since 2023.