WORLD COSPLAY SUMMIT 2006

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso

*The event has now finished.

* The World Cosplay Summit (August 5th Parade, August 6th Contest) had a large amount of press coverage aside from that of TV Aichi. The promoter and press authorized by the promoter had press passes issued by the promoter. Before using photos or footage, please confirm permission to use material from the authorized press.

On the upcoming 5th of August (Sat.) the annual “Cosplay Parade” will be taking place in collaboration with the Osu Summer Festival. This year’s parade will include representatives from 9 countries. Why not come down and march with them?

Last years parade schedule

11:30	Changing rooms open
13:00~14:30	Mixer Event (Comok Goodwill AMP 5F)
15:30	Cosplay Parade starts (from the Osu Kannon Temple grounds)
15:30~16:30	Cosplay Parade (Osu Kannon shopping district, and then stop in the grounds of Banshoji with a mini-stage)
18:00	Changing areas close

＊Scheduled times program are subject to change.

[Changing Rooms]

The designated meeting room at TV Aichi's headquarters (Osu 2-4-8, Naka-Ku, Nagoya City) can be used as a changing area. The location is here.
The reception is open from 11:30. The reception desk is at the main entrance of TV Aichi's headquarters.
Space is limited, so only the first 100 people will be admitted to the changing areas.
The changing areas can be used until 6:00pm. Please take valuables with you. It is possible to leave bags etc. in the changing area, but please look after your own belongings on your own. TVA take no responsibility in the event of any losses.
Please understand that during the parade the changing areas will be closed.
For those participating only in the parade and not the Mixer Event, from 11:30 until the parade begins you can use the changing areas.

[Mixer Event]

Location: Comok (Goodwill AMP 5F, Osu 3-18-21, Naka-Ku, Nagoya City)
Time: 13:00~14:30
Details: World Cosplay Summit 2006 representative cosplayer's photo shoot, free karaoke, bingo, etc.
Tickets to participate in the Mixer Event will be given to the first 80 people from 11:30 onwards at the reception for the changing areas.
(For cosplayers only, please see Comok's homepage regarding entrance rules for cameramen)
After changing, make your way to Comok, the location for the Mixer Event, and from Comok to the start area of the parade. Please follow the event staff.

[Parade]

All are free to participate in the cosplay parade which starts at 15:30. Unofficial participants are also welcome.
Only cosplayers can participate in the Cosplay Parade.

Cosplayers from 9 countries around the world aim for the number 1 cosplay performance by engaging in a live cosplay contest.

Last year's event can be seen here.

[Time & Date] August 6th (Sunday)
[Location] Oasis 21, Nagoya, Japan
[Participating Countries] 9 Countries (Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Brazil, China, Thailand, Singapore, Japan)
[Number of Participants] 1 team from each country (2 people per team; Japan has 3 teams) for a total of 11 teams consisting of 22 participants
[Entrance Fee] Free
[Judges/Special Guests] Special Guests] Go Nagai, Essai Ushijima, Hiroshi Kitadani, and M’s Melody are scheduled.
[Prizes]

Winners [Airplane Ticket]
A set of tickets that allows the winners to come to Japan again. If a Japanese team wins, they may choose a country out of the participating European or Asian countries and receive a ticket to that country.
Runners-up　Goodwill AMP Anime and Manga goods equivalent to 50,000 Yen.
Third Place　Goodwill AMP Anime and Manga goods equivalent to 30,000 Yen.
brother Prize　brother slim digital multifunction fax printer machine 「My Mio」
Best audience prize [Set of 6 “Docomo Dake” stuffed toys]
*The Best audience Award is decided from the cosplayers participating in the event.

Mr. Go Nagai
After graduating high school, Mr. Nagai became assistant to manga artist Shotaro Ishimori (now Ishinomori), and in 1967 made his debut with “Meakashi Poli-kichi”(Bokura magazine, November issue). Starting from 1968 “Harenchi Gakuen”(in Shounen Jump) became big hits. He rewrote the rules within the world of manga by pointing out phenomena of contemporary society. In 1972 his “Devilman” animation was made for television, and with “Mazinger Z”he further pushed back the boundaries of manga. Continuing into 1973 “Cutey Honey” was televised. Following on from that, “Dorororon Enma Kun”, “Great Mazinger”, “UFO Robot Grendizer” TV animations continued, at the same time being televised in Europe, and then became popular worldwide. In 1980, “Susa no Ou”won the 4th Kodansha Manga prize. In 2005, he became Professor in the Character Creative Arts Department of Osaka University of the Arts.

Mr. Essai Ushijima
Columnist and critic. Mr. Ushijima started doing cosplay when he was a junior high school student. Beginning with “Comic Market”(a.k.a. Comiket), he has had a key role in the management of many cosplay events. He has written many books and columns on cosplay. He is known worldwide, has spoken regularly on this subject and is without equal in this regard.

Mr. Hiroshi Kitadani
He ventured into the world of animation songs starting with OVA's “Megumi no Daigo”ending theme song “Red Darkness”. In 1999, with his signature tune for the Fuji Television animation “One Piece” theme song “We Are”, he established himself as animation singer Hiroshi Kitadani. The noted theme song “We Are”became the number 1 chosen song on radio station AM Kobe, and won the 5th Animation Kobe award/AM Kobe Award (Theme Song award). In 2002, Kamen Rider Ryuki ED theme “Endless Wish”and “Revolution”were released in quick succession. In the same year, together with Hironobu Kageyama and Masaaki Endo he formed the Acoustic Rio “Manga Trio”. He also participated as a member of the second stage of Super Anison UnitFs JAM Project. He is playing an increasingly prominent role in making the next step forward with the JAM Project. In 2006 he continues to take charge with two cool theme songs, Tokyo TV's “Ryukendo”, and ANIMAX’s “Humanoid Monster Bem”. At Tokyo's Budokan, he participated as one of the members of JAM Project's number 1 Anison event, “Animero summer live event ”Outride””. In his first event overseas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he participated as Japan's representative for “ANIME FRIENDS”.

M's Melody
Started in a maid cafe in Osu, Nagoya; a maid group known as ‘M's Melody’. Released their debut maxi single in June 2006. Members names: Cocoa (left), Mel (middle) and Koyuzu (right).

Life-size figures made their appearance at the event!

Cooperation from:

Three-dimensional life-size figures from TV animation and games made their appearance.
The booth opened at 13:00.
[Showcased characters]

“Saber” from “Fate/Stay night”
“Rei Ayanami” from “Neon Genesis Evangelion”
“Asuka Langley Soryu” from “Neon Genesis Evangelion”
“Chii” from “Chobits”
“Sakura Kinomoto” from“Cardcaptor Sakura”
“Nakoruru” from “Samurai Spirits”
Others may be on showcase………we look forward to the day’s events!

13:00~	Presentation booths, changing areas, and baggage storage/cloakroom open
16:30~	Public viewing area open
18:00~18:05	Championship begins
18:05~18:45	First half of the contest
18:45~18:55	Intermission 1; M’s Melody live show
18:55~19:25	Second half of the contest
19:25~19:45	Intermission 2; Hiroshi Kitadani live show
19:45~19:55	Announcement of results
19:55~20:00	Championship ends
~21:00	Presentation booths close
~21:30	Changing areas, and baggage storage/cloakroom close

*The above schedule/program is subject to change.

*To all cosplayers: we have prepared a changing area for the day. We look forward to all cosplayers participating in the event.
*In particular, various plans/projects within the event will be announced on the homepage as needed. Don’t miss out!

Many people will be coming to Oasis 21 in Nagoya on this day. Within Oasis 21, regarding cosplay and photos being taken, we ask that you please follow the orders of the staff and do not cause any problems for other people.
Failure to follow procedures will result in the termination of your cosplay and removal from the event. We ask for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Please carry all valuables with you. Please look after your own bag (s) respectively. We take no responsibility in the event of any losses.
Regarding the accompaniment of/use of imitation cosplay goods, please use materials that will not cause problems or injury to others.
Changing areas have been set up within Oasis 21. Please use the designated changing areas; please note, it is not a toilet. Leaving baggage and rubbish etc is prohibited.
The changing areas can be used by all cosplayers. We ask that you please use it in a manner of mutual respect.
The World Cosplay Summit 2006 is a festival showcasing Japanese manga, animation and games. As the main purpose of the event, we ask that you wear suitable costumes for the event. Costumes that are too exposed or scantily-clad, cross-dressing, realistic military attire, civil servants costumes etc. are prohibited. Failure to comply with the above-mentioned points will unfortunately result in the termination of your cosplay and removal from the event.
It is prohibited to use a tripod when taking pictures inside the hall. When the notes/requests are not adhered to, you will be removed from the hall. We ask for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
オYou can take photos inside Oasis 21. However, taking photos in the middle of the aisles, behaving in an unsocial manner or generally causing trouble for other patrons is prohibited.Aside from Donguri Republic and the NHK Character Shop, it is possible to go into eating and drinking establishments in costume.However, for those shops you are allowed to enter in cosplay costumes please do not cause trouble for other patrons. For each of the stores and eating/drinking establishments, please take note of any instruction from the staff.
For those taking photos, please ask the cosplayers themselves for permission before taking any photos of them. Taking photos secretly, or any actions pertaining to this, will result in removal from the hall.
Taking video within the World Cosplay Summit 2006 is prohibited.
The weather is forecast to be very hot on the day of the event. Please note that measures/preparation for the heat, especially the provision of water, are your own responsibility.