2023-10-21 15:25:27
This event, which replaces the Japan Vannes Matsuri, brings together enthusiasts of Japanese culture for two days at the Vannes Chorus around manga, traditional arts, gaming, and even pop culture. Nearly 15,000 people are expected, including fans of cosplay, a discipline that appeals to an increasingly wide audience.
The cosplay is becoming more and more widespread and accepted. This is the practice of reproducing the costume of a character from a film, series, book, video game and wearing it while walking or during a stage performance.
This leisure activity is becoming more popular and attracting an ever-wider audience. Because beyond liking to dress up, it is a true art of living that allows you to escape the reality of today’s world. And throughout the weekend, it is in the honor of the Japanese convention of the Sekai Festival of Vannes organized at the Vannes Choruswhere many fans of the discipline have met.
Among them, there are fans of the universe of “Jojo’s”, one of the best-selling mangas in the world that four young people embody during this Vannes convention, just to change their identity for the duration of a daytime. “For a day, it allows you to be someone else and have fun without worrying regarding how others look at you.,” “Gyro” (his stage name) tells us on the microphone. “I feel much better when I’m in cosplay than in real life” confides “Mista”. “It gives us a confidence in ourselves that we don’t have otherwise.”
Because cosplay is not simply putting on a costume, but it is actually putting yourself in the shoes of a fictional character and adopting their attitudes.
An art in its own right which took off in Japan in the 80s but which was born in the United States thanks to comics and successful films like “Star Wars”, and in particular “Star Wars”. Moreover, in the alleys of the Chorus, we come across a number of Darth Vaders, imperial soldiers and even Chubakas.
Among cosplay enthusiasts, many fans of the Star Wars saga. • © Isabelle Rettig
Creating her costume is also what Elodie aka “Lumina”, her stage name, likes. For several years now, she has fallen into the Cosplay pothole and can no longer get out. She came from Ille-et-Vilaine with her brother Aurélien.
Aurélien and Elodie, alias “Lumina” came specially from Ille-et-Vilaine. • © Isabelle Rettig
Arriving in France in the 90s, Cosplay has become a real social phenomenon that affects children from an early age. Samuel is a fan of Naruto and fighting. “I find it quite stylish.” He takes on the costume of one of his favorite mangas for the first time.
Cosplay appeals from a very young age. • © Isabelle Rettig
In Vannes, 15,000 people are expected at the Sekai festival, many of them cosplayers wanting to escape the ambient gloom for a weekend.
During this event, it is even possible to participate in competitions with this Saturday the general competition of the festival in solo or in groups. This Sunday will take place the regional selections of the French Cosplay Cup (CFC).
Vannes Sekaï Festival welcomes the last selection from the Brittany region for the 6th season of the Coupe de France de Cosplay. The winner will have the chance to represent their region in the finals to be held in 2024, alongside many other talented cosplayers.
To win these different competitions, cosplay fans will have the task of convincing a jury of specialists including “Leeloo Kris“, French Cosplay champion in 2001 and champion of the Europa Cosplay Cup in 2022 or even “Aetelier“. At 26, the Rennais was crowned French champion 3 months ago. Also known as Aeglos, he has been living this passion for 10 years.
The Sekai festival is being held in Vannes this Saturday October 21 and Sunday October 22, at the Chorus exhibition center. One hundred and twenty exhibitors are present at this convention and several stars are in the spotlight such as the dubbing actress Claire Guyot, the French voice of many American actresses: Winona Ryder, Teri Hatcher, Sarah Michelle Gellar. Another well-known voice: that of Chantal Baroin, who also lent her voice to dubbing series such as “FBI”, “Bones”, “Homeland” and “Game of Thrones”. The actress has also worked for television and cinema.
And finally, gaming fans will not be left out with video game tournaments and “freeplay” areas. The public is also invited to live the Octagon experience during a video game tournament, but also to test drone soccer, a new South Korean techno sports discipline, similar to Quidditch from the “Harry Potter” saga.“. A change of scenery is guaranteed!
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