Children also join in the fun by dressing up as Harley Quinn (above) among other favorite comic book and anime characters.
More than 5,000 cosplay fans flocked to the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) grounds yesterday to celebrate Otakufest, whose organizers marked its 10th season by revisiting its video game/technology roots.
Jace Alvarez Trigo, director of UP Otakufest X: The Matrix said the organizers decided on a technology-based theme to highlight the relevance and impact of technology in the 21st century.
Otakufest derived its name from the Japanese term “otaku” which in turn describes fans of anime, films, video games and Japanese manga.
“…Our generation is immersed in technology, especially in video games such as DoTA (Defense of the Ancient) and Overwatch. That’s why we have it (Overwatch Tournament) as a new extension for OF (Otakufest),” Trigo said.
He said yesterday’s event commemorated the first UP Otakufest which began in 2007.
“The first OF began with technology-based tournaments. That’s also why (choosing technology-based theme) we want to revive its roots,” Trigo said.
Since the theme highlights the Digital Age, characters of video games and the internet such as The Sims, Pokemon like Magicarp and Pikachu as well as Pepe the Frog memes were spotted in the annual cosplay and convention event.
All-time favorite anime characters such as Naruto, Soul Destroyer, L from “Death Note” and vocaloid superstar Hatsune Miku were also in the event along with the DC graphic novel character V of “V for Vendetta.”
Dorothy Lee, a sophomore Special Education student at the University of San Carlos, said the event’s theme was “relatable for members of the millennium generation who grew up with technology.”
Yesterday marked Dorothy’s fifth time to attend the UP Otakufest and she said the event “has grown much better.”
Internationally renowned cosplayers DD Tenka and EuRiKa were the special guests for this season’s UP Otakufest, along with South Korea male group AxisB who performed live for those in attendance.
AxisB’s inclusion in the event drew a large following of Korean Pop (KPop) enthusiasts.
A cosplayer named John Lee Gamboa dressed as Kim Shin, the protagonist of the Korean drama “Goblin” and gamely posed for photos with fans of the show.
“I am overwhelmed with their greetings. This is my first time to cosplay. I am not an avid fan of ‘Goblin’ but I like the series. It was me and my friends’ decision to cosplay as KDrama characters for fun’s sake,” Gamboa said.
A lot of cosplayers dressed up as Harley Quinn, a DC Comics character who rose to mainstream popularity after being played by Australian actress Margot Robbie in last year’s film adaptation of Suicide Squad.
Johnny Morales, an eighth grade senior high school student at a private academy in Canduman, Mandaue City, dressed up as Harley Quinn.
“Although my family did not like me dressing up, but they slowly learn to accept me,” he said.
Yesterday’s event was his third time to dress up as Harley Quinn.
“It felt really good when I got here and more than 10 people already asked to take a picture of me,” the 14-year-old Morales said.
Foreign tourists like Shunki Matsushima of Japan who dressed as a student also enjoyed themselves at the event.
Matsushima told Cebu Daily News that he enjoyed after seeing the Cebuanos showing their appreciation of Japanese culture.
Aside from cosplay, the event hosted several traditional Japanese hobbies, food stalls and cultural and educational exchange booths.
“It is really wonderful, amazing to see Cebuanos love Japanese culture. And I love that everyone here is so friendly,” Matsushima said
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