Welcome to another edition of Colin Tries - the Suzu takeover edition. I’ve recently moved to Japan, and like any righteous cosplay and anime nerd, I must of course complete my pilgrimage to Akihabara to check out the cosplay scene.

Akihabara is an anime and pop culture enthusiast's dream - with bustling multi-level arcades, gachapons, and merch of every piece of media to exist, you need about 8 more pairs of eyes to take it all in. I bypassed the maids and idols coveting my attention with free packets of tissues and made a beeline for the cosplay shops.

I’m a member of Team Buy-Rather-Than-Make Cosplay (many a cheap poplin and bobbin shudder in my presence), so I was interested to see what Akihabara has in terms of ready-made cosplay. Given its reputation as the Mecca of Anime, I was confident I would find something suited to my needs.

How I Rated Akihabara Cosplay Stores

I trekked to Akihabara to check out their cosplay offerings and rate them on the following:

Range: Can I find a 2009 K-On!! cosplay or is it strictly Jujutsu Kaisen popularity vibes?

Price: Will I be having ice soup kind of dinner or will I financially recover from this?

Quality: Would I be better off with Spotlight's cheapest poplin* and a stapler?

*The author would like to note there is nothing wrong with Poplin, other than it is a poor bitch. But so is the author so really who is she to talk?

Store Reviews: Buying Cosplay in Akihabara

Cospatio – Premium Ready-Made Cosplay in Japan

If you only visit one cosplay store in Japan - make it Cospatio.

Cospatio is a store specialising in cosplay: they have a range of ready-made costumes with premium details such as precise embroidery, real metal buttons, and beautiful fabrics that are as if the cosplay itself was isekai’d from the anime into our world. For example, I found a Kakegurui blazer made of fabric to match the wealthy school setting - worthy of an elite private school or premium pool table.

Not only this, but you can order custom-made cosplays in-store with a cosplay specialist who will make any character you desire.

Range: Like Owen Wilson in every role he’s acted in.

Unfortunately, there is a limited range - there’s idol stuff (read: Love Live!) and some popular anime like Puella Magi Madoka Magica but if you’re after something specific you might not find it here. However, I was impressed by the variety of goods on offer for a cosplay crafter: pre-made boot covers, wigs and wefts, 3D appliqués and fabrics to suit a range of cosplays and props.

Price: Ice soup or air for dinner kind of pricing.

A vivid example of this - you could buy an Akemi Homura cosplay off the shelf to the tune of 49,000 yen (about 500 AUD). Yeah. Or you could buy just the skirt of a Haruhi Suzumiya for a measly 13,000 yen (about 130 AUD). The wigs and materials were more accessible.

Quality: Lined to the GODS.

If you can afford it, the quality of the cosplays was absolutely stunning. Cosplays were fully lined with satin, had exquisite attention to detail, and used premium quality fabrics. What you pay is what you get and with these prices - there is no poplin to make a peep.

Verdict: Fun to look at and admire but I might stick with Aliexpress unless Colin goes viral and I get an 8000% raise.

Cosmate – Akihabara’s Unexpected Cosplay Experience

The guy in the elevator gave me a funny look when I said I wanted to go to the 5th floor where Cosmate was. Immediately after entering I understood why.

Panties, bras, and scandalous sailor uniforms popped out to me - some so ludicrous and revealing it felt illegal to be looking at them. Not a lot by way of cosplay, unless your idea of cosplay is what a dirty old man might picture.

Range: Clutch my pearls.

Not a lot of cosplay but a lot of fetish-style things like the classic white and blue striped pantsu and matching bras.

However, tucked in a corner they somehow randomly had a Jessica Ushiromiya and Kaito from Vocaloid cosplay?? So it seems they may have second-hand cosplays as well.

Aside from the kind of cosplay that your mum and dad might’ve used when they were making you, they also had some basic uniform pieces like blazers and tops which you use to resemble a background character in a school anime.

Price: Reasonable for what they’re selling, some stuff is on sale for 30% off.

Quality: Mid-tier.

The panties and bras were generally satin with all the frills and embellishments you’d expect to resemble a 1970s wedding cake. The uniforms and blazers were decent fabrics and felt a step or two above poplin.

But the qipao and assorted non-specific cosplay stuff were about on par with what you’d find on AliExpress.

Verdict: I’d take the stairs next time.

Bodyline – Lolita Fashion Over Cosplay

Perched above the hustle and bustle of the iconic Takeshita street in Harajuku, the curved stairs leading up to Bodyline make you feel like a princess herself.

Ascending to a decadent wardrobe of beautiful Lolita fashion and maid outfits, the decadent offerings are well-suited to a discerning but price-conscious princess.

They also have wigs and shoes to top off their impressive array of fashion.

Range: Pretty, but not a lot going on cosplay-wise.

Unfortunately, there’s not alike by way of cosplay unless you’re cosplaying a basic maid or seifuku background character. There’s lots of entry-level lolita style clothing if you’re interested in fashion and don’t want to spend big bucks.

Price: Not bad, not bad.

It’s not super expensive depending on your budget - most things were 100 AUD and under so you’re likely to find something that suits your interests.

Quality: Girl Next Door - beautiful but approachable.

What they do have though, they do well. The fabrics and adornments are beautiful but not too expensive, a comfortable mid-way of pretty but accessible.

Verdict: Maybe for a reasonably priced Lolita coord, but not so much cosplay.

(PLEASE NOTE SINCE WRITING THIS ARTICLE BODYLINE HAS CLOSED ITS PHYSICAL STORE IN AKIHABARA)

Final Verdict: Is Buying Cosplay in Akihabara Worth It?

As a Most Valued Customer of Aliexpress - overall I’d say if you’re looking for something from a specific anime and price is a factor, you’re not missing too much by shopping online rather than making it to Akihabara.

It’s worth a trip for the vibes and sheer volume of anime merch and goods but the cosplay buying scene is pretty limited from what we could find.

Written by Susan Craggs for Colin Magazine Edition 8. 

Want to know more about the differences in cosplay culture in Australia VS Japan? Check out our comparison here.