On Sunday afternoons, Japanese teenagers dress up as their favourite manga characters and congregate in the Harajuku area of Tokyo. Not being a manga fan, I have no idea who they were supposed to be, but it was all taken very seriously. Other characters included red haired punks and blood splattered doctors and nurses. I love Japan, and can’t wait to go back. It intrigues me.
This post is for The Gallery at Sticky Fingers.
It's a small world after all 
What an interesting tradition! Hadn’t heard of this one before!
I love Japan too, and read a lot about it. I have a friend that lives there too, and every time I find something new and weird about it. Like this! What a great country.
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They do take it all pretty seriously, don’t they? Great capture. I also love and miss Japan. Thanks for this amusing reminder.
Thanks for this! Japan is top-of-the-list of places to visit for my kids as we plan our rtw trip. They’re avid manga-readers, so I’m sure they’ll be able to appreciate sights like this much better than I!
This girl really does look serious! Seeing photos of teens dressing up in Japan is always fun…between the Hello Kitty and Manga influences, there seem to be some pretty bizarre looks!
Harajuku is one of the best places in the world to people-watch. I hadn’t realized that some of them dressed as manga characters–I just thought it was a fashion statement!
An interesting photo, I had many Japanese students in Sydney, but have never made it there, maybe one day 😉
It’s the most amazingly fascinating place, and relatively close to Sydney (well, compared to Europe anyway). Go!
Crickey, serious lady!
Isn’t she? I rather like her.
My kids would go MAD for some serious cosplay – they are total Manga heads! Much as we would love to visit Japan my son will have to capitlise on his polyglot leanings beforehand – not sure how safe it would be for him to eat anything with his nut allergies – not sure the Japanese know what they are eating sometimes!
We did eat some odd stuff, pickled wild fern for breakfast was a favourite. But I don’t remember eating any nuts.
You have brought back some vivid memories of my time(s) in Tokyo when I would wander round on weekends and come across some amazing sights.
I believe it was a manner of ‘rebellion’ for the youngsters to dress up in the most outrageous costumes they could come up with before they were forced to return to normality and conform with society’s expectation of them on Monday morning.
Great photo.
LCM x
I think you are right. But they all rebel by looking the same. Very Japanese!
Amy is dying to go to Japan, she is currently learning Japanese!! Don’t ask.
The girl doesn’t look very happy does she, even though your photo is very good.
CJ xx
All the others were really smiley. I quite liked her because she looked so glum. More interesting.
Great picture. I second what Crystal Jigsaw said – not a happy manga fan!
She is taking it very seriously.
How funny…. she doesnt look like she is having much fun!
Great picture x
Thanks!
It is so intriguing isn’t it. I think it’s the differentness (if that’s a word) that makes it so.
Definitely, that’s a great word to describe it!
Brilliant – The Gallery really is from every corner this week
I have had a fascination with Japan since I went to China in 2002. I just love Asia- the culture, the food, the history. Japan is top of my ‘to go to’ list. Alas, my husband does not share my interest so I may have to live out my fantasies through other people. More photos please!
I have LOTS of Japan photos! We will be going back to Japan next July, expect plenty of blogging…
Never new this so fun to have learned it from you:-)
She doesn’t look like a happy Manga character more as if she is about to fall a sleep? Lovely photo though.
Maybe her character is supposed to be serious, I don’t know. But I did think it made her more photogenic.
It seems like you actually know plenty regarding this subject and it exhibits by means of
this blog, named “Manga Girl It’s a small world after all”. Thanks a lot ,Kelli