There is also fixed in fancy dress events, such as Halloween, no longer it is now one of only mania "cosplay". Since its Mr. Yoshiyuki Matsunaga of Tablier & COSPA group chairman to expand the early variety of character business the manufacture of costume establishment, it has been at the hub of business in Shibuya. The thought that Matsunaga-san approach to Shibuya.

- Can you tell me the business overview of Tablier & COSPA group.

In addition to the planning of Cosplay Party in 1995, and he started a business to sell to make a costume for cosplay. And gradually expand the business from there, now we are developing the character business by three of the company. First, to obtain a license from the publishers and game company that holds the copyright of the character, the manufacturer "COSPA" to produce the character of the costume and goods. And, in charge of the distribution "Tablier Marketing". In addition, it is the beginning of the Internet radio station <sound fountain>, and nets and a variety of media such as radio content, and promotion planning and production "Tablier Communications". Our job is to increase the fun and excitement by using communication tools such as character costumes and goods, is the concept of since its establishment is to be a bridge between the characters and the fan.

- In the first place, What kind of started in history.

So I was personally like Halloween parties and cosplay party. It is whether Let's work to escalate (laughs). Character Japanese manga and games to create is the best in the world bar none in terms of both. It certain you are the unique culture which is the soil is Japan. For example, weekly comic magazine does not have to like the United States. Then the foot of commercial magazines spread out market of fanzine, it has pushed up the overall level of. Charming characters one after the other from these structures are born, So you they are loved are exported to overseas. I would like to tie the characters culture that boasts these Japanese somehow in business, was Omoitachi the production of character costume. Originally because I'm in a somewhat native of the fashion industry I was able to make even clothes. However, even if there is one for special effects at the time, manufacturers produce subject to the character of the costume the fan was not. We Although earlier I could not see, was burning and I'll extremely this field Soredakeni.

- Or the beginning of the echo was your.

Last year to launch the company, has organized a cosplay party in various parts of Japan in order to wait and see. Then, any revenue great success also rose modestly. Normally, the party business even though it is said that it is not profitable, is. Cosplay it's What to entertain people "entertainment" and dressed in character. And myself look forward to making a costume, and more advanced users a way to enjoy to enjoy still wearing in the event you know. But also to some things difficult, because some people that I only wear, we we were going to support and provide a costume. As a business, we also put the power to connect the cosplay to anime and game promotion. To publishers and game company that has a copyright of the character "I will cooperate in the promotion of the event," we were called out. It to the game companies are reluctant from the beginning, women dressed in new work of the character is now frequently planning an event promotion proposal or to guide or to the game of the description, the hall.

- Now, I'm kind of event has become commonplace.

Cosplay is that the character move in the real world, it is because looping it hit in the promotion. The number of visitors from enjoy the audience in the eel up, now also be taken up in the media. Event is a large scale also started such as the contest of cosplayers to them, went spread also to other companies. Along with that, we were also increased desire of cosplayers who called "Anna wants to dress." Therefore, we created a costume to get the license, we have steadily expanded the range of products. In addition currently we have put a parallel also a force in the content business, <sound fountain> of Internet radio in more than the current weekly 40 program has been on the air. Character business, is it I very strong ties within the industry. And officials who also is in contact with the affection for the character. Soredakeni, also with put a passion for products and content, in order to contribute to the revitalization of the entire industry I try to have a long-term perspective.

- Do you have an increasing number of people to enjoy the cosplay than previously.

It is rapidly popularized in the past 10 years. I There is a feeling that was not part of the mania. I guess the people have increased to feel free to cosplay in such small parties and karaoke. Popular cosplay impersonate a Japanese character also the same abroad. It seems that an increasing number of enthusiasts in the considerable momentum, particularly in China. The first place, "transformation desire" is do something that everyone has. It is a fundamental desire of human beings, so to speak. Even primitive man, I because I was a try to show strongly yourself wearing the fur of the beast (laughs).

- What is the reason for founding the company in Shibuya.

Speaking of cosplay, it's still you think of Akihabara. Of course, there was the one of the choices, I was dared to choose the Shibuya. I wanted to cast a antithesis to the image of "cosplay = Akihabara = geek" by calling the cosplay from the city of fashion called Shibuya. Then, I Tokyu Hands, which often become indebted in the production of costume there was also reason within walking distance.

- Please tell us about the encounter of Matsunaga-san and Shibuya.

To Tokyo at the age of 19, I started working in the manufacturer of Omotesando of apparel system was the Shibuya of the encounter. I'm was surprised because I'm from the region, each time passing through the Shibuya and "Naa seems festival today" (laughs). At that time, but had been based in Omotesando and Harajuku, it was clearly felt that the atmosphere is different in its neighborhood and Shibuya. Express the will but is a little difficult, consciousness of the people of Shibuya is well suited to the outside, the impression that clothes are also conscious of the opposite sex. On the other hand, in Harajuku of secluded area, such as "Urahara" is, or rather to have entered a number of the world, we have gathered people who take care of their own mental world. So is a strong sense that looking also to express themselves. Such Harajuku among the air, even I once, I was thinking and what how can I express the energy to the outside was Ukkutsu.

- Shibuya and Harajuku in Tokyo, do you feel that is also different way to spend the youth.

Well, even the way flow of people I think that a lot different. In Harajuku, I often young people to walk while looking for something and hanging out, shopping and dining options in the Shibuya, clubs, etc., is a strong tendency to move with a clear purpose. In Shibuya, it's a person due to somewhere "incidentally" is small. When you opened a store in Shibuya, you would need to given the kind of characteristics.

- Where is your favorite area in the Shibuya'll we do? In addition, Shibuya of charm?

There is also often the pass, I like the area from around the O-East · West to gather the live house to Tokyu Hands. Entertainment, such as is has been enhanced movie theater and live house of single mansion system, but it is the area that is interesting with each passing year. I feel very uplifting. Taking the whole of the charm city, what still the strength of the information originating force to the young people. For young people especially aspiring music and movies, Shibuya I think is in the "final stage". I because young people is often embrace the goal such as "I want to play in Shibuya live house". So in Shibuya, it will have a maximum of charm that anyway are full of energy that attracts young people outgoing.

- Shibuya of the challenge's What do you think?

Shibuya is despite the fact that in a final stage of egg of entertainers aim, is not too well-equipped environment in which young people are able to "step up". To do this, there is a stage in accordance with each of the stage, a story of success that I think we need to be a city that can be drawn clearly. It is good to not intended separately special. For example, I'm usually live house is a mechanism to buy a drink of visitors is at the counter of the venue. Rather, people who do not admission also feel free Tachiyoreru what about features an open bar. It will surely egg of musicians gather to employees, will also young people of similar circumstances to form a community as a customer. In addition, if a movie theater, and movie officials in the same building there is a cafe and events that get together good. So troupe members and crew, be carried out recruitment of something extra, to young people more and more gather, you'll be in a great place that can interact with seniors. In addition, to open the kind of place during non-business hours, such as at night, it may also be used as a rehearsal hall. By creating that kind of place, bring together various levels of young people, I think that will be shaped the "ecosystem" in the city.

- The addition to the desire to Shibuya of the future.

I think you heard the discussion that will Yobimodoso the adults in order to increase the profitability of the city. But, if the city of pleasant memories and impressions and storage, would not in any way not to return a person is either. Even trying to make something suddenly not anyone love the city, I think it is at risk of becoming nothing more than a tourist destination. So, the word street More haste, less speed, now, is to entertain the people in town, I think that as a result leads to the future to attract customers. This is a way of thinking that leads to cosplay, but to amuse the people, do not not think about how to be in active. Rather than visit wearing a suit Even amusement park, it is still more fun to play wearing the character of the headgear and goods (laughs). Whether to create an opportunity to enter into the city to do so. If we think of it, I guess more Shibuya is a fun town.

■ profile
Yoshiyuki Matsunaga
1962 Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. Apparel designer brands support business in the industry, Planning Department of the Paris Collection, after experiencing such as Major League Baseball of product planning, the experience to license business visited the United States. Cosplay Dance party and produced in various locations in 1994, mobilizing about 100,000 people a year. 95 years, Ltd. was established costume Paradise.

Tablier & COSPA GroupBy three companies of "Tablier Communications," "Tablier Marketing," "COSPA", deals with animation and games, the character business, such as a movie. From the manufacture and sale of the character of apparel goods, planning and operation of cosplay events, management of online shopping mall, cafe management, business content in the group up to the beginning and the content production the Internet radio station <sound fountain> is the wide range of . Tablier Communications Corporation Tablier Marketing Inc. Ltd. COSPA