HARUJUKU Japan was in Kingston Jamaica last Saturday when local anime lovers dressed in costumes at Anime Nation, an exhibition and Rave which organisers and the Japanese Embassy hailed as a first for Jamaica.

About 50 of the 150 patrons Splash noted wore costumes of popular Japanese anime characters including Naruto, Bleach, Sailor Moon and Streetfighter at the Students Union of the University of the West Indies. The organisers Jacosplayaz called the event a “tribute” to Japan animation.

“The turnout was good and showed that there is a space for anime in Jamaica,” Afayah Prendergast one-quarter of Jacosplayaz said the event is expected to be an annual occurrence. Jacosplayaz was formed last December and this was the group’s first event. Anime Nation was divided into two segments, the first displayed local artwork influenced by anime, followed by a costume party.

“We all grew up on anime. It is a phenomenon,” said Fabian Pickney another quarter of Jacosplayaz about the group’s interest in anime. “It is different from regular cartoons. They are more creative and the stories are brilliant.”

Pickney and Prendergast dressed as characters in Naruto and Death Note respectively.

Japan is 18 hours away from Kingston by plane yet for these cosplayers or costume players–the country is a part of them. In the same way that some Japanese find dancehall music a part of theirs, noted Prendergast.

“It shows that Jamaica has its own culture and that our culture can mesh well with others,” she stated holding an apple and wearing a red plaid skirt and mesh top. “The crowd here tonight shows that a lot of people are interested in interpreting Japanese culture. But its not about (assimilation), we are ‘Jamaicanising’ the Japanese culture.”

Prendergast was alluding to the costumes of some patrons which were improvised, and also the in-house comic stand which displayed locally made mangas by artists.

“Yes these artists are influenced by anime but we take the Japanese style and show our Jamaican culture,” she said of the local manga including Beyond Borders by Negash Davidson and Maroon Black by Henry Grandison.

The Japanese ambassador noted that the event showed the cultural linkages between both territories.

“I am very pleased to know that there are many anime related circles here at UWI, UTECH and Edna Manley College,” stated ambassador Hiroshi Yamaguchi at the event sponsored by the Japanese Embassy. “It is my hope that through this exposure to Japan’s originated anime series that more cultural exchanges between Jamaica and Japan will be promoted.” He added that anime is more than just a cartoon to its fans.

“Anime offers insight into the Japanese culture and often plays upon assorted Asian myths, symbols and the martial arts,” said Yamaguchi who actually performed a violin rendition of an anime score following his speech.

Harujuku in Tokyo is an area no larger than New Kingston sandwiched between the major shopping areas of Shinjuku and Shibuya. It is known for having the most outlandish street fashion in the world. It is very common to see cosplayers or costume players — a type of performance art in which participants wear costumes to represent specific characters — converge at certain streets in Harujuku.

“We want it bigger next year. We want to get more sponsors and to go to other parts of the Caribbean,” stated Pickney about the future.