TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japanese cosplay event series Acosta made its overseas debut in Taiwan on Friday, marking its first event outside of Japan.
Cosplay, short for “costume play,” refers to the act of dressing up as characters from anime, manga, and video games using costumes, props, and makeup. A 2022 study conducted by students from the Department of Applied Japanese at Chihlee University of Technology confirmed that Japan’s cosplay scene is significantly larger and more developed than Taiwan.
Running from Friday through Sunday, the event is being held at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei. One of Japan’s largest and most popular cosplay gatherings, Acosta has attracted more than 1.5 million participants in Japan, according to the organizers.
The venue is divided into multiple themed sections, including a main stage area, a Taiwan market zone, a Japan market zone, an outdoor photography area, and a meet-and-greet space. More than 50 well-known Japanese cosplayers and official photographers are participating, joining Taiwan attendees in collaborative performances and photo sessions.
The event is the result of a year-long collaboration between Japan’s Hacosta Co., the creator of Acosta, and Taiwan’s Uniicreative. Together, they developed six themed zones under the concept of a comprehensive cosplay entertainment platform.
These include a character stage for open-mic performances, cosplay parades through the park’s central boulevard, and professional photo zones. Other highlights include a fandom and handmade goods marketplace, a newly introduced photographer lounge designed to foster deeper creative exchanges, and a a meet-and-greet space where fans can interact with featured cosplayers
Organizers said the decision to hold the first overseas edition was influenced by the desire to celebrate the creativity and enthusiasm of Taiwan’s vibrant cosplay community.
Although cosplay has gained increasing acceptance and popularity in Taiwan, challenges remain. Issues such as the lack of intellectual property protections have constrained the growth of the community and limited its creative space.
Cosplay culture in Taiwan can be traced back to the 1990s, with participant numbers rising steadily since around 2000. Outdoor photo shoots have become especially popular, and the community is skewing younger.
However, the rapid growth has also brought controversy. Incidents involving inappropriate behavior, along with sensationalized media coverage and misinformation, have at times negatively affected public perception.
According to event organizers, Acosta marks the first large-scale, cosplay-focused event in Taiwan designed specifically for the cosplay community. Organizers hope the event can become a platform that empowers creativity, fosters community, and reflects the shared values of cosplay culture.
