The World Cosplay Summit, held in Nagoya, Japan from August 2-4, 2024, is a monumental event for the global cosplay community, showcasing creativity and passion for character representation from various franchises. This year’s summit featured a championship competition where teams from 36 countries showcased their costumes based on beloved anime, manga, and video game characters.

The cosplay industry’s significant impact on the global market is underscored by a Research & Markets report highlighting the sector’s value at an impressive $35.2 billion in 2022. This robust figure reflects a growing demand for costumes, clothing, and wigs catering to enthusiastic fans and participants, who contribute not only through competitions but also through merchandise purchases at exhibition booths prominently featured around the event.

The festivities extended beyond competitions, featuring a vibrant array of performances and the design highlights from local retailers on Osu Shopping Street, reinforcing Nagoya’s position as a cultural hub for cosplay. This gathering epitomizes the fusion of art, culture, and commerce, presenting a unique landscape for both seasoned creators and newcomers in the cosplay community.

As engagement in cosplay continues to rise, events like this highlight broader trends in fashion, creativity, and personal expression, driving significant economic activity in local markets.