“Ikeharo Cosplay Festival 2024” attracts a record 161,000 visitors! The first three-day event attracts many parents and children, as well as participants from overseas

The Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2024 Powered by dwango, a large-scale Halloween event for cosplayers, was held for three days from October 25th to 27th, 2024. The first three-day event saw many parents and children attending, as well as people from overseas, and the number of visitors reached a record high of 161,000.

On the first day of the event, the 25th, “Ike Haro Night” was held from the evening to the night at Sunshine City, where cosplayers and photographers enjoyed photo sessions and social gatherings that made the most of the night view. Many visitors learned about the lively atmosphere of the venue on social media and decided to participate on the day.

The event started at 10am on the 26th and 27th, and took place in the wide east exit area of Ikebukuro, with cosplayers from all over Japan gathering in the photo-taking areas of Nakaikebukuro Park, Sunshine City, Ike-Sun Park, and Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park.

At the “IkeHalloween Special Ceremony” held on the 26th, Toshima Ward Mayor Takagiwa Miyuki, Dwango CCO Yokozawa Daisuke, Animate Holdings Executive Director Niwa Yasuhiro, and Sunshine City CEO Waki Hidemi appeared in cosplay as popular characters.

Mayor Takagiwa said, “Ikebukuro Haro is a safe and secure event. We at Toshima Ward are proud of it, and we have nurtured it together with our visitors.” Afterwards, the highlight of the event was a parade of about 400 cosplayers, who marched along the route from Sunshine 60 Street to the front of Hareza Ikebukuro. The spectacular sight of the Ikebukuro streets being brightly colored drew cheers from the many spectators gathered on both sides.

Also, on the main stage at Nakaikebukuro Park, there were programs that a wide range of people could enjoy, such as “Niconico Cosplay”, where participants showed off their cosplay, “Parent and Child Halloween”, karaoke, and many children were seen enjoying finding their favorite characters. There were also many participants from overseas, suggesting that the appeal of the event as an international event has increased even more.

In addition, as a new project in collaboration with the local community, a special Ikebukuro-exclusive service was operated on the bright red electric bus “IKEBUS” that travels around the Ikebukuro area. Participants with premium tickets could board the bus and enjoy a special time with their cosplay friends.

Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2024 Powered by dwangoDate
: Friday, October 25th to Sunday, October 27th, 2024Organizer
: Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest Executive CommitteeCo-organizers:
Toshima Ward, Toshima Ward Shopping Association, Sunshine CitySponsors
: Toshima Ward Tourism Association, Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Toshima Branch, KADOKAWA Co., Ltd.Operated
and produced by: Animate Co., Ltd., Dwango Co., Ltd., Hacosta Co.,
Ltd.Sponsors: Canon Marketing Japan Inc., Daiichikosho Co., Ltd., Wondershare Software Co., Ltd.KADOKAWA
Co., Ltd., Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Vantan Co., Ltd., Willbermoon Co., Ltd., Tokiwa Yakuhin Kogyo Co.,
Ltd.Cooperation: acosta!, COSPLAY MODE, World Cosplay Summit, COT Project, Vantan Cosplay Club, Ikebukuro Inbound Promotion AssociationHareza
Ikebukuro Area Management, COSPA Co., Ltd., Niconico