Cosplayer: Haruto] Becoming A Bridge Between Japan and China …

 

 

 

Interviewing A Chinese Native

Of course, as we call ourselves “DoujinWorld” we want to hear the voices of international ambassadors (of cosplay). As such, one of our previous guests, Kizuki, introduced us to a cosplayer from China. It has only been a few years since she came to Japan… Even so she is bilingual in Japanese and Chinese… Scratch that, she has an impressive 3 languages under her belt. 

 

“I was born in China, but I studied fashion design in America on exchange. I was there for around 5 years altogether and moved from there to Japan.”

 

In other words… not only can she speak Chinese and Japanese, but English as well. As language is a huge barrier to overcome when travelling abroad, the courage to break through that barrier and to continue to do so deserves an enormous amount of respect.

 

Arthur Pendragon from [Fate / Grand Order] [Prototype] (Photographer: Kelly)

 

Haru Yayoi from [Tsukiuta.]

 

“Thank you. I got help from my relatives here in Japan. Originally, I studied the language on my own. I watched anime, listened to CDs, etc. Training my ears (to Japanese) makes it easier to comprehend.” 

 

Kunihiro Horikawa from [Touken Ranbu] (Photographer: mitsuki)

 

 

 

Making Childhood Dreams Come True…

Hearing that, it seems that it was a lot of work, but despite that why did she choose to come to Japan?

 

“When I was a child I used to watch Japanese anime, I learned what a voice actor was. I really wanted to try being one, so I came here to Japan and enrolled in a voice acting school.”

 

Someone from overseas aiming to be a voice actor… That is a feat in itself that far surpasses simply being able to speak the language alone.

 

Kunihiro Horikawa from [Touken Ranbu] (Photographer: mitsuki)

 

“That’s true… At the beginning there were so many really difficult things that made me want to cry. But no matter what, I couldn’t give up and I tried my best! My friends in the same exchange program were having a pretty rough time too. My teacher would tell me that I had a good ear for the language and that encouraged me a lot.”

 

It’s true, during the interview I had completely forgotten that Haruto was from China since her Japanese was so clear. 

 

“Actually, I really have a good ear. Since I was a kid I have been playing piano and I am able to identify the sound and pitch. I try to discern the pitches used in Japanese and try to match them when I speak.”

 

Wow… That is an amazing strength to have!! That might be why she’s so proficient in English and Japanese. 

 

 

 

Practising Electric Guitar to Play Anime Songs

Using that amazing affinity for music, it seems Haruto has now got into playing guitar.

 

“When I was in university I studied classical guitar, but I started learning electric guitar about a year ago. I guess I was influenced by an anime about a band (laughs). I really want to be able to play anime songs.”

 

Mafuyu Sato from [Given]

 

Being able to play the guitar would be so cool… I also want to try it…- these are things that we have all thought at some point, right? However, there are so many times when we get frustrated and eventually end up with a guitar as a piece of decor in your home. However, Haruto’s strength is in her ability to make her dreams and ideals into a reality, whether it’s language or in musical instruments.

 

“My friend plays the base and we perform music at a studio together. We have also released a lot of music for sale.”

 

They uploaded their music on Twitter, so you should check it out!!

 

Twitter：@Haru_S_Y

 

A photo from Haruto’s live show

 

A photo of Haruto’s performance for her graduation from voice Actor school

 

 

 

 

The Difference Between Cosplay In Japan and China

Since we have a cosplayer here all the way from China, I just have to ask about the difference between cosplay.

 

“Hmmm…In Japan there are set rules (for cosplay). In China and in America, you put on your cosplay makeup and costume at home, and head out from there fully dressed. So there are no changing rooms or anything like that set up (at the events).But in Japan, people are trying to travel as little as possible, so they have things like that set up (for cosplayers)”

 

I have heard the same thing from other cosplayers who have gone to events overseas, I guess on the upside we have the rules in place… but on the downside they might be a bit too rigid…

 

Kocho Kanae from [Kimetsu no Yaiba] (Photographer: Kimetsuya)

 

Tokito Muichiro from [Kimetsu no Yaiba]

 

“I actually didn’t know those rules at first, so it was a bit awkward. Actually, I feel more comfortable doing my makeup at home instead of the changing room. But now I am used to the rules in Japan.”

 

Next on the docket: What about the cosplay venues?

 

“In Japan, the studios are amazing. There are so many and so many different types. In China the number of studios is rising little by little, but there are still less than in Japan. However, if we’re talking about shoots on location, China might be better in that respect.”

 

Oh?… Is there a big difference between the outdoor locations in Japan versus China?

 

Ash from [BANANA FISH]

 

“It’s a matter of getting permission. In Japan you have to receive permission to shoot at a location prior to the shoot, but in China you don’t have to do any of that. You can basically shoot anywhere at any time. So a lot of cosplayers coming to Japan from China are unpleasantly surprised when they find out and think “What!? It’s not allowed!?””

 

I see. So it’s more of a matter of national culture than cosplay culture… I guess it’s a matter of national character. Even so, hearing that in China you can go out in cosplay and basically shoot anywhere… It makes me jealous.

 

“I think that for sure, if you go overseas you have to make sure to follow the rules of that country, but there are times when that is very difficult to convey that. Since I can speak Japanese and Chinese, as well as conversational English, I hope that I can help spread the word. Everyone here in Japan, once coronavirus settles down a bit, you should definitely go to China and cosplay.”

 

China where the otaku culture is growing remarkably at a rapid pace, and Japan its birthplace. I look forward to the future in which Haruto can be a bridge between the two nations!!

 

Gentaro Yumeno from [Hypnosismic] (Photographer: Lychee)

 

 

• Haruto

Twitter：@Haru_S_Y

 

You Tube：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZSrdWfKEfI5qM9is7jSVZw

 

Gentaro Yumeno from [Hypnosismic] (Photographer: Lychee)

 

Dog Maki Thorn from [Jujutsu Kaisen] 

 

Sogo Osaka from [IDOLiSH7] 

 

 

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