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“Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2021” was held from October 30 to October 31, 2021, in Ikebukuro for the first time in 2 years after handling the countermeasure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

“Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival” will be held for the 8th time this year and it started in 2014 with over 20,000 cosplayers participating each year. It is a lively event as Japan’s largest Halloween event that is held in the east area of Ikebukuro.
Due to the spread of the COVID-19, this event was held online in 2020, but it was held this year after handling the countermeasure, such as limiting the sales of the advance ticket to about 60% when compared to previous year, setting photography area limited to Sunshine City and Ike Sunpark, and usage of the original mask as the “Identity Card”.

During the usual opening ceremony, the mayor of Toshima, Takano Yukio cosplayed as Kamado Tanjirou from “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” as he announced the commencement. He also revealed that he wanted to cosplay this character and it took a lot of time for the makeup to hide the wrinkles on his face. Despite the 70 age gaps between the 83 years old Toshima’s mayor Takano and the 15 years old Kamado Tanjirou, he was given the courage from the thought of “If I don’t do it in this manner, Ikebukuro will never be able to change”.

He expressed his hope of “I want to convey this event to Tokyo and the world” as it is safe for people to visit Ikebukuro.