It’s A Rail-Ly Great Day For Cosplay Fans
Updated: Dec 8, 2019
By: Vikneswaran Ramalingam
Editor: Shafiq Muslim
BANGI, 25 Oct – Commuters at the Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit (LRT) line suddenly found themselves in the midst of superheroes and other cosplay characters.
Kakashi, Spider-Man and other cosplay enthusiasts in school uniforms and other costumes raised eyebrows during the “Cosplay Commuter” event organized by Magic Rain and supported by RapidKL over the weekend on 19th October with participants from all races as they swarmed at Kelana Jaya LRT starting from Link KL.
Cosplay was known as a practice of dressing up as a character from a film, book, or video game, especially one from the Japanese genres of manga or anime.
Led by cosplay community group, Magic Rain, the gathering dubbed Cosplay Commuter was held for the third time since 2016. 200 participants turned up at the gathering by donning their own unique costumes from different anime characters and games such as Naruto Shippuden, Lolita, Saber Rose and Cardcaptor Sakura.
Magic Rain founder, CM Char said the programme was aimed to bring back the vibes of cosplay that was once famous in Malaysia back in 2000s.
"One of the main reasons is because I felt the landscape of Anime, Comic and Games (ACG) in Malaysia is quite stagnant, always the same events, highlights and activities.
"By organizing this event, I hoped it will bring new and refreshing elements to the ACG landscape,"
For Wan Nur Hidayah Wan Abdul Hadi, 20, who donned Totoro costume based on a character from an animation film titled My Neighbour Totoro, the programme was special as it enabled cosplayers to share their interest and ideas.
"I am interested with cosplay since I was 12, but was shy and afraid of public perception on me. In 2012, I went to Comic Fiesta and from there I met random cosplayers who shared the same interest. I'm so happy because at last I know people who are also interested in cosplay," she said.
Mohd Firdaus Mohd Sabri, 20, who cosplayed as Kakashi from the famous Japan anime figure, said he developed the passion in cosplaying since he was 17 after been introduced to by a friend.
"From there, I learned to make my own costume, wear makeup and wigs to look like the character that I am cosplaying," he said.
Magic Rain founder also said the event was to bring the cosplay community together, besides changing the public’s perception about it.
“We want to tell people that it is fun, wholesome and safe,” he said.
