It was one giant costume party on Canberra's open air ice rink yesterday as characters from various Japanese manga and anime favourites made an appearance in Civic.
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Locals disguised as pirate girls England and Prussia from Hetalia, fictional characters Envy and Full Metal Alchemist, and comic hero Captain America, took to the rink to practice for Skate in the City's final Cultural Sunday this weekend, when they will be part of a special Cosplay parade celebrating Japanese culture at the Garema Place rink.
Sophie Sloane, dressed as Yui from K-on!, said Cosplay, which originated in Japan, means costume play. While costumes can be very expensive, Ms Sloane said better Cosplayers made their own costumes.
''It's dressing and acting like a character from anime, sci-fi or pop culture,'' Ms Sloane said. ''A lot of people travel to do these Cosplay things - it's becoming increasingly popular in Western society. It's just one giant costume party. It is fun and a hobby.''
Canberra CBD Ltd business liaison manager Alicia Doherty said Cosplay brought together people who liked to dress up as anime characters.
Impact Comics in the city centre will run the Cosplay parade, open to anyone who wants to dress up and take part.
''I don't do it myself, but when I started doing some research I realised there was a huge Australian contingent,'' Ms Doherty said. ''The whole point of Skate in the City is getting the traders and everyone involved, creating business, bringing people in and spending money.''
The rink, which has lured thousands of people to the city centre, will close for another season after Sunday.
