Cel Shaded Jason Yadao

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Events extend costume fun of Halloween

UNOFFICIAL National Cosplay Recognition Day is coming up on Oct. 31. That's Halloween to the rest of the world, of course, but come on: It's a day when people embrace their inner fanboyish or fangirlish selves, dress up in costumes and head off to meet like-minded people. Just like an anime convention!

Anime and manga fans have much more fun than that, often finding events throughout the year at which they can express themselves. To that end, there are four events I've heard about leading up to Halloween.

Kaimuki looks to be the cosplay capital of Oahu on Saturday as two stores offer competing events. Toys N' Joys at 3632 Waialae Ave. will be holding its anime-themed costume contest between 7 and 9 p.m., with the top prize being either a Nintendo Wii system or a $100 gift card, depending on how many people participate.

All participants will receive a coupon good for 15 percent off any anime-related goods at the store for the weekend. Registration by Thursday is required; for rules and an entry form, visit either the Kaimuki store or the Aiea store at the Westridge Shopping Center, 98-150 Kaonohi St.; or visit toysnjoyshawaii.blogspot.com.

Meanwhile, over at Mechahawaii, owner Sean Akita will be hosting his second annual Customer Appreciation Night from 6 to 10 p.m., with a costume contest, in-store specials, a ball-jointed doll fan gathering and prize giveaways. It's fan support that keeps his business going, Akita told me, and he just wanted to host a night where they could dress up and have fun in gratitude for that support. With an estimated 200 people attending last year's event, that's quite a bit of support.

Mechahawaii is at 1126 12th Ave., unit 105; for more information, e-mail info@mechahawaii.com.

Sunday afternoon brings the weekly meeting of MangaBento, the local group of anime- and manga-inspired artists, and an invitation to attendees to come and cosplay in the spirit of Halloween. The meeting will be held at the usual site -- the Academy Art Center, 1111 Victoria St. -- from 1 to 4 p.m. As of press time, the meeting was scheduled to be in the usual room, room 200, but check with the guard downstairs just in case. For more information, visit mangabento.doomdrgn.com/phpBB2.

And then there's the big day itself, Oct. 31, and Oahu Anime Explorer's annual expedition into the heart of Waikiki. On the agenda will be dinner at Gyukaku (in full costume, no less!) at 7 p.m., a walk up and down Kalakaua and Kuhio avenues to soak up the atmosphere of the evening, and karaoke at GS Studios at 10 p.m. E-mail info@oahuanimeexplorer.com ASAP if you want to join them ...

Coming up Sunday

A pair of recent anime features take the spotlight in "Drawn & Quartered" in the Sunday Today section. Join official tag-team partner in fandom Wilma J. as she looks at "Blue Submarine No. 6" and "Spriggan" ...