ウリカの旅行記: Universal studios and cosplay and Attack on Titan

So I enjoy going to Universal Studios Japan. It is under an hour away from my dormitory and it has a Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Needless to say, I go a lot. I think I've been over ten times by now for sure. Anyways, I went again, a few weeks back, but this time completely dressed up!

I often dress up as a Hogwarts student from Harry Potter when I go (nerd alarm) but this time, me and my friends wanted to do something more.

So Japan really likes playing dress up. I'd always figured this was an overstatement made by foreigners.. until I came to actually live here. People here really do dress up for the most random occasions. In USJ or Disneyland for example, I feel like the vast majority of people are in costume. Some just wear a hat and some face paint, some groups of people come dressed in their superhero onesies, but a lot of people actually come in full cosplay as if they were on their way to some anime convention. Even more impressive is when I go into the big city for shopping or whatever: there will always be groups of (mostly) young girls dressed flashy group outfits. Everyone wears exactly the same, or they'll be wearing the same but each in a different color, like a contemporary Power Ranger squad! And no one in the street raises an eyebrow at them. It's just normal here. I find this really interesting and kind of cool. I mean, it's fun to look at! Why don't we do more of this in Europe?

I got carried away there, back to the story. Yes. I went to USJ dressed up as.. well, I don't really know who I was. Brunette Alice in Wonderland maybe? (I just found this wig and dress incredibly cheap online so yeah....)

Do you even recognize me?

Fun fact: the people at the gates of USJ wouldn't let me in at first because I didn't look like the girl in the picture on my annual pass. I told them I was wearing a wig like three times but they were so suspicious hahaha! Actually, a lot of people thought this was my real hair and that I'd just gotten a haircut. Nope, just a really cheap wig from Amazon!

Incredible Attack on Titan display

People who are into anime or manga will definitely know the immensely popular 進撃の巨人 or Attack on Titan. It's famous all over the world but as well in the land of origin. Universal Studio's just opened a new attraction for their park dedicated to the series. I personally didn't like the flow of the anime much but I do really love the initial concept and the titans look really bad ass so I really wanted to go check it out!

The story of Attack on Titan in a nutshell: Giant scary titans versus the small remainder of the human population.

The attraction itself is more of an exhibition than anything else but it's fun if you're a fan of the show. Outside the building, they also have this gigantic set up of titans which is really impressive looking! Lastly, you can get your picture taken with a titan, as if you were about to get eaten by one, which of course we had to do.

from another time we went USJ.. I told you, I go a lot

We got eaten by the titan, but I still look fabulous

Oh, one more thing! USJ has been obsessed with Minions lately! They had a new Minion store with tons and tons of merch and even Minion themed pop corn!