Otacool 2: Worldwide Cosplayers

Japanese pop culture blogger Danny Choo’s latest photobook, Otacool 2: Worldwide Cosplayers, takes an interesting approach to content aggregation. Thanks to the level playing field offered by Danny’s online crowdsourcing, the cosplayers on the cover make for a truly flat-world mix that would make Thomas Friedman proud.

The range is incredibly diverse, in terms of both geographic location and industry experience. On one end of the spectrum, you have eleven-year Italian veteran Francesca Dani, who won the 2005 World Cosplay Summit. On the other, you have two-year Filipina ingenue Jessica Ouano, who draws inspiration from Filipina cosplay queen Alodia Gosiengfiao — who, by the way, is also on the cover. Only in a disintermediated world could such a diverse global pool of independent niche talent be rallied together on a voluntary basis, without any travel or accommodation expenses, in a span of less than two months.

Otacool 2: Worldwide Cosplayers

Otacool 2: Worldwide Cosplayers

Danny himself was originally supposed to join the cosplayers on the cover. After all, his Tokyo Dance Trooper antics have been featured on CNN. Like the gentleman publisher that he is, however, Danny chose to inhibit himself from the cover and give another cosplayer his coveted spot.

With so many cosplayers gracing the pages of Otacool 2, I was worried they wouldn’t get much space to showcase their work. These sample pages from the book, however, put those worries to rest. Some cosplayers even get gorgeous two-page spreads, with details about both the costume and the roleplayer.

In an age when digital information is free and abundant, physical books need to differentiate themselves as convenient compilations and luxury keepsakes. Perhaps Danny’s latest project demonstrates one way to save the book publishing industry: through efficient crowdsourcing and influencer engagement. Otacool 2: Worldwide Cosplayers goes on sale April 2010.

(Via Francesca Dani on Twitter. Thanks to Filipina cosplayer Jerry Polence for the heads up!)

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Comments

6 Comments (with 2 Conversations) on “Otacool 2: Worldwide Cosplayers”
  1. pauldy says:

    wonder where to buy this aside from online~

  2. Mike Abundo says:

    Alodia in Otacool 2

    Otacool 2 also features this previously unreleased photo of Alodia. Even at the prodigious rate she publishes cosplay content, she’s got even more stuff up her sleeve. 🙂

  3. Richie dela Merced says:

    I love this book so much. imagine seeing all of the best cosplayers around the world. im sure there are more around the world. I was intrested in a new category they phrased..COSGRAVURE..=)..quite interesting..=)

    • Mike Abundo says:

      Yup, I read your review, Richie. This book is an amazing piece of collaborative work.

      I know some really good cosplayers who couldn’t make it to Otacool 2. Let’s hope this book starts a trend, a trend that gives more cosplayers around the world a chance to shine. 🙂

  4. Mike Abundo says:

    Otacool 2 featured in a Japanese newspaper.

    Otacool 2 recently made the pages of a Japanese newspaper. Nice. 😀

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