---

Review of “Cosplayer Photograph”:

During a visit to Mandarake, we stumbled across this oversized book.  Very little text, more of a "coffee table book".  High quality photography, featuring over twenty-five cosplayers in a variety of costumes, including characters from Cutey Honey, The Dirty Pair, Sailor Moon, Magic Knight Rayearth, Rurouni Kenshin, Sentimental Graffiti, King of Fighters, Vampire Hunters, Street Fighters, Samurai Spirits, etc.  A nice range of costumes depicted, some are obviously purchased while others are completely handmade.  We like the fact that many of women are smiling in the photographs, and appear to be having a good time.  Refreshing to see happy cosplayers, instead of brooding ones.  Many cheesecake images, too... the strangest being a wrestling match between Kei and Yuri from The Dirty Pair.  Studio photographs of celebrity cosplayers Miho and Chiho (a.k.a. Luke and Michiru), as well as the sexy Ippongi Bang and popular Ren Kirihara (a.k.a. Ren Suzunari) inside. We were fortunate to have Michiru sign this book at AnimeExpo 2000.  She was very pleased to have an American fan who possessed this rare book.  We highly recommend "Cosplayer Photograph" for its playful approach of cosplay fandom and excellent photography.  For more cool pics, check out the companion CD-ROM, "Cosplayer Photograph".

Luckily, there was a second book published... with even more photos of The Dirty Pair and video game characters (including male cosplayers).