Japan’s new Prime Minister unleashes his inner Dragon Ball Majin Buu in a daring cosplay campaign

Although it is well known that Shigeru Ishiba, the new Prime Minister of Japan, once cosplayed Dragon Ball ZMajin Buu, less known, is how Ishiba embraced his inner fanboy, turning cosplay into more than just a symbolic gesture. On the contrary, it became a powerful recognition Dragon Ballcultural icon status.

In April 2018, the Kurayoshi Figurine Museum opened its doors for the first time to not only celebrate the fantastical world of figurines, but also to showcase the repurposing of Japan’s oldest circular school building, which has been converted into an exhibition hall and museum headquarters. This was an important event for local politicians, including Shigeru Ishiba, then a member of parliament whose district included the city of Kurayoshi, where the museum is located.

However, rather than simply giving a speech to commemorate the event, Ishiba is a well-known otaku with a passion for creating military model kits and has a notable friendship with Ghost in the Shell directed by Mamoru Oshii, according to author and Japanese pop culture expert Matt Alt – literally couldn’t resist the opportunity to wear the Majin Buu costume. Buu is one of the Dragon Ball the most iconic characters, so it makes sense. As this event was reported at the time Tottori MagazineAlthough cosplay was not originally his idea, he embraced it with the zeal that only a true otaku possesses.

The new prime ministers of Japan showed off the perfect cosplay

A politician dressing up as a manga character is certainly an interesting news item that makes headlines. but what is missing in this case is the impressive Dragon Ball the cosplay itself. The costume cleverly accentuated Ishiba’s physique, embodying Majin Buu’s “Good Buu” form, effectively capturing the character’s signature chubby appearance from the manga and anime. The attention to detail is impressive, capturing every aspect of Good Buu’s appearance, from his yellow mittens to his purple cape tied in a knot at the front. The kind Majin Buu has a somewhat scruffy appearance, and Ishiba pulls it off well..

But great cosplay isn’t just about looking like the character; it’s also about bringing the character to life by behaving just like them. This is where Ishiba shines. Good Buu, as his name suggests, was kind, with a playful, caring, and childlike demeanor. In cosplay, Ishiba sheds the rigidity usually associated with politicians, especially senior political leaders in Japan. Instead, he emits a kind and cheerful aura, much like Majin Buu. Ishiba’s cosplay is clearly in his element, it’s outstanding and captures the essence of the beloved character.

Dragon Ball is more than just manga and anime

From Japan to the World, Dragon Ball Became a Cultural Phenomenon

What really makes this event stand out, aside from the cosplay itself, is that Ishiba agreed to take part in it. While there are certainly American politicians who are fans of comic books and cartoons, you’re unlikely to see any of them dressed as the Green Goblin or the Joker at a campaign event. The key difference is that The Japanese government and its politicians view manga and anime as a form of soft power. – a way to popularize Japan and its culture in the world. And if the global explosion of anime is any indication, this policy is working.

But what’s even more fascinating than politicians cosplaying is what they chose Dragon Ball as their theme. With hundreds of iconic manga and anime variants such as Astroboy, NarutoAnd One piece showcase Japanese pop culture, Dragon Ball stands out as a particularly excellent choice. As we saw with the passing of its creator Akira Toriyama earlier this year, its influence reaches far beyond the anime community, inspiring countless fans around the world. Really, Dragon BallRussia’s global impact is truly unprecedented.

Sources: Matt Alt, Tottori Magazine