Recommended cosplay for men: popular costumes that will get a good reaction

James from Pokémon

[Attack on Titan, Final Fantasy, Frozen, etc.] An incredible love for Japan! A collection of cosplay photos by foreigners

Introducing James from Pokémon—the hugely popular anime known around the world and so famous in Japan that almost everyone knows it.

If you think Ash is too ordinary, James is a great pick.

Have a friend cosplay as Victreebel, recreate the classic gag where it “eats” James, and you’re guaranteed laughs!

Snake from Metal Gear Solid

METAL GEAR SOLID 4 cosplay Hideo

Here’s an introduction to Snake, the protagonist of Metal Gear Solid.

He’s the quintessential cool older guy—always stylish—and ever since his debut, he’s become a character that even people outside the gaming community have likely seen.

And if you’re going to role-play as Snake, you’ll definitely want to have a cardboard box ready, too.

Lupin from Lupin the Third

[Live-Action Lupin the Third] Japan and Italy are insanely high quality!!

Speaking of phantom thieves, it has to be this man—introducing Lupin, the protagonist of Lupin the Third.

His standout feature, above all, is those sideburns! And the line that runs from there into his bangs, of course.

As for his outfit, go with the widely recognized red suit or the dandyish green—pick whichever you prefer.

Men might not be used to it, but to emphasize leg length, secret boots could be a nice touch.

Conan from Detective Conan

Detective Conan cosplay

Let me introduce Conan Edogawa from Detective Conan.

For men, the height might actually make it a bit challenging…but in cosplay, looks and vibe are what matter most! I think the fun lies in how you capture the character’s key traits, so why not fully get into character this time? It’s also a great option for small children.

Porco Rosso from ‘Porco Rosso’ (Crimson Pig)

Cosplay of Porco Rosso from 'Porco Rosso' (Kurenai no Buta), porco-rosso

Let me introduce Porco Rosso, the protagonist from the famous Studio Ghibli film Porco Rosso.

Cosplay is often associated with younger men and women and can be avoided by those in a slightly older age group, but wouldn’t it be fun to cosplay this character and enjoy the scene together with the younger crowd? You might even fully become Porco and show those around you what it means to be a grown man.

Wally

We’re crashing Shibuya Halloween with Hikakin and Dante! How many Wallys can we find?

Let me introduce Wally, from the popular children’s spot-the-difference picture book series “Where’s Wally?” Wally is a character beloved by children for generations, and his cosplay is easy to pull off: a red-and-white striped shirt, a hat, and jeans.

It could be fun to have a big group all dress the same and do a real-life “Where’s Wally?” search.

Harry Potter

I went to USJ dressed as Harry Potter and Voldemort.

Harry Potter, the magical fantasy film that became a worldwide smash and a defining work of the 20th century.

The uniform of the fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that appears in the story is perfect for cosplay.

With a black robe down to your ankles, you can be a wizard too! If you get official merchandise, it will cost a little over 20,000 yen!