Her father's advice got her into cosplay? Gravure and interview with Reiai Hashimoto, an active JK cosplayer! The first issue of the 2025 Cosplayers White Paper

Cosplayers are an indispensable part of large-scale events such as Comiket and game shows. They have expanded their activities to various media and events, and have become a symbol of Japanese subculture.

The "2021 Cosplayers White Paper" is a series of interviews and photogravures that explore the real faces of these cosplayers!

Part 1: Reia Hashimoto

There is a cosplayer who is currently attracting attention as an "active JK layer. Her name is Reia Hashimoto (Reina Hashimoto). She turned 18 this year.

Normally, Hashimoto enjoys her youth as a high school girl in her hometown in Fukushima Prefecture. On her occasional days off, she goes to cosplay events and works as a cosplayer. We asked her about how she got started in cosplay, her true face as a high school student, and her future plans. We asked her how she got started in cosplay, what she is like as a high school student, and what she hopes to do in the future.

I'm very shy," she says, "but my father encouraged me to start cosplaying.

How long have you been cosplaying?

Hashimoto: I've been cosplaying for about three years, although there was a gap once. I started when I was in the second grade of junior high school, but I quit when I was in the third grade. I quit when I was in the third grade of junior high school, and recently resumed.

I see that you have recently resumed your activities. Do you often participate in cosplay events?

Hashimoto: Recently, I've been going to the ones I can. I've been going to "Wonder Festival" and "Comic Market" and so on.

What kind of activities do you usually do as a cosplayer?

Hashimoto: I often do "home cosplay" at home. The other day, "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" was on TV, and I put on clothes and a flying stone that I had at home and said "BALS! I put it on Twitter like that (laughs).

TM: So you enjoy cosplaying at home. What about the costumes you had at home?

Hashimoto: I had some costumes left over from a previous "Witch's Delivery Service" cosplay, so I used them. I sometimes make uniforms by combining costumes.

Hashimoto: You must be very dexterous to make costumes by yourself.

Hashimoto: I have never made a cosplay costume from scratch because I don't have a sewing machine. ...... (laughs). I joined a sewing club when I was in elementary school, and I like sewing, so if I had a sewing machine, I would like to make costumes by myself.

T : What made you start cosplaying in the first place?

Hashimoto: I'm rather shy, and I don't talk much with other people. Then my father said, "Why don't you try to be in front of people? He bought me a Hatsune Miku cosplay costume. I tried cosplaying at the "Nico Nico Ultra Conference" and it was a lot of fun, so I was hooked!

T : It's surprising that you are shy! What was it about cosplay that got you into it so much?

Hashimoto: I think it's having people take pictures of you and tell you how cute you are. It gives me confidence (laughs).

T : It makes me happy when I get compliments. So your personality has become brighter since you started cosplaying?

Hashimoto: I think I'm getting used to talking to people. I'm still not very good at it (laughs).

I am smiling and easy to talk to. It was your father who encouraged you to cosplay. It's rare that he understands anime and games.

Hashimoto: That's right. He likes Gundam, and I was influenced by him to like Char.

Hashimoto: Yes, he is Char Aznable from the "Gundam" series. This is also quite rare, isn't it?

Hashimoto: He's really cute when he was little, with his reluctance and his coolness. It's really cute to see a different side to her now.

What is high school life like for an "active JK layer"? My goal is to do what I love!

T: I heard that the girls in your junior year are happy with your cosplay.

Hashimoto: They "like" my cosplay on social networking sites. So they spread the word to their friends.

Hashimoto: Do you tell your friends about your cosplay?

Hashimoto: Some of my close friends have told their friends. But there are many who don't know about it.

How is your school life?

Hashimoto: It's fun! We have a drama competition coming up, so we are practicing for that.

I'm glad to hear that! So you are a member of the drama club?

Hashimoto: Yes, I am. I was in the badminton club in junior high school, but I thought it would be too tough for me because I had the image of high school athletic teams being strong and dedicated (laughs). I wanted to join a club that didn't exist when I was in junior high school, so I joined the drama club.

T: I see. So, do you want to be an actress?

Hashimoto: No, I wanted to work behind the scenes. I wanted to work behind the scenes, in lighting and sound. I liked making things, so I wanted to go into stage technology, but now I am a cast member.

─ How are your studies going?

Hashimoto: I am currently in the testing period, and my ranking is in the single digits. I'm currently divided into courses, so I don't have my overall ranking yet. ...... (laughs). The courses are divided into science and liberal arts, and I'm hoping to study science.

You must be an excellent student! Have you already thought about what you are going to do after graduating from high school?

Hashimoto: I am thinking of going on to college. I would like to go into the field of nutrition and obtain a certification. I want to become a registered dietitian, so I'm thinking of going to a university in that field.

Hashimoto: So your goal is to become a registered dietitian, not a TV personality?

Hashimoto: No. I would like to continue working in this field for a long time, so I think I would like to become an actress in the end. But I also like anime, so it would be nice to work in that field as well.

Hashimoto: What kind of work do you want to do in the field of animation?

Hashimoto: A friend in elementary school recommended anime to me, and I fell in love with it. I would like to work with anime that I like!

Hashimoto: If you want to work with the anime you like, how about voice acting, for example?

Hashimoto: I am interested in it. I don't know if I'm suited for it or not, since I've never done it before. I would also like to be an official cosplayer or something (laughs).

─ So you have many things you want to do! Do you have a target person?

Hashimoto: Hmmm. I would be happy if I could be like Enako. She is cute, isn't she?

I know that you also do a lot of work through cosplay. I hope you will do your best, too, Hashimoto-san!

Hashimoto: Thank you very much! I would like to do anime most of all, but I would like to try many other things as well, so I would be happy if you could support me too!

(Interview, text, and photos by ryuko)

Reia Hashimoto Profile

Born on June 21. Born in Fukushima Prefecture.

On the advice of her father, she participated in the Miss Teen Japan contest and made it to the semi-finals.

In order to overcome her shyness, she started her career as a cosplayer when she participated in a cosplay event.

Although she temporarily suspended her cosplay activities, she resumed her activities as a cosplayer in the summer of 2019 and is attracting attention as an "active JK layer.