Consul General Murabayashi Joins Opening Ceremony of Anime Matsuri 2023
2023/8/21
Consul General Murabayashi was invited to attend the opening ceremony of Anime Matsuri 2023, which was held from August 10-13 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Since its inception in 2007, Anime Matsuri has expanded year after year with the support of Japanese pop culture fans in the area to become one of the largest anime conventions in the United States. The convention featured countless booths selling Japanese anime, manga, cosplay and fashion goods, and various workshops, concerts and other activities were on offer. Attendees were able to experience traditional Japanese culture through activities that included a sumo tournament, and performances of Japanese drums, shamisen, and kabuki theater. Droves of costumed attendees could be seen enjoying the festivities each day.
Consul General Murabayashi appeared at the opening ceremony dressed in Kamen Rider goods. He expressed his respect for the efforts of the organizers and other involved parties, and thanked the guests who had traveled from Japan for the event. He also expressed his hope that Mayor Turner, whose event appearance was his last as mayor, will continue to dress in cosplay for the convention after he leaves office. In closing, the consul general stated that he would be very grateful should the event bring its audience even closer to Japan.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner appeared in costume of “ONE PIECE” to commence Anime Matsuri 2023 and congratulate its steady growth, reflecting on his past activities as Mayor of Houston by citing the anime he cosplayed, and welcoming the event as a representation of Houston’s diversity.
During the event, Consulate-General of Japan in Houston maintained a booth and conducted two presentations to offer Japanese cultural experiences to attendees. The presentation introducing Japanese horror was a great success, attracting around 300 viewers.
Since its inception in 2007, Anime Matsuri has expanded year after year with the support of Japanese pop culture fans in the area to become one of the largest anime conventions in the United States. The convention featured countless booths selling Japanese anime, manga, cosplay and fashion goods, and various workshops, concerts and other activities were on offer. Attendees were able to experience traditional Japanese culture through activities that included a sumo tournament, and performances of Japanese drums, shamisen, and kabuki theater. Droves of costumed attendees could be seen enjoying the festivities each day.
Consul General Murabayashi appeared at the opening ceremony dressed in Kamen Rider goods. He expressed his respect for the efforts of the organizers and other involved parties, and thanked the guests who had traveled from Japan for the event. He also expressed his hope that Mayor Turner, whose event appearance was his last as mayor, will continue to dress in cosplay for the convention after he leaves office. In closing, the consul general stated that he would be very grateful should the event bring its audience even closer to Japan.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner appeared in costume of “ONE PIECE” to commence Anime Matsuri 2023 and congratulate its steady growth, reflecting on his past activities as Mayor of Houston by citing the anime he cosplayed, and welcoming the event as a representation of Houston’s diversity.
During the event, Consulate-General of Japan in Houston maintained a booth and conducted two presentations to offer Japanese cultural experiences to attendees. The presentation introducing Japanese horror was a great success, attracting around 300 viewers.
