November 02, 2023

Cosplay: A Chance Encounter that Transformed a Competition

13 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: Cosplay: A Chance Encounter that Transformed a Competition
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.org/cosplay-a-chance-encounter-that-transformed-a-competition

Story Transcript:

Ja: 東京の都会の喧騒から一歩退いた、穏やかな場所にある東京ビッグサイト。
En: Tokyo Big Sight, located in a calm place one step away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Ja: コンクリートジャングルのオアシスで、今日は豪華で煌びやかなイベント、現代のコスプレ大会が開催されている。
En: An extravagant and dazzling event, a modern cosplay competition, is held at this oasis in the concrete jungle.

Ja: アキラとサクラ、二人は早朝から準備を始め、胸を躍らせて会場に足を踏み入れた。
En: Akira and Sakura, the two of them began preparing early in the morning and eagerly stepped into the venue.

Ja: しかし、会場に入った瞬間、奇妙な光景が二人の目に飛び込んできた。
En: However, the moment they entered the venue, a strange sight caught their eyes.

Ja: 自分たちが選んだ伝統的な和服、女性型の雪子と男性型の権太郎に身を包んだ自分たちと全く同じ姿のコスプレイヤーがこちらに向かってくる。
En: Cosplayers, who were exactly the same as themselves dressed in traditional Japanese outfits - Akira as Yukiko, a female character, and Sakura as Gontaro, a male character - were approaching them.

Ja: 見渡すと、その数、何と20組。
En: As they looked around, there were a total of 20 pairs.

Ja: 間違いなく全員が同じ衣装で、グループコスプレを楽しんでいる。
En: Without a doubt, everyone was enjoying group cosplay in the same costumes.

Ja: からかわれているのか、そう考えた二人は少し茫然としてしまった。
En: Thinking perhaps they were being teased, the two of them became a little bewildered.

Ja: しかし、彼らはその状況を「この先、楽しむためのハードル」と捉え、ポジティヴに解釈。
En: However, they chose to see this situation as a "hurdle to overcome in order to enjoy what lies ahead" and interpreted it positively.

Ja: 一念発起した二人は、全員と友達になってみせようと心に誓った。
En: Determined, Akira and Sakura vowed in their hearts to become friends with everyone.

Ja: アキラは気さくに手を振り、サクラは愛想よく笑顔を振りまいた。
En: Akira waved his hand in a friendly manner, and Sakura smiled warmly.

Ja: 驚いていた他の参加者たちは最初戸惑っていたが、次第にアキラとサクラの心地良さに触れ、笑顔がこぼれ出た。
En: Initially confused, the other participants were gradually touched by the pleasant nature of Akira and Sakura, and smiles began appearing on their faces.

Ja: 二人はそれぞれに持っていた美味しいお弁当を分け合い、同じ場所で同じ温もりを感じる新たな友情が生まれた。
En: The two of them shared the delicious bentos they had brought and formed new friendships where they felt the same warmth in the same place.

Ja: こうして、アキラとサクラは初めてコスプレ大会に出場し、その経験が非常に特別なものとなった。
En: And so, Akira and Sakura participated in a cosplay competition for the first time, and their experience became something very special.

Ja: 何かと気まぐれな運命のいたずらを、友情とつながりへと変えてしまった彼らの物語は、その後も長く語り継がれ、参加者たちに深い共感と思い出を残したのでした。
En: Their story, which turned the whimsical tricks of fate into friendship and connections, continued to be passed down and left deep empathy and memories with the participants.

Vocabulary Words: