The top-heavy, exaggerated character design of One Piece steps into the real world.
There’s a pretty standard progression that occurs in the anime world. First, a new anime is released. The producers and other stakeholders then gauge the audience reaction to determine which characters are the most popular, with cosplay frequency being one way to gauge which specific characters are resonating with fans. Then, those characters with the largest or most passionate followings get merchandise made for them, such as high-end figures.
If demand is high enough, the same figure will even get multiple figures, some with special costumes that are different from the ones they wear in the series proper. Then, as the anime fandom cycle continues to spin around on itself, those alternate outfits become the basis for even more cosplay.
However, while the character Carifa, from pirate saga One Piece, is much loved for her cool demeanor and busty body, we didn’t expect anyone to be up for cosplaying in the near-nude attire of her just-unveiled Pirates Version BB (“bathing beauty”) figure.
That’s just a little too bold for the real, human world, right? Well, not if you’re Japanese celebrity Mika Kano.
Mika is one half of Japan’s famous “Kano Sisters” (the other being her older sister, Kyoko). While not as active on the Japanese variety show circuit as many other celebrities, the pair have nonetheless achieved rather significant fame for their prodigious busts, revealing fashions, and purportedly glamorous lifestyles.
The sheer bodysuit being worn by Mika isn’t an exact match for the one Carifa has on in her new figure, and there are also differences in their eyeglasses and hairstyling. However, there’s no question that Mika, who’s normally neither a blond nor bespectacled, is taking cues from the One Piece character. The Japanese Internet doesn’t seem to be too bothered by the costuming discrepancies, with online reactions including:
“Only Mika could pull this off!”
“So sexy – losing consciousness.”
“First Super Sonico and now this?”
That last remark is in reference to another cosplay effort Mika recently shared photos of, in which she donned the striped bikini of anime character Super Sonico.
▼ Seriously, when was the last time you saw such a gigantic pair of headphones?
Given the positive response Mika’s Carifa has been getting, admirers are probably keeping their fingers crossed that big sister Kyoko will follow in her footsteps by cosplaying as one of One Piece’s other voluptuous seafarers.
Source, featured image: Kano Sisters Official Blog
Top image: Premium Bandai (edited by RocketNews24)
