At an anime convention in Guangzhou, a cosplayer drew crowds and criticism by selling “feet juice” — a concoction of lemon-infused water from large tubs where she soaked her feet, priced at 50 yuan (US$7) per cup. – Photo: Bilibili

Viktoria Chernenkii and Denis Chernenkii — better known as Medovvika and Armeyes — are among Russia’s best-known cosplayers. Recently in Shanghai, they transformed into Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from the Disney movie Tangled, bringing the fairy tale to life at the intersection of fantasy and reality.

Vancouver’s annual anime convention returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre this August long weekend for three days of all things anime and Japanese pop culture starting on Friday, July 31.

Walking through the cavernous exhibit hall of the San Diego Convention Center, dodging thousands of attendees clad in meticulously crafted spandex, foam armor, and wizard robes, it is easy to assume you have left reality behind. Yet, against the backdrop of the 2026 Comic-Con International, the line between science fiction fantasy and the daily grind…