Festivals - Japan Expo 2025: MISA Cosplay Show – A Celebration of Excellence at the Heart of Idol Town Paradise

By Mulder, Villepinte, Parc des Expositions de Paris-Nord, 03 july 2025

Within the incredibly rich and ambitious program of Japan Expo 2025—boasting over 585 official guests, 674 events, and 15 dedicated stages—the art of cosplay once again stands as a central pillar of the festival. This year, a major highlight unfolded in the newly launched Idol Town Paradise area, located in Hall 6, where fans had the opportunity to attend one of the most anticipated appearances: the MISA Cosplay Show, featuring renowned international cosplayer Misa Chiang, officially invited to this edition. Her performance was part of a program spotlighting Japanese and international idols, which also included acts like U&PIA, BANZAI JAPAN, JIEMEI, and HATE and TEARS, all culminating in a grand crossover concert on the Ichigo stage.

Taking place within a space specifically designed for immersive fan-artist interaction, MISA’s performance lived up to her stellar reputation—marked by precise craftsmanship, striking visual impact, and unwavering stage presence. While the official press notes do not detail her costumes or character portrayals during the show, her presence in Idol Town Paradise underscores Japan Expo’s commitment to elevating cosplay as a serious artistic expression. This new area recreates the atmosphere of Japanese idol meetings, featuring photo studios, intimate meet-and-greets, and scheduled performances in a scenographic setting, designed to bring fans closer to their favorite performers.

The MISA Cosplay Show distinguished itself from the more competition-oriented cosplay events of the festival, such as the Extreme Cosplay Gathering (ECG), by focusing instead on performance and visual storytelling. While celebrated figures like CutiePieSensei, Yuji Koi, Vye, Yugoro, and Spicy Thai Design took on jury roles at the ECG Season 13 finals, MISA was given a solo platform—highlighting her as an artist in her own right. Her show emphasized the performative aspect of cosplay, setting it apart from contests and showcasing it instead as a unique form of fan-driven stage art.

This approach fits seamlessly within the broader spirit of Japan Expo 2025, which returns in full force after a slightly reduced 2024 edition due to the Olympic Games. This year’s numbers speak volumes: over 140,000 square meters of festival grounds, nearly 1,000 exhibitors, more than 83 concerts and showcases, and 100+ panels, performances, and premieres. Within this landscape, cosplay is not just something fans do in the aisles—it’s a fully programmed art form. The MISA Cosplay Show, featured as a standalone event, exemplifies this evolution by offering festivalgoers a direct glimpse into professional-level costume work, character embodiment, and fan dedication at its highest level.

Importantly, MISA's inclusion in Idol Town Paradise marks a significant acknowledgement of cosplay’s place in contemporary pop culture. It sits comfortably alongside tributes to Junji Itō, the 30th anniversary events for Evangelion with Kazuya Tsurumaki and Mahiro Maeda, and retrospectives dedicated to iconic franchises like Dragon Ball and Spielvan. By offering her a spotlight in a program that bridges J-pop, idols, and live fan experiences, Japan Expo affirms cosplay’s standing as more than a side activity—it is a main stage event.

Without embellishment or fiction, the MISA Cosplay Show proved to be a definitive statement: cosplay, when elevated through careful curation and artistic recognition, has become one of the most vital and respected expressions of pop culture today. Japan Expo 2025 embraced that truth fully—and gave it a stage worthy of its global impact.

Check out our curated cosplay photo selection on our Flickr page :