Japan's Ichinomiya city to launch manga series clothing

06 Jul '13

2 min read

In a bid to promote its image as a textile hub, Ichinomiya, a city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, has launched a project to prepare costumes based on popular animated manga series “Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne”.

The city recently developed the “Costume Town” concept to promote itself, and now taking it ahead the Ichinomiya Chamber of Commerce and Industry has engaged in accumulating avant-garde technology to produce perfect replicas of apparels donned by Maron Kusakabe, the protagonist in “Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne,” Japan Times reported.

The hit series targeting teenagers was written by an Ichinomiya native Arina Tanemura who talks about adventures of imaginary character Maron Kusakabe, a school going girl who turns into a supernatural phantom thief Kaito Jeanne to fight against evils.

Shueisha Inc.’s Ribon manga magazine published it from 1998 to 2000. Later, TV Asahi even converted into an anime television series, which was broadcasted between 1999 and 2000.

Having obtained free licence from writer to replicate costumes of her series, Ichinomiya Chamber of Commerce is now in discussion or already working with several local firms to successfully complete the project.

Over 10 local textile producers are expected to contribute to the project, while working with professional designers to create exact replicas of Ms. Tanemura’s drawings portraying Kaito Jeanne in costumes with long sleeves and belts, generating a sense of movement.

It is proposed to launch production of these outfits this month and present it to public at an event in October this year.

Later on by December, the Chamber even plans to unveil a range of costumes that Maron Kusakabe dons as a school girl.

Eyeing to promote Ichinomiya city as a Costume Town to provide a boost to the local industry, the Chamber is also encouraging events like fashion parades, and participation of enthusiast designers in city’s annual “setsubun” festival.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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