Japan manga 'geeks' seek love at masked match-making
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos-
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows a 33-year-old man (right), who introduces himself as Furuta Oribe from a historically famous tea master, during an interview after being matched up with a Mickey Mouse masked woman as they wear cartoon character masks during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
-
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012 shows cartoon character masks displayed on a table prior to a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
-
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows Raki-Suta (Lucky Star) cartoon character dolls (right) displayed during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
-
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows participants taking part in a folk dancing session during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
-
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows three men talking to a woman as they all wear masks during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
-
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows participants taking part in a speaking session during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows a 33-year-old man (right), who introduces himself as Furuta Oribe from a historically famous tea master, during an interview after being matched up with a Mickey Mouse masked woman as they wear cartoon character masks during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012 shows cartoon character masks displayed on a table prior to a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows Raki-Suta (Lucky Star) cartoon character dolls (right) displayed during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows participants taking part in a folk dancing session during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows three men talking to a woman as they all wear masks during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
This picture taken on Nov 23, 2012, shows participants taking part in a speaking session during a match-making party in Washinomiya, Saitama prefecture, in the northern suburbs of Tokyo. Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks. -- PHOTO: AFP
WASHINOMIYA, Japan (AFP) - Self-confessed geeks in Japan who might ordinarily be too shy to ask someone on a date are trying a new kind of matchmaking: wearing cartoon character masks.
In a small town north of Tokyo, 15 men and an equal number of women donned plastic masks of Doraemon, Mickey Mouse and other fictional creations to try to find a date on Friday.
"I feel this is an easier way to talk to people," said a 27-year-old woman wearing a rabbit mask, who introduced herself as Jet-Black Wings.
"I wouldn't be able to do this without this mask. I would feel too embarrassed." The party, in Washinomiya, was organised for the benefit of otaku - people obsessed with high-tech products, Japan's manga comic books and the anime (cartoons) that sprang from them.