At Anime Expo, fans from near and far participated in the annual masquerade events cosplaying as their favorite anime or manga characters. While some costumes were more familiar than others, there were a few costumes that anime fans may not have recognized at all. But, if you know the names "Malice Mizer," "Hamasaki Ayumi," or "Morning Musume" then you know that these fans are cosplaying as their favorite J-Pop and J-Rock artists.

With the number of J-Rock fans growing in America, a J-Rock panel and mini masquerade event was held at this year's Anime Expo. J-Rock fans' knowledge were tested in the J-Rock Trivia Event with categories such as "J-Rock 101" and "Random Fandom". Then, J-rock cosplayers had the opportunity to perform short skits and present their costumes in the J-Rock masquerade. Popular Japanese bands such as Dir En Gray, Malice Mizer, and Glay inspire the elaborate costumes and dramatic make-up of the J-Rock fashions seen at Anime Expo. J-rock cosplayers sported costumes designs with a blend of classic European and gothic fashion, which were inspired by the "Visual-Kei" or Visual Band trends in Japan. Also, some J-rock fans transformed their hair into a dramatic more hairstyle by the use of bright colors and elaborate wigs. Even though Anime Expo does not allow J-rock cosplayers to participate in the Anime Cosplay Masquerade, some of these costumes were carefully designed and eye-catching to all fans alike.

The growing number of J-Pop fans also invaded Anime Expo as well. The popular J-Pop duo, Puffy's Ami and Yumi performed a live concert at this year's Anime Expo. Also, there were many fans cosplaying as their favorite J-Pop artists and bands at Anime Expo. During the J-Rock event, some J-Pop cosplayers hit the masquerade dressed as "Hamasaki Ayumi" and the Morning Musume inspired group "Mini-Moni". In Anime Expo's annual karaoke event, a group of J-Pop fans performed as the popular Japanese idol group Morning Musume and sang their hit song, "The Peace!"

More and more fans have continued to cosplay as their favorite Japanese artists and groups at Anime Conventions around the U.S. As fandom continues to grow, it would be no surprise if a J-Rock/J-Pop convention were to appear sometime in the near future to accommodate this growing trend.