They came across Nishikigoi by participating in these various events and deepening their understanding of Japanese culture.

“Yui was deeply impressed by the charm of Nishikigoi and felt a natural affinity between them as parts of Japanese culture. Cosplayers, who are fond of beautiful and elegant things, share this affinity. I developed an interest in Nishikigoi and began learning it to get involved.　
And I realised that many young people have never seen real Nishikigoi and believe you need a garden pond to keep them. I felt this was a shame. We joined with the hope of helping to promote Nishikigoi, which is considered Japan’s national fish and an essential part of Japanese culture, from a different perspective. Through our speciality in cosplay, we aim to be ambassadors who attract many people’s attention.”
Minori explained.

The company first participated in a koi show at the 10th International Junior Koi Show in 2023. It was a moment when something new was born from the unexpected meeting of Nishikigoi and cosplayers, which had previously had no connection.
“The opportunity came when a Nishikigoi owner we know was exhibiting at a koi show and invited us to go along. Many people had never seen cosplayers in person at the venue before, so there were positive reactions and some confusion, which made it quite enjoyable (laughs). People were very eager to talk with us, which helped us get recognised and taught us much about Nishikigoi.”
Minori said.

Since then, they have actively participated in national and regional koi shows. Last summer, they became members of the Tokyo branch of the Nishikigoi Promotion Association. Currently, they are involved not only in events such as the All Japan, Kanto District, and Oedo Nishikigoi Festival (Tokyo Branch Show) but also take on behind-the-scenes roles like setup and takedown.

“The more opportunities we have to interact with real Nishikigoi, the more we can appreciate their charm. Since our company also organises events, we are well accustomed to setup and takedown procedures. Getting through the tough preparations and seeing guests enjoying the event is rewarding and fun. And when I hear there will be a lot of pools to set up, it really fires me up.”
Minori said with a smile.
Cosplayers, now an indispensable part of koi show award ceremonies, bring a touch of elegance and spectacle with their striking costumes inspired by Nishikigoi. The intricate designs and vivid decorations are truly eye-catching.

“Cosplayers are also becoming more familiar with the different varieties of Nishikigoi, incorporating koi-inspired patterns and scales into their costumes. They each design or remake their costumes from scratch based on their ideas—some adorned with Ginrin-inspired decorations, others styled after Hi Utsuri.”
Minori described.

Although “NISHIKIGOI” and “COSPLAYERS” are part of Japanese culture, they have rarely intersected until now. However, this interview illustrates how the company’s activities have created opportunities for mutual understanding between the two worlds.
Collaborations between different industries generate powerful synergy,　and through these interactions, each aspect of Japanese culture will likely continue to evolve and flourish.