In the heart of Chiba Prefecture’s Makuhari Messe convention center, an event unlike any other takes place every spring: Nico Nico Choukaigi! Hosted by the Japanese video-sharing platform Nico Nico Douga and its partners, this two-day extravaganza celebrates the quirky, strange, and downright entertaining side of the Japanese internet and pop culture. From some of the strangest booths you’ve ever seen, to interactive live-streams and a sea of cosplayers, you never know what’s in store!
Nico Nico Chokaigi is renowned for its anything-goes approach. It offers a dizzying array of booths, shows, panels, and programs that defy modern convention expectations and captivate audiences with the event’s creativity. From a live team of chefs streaming the cooking of a massive pot of Japanese curry, where viewers at home can pay to add ingredients, to a horse racing booth where the “horses” are people in a horse racing ring, the event thrives on pushing boundaries and embracing the unexpected. Considering the event’s affiliation and celebration of Nico Nico Douga, which can be considered Japan’s other YouTube, the creativity and absurdity are a reflection of the country’s own internet and pop culture.
At the heart of Nico Nico Chokaigi are its live stages, where a kaleidoscope of performances, competitions, concerts, and more unfold to the delight of attendees and online viewers alike. From popular musicians and content creators to V-Tubers and cosplay showcases, the stages are alive with energy, showcasing Japan’s diverse talents and passions when it comes to the worlds of content creation and pop culture. Attendees have the opportunity to witness their favorite online personalities come to life, while cosplayers take center stage to strut their stuff and be broadcasted to viewers worldwide, even without a professional background. Merchandise that can’t be found anywhere else is also available for fans to show their support!
One of the defining features of Nico Nico Chokaigi is its emphasis on interactivity, inviting attendees to actively participate in the festivities and shape the course of events in real time. Whether it’s adding ingredients to a cooking stream, watching their favorite creators and performers live, or participating in the massive cosplay area, attendees are encouraged to become active participants in the spectacle, blurring the lines between audience and performer in a truly immersive experience, almost as if the Japanese internet has come to life.
The event draws a diverse crowd of attendees, ranging from avid fans of Nico Nico Douga content to casual observers and tourists intrigued by the promise of eccentric entertainment, especially as the strange and hilarious events that change each year get showcased online. Cosplayers also flock to Nico Nico Chokaigi, seizing the opportunity to showcase their creative talents and pay homage to their favorite characters from anime, manga, and video games. The convention center becomes a canvas for self-expression, as attendees immerse themselves in the colorful tapestry of Japanese pop culture.
There’s truly no shortage of things to expect from the event, and just about every aspect and booth present give attendees some way to express themselves, either creatively or performatively. Every year the playing field gets more and more diverse, with returning favorites and new, wacky booths appearing just like the internet meme landscape that makes up the culture behind Nico Nico Douga and the Japanese internet as a whole. With each year getting more fun and wild, there’s no telling what next year will hold, so until then fans can only speculate as they navigate the internet landscape and see it unfold online!
