At the closing ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics, when it was time to pass the torch to the new headquarters (it would be Tokyo 2020), Shinzo Abe, then Prime Minister of Japan, appeared dressed as Super Mario. Of all the references that Japan wanted to show itself to the world with, the greatest icon they found was this plumber born between pixels 38 years ago. It’s no coincidence: Mario is the spearhead of Japanese culture, an unstoppable weapon that finds its way into the minds of young people through the two most effervescent artistic elements of our time: video games and manga anime.
This weekend the Japan Weekend, the largest Japanese cultural fair, took place in Madrid. We are talking about tens of thousands of young people from all over Spain who traveled to Madrid in search of something that eludes most adults but has immense power: a form of community through the most exportable aspects of a foreign culture that fascinates with its eclecticism. These aspects are crossed by all forms of consumption, yes, but there is no denying that manganime is, after all, a form of community.
At the fair, socialization occurs through what today’s youth wants: concerts, video games, books, comics, kendo classes, archery, Japanese cuisine (more towards snacks and fast food, not haute cuisine), collectibles and Merchandising to almost everything dizzying levels of absolutely every aspect of a fashion series. Of course, of course, cosplay, because it is true that every day more young people (although many parents have also been seen dressed up) are joining in this form of imitative empowerment achieved by dressing up as the protagonist of your favorite manga or anime. Thousands and thousands of young people showed up to make their presence felt in society with the groups they had carefully built. Sometimes for months.
Yes, the whole thing could be given a certain kitschy atmosphere due to the lack of desire to create an exhibition space that goes beyond the scattering of the three Ifema pavilions – three Ifema pavilions is not an adjoining room – with stands of all kinds. There are no corridors, no roof, no strong organizational will. Nor is it that anything happens, it is neither Arco nor is it necessary, because what prevails here is the pure joy of a youth raised in the warmth of its Japanese references.
And among all the rooms in Japan, one stood out colored red. Nintendo offered the opportunity to play the next Mario game: Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which actually goes on sale on October 20th. The game gives the best impressions of the horizontally scrolling adventures of the mustachioed hero. And juicy news. Initially, the game will feature online multiplayer in addition to local multiplayer. And then there are the new locations, characters and powers that the hero will enjoy as he adventures on a new map: the Flower Kingdom. The game features the same polished gameplay as always and new mechanics brought to you by Mario’s three new suits: the Elephant, the Drill and the Bubble. In addition, there is the Crown jewel in terms of new mechanics: the Miracle Flower, an amazing power-up with almost quantum consequences that changes the entire level we play.
Among the participants at Japan Weekend, between the impossible hairstyles and the huge swords, there were many red hats. It is normal. And yesterday was Attack on Titan, today was Kimetsu no Yaiba and Chainsaw Man and tomorrow will be something different. Why one thing is clear: Japan may have many ephemeral ambassadors, but only one for eternity. Even though he’s a plumber and actually Italian. You know: It’s an I!
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