A recent rise in popularity for the past few years has attracted the fascination of pop culture fans across the world: The Kemono Party. This amalgamation of cosplay, animal character-based entertainment and Japanese subculture has surged in popularity, especially for young adults. It draws inspiration from certain other trends and has also influenced both popular entertainment and consumerism online and off. But just what is the Kemono Party, and why has it proved so popular? Now, here, we take a closer look at the phenomenon of the Kemono Party as one of the most widest-known sub-culture of the land.
How the Kemono Party was born:
The word “Kemono” comes from the Japanese language meaning “beast” or “animal” in reference to characters and identities inspired by anthropomorphic animals in the context of the Kemono Party. Alternatively, these anthropomorphic characters are one of the most important elements of kemono subculture, and almost always have human qualities such as speech and emotions.
The genesis of the kemono party comes from the universe of kemonomimi (literally “animal ears”)—a widespread aesthetic in anime and manga where characters are represented with animal like qualities, including ears, tails, and whiskers, mixed in with human traits. Slowly, this aesthetic has grown into a more generalized, over-the-top and experiential incarnation, which ideas of dressing as an animal with a nightclub environment that enables fans to interact with one another.
The Appeal and Cultural Significance of Surrealism
Indeed, at the heart of the Kemono Party is an intense interest in the animal world and how it intersects with human identity. The popularity of anthropomorphized animals in Japanese culture has origins in traditional folklore featuring animal spirits known as yokai. Evidently, with these insights, the combined elements of these themes into pop culture have created an avenue for individualist expression in exploring identity onto the masses.
The Kemono Party’s ability to tear down societal hierarchies is one of the major attractions of the sex party. Participants often report that they take advantage of the anonymity of these events to become anyone they want — which is sometimes, quite literally, something they are not. Communal dynamics of creative self-exploration can juxtapose human rules with individuation, and even liberation from the expectations of those rules can facilitate identity exploration that is otherwise unwelcome and challenging in human society. This feeling of being a part of something larger than ourselves is very attractive in today’s world, where many of us are self-centered and crave the acknowledgment and acceptance of niche groups.
Fashion and Aesthetics of Kemono Pyaka:
Fashion is an essential part of Kemono Party. The participants tend to dress in elaborate costumes combining the cuteness of animals with elements of fantasy and anime. Some choose to wear animal ears, tails and paws, and others may wear a full-body suit, mimicking their favorite animal. Not only are these costumes an act of creativity, they are also the culmination of the widespread phenomenon of kawaii (the Japanese term for cute), which has affected almost every aspect of Japanese fashion and design.
And the costumes are bright, colorful things that add to the immersive concepts of the Kemono Party, making them a kind of visual displays where attendees can flaunt their artistry. Furthermore, animal-themed accessories, makeup and even body paint can be observed, highlighting the whimsicality of participants. For others, with the backdrop of revelry as cover, they can sample new personas, whimsical or deep, ferocious or fun.
Doomed To Repeat The Same Cycle Forever
Like many niche subcultures, the future of the Kemono Party will hinge on whether it can evolve and adapt in the face of new trends and societal changes. As Kemono Parties are becoming more closely linked to the real world and cross-pollinated with other fandoms and cultural movements, expect them to continue growing in scale.
Virtual parties and augmented reality costumes are examples of how technology is already being integrated (and may be further used to enhance) these types of events creating novel opportunities for creative expression. Also, with the mainstream culture becoming more accepting of various identities, the Kemono Party could carve a niche as a space for those seeking non-mainstream avenues of self expression.
The Bottom Lines
And finally, the phenomenon of Kemono Party is an interesting example of how subcultures evolve and interact through the Internet. Combining cosplay, animalistic aesthetics, and social interaction, the Kemono Party provides participants a space to express their identity while enjoying the company of other people in a fun, imaginative world. Today, it serves as a reminder of the transformative power of creative expression, as well community-building, in modern culture, as its influence keeps growing further and further afield.
