Took the metro line B to Termini, then grabbed the 105 to Grotte Celoni, hoping that I would figure out the exact location of the Mercatino Giapponese (Via Casilina 713).

I came to this event two years before, and back then it seemed like a cross between a neighbourhood yard sale and a cosplay convention.  This year, it was more or less the same, except for the cosplay, which was the part I had been looking forward to seeing.

It’s the kind of event where everyone knows everyone.  It’s less about selling stuff than having a reunion with old friends. I didn’t mind it.

Still, it was more of a manga-meets-anime convention that just happened to be in a dancehall that casts several shades of shady upon entering it: stacks of comics and posters everywhere, Japanese dolls and anime/manga characters lined up, handcrafted jewelry and used clothes that reminded me of my goth days, and random Italian pop music playing.

It didn’t phase me when I saw the telltale Italian cornetti (croissants) and espresso at the bar. After all, I’m in Rome. Still, I was hoping to find something more…Japanese.

Only a handful of vendors were selling things other than anime/manga items. There were kimonos, Japanese socks, bookmarkers and, of course, food…but that’s a whole other tale. In the meanwhile, enjoy the photos. 😉

D.