Japan Culture: Cosplaying Politician Breaks the Internet in Taiwan

Lai Pin-yu cosplaying as Asuka

It’s pretty normal to see and hear of politicians doing weird things on their campaign trail to please the crowd and get votes for an election. They seem to do just about anything to represent themselves as ‘one of the people’. 

This couldn't be more true when a legislative Taiwanese candidate: Lai Pin-yu actually went campaigning while cosplaying as ‘Asuka Langley Soryu’ from the classic Gainax anime series: “Neon Genesis Evangelion”.

Lai Pin-yu cosplaying as Asuka at Taiwan Grand Triumph concert

Believe it or not, this isn’t her first time making headlines displaying her anime fandom and cosplaying hobbies while campaigning. Pin-yu also cosplayed as Rei Ayanami (another popular character from Evangelion), Elsa (from Frozen) and many other notable characters throughout her campaign. 

Lai Pin-yu cosplaying as Elsa

Lai Pin-yu in Santa outfit

Her campaign has led to her making appearances at markets, temples and many infamous landmarks throughout Taiwan in hopes of rallying enough supporters on winning her a legislative seat at the New Taipei City’s 12th electoral district. The politician cosplayer is a Democratic Progressive Party legislative candidate campaigning against Chinese Nationalist Party candidate Lee Yong-Ping. 

A tight race against her opposition but nevertheless, it was Pin-yu’s appearance at the "Taiwan Grand Triumph" concert that has catapulted her into internet stardom and gain her the votes needed to win the election battle. She came out on top with a total pool of 84,393 votes, winning her seat by 2,780 votes!

Candidate Lai Pin-yu with Taiwan President: Tsai Ing-wen

After having won her legislative seat, she immediately uploaded an amazing photo of herself cosplaying as Sailor Mars (from Sailor Moon) on Facebook to make a short announcement: “Hello friends, I am Lai Pin-yu, lawmaker of New Taipei City’s 12th District. Please give me your feedback over the next four years.”

Lai Pin-yu cosplaying as Sailor Mars: https://www.facebook.com/souichi0302/posts/10221579194577096

I don't know about you but we are definitely looking forward to seeing this exciting cosplaying lawmaker change Taiwan's legislative system as she ventures into the world of politics. Even with all the pressure of her people supporting her new position, she still enjoys her hobbies and shows us that cosplay can be for everyone regardless of your occupation!

Lai Pin-yu cosplaying as Asuka

Wouldn’t it be exciting to see some of our local politicians cosplaying? Who and what would they go as? Let us know on our Facebook page: Anime Access and maybe we’ll drop you a story with a Photoshop pic of them doing it ;)   

Written by KittyBoss