Members of the comedy quartet Borujuku appeared as princesses from famous paintings during a press conference in Tokyo on July 14 [1].
The event marks the launch of the #ArtCosplayFest 2026, a celebration linking contemporary cosplay culture with historic art. By appointing the popular comedy group as "Princess Ambassadors," organizers aim to bridge the gap between traditional fine art and modern fan expression.
The press conference took place at the Yoshimoto Roppongi Theater in Tokyo [1]. During the event, group members Kiriyah Haruka, 31, Anri, 31, and Tanabe Chika, 42, wore elaborate costumes replicating royal figures from historic canvases [1]. Tanabe Chika portrayed Marie Antoinette, based on a painting by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun [1].
The performers expressed surprise and joy at their roles. "It was a childhood dream," Anri said. "I can't believe I'm actually becoming the princess I wanted to be today" [2].
Kiriyah Haruka shared a similar sentiment regarding the unexpected nature of the appointment. "I want to tell my past self, 'You can become a princess'" Kiriyah said [2]. Tanabe Chika also noted her surprise, saying she never imagined she would be able to take on such a role [2].
The #ArtCosplayFest 2026 is scheduled to run from July 18, 2026, to Nov. 8, 2026 [2]. The festival will be hosted at the Otsuka International Museum of Art, located in Tokushima [2]. The event encourages participants to recreate world-famous artworks through the medium of cosplay, transforming the museum into a living gallery of historic imagery.
“"It was a childhood dream," Anri said.”
The collaboration between a mainstream comedy group and a fine arts museum suggests a strategic effort to attract younger, digitally-native audiences to traditional art spaces. By utilizing 'cosplay'—a practice rooted in anime and gaming culture—the Otsuka International Museum of Art is repositioning historic paintings as interactive templates for self-expression rather than static relics.
