The 24 Funniest Costumes From Japan’s ‘Mundane Halloween’

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 08/01/2024 in wow

Halloween is still three months away, but don't tell that to the new Spirit Halloween pop-ups, or the candy-pushing Duane Reades already shoving pumpkin-shaped Reeses down my throat.

When you think of Halloween in the United States, I'm sure you think of ghosts, horror, and little kids banging on your door for free handouts. But for one people in Japan, things are a bit more subdued.

The Japanese Jimi Halloween festival is for people who “kind of wanted to participate in the festivities of Halloween, but were too embarrassed to go all out in witch or zombie costumes.” As a result, their "mundane" costumes function more like memes personified than elaborate cosplays.

Sponsored by the DailyPortalZ website, here are 22 Jimi Halloween festival costumes you could easily walk past on the street.

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1.
“Factory worker who’s been wearing a helmet all day.”
2.
"Father who only wears that birthday present his daughter gave him for a few moments as he is leaving the house."
3.
“Person who was late for work but got issued a late pass at the train station and is now feeling more at ease.”
4.
"Person who wants to use up every bit of toothpaste in the tube."
5.
“Person trying to go viral with their cat on a roomba.”
6.
“Person who tried to cut their own bangs, failed, and now claims it's the latest fashion."
7.
"Random character who appears in the early stages of the TV series in order to show that if you get bitten, you become a zombie."
8.
"Female character that will become beautiful once she takes off her glasses."
9.
“That one friend of your mom’s.”
10.
"Person who got confused about how to combine different sauces when eating gyōza, and now no longer even cares."
11.
"Person who dropped their smartphone on their face."
12.
“That passenger who is very likely getting off at the next stop, opening up a seat.”
13.
“That person carrying the gloves and scissors during opening ceremonies.”
14.
"Foreign tourist who can't find any public garbage cans in Japan."
15.
"Person who can't find their Apple Pencil."
16.
"Hachiko, the loyal dog who has been hidden away. The famous statue of Hachiko in Shibuya was covered up as part of an attempt to deter Halloween celebrations this year.”
17.
"Uncool otaku girl in an American TV show."
18.
"Person taking a hearing test at the doctor's office."
19.
“That cashier who is forced to wear something on every holiday.”
20.
“Members performing at a meeting of an adult ukulele club."
21.
"Person either doing naginata or Japanese archery."
22.
"Two people who wore the exact same outfit and now it's super awkward."
23.
“Big Motor employee. Big Motor is a sketchy Japanese used car dealer.”
24.
“Person on the way home from the public bath."

1.
“Factory worker who’s been wearing a helmet all day.”
2.
"Father who only wears that birthday present his daughter gave him for a few moments as he is leaving the house."
3.
“Person who was late for work but got issued a late pass at the train station and is now feeling more at ease.”
4.
"Person who wants to use up every bit of toothpaste in the tube."
5.
“Person trying to go viral with their cat on a roomba.”
6.
“Person who tried to cut their own bangs, failed, and now claims it's the latest fashion."
7.
"Random character who appears in the early stages of the TV series in order to show that if you get bitten, you become a zombie."
8.
"Female character that will become beautiful once she takes off her glasses."
9.
“That one friend of your mom’s.”
10.
"Person who got confused about how to combine different sauces when eating gyōza, and now no longer even cares."
11.
"Person who dropped their smartphone on their face."
12.
“That passenger who is very likely getting off at the next stop, opening up a seat.”
13.
“That person carrying the gloves and scissors during opening ceremonies.”
14.
"Foreign tourist who can't find any public garbage cans in Japan."
15.
"Person who can't find their Apple Pencil."
16.
"Hachiko, the loyal dog who has been hidden away. The famous statue of Hachiko in Shibuya was covered up as part of an attempt to deter Halloween celebrations this year.”
17.
"Uncool otaku girl in an American TV show."
18.
"Person taking a hearing test at the doctor's office."
19.
“That cashier who is forced to wear something on every holiday.”
20.
“Members performing at a meeting of an adult ukulele club."
21.
"Person either doing naginata or Japanese archery."
22.
"Two people who wore the exact same outfit and now it's super awkward."
23.
“Big Motor employee. Big Motor is a sketchy Japanese used car dealer.”
24.
“Person on the way home from the public bath."