The World Cosplay Summit was held earlier this month in Nagoya Japan, and Sonnya Paz and Renee Gloger -- two girls from Queens -- represented the USA. Now, Sonnya and Renee have returned to the US and want to share their cosplay memories, and the New York Anime Festival is proud to announce they'll be doing this as special guests at Kinokuniya Bookstore's next Cosplay Day on Sunday, August 17!

Why should you get yourself out of bed and get yourself all cosplayed? For starters, if you come into Kinokuniya Bookstore (1073 Avenue of the Americas) on August 17 in costume, you'll receive 10% off all anime and manga and have a chance to win New York Anime Festival tickets and other swag in an all-day raffle. And, as I've said, Sonny and Renee will be coming in to speak about being a part of the Olympics of Cosplay in three special presentations…

3:00-4:00 PM - World Cosplay Summit. Sonnya and Renee will spend an hour speaking about what it was like being crowned Team USA, what it was like winning a trip to Japan, and how they felt going up against cosplayers on the international stage!

4:00-4:30 PM - Cosplay Q&A. Got a question about cosplay? Curious about beadwork? Don't know the best fabrics, metals, and woods to work with? Sonnya and Renee will answer all your questions -- beginner to advanced -- so that one day you, too, will be good enough to compete in the Olympics of Cosplay.

4:30-5:00 PM - Samurai Beat Radio. Samurai Beat Radio, broadcast in 26 cities in Japan, comes to Kinokuniya to record a special, live show. Samurai Beat Radio will interview Sonnya and Renee as well as cosplaying attendees to find out the who, what, where, when, and why Americans cosplay. This is a chance to get your voice heard throughout Japan!

So, dust off your sailor suit and polish that buster sword. I'll see you at Kinokuniya!