I was in Shibuya last night after visiting a friend. I didn’t realize this is party central for Halloween with millions of young people in costumes or watching others in costumes. It’s a giant street party, with lots of police and special officers dubbed “DJ police” to marshal crowds with a spirit of goodwill, saying loudly but kindly in Japanese, “please go this way”, “be careful”, “watch where you are going”.

It was fun to watch the young Japanese in their costumes, taking selfies and having photos taken of them, and using the opportunity to be in character. It’s a big deal for the Japanese who are forced to act a certain way in society and stay within the well defined societal box and rules. It’s a chance to get out that box for one night and that is why the fantasy world of cosplay, anime and manga is popular with the young and older here. Though, maybe that’s why the Japanese fantasy world has become attractive to the young and older worldwide too.

In the Japanese fantasy world, the superheroes are often beautiful brave girls with big eyes and special powers. I asked one young man, “why the big eyes for the superheroes?” He answered that maybe it’s because they are super observant of what is going on. This fantasy world of the Japanese is so different from the normal society but there is something there, in what we want, and what we want to be.

Maybe I need to find a superhero I can identify with or create my own? Who could she be? She is wearing a sparkling pink outfit with bright blue hair, and has superpowers of connection, nourishing and inspiring with food and words, and making wishes come true. Who is your superhero character and what are your special powers?

Trying to find the subway and go home at Shibuya with the streets so packed, I let go and enjoyed my other superpowers of being curious and loving adventures. It energized me and made me feel that I could conquer anything, including the crowds at Shibuya.