Level Up, Halloweenies!

Because in Japan, dressing up is no joke! Real cosplayers scoff at Halloween as Amateur Night, but for most people, the Big H is a chance to flaunt their secret zombie in public, and even ordinary citizens put serious effort into Doing It Right.

Here’s what the rather elaborate makeup “suggestions” look like up close!

Here, if you want to be slightly crossdressing Steampunk Jack or Goth Maleficent, you can just (yawn) buy them off the rack.

Even if you have zero costuming chops yourself, you can always be the All Saints version of Sexy Santa, or don a green wig and this 1980s shoulder pad-inspired Frank suit.

I’m giving the grand prize in this year’s You’re A Sexy WHAT? sweepstakes to this least-likely-to-be-adapted-for-a-fetching-costume entry. It was the blue fake fur and tail call-out that really edged this one out in front.

And of course, you could always fall back on the Buff Pumpkin look, if you don’t mind prancing about in public in puffy green choners.

Jonelle Patrick is the author of the Only In Tokyo mystery series,  published by Penguin/Intermix.