Back in early 2013, when I was launching my event activity in Tokyo, I had one very specific idea for Halloween: I wanted a cosplay that would really make an impression.
As a huge fan of 80s and 90s sci-fi movies, I contacted a Canadian special effects artist and commissioned a full-size, custom-made Predator costume. It took several months to make and weighed over 20 kg (44 lbs) with all the latex and gear. The result was incredible — once I put it on, I genuinely looked like I had stepped straight out of the Schwarzenegger movie. The head was especially impressive, with a magnetic helmet that I could easily take off and put back on.
The costume arrived in Japan at the very last minute. Japanese customs had opened the package and even called me to ask what the hell it was. 😅 I had to explain that yes, this giant latex alien was simply my Halloween costume. They finally released it… just one day before a huge Halloween party I was organizing for around 500 people in Ginza!
Visually, it was amazing. Wearing it was another story: over 20 kg, incredibly hot, and almost no ventilation. 🥵
I still wanted to immortalize the costume, so I organized a photoshoot in the streets of Shinjuku. The reactions were hilarious. Some people completely ignored me, while others immediately came over to take pictures and interact with Predator. I even walked past several koban (police boxes), and not a single police officer stopped me or asked what I was doing. 😂
A few years later, I decided to sell the costume. I found a Japanese buyer who wanted everything… except the head. Why? I still have absolutely no idea. 😅
So the Predator body went on to live another life, but the head stayed with me and is now on display in my bar in Komagome, Tokyo.
Here are some photos from my Predator adventure in the streets of Shinjuku. 👽🇯🇵📸
