I quite enjoyed the costumes in the Tokyo Marathon, but I couldn’t help wondering if there isn’t something a little passive-aggressive about them. On the one hand, people wearing costumes are saying, “Hey, look. I’m just out here having fun in my costume. I don’t take this seriously.” But on the other hand, if I was out running my heart out in a marathon I trained six months for and some guy dressed up as Doraemon ran past me, I don’t imagine I’d feel too good about it.

marathon-doraemon

marathon-rabbit

marathon-pink-guy

marathon-cello

marathon-supergirls

marathon-old-man

marathon-karakasakozou

This is a karakasa, or umbrella monster.

marathon-mario

marathon-ninomiya

Ninomiya Kinjiro, a famous historical figure who got his education by reading books while carrying firewood.

marathon-sukesan-kakusan

marathon-ultraman

marathon-big-head

Have you ever seen a head as big as this?