This year, Papergames expanded its presence at Anime Expo by bringing Love and Deepspace’s popular live character interaction experience to the convention. Bringing the game to life, the experience featured cosplayers portraying the game’s five love interests, with fans entering a lottery for the chance to meet them one-on-one.
The experience quickly became one of South Hall’s biggest draws. Crowds regularly packed the surrounding walkways, forcing staff to temporarily close the viewing area several times to ease congestion. Whether they were devoted players or simply curious passersby, attendees constantly circled the booth hoping to catch a glimpse of the cosplayers.
The setup featured an enclosure for each character, yet one section remained conspicuously empty. It had originally been reserved for Valko, a sixth character that Papergames planned to debut in-game alongside his first live character interaction at Anime Expo. However, following backlash surrounding the company and the character’s release, Papergames canceled both the launch and convention appearance just days before the event. While debate over the decision continues, fans on the convention floor were all eyes on the live character interaction.
Attendees marveled at how the cosplayers looked strikingly similar to their characters, right down to their mannerisms, making it feel as though Love and Deepspace had come to life. The performers wore masks and remained silent throughout each interaction, which may seem awkward at first, but the masks didn’t make the interactions feel any less personal, fans said. If anything, it was the strong and steady eye contact that drew participants in, making it easy to forget they were standing in the middle of a busting convention hall. Looking into the eyes of your favorite character can leave anyone momentarily stunned, but the cosplayers expertly guided each interaction, helping attendees make the most of the moment.
Even outside the booth, the cosplayers carried themselves with a quiet confidence that made them seem larger than life. People rushed to take photos and videos of them whenever they entered or exited the venue, giving them a reception more reminiscent of K-pop idols. Despite the constant attention, they seemed to stay in character at all times.
After four days of interactions, the cosplayers finally took their last bow. Only then did they briefly break character. The Rafayel cosplayer, overcome with emotion, fought back tears as fans bid them farewell and thanked them for their incredible performances—a heartfelt ending to an experience that had meant just as much to the cosplayers as it did to the fans.
Click here to view our photos from the experience:
