Anime series Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, also known by its Japanese nickname Danmachi, looks like the breakout hit of this TV season. What’s the secret to its success? Well, it could be the way it fuses video game conventions onto its fantasy setting, or the popularity pump-priming light novels and manga that preceded the animated adaptation.
Or it could be the outfit of female lead Hestia, which is inventive even by the already outlandishly sexy standards of anime costume design with its boob-lifting ribbon that’s become known as rei no himo, or “The String” among fans in Japan.
It’s already making inroads into the cosplay world, with anime shops selling replicas, or sometimes handing them out for free. So strong is The String’s appeal that it’s also serving as muse for talented otaku costume crafters, and even helping foster international friendship on the streets of Tokyo.
In case you haven’t caught an episode of Hestia’s animated adventures yet, here’s some artwork of the buxom goddess who’s too sexy for unrestrained upper body movement.
▼ She’s also too sexy for shoes, apparently.
While the dress is definitely revealing and the hair accessories charming, they’re both within the realm of what anime fans have long since grown accustomed to. What really seems to be capturing viewers’ imaginations, though, is The String, so much so that anime retailer Lashinbang’s Akihabara branch recently sent out an official tweet informing cosplay enthusiasts that the store is now stocked with blue ribbons.
例の紐入荷いたしました！ http://t.co/VG8cAD90f3
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らしんばん秋葉原店新館＠中古買取販売 (@lashin_akiba2) April 11, 2015▼ There’s even some impressive trick perspective employed in the sales display.
Alternatively, you could save your cash and head over to Melon Books, another anime specialty store in Akihabara, which is giving them away for free.
▼ Sign: Complimentary Hestia ribbons
ヘスティアの紐、秋葉原めろんで無料配布してる http://t.co/aGVPn1j8If
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輳真舞斗@冬コミ作品BOOTH委託中 (@Draghi_Celesti) April 11, 2015But the ribbon is only one part of Hestia’s outfit. What about the dress, hair accessories, and gloves?
No problem! Costumer creator and Twitter user Namechiru has got you covered.
紐が気になりすぎて寝れないのはよくないので… http://t.co/isCs3XsQuD
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なめチル (@atelierspana) April 13, 2015Of course, there’s still the matter of reproducing Hestia’s ample bust. Once again, though, Namechiru is ready with a solution, seeing as how this is the same otaku artist behind the breast-equipped cosplay breastplate we’ve talked about before, Namechiru simply made a Hestia version.
ダンまち、ヘスティア様ができました。おっぱいと紐は取り外し可、もれない安心設計です❤️ http://t.co/eJig6cCTfY
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なめチル (@atelierspana) April 14, 2015ぐいっ❤️ http://t.co/MIvczzI4zM
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なめチル (@atelierspana) April 14, 2015With this, Namechiru boasts that everyone, whether busty or not, can cosplay as Hestia. Purists might be saddened to know that the ribbon doesn’t actually lift up the breasts, which are made of a mix of urethane, sponge, and tricot. Then again, it’s sort of debatable just how functional The String was in the first place. On the plus side the ribbon in Namechiru’s costume, which will eventually be made available through the designer’s website, is made of sturdy, enamel-treated material.
ヘスティア様は出品（新品）いたします。自胸で着用したい方もいるかと思いますのでおっぱいは別売で、興味ありましたらよしなに。紐で少し遊んだのは内緒です|･ω･｀)ｺｯｼｮﾘ。 http://t.co/DjWrD1NUz7
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なめチル (@atelierspana) April 14, 2015スレンダーさんもグラマーさんもヘスティア様になれるお衣装出品しました(お写真見れたら(´；ω；｀))
page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/196… http://t.co/3uGAAtKP8K
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なめチル (@atelierspana) April 15, 2015Still, more so than any other part of the costume, it’s the cord that’s really struck a chord with fans. As a matter of fact, The String is even helping to bring about spontaneous moments of international friendship.
Japanese Twitter user Rontao recently went out for a stroll in Akihabara, carrying with him an enormous supply of Hestia ribbons.
秋葉メロンに例の紐を持って行く→外人さんが「オーゴッドロープ！！ゴッドロープ！！」と大興奮→言葉分からないけど「イエースヘスティーアヘスティーア！！」 紐あげたらすげー嬉しそうに装備→ハイタッチして彼は旅たった。紐は言葉の壁を越えた。 http://t.co/gXz1lpUIMw
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龍道 (@rontao) April 11, 2015As otaku culture gains a foothold overseas, more and more travelers from abroad are adding a visit to Akihabara to their itinerary. Rontao passed by a group of visiting foreign tourists, who immediately and excitedly reacted to his stock of Strings.
“I don’t really understand English, but I heard them say ‘Yes! Hestia Hestia!!’ I gave them some ribbons, and they were so happy. We gave each other high-fives before we went our separate ways.”
It’s sort of a touching moment, and we’re sure that Rontao’s contribution to better relations between different peoples made his dinner taste all the more delicious.
今夜のご飯はヘスティア定食！！
白くて、、、その、、、つい。
#ダンまち #ゴッドロープ http://t.co/DfJXYBcsZp
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龍道 (@rontao) April 13, 2015Sources: Jin (1, 2), Kai-You
Top image: Twitter (1, 2, 3) (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert images: Danmachi official website, Twitter (edited by RocketNews24)
Origin: Hestia anime ribbon being given away for free in Akihabara, fostering international friendship
Copyright© RocketNews24 / SOCIO CORPORATION. All rights reserved.
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