A MUM-of-three from Alton is to be projected on the second-largest billboard on the Shibuya walkway in Tokyo after winning a prestigious cosplay competition in Japan.

Clare entered Hyper Japan’s contest with her cosplay (short for ‘costume play’) of Asmodeus, an anime character, under her Instagram alter-ego RD_cosplay.

While ‘cosplaying’ originated in Japan, it is becoming increasingly popular around the world.

When participating, people adopt the behaviour and characteristics of the role.

Clare shared how she once cosplayed at a restaurant with her children, and remained in character for the duration of the meal.

Clare’s cosplays tend to come from anime and video game characters. However, she also creates her own.

She makes her own costumes, sourcing the materials from charity shops.

With guidance from her friend, a UK champion, Clare got into cosplay a few years ago when her children started school. She started joining Facebook groups to find communities online for inspiration and support.

As her best friend is a prop maker, Clare sometimes has help assembling her outfits.

For her contest-winning cosplay (pictured above, middle) her friend created devil horns – she claimed it was the hardest thing she had ever made.

Clare warns it is expensive and requires a lot of time, but she and her children, aged nine, seven and six, enjoy it. Her eldest has attended a cosplay convention in the past, and her youngest is preparing to cosplay in August.

Clare’s billboard on Tokyo’s Shibuya walkway will go live on Sunday.

By Mia Ayton