In Atlanta, there’s only one place you can get late night sushi on a Thursday: Trap Sushi. Fusing Atlanta and Japanese pop culture, Trap Sushi builds community around food, music, anime, and cosplay. Founders speak on the due diligence it takes to appreciate (and not appropriate) culture.
Artist Tolden Williams, aka Troop Brand, grew up in Mississippi loving Dragon Ball Z. Stephanie Lindo, an environmental scientist, first learned about manga and anime from her Vietnamese best friends. When Tolden discovered Stephanie art online, their shared love for Japanese culture fueled a project that has now become centerstage of Atlanta’s growing cosplay community.
Many Black cosplayers are on the rise–and so is racism. This exists in anime communities too, where being Black means you cannot play a certain character. Trap Sushi has become the place where people of all backgrounds feel safe and accepted to tap into cosplay, anime, and community in general.
Director Joy Jihyun Jeong
Producers Joy Jihyun Jeong
Director of Photography Joseph East / Brave Voices Media
Editor Haruka Motohashi
Editor-In-Chief Keshia Hannam
Head of Production Stephanie Tangkilisan
Post Supervisor Syarifah Sa'diyah
Associate Producer Ella Chi
Color Nadya Sabrina
Sound David Alba
Special Thanks Chef Doni Lukman Monday Night Brewing Wagaya Groceries
Additional Music by Telephone Hype by Son of Augustine Cut to the Chase by Lalinea Late to the Party by FVMELESS
Additional Archival Material Getty Images Simple png from pngtree.com Motion Array
