You know cosplay has made it when, in the halls of the most prestigious university of one of the world’s most socially conformist country’s most aesthetically traditional city, some guy is accepting his diploma as Black Sabbath from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

Kyoto University’s bank of accolades is heavy. The most Nobel laureates of a university in Asia; a handful of Prime Ministers; the former president of Taiwan. A rigorous research university with many campuses and a low acceptance rate, KyotoU (as it is sometimes referred) does not at first blush appear a breeding ground for expressive dissent.

But see for yourself. It’s like an expo in the ceremony hall.

Historically speaking, the ritual is part of a long-stretching nonconformist tradition at the school.

In the late ‘60s, Kyoto University was involved in the ‘University Struggles,’ a string of campus protests that were part of the worldwide protest cycle at the time. The pressing issues included the Vietnam War and the renegotiation of the mutual defense treaty with the US. At one point, the campus was declared ‘liberated,’ and riot police had to move in.

Things have obviously cooled since then. But the spirit of protest has burned on, and the radical element of the youth which once manifested in courageous face-offs with water cannons has found a form in fun costumes at graduation. Apparently.

KyotoU does not technically condone the dress-up. But some in academia speculate that the tradition is tolerated (even encouraged) by the administration because the visibility it brings to the university is generally positive. The appearance of free expression and individuality among its student body is an important distinguishing feature for the university. There’s also the issue of copyright, which with all the cosplaying would make the images difficult to use in marketing material.

A conservative faction within the university administration attempted to put an end to the tradition in 2011. After nationwide indignation and a drop in enrollment, they backed down. The following year, anecdotally, was the most creative yet.

It’s not all cosplay. Cultural figures like Freddie Mercury and Jesus have made appearances. Sometimes it is a chance to spotlight a personal hobby, like this scantily-clad body builder. Sometimes, what would appear to be a white woman rocks full Native American aesthetic. Anything goes.

Contrary to the disproportionate images, only around 10% of the graduating class dresses up. The rest go traditional. It is presumably in this understated and under-photographed majority that you’d find most of the Nobel laureates.