A matchmaking event in Japan makes participants wear anime masks.

Matchmaking events come in many different formats. Some match seekers in Japan recently opted for a truly unique way to land a special someone.

In Kuki City, Saitama, a matchmaking event has been held yearly since 2009. The area is home to an anime shrine, so it may not come as a surprise that this year’s romantic event involved participants sporting anime or manga masks while meeting and talking with potential dates.

Eight woman and nine men took part. They were pictured sitting across from one another in an interview style pose.

They were not permitted to take the masks off until the event was over, meaning that love seeking souls would not be judged for their looks.

This isn’t the only recent and odd love-themed occurrence.

Several months ago, an art display in Ukraine premiered a Sleeping Beauty exhibit. It featured five "sleeping beauties".

Men were allowed one chance to kiss and only on her lips, and if she opened her eyes during the kiss, they were bound by contract to marry one another.