Cosplay Competition Rules

  • Entry is judged based on the construction quality and character accuracy of the costume.

    Contruction Criteria:

    • Quality of Contruction and Fit

    • Stitches, Seams, Trims, and Finishing

    • Neat, Clean, and Pressed

    • Innovation and Resourcefulness

  • Entry is judged based on performance and portrayal of the character on stage.

  • This entry will not be judged and no craftmanship is required. This is just an opportunity to show off your cosplay on stage.

    • You can cosplay anime, manga, comics, video games, books, and TV show characters. This does not exclude original characters as long as an accurate description is provided in art or written form. Costumes cannot be obscene, offensive, nor endorse any form of hate or hate group. Nudity is not allowed.

    • Costumes cannot promote alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons (or the use of any of the foregoing), any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous, or any political agenda or message.

    • Contestants must arrive in their cosplay and are responsible for their own belongings. We do not have a designated dressing/valuables area.

    • Contestants may not be under the influence of alcohol or the use of controlled substances, as determined by staff.

    • Entrants must provide a written description that the MC will read during their appearance on stage. This may describe the details of the costume or provide a story about the character portrayed. You can offer details about the construction process, materials, number of work hours, or anything that impresses the judges and fans. This description is limited to 100 words.

      • Group Cosplay Performances: a maximum of 3 people per group can participate.

      • 1 handler is allowed to assist the cosplayer during the competition and in the green room.

      • One costume per person may be entered.

      • Music will be selected by the AniAmes DJ for the walk-on.

      • No electrical power connections will be provided. If your costume requires power, it must be part of your costume design, such as a battery pack.

    • Everything brought onto the stage during a walk-on must be removed at the end of the time limit. Your handler can grab whatever is left on stage after the walk-on or performance. Messy substances, including confetti, glitter, flower petals, and water, are not allowed.

    • All stage fighting or acrobatics must be limited to ¾ speed and quarter strength. One foot must always remain on the floor. Climbing onto the stage or leaping off the stage is strictly prohibited. No profanity is allowed on stage. That includes signage, clothing, or any other words that appear on stage.

    • Contestants may not throw anything off the stage or into the crowd.

    • All weapons will be subject to inspection before entry and at any point during the event.

    • Anime Ames staff reserves the right to inspect and remove any weapon or prop at any time.

    • No food, no service animals, or remote-control devices are allowed. Pyrotechnics or special effects such as fireworks, flash paper, or smoke machines will not be allowed.

    • 75% of the cosplay must be handmade or modified by the person wearing the cosplay. You are not expected to cobble shoes or make a wig as a portion of this percentage; however, that is welcome and very impressive! 

    • Cosplays that have won a major award (Ex, Best in Show, Best Craftsmanship, Best in Journeyman, etc) are not allowed to be entered unless the cosplay has been modified by an additional 30% of the cosplay. 

    • Proof of modification must be emailed to AniAmesCon@gmail.com to be reviewed before it will be allowed to enter.

      • You must check in at the green room 15 minutes before the cosplay competition is headed on the main stage. 

      • You must be 10 minutes early to your judging spot to be courteous of other craftsmanship competitors.

      • Bring a reference of the character you’re cosplaying to pre-judging, either printed out or shown on a screen. Judges may not be familiar with the character you’re cosplaying. 

      • You are welcome and encouraged to bring a build book and work-in-progress photos to your pre-judging time. We suggest printing a physical copy. 

All decisions made by the judges are final!

Anyone who violates these rules will be disqualified from the competition and required to leave the venue. We reserve the right to remove anyone from this event at any time. If, for any reason, we feel that actions pose a threat or hazard to others, we will ask you to stop, or you will be removed from the event.

  • Anime Ames Is Not Responsible For :

    (1) Any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, typographical errors, printing errors, or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest

    (2) Technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software

    (3) Unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest

    (4) Technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries

    (5) Any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from the entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt or use or misuse of any prize.