Costume & Weapons Policy

For any questions or concerns, please email the convention after reviewing the information below. We encourage attendees to familiarize themselves with our policies in advance. This way, we can avoid confiscating items or requesting last-minute costume changes. Thank you!

For additional questions, please reach out to us at AniAmesCon@gmail.com

Costume/Attire Policy~

Cosplay is an essential part of Anime Ames! We encourage all attendees to select cosplays or costumes that are suitable for a family-friendly environment.

Failure to comply with these policies may result in being asked to change or leave the convention space without a refund.

All attendees must follow Iowa's decency laws. Public indecency is outlined under Iowa law and can be referenced here: IA Code § 709.

  • All badges must be clearly visible at all times. Please do not conceal them or cover them with your costume.

  • No clothing or cosplay that displays profanity, sexually explicit imagery, inappropriate remarks, illustrations, or hate speech in any language is permitted. All graphics must conform to PG-13 standards.

  • Shoes must be worn at all times. Even for attendees cosplaying as barefoot characters, going without shoes is strictly prohibited.

  • Cosplays featuring hazardous protrusions, such as pointed or sharp edges, are prohibited.

  • Any attendee wearing a bulky costume or cosplay that limits visibility are encouraged to have a handler available to assist them at a moment’s notice. If you do not have a handler, you may be required to remove your costume while moving around the venue.

  • Blood and Gore are not strictly prohibited, but be mindful that this is a family friendly con. All graphics and imagery should be PG-13 in nature.

  • Please be mindful of your surroundings while in cosplay. If you are wearing a large costume or carrying an oversized prop, exercise caution in narrow hallways and doorways. If any occurs, you will be held responsible for any damages incurred to the venue.

  • Costumes that depict realistic representations of U.S. law enforcement or any official U.S. government agency are strictly prohibited.

  • Items that are related to hate speech or groups will be denied entry without the option to take it off or cover it. Examples include Nazi Armbands/symbols, KKK, or other hate group items.

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  • If a staff member determines that a costume or attire is inappropriate, it will be at their discretion to ask attendees to cover up, change, or leave the event.

General Weapon Policy~

All weapon-like props must be inspected, peace-marked, and approved by convention staff for the safety of all attendees. Please follow the guidelines for weapon-like props; not doing so may lead to a warning or removal from the event with no refund.

Additionally, even if props meet convention standards, those that are considered excessively large, unwieldy, or obstructive to the safety and mobility of attendees may be rejected from the convention at the discretion of staff.

  • Carrying any functional projectile weapon is prohibited, even for those with a weapons permit or concealed carry permit. Individuals caught with an illegally possessed functional projectile weapon will be reported to the appropriate authorities and will be removed immediately

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Real firearms, metal BB guns, airsoft guns, pellet guns, and Nerf blasters or props with firing mechanisms or working parts that are not peace-marked and do not have orange tips.

Absolutely NO HORSEPLAY, ROUGHHOUSING, or any behavior deemed unsafe by convention staff is allowed. Failure to comply may result in removal from the convention.

Allowed Weapons and Props~

Prop Guns

  • Must be made out of rubber, foam, resin, or plastic.

  • Required to be peace-marked and orange-tipped.

  • No moving parts allowed.

Ammo and Munitions

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Bullets, arrows, grenades, etc.

  • Must be made out of rubber, foam, plastic

  • Any detachable prop that is not fastened to the cosplay/costume will be checked.

  • Projectile props must remain in their respective carrier or storage devices except for competition and photography purposes.

  • Any projectile with a sharp tip must be blunted and peace-marked.

  • Projectiles are not to be shot at any time.

Bladed Weapons

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Swords, Axes, Spears, Staves, Daggers, etc

  • Must be clearly peace-marked with no moving parts or triggers.

  • Must be made from PVC, foam, rubber, plastic, cardboard, wood, or paper.

  • We absolutely prohibit any weapons that have metal, sharp tips/edges, and unsheathed blades in the convention space, including parking lots.