Cosplay Competition Rules
Entry Types
Craftsmanship Entries
These contestants will be judged based on both their craftsmanship and stage walk. These entries are eligible for all awards.
Showcase Entries
Cosplays in this category can be handmade, bought, etc. All are welcome as this division has no craftsmanship judging. These contestants are only judged based on their stage walk and are only eligible to receive “Judge’s Choice” or “Best Walk-on” Awards.
No craftsmanship pre-judging for Showcase Entries
These contestants do not need to appear for pre-judging. Please arrive at the Green Room according to the time listed on the schedule.
Skill Divisions
Craftsmanship Judging
These categories are for contestants who want their cosplays judged based on the construction of their costume. The skill divisions are broken down below. Contestants may be bumped up to a different category at the judges discretion.
Beginner
This division is for anyone who is new to cosplay and/or competing and those who have not won an award at a previous convention. For craftsmanship judging, only pieces of the costumes that the maker has handmade themself will be judged.
Advanced
This division is for contestants who have made a majority of their cosplay roughly 70%, and have won 1 or more major awards in previous cosplay competitions. Previous competition experience or placement is not required to enter this division but is recommended.
Judging Criteria
Craftsmanship Judging
Contestants entering the craftsmanship portion of the contest are judged based on the construction quality, character accuracy, and ambition of techniques used. This judging applies only to the craftsmanship entries and only items made by the contestant will be judged.
Performance Judging
Contestants are judged based on performance and portrayal of the character during their walk and posing on stage. Both craftsmanship and showcase entries will be judged on their walk-on to be eligible for awards.
Rules For Participation
Entrants may portray characters from their choice of source material as long as clear reference photos are provided. Original characters are welcome as long as an accurate description is provided in art or written form.
A reference image must be provided to the judges during craftsmanship judging. A printed image is preferred; digital images (such as from a phone) are acceptable.
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 4 people per group can participate.
One 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.
Stage Rules
Everything brought onto the stage by the cosplayer must be removed at the end of the time limit. Your handler can grab whatever is left on stage after your walk-on.
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 or remote-control devices are allowed. Pyrotechnics or special effects such as fireworks, flash paper, or smoke machines will not be allowed.
Craftsmanship Rules
Cosplays entered in craftsmanship judging 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!
Only costume items made by the contestant will be judged
70% of the costume must be made by the entrant for the advanced category
Costumes that have previously won a major award in any prior competition are not eligible to enter (e.g. Best Novice, Best Craftsmanship, Best in Show etc). If a costume has won a major award before, at least 50% of it must be visibly changed. Proof of modifications are required and must be communicated ahead of time via email.
Email AniAmesCon@gmail.com with modifications to be reviewed before allowed to enter with the selected cosplay.
Costumes that have won a minor awards (e.g. Judge’s Choice, Best Prop, Best Walk-on, etc.) are eligible to enter.
Please disclose any previous awards a costume has won to the judges.
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.
You must 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. 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.
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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.