Cosplay Contest
Categories
Craftmanship:
Entries are judged on the overall appearance of their cosplay, and the quality of the construction of the costume. Purchased costumes may NOT compete in this category. Cosplays must be 50-80% hand made by the costume creator (depending on your division). If you choose to present your costume on a model, please be aware that any craftsmanship awards will go to the creator of the costume. Models will be credited by the MC for their time on stage, and are eligible for performance awards or performance-based judges awards. (The model must disclose ahead of time that they would like to be acknowledged separately for these awards - otherwise, prize documentation will use the name given for the entry on the sign-up form.) Any purchased pieces must be disclosed to the judges on your entry form. Judges have the exclusive ability to determine a costumes eligibility in the Craftmanship contest.
Performance:
Awards in this category are based on performance - The way someone represents the source material through their stage presence, acting skills, and rehearsed movements. Purchased costumes are welcome to compete in this category.
Exhibition:
This category is for those who do not wish to compete, they may use purchased/commissioned cosplays. Contestants in this division are ineligible for any awards but they can earn honorable mentions or shout outs.
Divisions
Youth:
This division is intended for all entrants under the age of 13. Costumes may be purchased, hand-made, or a combination of both. Judging will be based purely on stage presentation.
Novice:
If this is your first cosplay experience, or you have never won a category or placed division award in a competition, this is your division. Cosplayers competing for craftsmanship in this division are required to have made at least 50% of their costume.
Journeyman:
If you have ever won a category or placed division award for cosplay, this is your category. Cosplayers competing for craftsmanship in this division are required to have made at least 60% of their costume.
Master:
If you have won two or more category or placed division awards, you are a master. Those who compete in this division will be expected to demonstrate a high level of cleanliness, creativity, and overall mastery of craft. Cosplayers competing for craftsmanship in this division are required to have made at least 80% of their costume.
If you are unsure what division you fit in, please reach out to our coordinator at Kame@IsekaiAnimeCon.com and we will help place you.
Rules
• Rules may be subject to change at any time.
• All contestants must be registered attendees of Isekai Anime Con.
• Only one entry allowed per person for the cosplay contest.
• The maximum number of participants allowed in a group is 8; this number includes stage ninjas or other non-competing helpers.
• You may choose whether or not to come on stage with the stage dark or lit up. However, we will not change the lights during your skit, they will stay the same the entire time once the skit begins.
• We will only accept submissions in MP3 format.
• Music/dialogue submitted to Isekai Anime Con for the Competition must be 3 minutes or less. If you need more time you can email our cosplay contest coordinator at Kame@isekaianime.com prior to submitting your Cosplay Contest form.
• All audio must be submitted through the Audio form found on our website by February 1, 2026 11:59pm. If we do not receive it by then you will be disqualified.
• Be on time for your judging slot. If you miss it, the show will be late and disorganized therefore we cannot make any exceptions. You will be disqualified.
• Disqualified contestants will not be allowed on stage.
• Only participants, handlers, and parents of those in the Youth category may be present during Cosplay Judging.
• If 75% percent or more of your income comes from the crafting and sewing of costumes or garments, you are considered a professional/semi-professional. This means you are required to enter in the Master's category.
• All contestants must be able to move their costume on their own.
• If your costume is made almost entirely by someone else, they must be present to win in workmanship and the prize will go to them, you will get some credit for being the model.
• The judges, have the right to change your division to a higher division to create a fair competition. Consider this an honor. The coordinator and judges also have the right to not give out an award for any reason they see fit.
• If the majority of your cosplay or performance has won a category or placed division award in another competition, and that competition was of a similar size or BIGGER than this one, you may NOT compete with it.
• If the majority of your cosplay or performance has won a category or placed division award in another competition, and that competition was SMALLER than this one, you may compete with it.
• If the majority of your cosplay or performance has won 2 or more category or placed division awards, you may NOT compete with it regardless of competition size. (If you have questions or concerns, reach out to our coordinator at Kame@IsekaiAnimeCon.com).
• Judge’s Choice and Honorable Mention awards do not count toward your number of awards won to define your division and eligibility.
• Costumes from Japanese and western media are allowed. This includes anime, manga, video games, comic books or film adaptations. Costumes outside these categories require pre-approval.
• The performance you bring to the stage must be unique to this competition and not a direct duplicate of one that already exists. (This rule does not apply to works of your own creation that were entered in a previous competition, but did not win anything.)
• Passing other people's work off as your own original work whether it be crafting, designing, or performance, or not making the required percentage of your cosplay specified by your division (50-80%) is considered unethical and will get you disqualified.
• Presentations/performances must be no less than 30 seconds. Please reach out to our cosplay coordinator if you need an exception on time and she will work with you.
• Objects may not be thrown into the audience.
• Contestants are prohibited from using materials that leave residue or debris on stage. This includes, but is not limited to, loose paper, confetti, glitter, liquid, petals, or other small objects. If you cannot immediately and completely remove an item from the stage when you exit, you cannot bring it on stage.
• There will be no access to electrical outlets on stage.
• Surprises are not allowed. Any last minute changes need to be reported to the department coordinator before the day of the cosplay contest. If you want us to keep a surprise secret from the judges and audience, we can do that - but you MUST tell our cosplay coordinator (Kame@isekaianimecon.com) what you plan on doing. Deviating from your described performance without any notice will get you disqualified.
• Contestants who leave the building during the cosplay contest may lose their turn to appear on stage.
• Profanity and obscene, lewd gestures, blatant nudity are NOT allowed. Keep bad language to a minimum level. Use some discretion with your character, props and presentation. Keep it PG-13.
• Costumes and presentation shall not be used as a political, religious, etc. statement.
• Shoes are required on stage.
• Your cosplay and/or skit must be finished before lining up for the cosplay contest. No sewing, gluing, spray painting, welding, or other construction work is allowed backstage. However, final assembly of large pieces and/or props and unexpected repairs will be allowed.
• Participants will be required to sign a liability waiver for using the stage to perform and a release for use of any videos and photo images procured by the convention.
• For safety reasons, the following are not allowed: Live animals, substances which might damage or soil, aerosol sprays, projectiles of any kind. No pyrotechnics will be allowed including but not limited to: fire, flash powder, explosives, smoke bombs or fireworks.
• Prop blades must be fake and dull. Live steel is NOT allowed. This includes real swords, knives, blades, guns, etc.
• Entries that could potentially damage the Convention Center facilities, other participants or the wearer will not be allowed. Illegal weapons of any kind are not allowed.
• Prop weapons used as part of the costume are allowed with restrictions. You are expected to act responsibly with your prop weapon. If you decide to carry a prop weapon, by attending you accept any legal and financial responsibility for damage your weapon may cause to persons or property.
• No real weapons whatsoever, including airsoft guns. Prop weapons must be obviously fake. Prop firearms must have an orange tip with no projectiles loaded.
The Cosplay Contest Director and Coordinator have the right to eliminate any
entry from the competition on the basis of taste, danger to the audience,
building or yourself, violation of any of the above rules, or any other reason
deemed sufficient.