Cosplay Competition

Sunday | 8PM | Stage

Competitive Cosplay at its finest! Want to test your creative muscle against your cosplay peers? This is the competition for you! Prizes! Camaraderie! Bragging Rights! Oh My! 

Judges

Coming soon!

Competition Rules & Guidelines

This is it—the ultimate test of cosplay mastery! Compete against the best at the AnimeKon Expo Cosplay Competition and showcase your creativity, craftsmanship, and performance skills for a chance to win epic prizes!

 IMPORTANT: Rules & Regulations HAVE CHANGED since 2022. Read carefully before signing up!

Eligibility & Sign-up

  • All contestants must have an AnimeKon Expo Ticket, Exhibitor Pass, or All-Star Pass to participate.
  • Online sign-ups only – Registration opens May 1st, 2025, and closes August 1st, 2025, OR when 20 slots are filled.
  • If all slots are taken, late entries will be placed on a waitlist in order of sign-up.

Cosplay Performance & Stage Rules

  • This is a PG-13 event – No cursing or inappropriate content.
  • Only one stage appearance per contestant.
  • Full body paint alone does NOT count as cosplay, but makeup, body paint, and skin alterations are allowed.
  • Costume size & mobility:
    • Must allow the cosplayer to move safely on stage.
    • Height-enhancing gear (stilts/platforms) may not exceed 8 inches.
  • Surprise elements must be pre-approved – No jumping on/off the stage (immediate disqualification).
  • No functioning or previously functioning projectile weapons is allowed on stage

Submission Requirements

Upon sign-up, you’ll receive a file-share folder with submission materials. Your entry must include:

  • Reference images of your costume.
  • Progress photos showing your build process.
  • Audio file for your performance (pre-edited, NOT by Team AnimeKon).
  • Character name & series the costume is from.

All entrants will receive an email confirmation of their entry.

All entrants must bring to pre judging:

Final check-in is on Sunday, August 31st, 2025, at 3PM.

Failure to check in without prior notice will result in automatic disqualification.

Cosplay Competition Schedule

  • Confirmation Meeting: August 31st, 2025 at 3 PM
  • Prejudging Begins: August 31st, 2025 at 5 PM
  • Competition Starts: August 31st, 2025 at 8 PM

Judging Criteria

During prejudging, contestants will present their costumes to a panel of judges for detailed evaluation. Each participant gets 5 minutes in a private room with the judges.

All costumes & props must be at least 75% handmade (store-bought elements cannot exceed 25%).

  • No repeat costumes from the previous year.
  • No third-party-made costumes unless the creator is present for judging

Evaluation Categories:

  • Execution (30%) – Focuses on the technical skill, attention to detail, and overall quality of construction.
  • Complexity (25%) – Accounts for the level of difficulty in the design and construction of the costume. It considers factors like the use of advanced techniques, incorporation of multiple materials, and overall intricacy.
  • Creativity (25%) – Evaluates the originality and innovation of the costume design. It rewards participants who demonstrate unique concepts, interesting interpretations of characters, and imaginative use of materials.
  • Performance (20%) – Assesses the participants’ ability to embody the character on stage. It includes aspects such as acting, stage presence, confidence, and audience engagement.

Performance time limit: 1 minute 30 seconds (strict).

Think you have what it takes to be an AnimeKon Cosplay Champion? Sign up now and claim your place in cosplay history!

Register