MAINSTAGE COSPLAY COMPETITION CATEGORIES

• Performance: Skits up to 2 min 30 sec in length.
• Exhibition: Contestants who wish to show their costumes on stage but do not wish to take part in craftsmanship judging. (Not eligible for awards.)
• Craftsmanship: Costume quality and construction.
  Craftsmanship Levels:
  1. Novice: Contestant has won 0-1 major awards
  2. Journeyman: Contestant has won 2-3 major awards
  3. Master: Contestant has won 4 or more major awards or gains income through cosplay commissioning or works in costume/clothing alterations (professional).

Anime Fusion’s definition of Major Awards constitutes: Best in Show, 1st in category (e.g. 1st place Novice), Best Performance, etc. If you have any questions about major awards, please contact the cosplay contest coordinators at: cosplay@animefusion.net

ALL Contestants MUST check in with cosplay staff in the Cosplay Corner on Friday of the convention. This is mandatory. Those who do not sign in on Friday, unless they have a written exception from the Cosplay Coordinators prior to the convention, will not be participating in Saturday’s mainstage cosplay contest.

• All contestants who signed up online still need to check in to receive orientation instructions and call time. All Craftsmanship entries will select their craftsmanship judging time (prejudging) at this time.

Contestants may enter both Craftsmanship and Performance categories for the Mainstage Cosplay Contest.

Contestants may NOT enter both the Mainstage Cosplay Contest and Hall Cosplay Contest with the same costume. You may however enter these events in different costumes.

PERFORMANCE (SKITS)

This category is for individuals or groups (5 maximum) who wish to perform a skit on stage.

• Performances are allowed a maximum of 2 minutes and 30 seconds (2:30) on stage. Performances must have pre-recorded audio and skit content must adhere to a PG-13 rating. All audio is pre-screened for content by the cosplay contest coordinators.

• A mandatory partial rehearsal is required on Saturday morning at orientation for screening of performance content. If the content is determined to not adhere to the PG-13 rating, contestants will be asked to revise or will be changed to a walk-on with default audio.

  • If contestants refuse to revise, they will be removed from the contest.

• Any props or materials brought onstage during the performance by the competitor MUST leave with the competitor. Glitter, confetti, liquids or other messy materials may NOT be used onstage. Open flame, lasers, strobe effects, fog/smoke machines, and projectiles are also NOT permitted.

• There will be no live steel or real weapons allowed. Any prop guns must be obviously props (marked with an orange tip). Prop firearms cannot be pointed at the audience at any time and fingers must remain off the trigger. Please see our convention policies on weapons/props here: Policies & Guidelines

  • Any stage combat must be safe for all cosplayers and convention property. All stage combat must be reviewed by con staff prior to competition. All stage combat must stay on the stage.

  • Please note our stage dimensions for 2024: 24’ length x 18’ width. There is approximately 9′ clearance for the ceiling, and approximately 6.5′ under the chandeliers.
    
    

• Violations of rules will result in disqualification (firm), and may result in a ban (softer) as determined by Cosplay Staff.

• Please come in full costume and makeup to the main show. If you have special shoes or a large costume piece, please bring that to orientation/rehearsal to practice getting on and off stage.

• To access the stage, contestants may need to pass through a service hallway and climb a ramp; please plan your costume accordingly. If you have concerns about mobility, please contact cosplay competition staff as soon as possible at: cosplay@animefusion.net.

• Each contestant or group is allowed to have one handler to join them for craftsmanship judging and greenroom. If you have a handler who is also going on stage, please contact the cosplay contest coordinators as the handler will need to sign a waiver and be present for Saturday orientation. If contestants do not have a handler and are in a large/unwieldy costume, Anime Fusion cosplay staff will do our best to assist entering and exiting the stage, however if any damage is done to the costume, staff and convention are not liable for reimbursement.

WALK-ONS (CRAFTSMANSHIP AND EXHIBITION ENTRIES)

This category is for individuals or groups (5 maximum) who wish to display their costume, and model for pictures on stage.

• Walk-ons are limited to 45 seconds.

• If using custom audio, please submit the sound file cut to the appropriate length. Anime Fusion Tech staff will not cut music or start music at specific times. 

• All Craftsmanship contestants are required to cross the stage. Please come to the show in full costume and makeup.

CRAFTSMANSHIP JUDGING (PREJUDGING)

This category is for cosplayers who make their costumes and wish to be judged upon the quality of construction. Cosplayers may enter individually or as a group (5 maximum).

Contestants will select a craftsmanship judging time on Friday in the Cosplay Lounge when they check in.

1. At least 80% of the costume must be made by the participant or, if you are modeling a costume you did not make, the creator must be with you during craftsmanship judging. If what you did not make is commissioned or purchased from someone who cannot be present with you in the judging room (e.g. online seller), please state that in your build book or during your pre-judging time.

2. Contestants may not enter a costume into Craftsmanship that has previously won a major award at another convention, physical or online. They may only enter a costume that has won a major award if they present extensive documentation of updates/changes made. Contestants found to be breaking this rule after being awarded will be barred from entering future Anime Fusion Cosplay Competitions. All erroneous awards and prizes must be returned to the convention if return is requested. If you have any questions about awards or qualifications of your costume, please reach out to the cosplay contest coordinators at: cosplay@animefusion.net

3. Contestants may use a model to showcase their costume if they wish. In this instance, both maker and model MUST be physically present for craftsmanship judging. The model will cross the stage, but if awarded, the award will go to the maker. If only the model is present for judging, the contestant will be entered as Exhibition.

4. Each contestant or group is allowed to have one handler to join them for craftsmanship judging and greenroom, unless otherwise approved by the cosplay contest coordinators.

5. Reference materials (ex: character photo, Original Character/Design drawing, WIP (work in progress) photos, and/or a build book) are required for craftsmanship judging. Failure to bring reference materials and pictures of process will result in loss of craftsmanship points. O.C.s may enter our contest as well as designs done by published artists such as Sakizou, NoFlutter, Hannah Alexander, etc. Contestants must bring physical reference materials or digital. If using digital, please bring your own device and have photos ready when you come to craftsmanship judging. Please have them organized into a folder so judges may scroll through unencumbered.

6. Craftsmanship judging will be done during “prejudging” time slots. Please come in full costume and makeup.

7. All costumes and props must adhere to Anime Fusion’s safety, dress, and weapon policies. Any modifications made to costumes or props to fit within these rules will not count against the contestant during craftsmanship judging. For Anime Fusion’s policies, please see: Policies & Guidelines

If you have any questions regarding craftsmanship judging, please reach out to the cosplay contest coordinators: cosplay@animefusion.net