The Hall Contest rules may change for the 2025 convention. The rules from 2024 are provided here as a reference.
From anime to books to podcasts, cosplay is the art of bringing your favorite characters to life. What matters most is that you’re having fun!
So what’s a cosplay contest? It’s a chance to show off that awesome work you’ve done. If you have a costume you made and want to be judged on your work, or have a performance you want to show a crowd – come check out this event and bring your best poses for the spotlight!
Badge-holding Anime Fusion attendees wishing to take part in the Anime Fusion Cosplay Contests must read the ALL sections of the rules fully and carefully for the contest they wishing to enter. If you have any questions or need clarification on any rules, please contact the cosplay contest coordinators at: cosplay@animefusion.net.
For the formal mainstage cosplay contest, click here.
HALL COSPLAY CONTEST RULES (all ages)
The Hall Cosplay Contest will be held Friday and Saturday of Anime Fusion. This contest is purely photo-based and not based on craftsmanship or showmanship. Contestants will be able to sign up once per day, Friday and Saturday only.
- Contestants who participate in the hall contest may not use the same costume they enter in the Mainstage Cosplay Contest.
- Contestants who participate in the hall contest on Friday may not participate in the same costume on Saturday. They may however participate both days in separate costumes.
- Winners of the Hall Cosplay Contest will be announced during the Mainstage Cosplay Contest awards ceremony. If you are unable to attend, the cosplay contest coordinators will reach out to you at the email you provide at sign up for pick up of award on Sunday of Anime Fusion. Anime Fusion will not mail/ship awards after the event has concluded.
- There are no categories as this is not a craftsmanship or performance-based contest. Purchased costumes are allowed to participate.
- All costumes and props must adhere to Anime Fusion’s safety, dress, and weapon policies. For Anime Fusion’s policies, please see the Policies & Guidelines page.
SIGN UP
Friday Hall Cosplay Contest:
- Sign up will be from 5pm-9pm CT in the Cosplay Corner
- Please come in full costume and makeup
- Cosplay staff will have you fill out a form and take your photo
Saturday Hall Cosplay Contest:
- Sign up will be from 11am-3pm CT in the Cosplay Corner
- Please come in full costume and makeup
- Cosplay staff will have you fill out a form and take your photo
ADDITIONAL NOTES
No entries may contain religious, political, insulting or offensive statements. We utilize the following definition of offensive cosplays: cosplays that incite violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, transphobia, ageism, and bigotry. This includes race-facing (e.g. blackface/brownface/yellowface) as well as costumes that replicate or make light of historic or current international or national tragedies (this includes depictions of coronavirus in any way).
If any contestant(s) becomes unruly, disrupts, or interferes with other contestants or Anime Fusion staff or volunteers at any time, they will be disqualified and asked to leave.
Be kind to your fellow contestants. Poor sportsmanship and bullying of other contestants is strictly prohibited. If the coordinators or cosplay staff witness or find evidence of bullying, the antagonizing party may be disqualified.
Any violations of Anime Fusion’s rules and policies may result in disqualification and removal from the contest and/or future contests held by Anime Fusion.
Exceptions to previously stated rules can be made at the sole discretion of cosplay department staff.
All decisions of the cosplay contest coordinators and staff are final.