Meet the Cosplay Judges for Animaga Melbourne 2026
Introducing Our Animaga Melbourne 2026 Cosplay Judges!
We are getting closer to the convention weekend, and it is finally time to reveal the amazing judges for our Animaga Melbourne 2026 cosplay competitions.
This year, we have split our judging panels across the two days to cover our expanded event lineup. Our Saturday team will be judging both the Rising Stars Cosplay Competition and the Cosplay Skit Showcase, while our Sunday team will be taking charge of the main Animaga Cosplay Competition.
Let’s meet the talented individuals who will be looking at your builds and performances this August!
Saturday Judges: Rising Stars & Skit Showcase
Halatrix (@halatrix_cosplay)
Halatrix is an award-winning cosplayer who has been cosplaying since 2014 and competing since 2016. She started her journey in Perth before moving to Melbourne and has really fallen in love with the local scene here. Halatrix enjoys cosplaying from every genre, but she has a personal love for anything that challenges her and teaches her new techniques. Her background in theatre and costume design means she loves hearing how people put their passion to paper and needle to garment. She is always in the mood to cheer for a performance and cannot wait to see everyone strut their stuff on stage.
Favorite Anime: Spy x Family
Favorite Game: Final Fantasy XIV
Favorite Manga: My Hero Academia
Photo Credit: Athiril
Shirokarai (@shirokarai.cos)
Shirokarai is a Melbourne-based cosplayer with over nine years of experience, competing since 2023 with multiple awards under his belt. He is a craftsmanship cosplayer who works across many different mediums with a specialty in needlework. He is always looking for opportunities to improve his craft and loves finding new materials to try out. He is passionate about uplifting fellow cosplayers and encouraging people to give competitions a try. He is very excited to be part of the judging team and to support others on their competitive journey.
Favorite Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Favorite Game: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Favorite Manga: Witch Hat Atelier
Photo Credit: @brie.kaye.photography
Astercat (@astercat.cos)
Astercat is a competitive cosplayer with 18 years of experience, holding qualifications as a Sewing Machinist, Pattern Drafter, and Fashion Designer. She has earned 19 cosplay awards across Australia and New Zealand, including multiple 1st Place and Best in Show titles. As a multiple-time Animaga competitor and winner, she brings both deep technical expertise and competition experience to the judging panel, and she is excited to see the incredible talent on display this year.
Favorite Anime: Steins;gate
Favorite Game: Shin Megami Tensei V
Favorite Manga: xxxHOLIC
Photo Credit: Nyxling Photography
Sunday Judges: Animaga Cosplay Competition
Clampanda / Siera (@clampanda)
Siera is a Naarm-based cosplayer who is celebrating their 20th year of cosplaying in 2026. Before getting into cosplay, they learned to sew through fashion and dance costumes, eventually moving on to formal pattern drafting at RMIT to hone their skills. Siera has won numerous local and state awards, with their proudest achievement being crowned the Madman National Cosplay Champion in 2013. Outside of sewing, Siera enjoys embroidery, cross stitch, watercolour painting, and photography. They also occasionally take to the stage as a performing artist in aerial lyra and dance trapeze—making their own costumes for that too, of course!
Favorite Anime/Manga: Cardcaptor Sakura, Star Driver, and Witch Hat Atelier
Favorite Game: Undertale and anything Pokemon!
Photo Credit: @brie.kaye.photography
Sunny salina (@sunnysalina)
Sunny salina is a Melbourne-based cosplayer and costume maker with over 10 years of craftsmanship experience. She has competed and won several major awards across Australia, bringing a very strong focus on sewing, leatherwork, and intricate embroidery to her builds.
Favorite Anime: Hunter x Hunter
Favorite Manga: Berserk!
Favorite Game: Skyrim
Photo Credit: Oscar Lupton
Luminoxity (@luminoxity.cosplay)
Luminoxity has been cosplaying for 15 years, having started at the age of 14. He is excited to return to Animaga as a judge simply because he loves looking at cosplays! Even when not judging, he has always enjoyed discussing builds with fellow cosplayers to learn how they bring a character to life. He is also a massive anime fan, having grown up watching many classic series.
Favorite Anime: Detective Conan
Favorite Manga: Fairy Tail
Favorite Game: World of Warcraft
Photo Credit: Brad
We are so lucky to have such an experienced and passionate group of judges joining us for Animaga Melbourne 2026. Whether you are stepping onto the stage for the very first time in our Saturday Rising Stars event, putting together a fun skit, or bringing a massive, complex build to the Sunday competition, they are all looking forward to seeing your hard work up close.
If you haven’t already, make sure you get your competition applications in soon so you don’t miss out on the chance to take the stage. We know how much time goes into these outfits, and we absolutely can’t wait to see all the amazing details and performances you have been working on.
Make sure you grab your tickets for the August 29 and 30 weekend through our website, and we will see you at the MCEC!
