Our Cosplay Competition is divided into two categories: Individual and Group.

1. Individual

• For the Individual Competition, contestants will be split into 2 groups.
  Group 1 will compete in the morning in Heat 1 while Group 2 will compete in the afternoon in Heat 2. Contestants are to check-in on the day at the stage at least 30 minutes before your assigned Heat session.
• During the Heats, contestants will walk the runway. You are to prepare 3 to 5 poses for presenting your costume and yourself as the character cosplayed.
  The top 3 of each Heats will then proceed to the Finals (happening at the end of the day after the Group Competition).
• Finalists will then walk the runway a second time. However, finalists are expected to present a minute-long “extra” after going walking the runway, e.g. skit, dance, or pretend combat.

2. Group

• The Group Competition will happen in the afternoon prior to the Individual Competition Finals.
• Contestants are to check-in on the day of the competition at the Info Booth before 2 p.m.
• Contestants will perform a skit OR walk the runway with 3 to 5 poses prepared for presenting your costumes and yourselves as the characters being cosplayed.
• Skits have a time limit of 4 minutes.
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• Multiple entries are permitted (one each day) but they must be of different characters.
• Participants below the age of 18 must have the approval of a parent/legal guardian to participate.
• Cosplays entered into the competition must be personally made by the participants, or heavily modified. If the cosplay has received an award prior to the competition, it must have been significantly modified since then.
• If participants wish to enter the competition with a cosplay that does not follow the above rule, participants must notify us with the acknowledgement that there will be a score penalty.
• All dialogue, music, and props are required to fit within a PG rating. This means no swearing or sexual connotations or instances. Simply ask yourself if you think what you want to do is appropriate for children, and if it isn’t then don’t do it.
• Performers should submit audio/visual(s) in the following formats;
  • Music: MP3, WAV
  • Images: JPEG, PNG
• The Cosplay Competition Registration Form must be completed for each entry by 30th July 2018.
• Registration does not include entry to the event. Please ensure that you have a valid ticket for the day of competition.
• If you have completed the online registration, you must check-in on the day of the competition by the time specified.
• Limited At-Con/Late registration will be available if space permits. We reserve the right to refuse additional entrees.
• Staff members of Animaga Expo 2018 are NOT eligible to compete in the Cosplay Competition. Volunteers can enter.

Law Enforcement Uniformed Costumes Are Prohibited

COSTUMES THAT LOOK LIKE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL UNIFORMS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE EVENT.

It is not safe to impersonate local law enforcement, emergency personnel, or first responders, as it may cause confusion. Animaga has the right to decide whether your costume looks too similar to law enforcement or emergency response personnel uniforms, and to request the removal or a modification of the costume. If you refuse to cooperate, Animaga may deny you entrance to the Event.

General Costume Rules:

• Costumes cannot be overly sexualised. Animaga asks our attendees to keep in mind that children as young as 2 years old attend our Events.
• No exposure of genitalia, buttocks or breasts is allowed.
• Appropriate footwear is required at all times.
• The soles of your feet should be covered at all times.
• Very large wings/attachments to your costume (that extend significantly past your width and height) are usually not allowed to be worn while in the exhibitor’s hall. They are to be left in the cloakroom and collected for the cosplay competition or photo booth.

For more information, please refer to our Costumes, Weapons and Props Policy.

For the Individual Competition Heats, contestants will be judged on a scale of 1 to 10.

For the Individual Competition Finals and the Group Competition, contestants will be judged on the following criteria;

• Craftsmanship: How well-crafted the cosplay was. (10 points)
• Acting and Performance: How well the performer(s) represented their character (via music, dialogue and/or imagery) and how well they performed. (10 points)
• Special: Our guests have varied specialities and may notice certain aspects of your cosplay(s) that others did not. (5 points)

Both the Individual Competition and the Group Competition will have the following awards;

1. First Place
2. Second Place
3. Third Place

1. Full name(s) and preferred name of the contestant/group.
2. Phone number(s) and e-mail address(es) of:
   • [Individual] the contestant, or
   • [Group] the group’s 2 points of contact.
3. Name and phone number of the contestant/group’s emergency contact.
   • The emergency contact must be 18 years old or older.
4. Details of the character(s) being cosplayed;
   • Name(s),
   • Description(s),
     • Personality traits and/or relevant backstory.
   • Reference picture(s) of the character, preferably in the same outfit as the costume entered,
   • Up to 3 work-in-progress photos of the costume being entered (This is to ensure work has already begun on the cosplay), and
   • [OPTIONAL] Performance audio (max. 1 minute for individuals and 4 minutes for groups).

To be announced.