Animaga Melbourne 2026 | Cosplay Events, Contest & Parade

Animaga Cosplay activities

photo credit @justinc7838

Cosplay is where creativity and fandom truly shine, and at Animaga Sydney 2026, it becomes the beating heart of the event. From seasoned cosplayers with years of craftsmanship to first-timers stepping into costume, our cosplay activities transform ICC Sydney into a living celebration of anime and gaming culture.

The centrepiece of the weekend is our cosplay competition, where talented participants bring their favourite characters to life in a dazzling display of artistry, performance, and passion. Alongside the competition, our cosplay repair station will be ready to lend a hand — so even if disaster strikes, you’ll be back on stage in no time.

Don’t miss the cosplay photo booth, where professional photographers will capture your costume in stunning detail, giving you the perfect keepsake of your hard work and creativity.

With even more activities and surprises still to come, Animaga Sydney 2026 is shaping up to be a cosplayer’s dream. Whether you’re here to compete, pose, or simply admire, cosplay at Animaga is an experience you won’t forget.

photo credit @Chuong Photography

photo credit @Kyle Photography

The Saturday Cosplay Parade is a non-competitive showcase held on the main stage. It is designed for everyone to participate, regardless of skill level or how your costume was made. Whether you have spent months sewing every stitch or are wearing a high-quality store-bought outfit, we want to see you on stage.

Who can join: Everyone! We welcome cosplayers of all ages and backgrounds.
Costume types: Both handmade and purchased cosplays are fully encouraged.
On-Stage Moment: Use your time in the spotlight to strike a signature pose or perform a brief character skit for the community.

Applications for the Melbourne cosplay parade will open shortly. While we may offer limited sign-ups on the day, we highly recommend applying online to guarantee your spot in the lineup.

photo credit @Kyle Photography

The Sunday Cosplay Competition is the premier event of the weekend, emphasizing technical skill, accuracy, and stage presence. This is your opportunity to have your craftsmanship and performance evaluated by a panel of industry ambassadors and seasoned judges in a professional setting.

Whether you have mastered the art of prop-making, intricate sewing, or character portrayal, this competition is designed to highlight the high level of dedication within the cosplay community.

Competition Details, Prizes & Sponsors

Status: Information Coming Soon

We are currently finalizing the full details for the Melbourne 2026 competition. This includes:

Official Prize Pool: Cash prizes and sponsor awards for top performers.
Sponsor Announcements: Stay tuned to see the industry partners supporting this year’s event.
Judging Rubric: Updated criteria for craftsmanship, accuracy, and stage presentation.
Technical Requirements: Guidelines for build books and audio/visual submissions.

Full information and the official application portal will be released shortly. We recommend starting your build documentation now so you are ready when the window opens.

Sponsor by

As excitement mounts for Animaga Sydney 2026, attention turns to one of the weekend’s most cherished traditions: the Cosplay Competition. This year introduces a panel of experienced, passionate, and community-driven judges dedicated to celebrating every costume, every performance, and every moment on stage.

These judges are recognized as more than just experts in fabric and foam; they are storytellers, performers, and long-standing pillars of the cosplay community. With diverse backgrounds spanning competitive cosplay, theatre costuming, and event direction, the panel is ready to encourage, support, and recognize the incredible hard work of every entrant.

Asumi

Instagram: @asumi_cos
I have been cosplaying for over 10 years and have picked up a wide range of hands-on skills along the way, including patterning, sewing, boning, fabric dyeing, and detailed needlework. I create both male and female cosplays and really enjoy the flexibility and challenge of shape-shifting between different characters. Alongside costume making, I have experience with cosplay makeup and wig styling, and I also started my own brand in Australia to make cosplay makeup and accessories more accessible to the community. I have been in the Performing Arts industry for over 15 years and it brings me great joy watching the worlds collide between cosplay and performance.

Jenniwrenn

Instagram: @Jenniwrenncos

I started cosplaying in 2011, and since then I’ve developed so many new skills that range from pattern making, millinery, wig styling, fabric manipulation, and more. I’ve made just over 50 cosplays and love to experiment, utilise recycled materials and be sustainable with cosplay crafting. My favourite animes are Yu-Gi-Oh, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, One Piece, Evangelion, Trigun- old school anime is my jam! I am a trained textiles teacher, and also design custom printed fabrics for cosplay.

Liririen

Instagram: @Liririen

I’ve been sewing and crafting my entire life but only got into cosplay in 2023 when I attended my first convention and decided I absolutely had to go as Sailor Mars a week before the event (coincidentally my first time con-crunching). I entered my first craftsmanship competitions in 2024 and was crowned the Canberra champion for Championships of Cosplay; I made so many meaningful friendships through cosplay competitions and had some truly amazing experiences backstage, in the judging room and on stage. Since then, I have been focusing on improving my skills and elevating my craft, and hope to get back to competing later this year! While I consider myself a generalist skills-wise, I am particularly passionate when it comes to foam work, finishing and material choices.

Get hands-on and unleash your inner maker! The Lumin Workshop Touch & Try Area at Animaga is your chance to experiment with prop-making tools and techniques in a fun, interactive environment. Whether you’re a seasoned cosplayer or a complete beginner, drop by to test out the tools of the trade and see what you can create.

To ensure this space remains safe, creative, and fun for everyone, please read our area guidelines before diving in.

General Etiquette & Housekeeping

Listen to the Team: Please follow all instructions from Animaga staff and volunteers—they are here to help you safely enjoy the workshop!
Share the Space: We want everyone to have a turn. Please respect your fellow attendees and spend no more than 10 minutes on a single activity when it is busy.
Protect the Gear: Keep all food and drinks safely away from the equipment and workstations.
Leave It As You Found It: Do not remove any items, tools, or materials from the Touch & Try Area.
Not for Consumption: It might look like candy, but it’s craft supplies! Please do not consume any items from the area.

Crafting Safety Guidelines

Watch Your Fingers: Always keep your fingers and hands safely away from the path of any blades.
Foam Only: Never point a blade at anything other than the provided foam. Be mindful of your surroundings.
Save the Tables: Always perform your cuts directly on the provided cutting mats.
Sticky Situations: Apply adhesive only to the foam materials, not to the tables, mats, or tools.

Ready to build something awesome? Step right up and let’s get crafting!

Sponsor by

Missing a prop to complete your cosplay, or simply want to add an extra touch of authenticity to your photos? We have you covered.

Thanks to a generous partnership with our friends at HobbyManiaz, we are excited to introduce the Animaga Prop Library. This new feature allows attendees to borrow from a curated selection of high-quality replica weapons and accessories, completely free of charge, for use in our cosplay area photo studios.

Whether you are stepping into Yue Studio for a professional shoot or capturing memories at our free photowall, these premium props are designed to help you get the perfect shot and elevate your overall convention experience. HobbyManiaz has provided these iconic items so you can bring your favorite characters to life with the right gear in hand.

📸 How to Borrow a Prop

If you would like to use one of these high-quality props for your photos, please speak to our friendly cosplay team at the Cosplay Reception before you join the queue.

⚔️ Available Props

Choose from our current selection of items:

Elden Ring: Greatsword
Fate/stay night: Excalibur Sword
Frieren: Frieren’s Staff
Genshin Impact: Jade Spear
Genshin Impact: Wolf Sword
God of War: Leviathan Axe
Jujutsu Kaisen: Spear of Heaven
KPop Demon Hunters: Rumi Sword

Sponsor by

Cosplayers, get ready!! Captain Patch-It is coming to Animaga Sydney (saturday only). Known as the superhero of cosplay emergencies, Captain Patch-It is here to save the day from unexpected rips, loose seams, snapped props, or last-minute costume disasters.

Whether you’re debuting a brand-new build or wearing a fan-favourite outfit, cosplay mishaps can strike at any time. That’s where Captain Patch-It comes in, armed with an arsenal of tools, adhesives, fabrics, and quick fixes to keep you stage-ready and looking your best.

📍 Repair Station Location: Inside the cosplay area at Animaga Sydney 2026
🔧 What’s Covered: From stitching and patching to gluing and taping, Captain Patch-It can help repair almost any cosplay hiccup on the spot.

With the Cosplay Repair Station at Animaga Sydney, you can focus on what matters most: enjoying the event, showing off your creativity, and celebrating with the community without worrying about costume setbacks.