Cosplay Costume Rules

This is if you are competing with a costume. If you are performing, please click here to visit the comprehensive rules for performance.

There will be TWO levels at the competition, Rookie and General. The competition will be split in half based on previous, determined by the number of competitions contestants have participated in previously, or the number of competitive costumes made. Because placements may change, you should check in often. If you are at or below the average, you will be in the Rookie class; you are in the General class if you are above the average, OR if you elect to move from Rookie to General. If you have been in 1 or 2 competitions, chances are, you will be rookie. If you have WON a cosplay competition (regardless on how many competitions you have been in), you will automatically be placed in General. Questions, concerns, and constructive criticism are always welcome, as this is only the second year of the competition, and ANO is still learning.

Cosplay is about having fun. Therefore, we do not require patterns; however, patterns give the judges a better idea of how much work went into making an individual costume. Presenting judges with photos showing major development is also highly encouraged. All costume entries will go on stage and talk about materials used, the character, why they chose the character, and the most fun/hardest part of the costume. Have fun and brag, brag, brag.

In addition, most of the costume must be original or have significant alterations. If we find that a participant is misrepresenting a costume (costume made by someone else or bought), we will be forced to disqualify that individual. The designers are not required to wear their own costumes; however, the artist is required to get onstage with the person in character to display their work.

In addition, costume entries may participate in the bonus rounds, however, points cannot be earned in the bonus rounds. If you want to be scored in the bonus rounds, you should sign up to do a performance instead of costume only.

Prizes will be awarded to:
Best Costume
Most Creative Costume
Otaku’s Choice (of all contestants in Costume Only)