Cosplay Competition

Matsuricon's most popular event! Come watch your friends and fellow fans strut their stuff on stage, impressing our esteemed judges with their detailed craftsmanship and thrilling presentation skills. Along the way, our hosts will keep you entertained until the big winner is announced! The coveted "Best In Show" title is up for grabs... could you be the one to take the title in 2009?

Cosplay Rules and Regulations
1. All participants must have a badge when they register AND during the masquerade.

2. We realize that it is not always possible or realistic to make ALL of a costume, but as this is a craftsmanship contest at least 60% of the costume must be made by the participant. If another individual made the costume for the participant, that individual must be present for the judging AND masquerade AND they MUST have a badge of their own.

3. All costumes must be based on an Anime, Manga, J-rock or J-pop style, Japanese Live Action, or a video game. Pirates and Ninjas welcome.

4. All costumes must have a PG rating. Matsuricon is a family friendly convention and participants should keep that in mind when choosing their costumes. Overtly offensive costumes may be denied entry and serious costume “malfunctions” (such as the Justin Timberlake/ Janet Jackson malfunction during the super bowl a few years ago) will be disqualified. Depending on the situation, offenders may also be removed from the convention.

5. Each contestant may wear one and ONLY one costume. No exceptions. If a participant is also in a skit, they will NOT be allowed a costume change.

6. All participants must wear the costume they wore to judging to the masquerade and NO drastic changes should be made to the costume without notifying the Cosplay staff. We understand that accidents happen and quick fixes sometimes must be made, but let us know as SOON as something happens.

7. Groups may walk across the stage together but they will be entered individually and have separate judging times. We will do our best to place judging times close together but we cannot make guarantees. Judging times are first come first served.

8. All entries will be classified as Novice, Journeymen, or Master based on the individual participant’s experience. There may also be a junior category that will include anyone 13 years and under. We hold the right to assign a category to a contestant that we believe best fits their experience and skill.

9. We reserve the right to disqualify participants who misrepresent any aspect of their entry forms.

10. It is preferred that participants have reference material for judges. Participants should also know how to spell their character’s name and the series or game the character is from.

11. If a participant breaks a piece of equipment or defaces the facilities they will be held responsible and required to pay for the damages.

12. If for any reason a participant is banned from the Cosplay Competition, that ban is in effect for the current year (2009) and the following year (2010).

13. The Cosplay managers’ decision is final! We may need to make decisions that will ensure the masquerade runs smoothly, including the denial of any entrants to the Cosplay competition.

14. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at programming@matsuricon.org.

Skit Rules and Regulations
1. All skits must be kept within a PG rating. No profane language, rude gestures or crude comments will be tolerated.

2. No jumping off the stage or entering or exiting the stage from any unapproved area. The Cosplay staff will explain entrance and exit techniques before the masquerade takes place.

3. Aisles and other audience areas are not to be used for any part of the skit. All participants must remain on the stage during the entirety of their skit.

4. Do not throw anything off of the stage. No exceptions.

5. Do not utilize any props that require more than a few seconds of clean up, and do not leave anything on the stage when you exit.

6. Skit groups may include 1-5 people. All members of the group must have a badge and be in costume. All members of the skit must be present for registration, prejudging, and be on time for the masquerade. If changes need to be made, they must be cleared with the Cosplay managers BEFORE the masquerade.

7. Skits must be 3 minutes or less.

8. CDs must be made available at time of prejudging. All files must be mp3 format or they will not be played. Any audio over 3 minutes will be cut short so please keep your skit within the allotted time.

9. Skits should not be used to make a religious or political statement; we are here to have fun.

10. All stage combat and stunts must be approved by the Cosplay Manager(s) during the prejudging. We reserve the right to tell participants that a stunt will not be permitted and require a change to the skit so that it may be presented in the masquerade. All changes must be approved before the masquerade.

11. If a skit breaks any of these rules it will result in the immediate halt of the skit and disqualification from the masquerade. Further disciplinary actions may be taken depending on the level of the infraction.