PERMISSIONS

By entering the Anime Magic! Cosplay Contest, I give permission to Anime Magic! and its designees to photograph and/or video record my costume and performance and to use these photographs and videos as the convention sees fit. I also attest that I am eligible to compete as per the Anime Magic! Cosplay Contest rules and that all information on the entry form is true and correct.

I also hereby acknowledge that I will be asked to sign a copy of this entry form at the Anime Magic! Cosplay Contest check-in at the convention. If I am under the age of 18 years old, I understand that I must have a legal guardian present to sign the paper copy of this form at the convention.

By submitting this waiver, I acknowledge that I have read and understood the rules and guidelines established and posted by Anime Magic!

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

• All participants must be registered attendees of Anime Magic!

• All costumes must conform to convention, jurisdiction, and state guidelines for public decency. Shoes are required.

• Profanity and obscene and/or lewd gestures are simply not allowed.

• Costumes and presentation shall not be used as a political, religious, etc. statement.

• Surprises are not allowed. Participants shall not jump off the stage.

• Participants must complete the registration form and sign the waiver to participate.

• Anime Magic! reserves the right to have the final word on all decisions.

GENERAL COSTUME & COSPLAY CONTEST RULES

• Costumes from both Japanese and western media are allowed. This includes anime, manga, video games, comic books or film adaptations, and etc. Costumes outside these categories require pre-approval.

• Costumes larger than a standard door frame require pre-approval.

• Only one entry allowed per person. Participation in the Anime Magic! Actors Club is unrelated, and considered a separate event.

• Participation includes going before judges during a scheduled time slot as well as walking across the stage during the Anime Magic! Cosplay Contest event.

• Participants cannot compete wearing a cosplay they have previously been awarded best in show or first place in any competition at the master level. A cosplay that has been awarded best novice or best journeyman/intermediate may be entered if the cosplay is submitted at the next applicable level (Best novice submits to journeyman/intermediate. Best journeyman/intermediate submits at masters) A cosplay that has been awarded best in show at past Anime Magic! conventions may not be entered again.

• Do not wear or use anything that will damage, destroy, or ruin the costume(s) of other attendants or the hotel space.

• Costumes must be self-contained. No connections to electricity, water, amps, projection, PA’s, etc. will be provided nor available.

• Primarily store-bought or commissioned costumes will not be considered.

• 70% of the costume must be hand-made or modified to be considered

• Contestants are encouraged to notify Anime Magic if their costume has restricted movement, vision, or is otherwise bulky so we can best accommodate you.

• Contestants are also encouraged to inform Anime Magic if they themselves have any physical or visual impairments that would require accommodations for walking on stage.

• Entries in the main contest will be expected to walk on stage to present their work. Hall contestant entries will not walk on stage.

WEAPONS AND EFFECTS POLICY

Those found to be in violation of these rules will be reprimanded.

• Live steel is not allowed. This includes real swords, knives, blades, guns, etc. Prop blades must be fake and dull.

• No real weapons whatsoever, including airsoft guns. Prop weapons must be obviously fake. Prop firearms must have an orange tip with no projectiles loaded. All ranged weapons may not be tightly strung. Ammunition may not be carried onstage.

• Live projectiles are not allowed. Objects may not be thrown into the audience.

• Replicas may not be pointed in the direction of another human being.

• Fire, flames, explosives, flash powder, smoke, lasers, etc. are not allowed. Electronic flashes are only permitted with pre-approval.

• No smoke or vapor of any kind will be allowed.

DEMERITS

If you sign-up to participate in the Anime Magic! Cosplay Contest and fail to show up or do not notify Anime Magic! that you will not be participating at least 24 hours before the Cosplay Contest, you will be banned from participating for two years minimum.

QUESTIONS

Contact our Cosplay Contest Coordinator at cosplay@animemagic.org

Those registering online must check in to confirm their registration at the info desk. All entries will need to sign off on their pre-registration form at the convention or they will not be able to participate. If you pre-register and cannot make it to the event, please let the cosplay contest coordinator know so your spot can be reassigned by emailing them: cosplay@animemagic.org

PRE-REGISTRATION

Now until the Thursday before the convention at 11:59PM CST.

AT-CON REGISTRATION

Please refer to the guidebook or posted schedule for the listed times.

JUDGING AND COSPLAY CONTEST

Please refer to the guidebook or posted schedule for the listed times.

Participants will compete for awards based on two categories:

1. PRESENTATION - Stage presence & costume appearance during the walk-on of the Anime Magic! Cosplay Contest

2. CRAFTSMANSHIP - Quality and accuracy of the costume. Contestants will need to bring a reference photo to leave with the judges. Work-in-progress photos are always recommended.

Contestants are encouraged to self-place, however judges or contest staff may alter your placement at any time if it is felt your work fits into a higher category. Each division has a number of 'won awards' attached to it, but this is only a rule of thumb for what level you should enter on.

NOVICE - This level is for beginners who have made a few costumes and are just starting out or have never won an award or competed in a contest.

JOURNEYMAN - This level is for contestants with a few years of experience and have won a major award at the novice level.

MASTERS - This level is for contestants with many years of experience and who have previously won a major award at the journeyman level or higher.

By participating in any cosplay competition at Anime Magic!, you authorize the convention to take your photograph. This photograph may be used for reference by the judges and staff when determining a winner or for promotional use by the convention. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Anime Magic! staff.