Cosplay Rules

Skit Competition

*Attention skit competitors: you must register by 2pm the day of the convention, and are required to be in room 220 at 2pm for skit screenings. Failure to show will lead to disqualification. Sorry!

The cosplay competition is for skits of any kind; this includes comedies, tragedies, songs, dancing etc. Anything is allowed as long as it follows the rules listed below.

1. All skits must be family friendly (PG-13). This means that no swearing except “hell”, “damn”, or any other words deemed acceptable by the cosplay heads during screening. Also, any kind of gratuitous make-out scenes are not permitted; straight or gay, none are allowed. However, a hug or quick kiss will be allowed on stage. 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.
2. If your skit includes pre-recorded dialogue or music, please make sure that your CD is in mp3 format, otherwise it will not play correctly. Please do not bring in a DVD.
3. Each skit will be screened prior to the competition to make sure that it follows the skit rules. All members of each skit MUST arrive at skit screening at the designated name. If your skit is inappropriate, your group will be asked to change your skit before the competition. If you refuse you will be disqualified.
4. Your skit should not exceed 5 minutes in length.
5. All groups are expected to be on time for cosplay set up.
6. Be sure that your skit follows all general convention rules and does not contain anything potentially dangerous to the performers or the audience.
7. During the set-up and masquerade, all competitors will be expected to follow the instructions of the MCs, judges, or other staff members in charge.

If you have any questions regarding cosplay, please contact Rini at ANOcosplay@gmail.com

Competition Awards:

~ 1st place/Best in Show

~ Runner up

~Other awards are to be determined

Masquerade Rules:

1. All costumes must be at least 60% made or altered by the competitor, with the exception of costumes entering into the 'found-item' and 'youth' category. No commissioned or bought pre-made costumes will be allowed into the competition .
2. Costumes originating from an anime, manga, video game or other part of Japanese culture, are the only costumes eligible for major awards (Best in show, best expert, etc). However, other costumes are still allowed to enter the competition and be eligible for our 'Pop Culture' award.
3. Please bring an official, printed reference picture of the character that you are cosplaying. Fan art does not apply .
4. If you plan to register at the convention, please register before it closes at 3pm. Registration is on a first come first serve basis.
5. All costumes will be pre-judged, and it is important to arrive to pre-judging on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late you will be disqualified from the competition.
6. All competitors are expected to be on time for cosplay set up.
7. Make sure that your costume follows all general convention rules.
8. During the set-up and masquerade, all competitors will be expected to follow the instructions of the MCs, judges, or other staff members in charge.
9. After you pre-register, you will be asked to schedule a judging time. If you do not schedule a judging time before the convention, we cannot guarantee that there will be a time slot available at the convention.

Competition Awards:

~Best Novice

~Best Journeyman

~Best Expert

~Other awards are to be determined

If you have any questions, please contact ANO ( ANOcosplay@gmail.com )

Ranking/Divisions:

Found-item: This division is for cosplays that have not been at least 60% created by the competitor but instead have been put together from various pieces, possibly previously owned by the competitor or bought from thrift stores. This division does not include commissioned or bought pre-made cosplays.

Novice: If you have attended any fewer than three cosplay/masquerade competitions, and you have not won an award, you fall into this category.

Journeyman: If you have attended three or four cosplay/masquerade competitions, and have not won an award, or if you have been only participated in three or fewer competitions but have won an award, you fall into this category.

Expert: If you have participated in five or more cosplay/masquerade competitions, or won more then one award, you fall into this category.

Original Character: Original characters are permitted to enter the masquerade and qualify for the Best Original Character award.

Pop Culture: If your cosplay is not Asian based, you will be placed into the Pop Culture division to qualify for the Pop Culture Award.

Best Junior: All competitors ages 14 – 11

Best Youth: All competitors ages 10 and under (A parent or adult guardian must be present for all competitors ages 10 and under)

Registrants are required to be at the registration table by 2pm the day of the convention to pick up your skit number and call time. If you cannot make it to the convention before 2pm, please email Rini in advance. Failure to arrive on time (or email in advance) may lead to disqualification.

Audience Rules:

1. Please either turn off or silence all cell phones or other digital devices.
2. No food or drink (except water) will be permitted in the theater.
3. If you need to leave during the cosplay or masquerade competition, please wait until there is a break between skits before leaving.
4. Please refrain from yelling or shouting while a skit/masquerade is being performed.
5. Please remember to be respectful to the performers as well as your fellow audience members.