For several years now, JAFAX has welcomed a diverse array of cosplayers to the event, and hosted a Cosplay Contest to award creativity and performance. If you've ever thought you'd love to dress up as your favorite character from animé, games, or manga, we'd love to see your fandom brought to life!
To keep the event safe and fun for all whom attend, please follow the rules below. Note that these rules are enforced by JAFAX Staff and Convention Security. Unapproved items may be confiscated. This policy applies both to attendees and vendors at all times during the event:
If you wish to prove your skill at crafting costumes, why not sign up for our Cosplay Crafting Competiion below?
Day of Show: Sunday
Time of Show: late afternoon
Location: Grand Gallery, A-C
This contest is solely based on craftsmanship. All costumes must be at least 70% handmade/crafted by the costume artist. This includes props, wigs, and clothing. Store-bought costumes are not allowed to participate. If you are entering a commissioned costume, the original creator of the costume will receive the award, not the model.
We, the judges, reserve the right to turn down any applicants who do not meet these requirements.
Costumes that are allowed to participate must fall into one of
these categories:
Because this is a Japanese Oriented Expo/Convention, we are limiting eligible costumes to media of Japanese origin.
Outfits not eligible are: Japanese fashion, Fan-made characters, Original Characters, American Animation/Comics, or On Ice.
You must provide reference of the character/person you are cosplaying as. Pictures should be in color, and provide a good view of the character you are representing. Official art/Screencaps only – no personal design sketches or fan art are allowed.
All images should be copies/printouts on 8.5”x11” paper (or smaller), so that we can keep it with us to judge you. Don’t bring in books or figures, as useful as they are, we can’t hold onto them after all entrants have been interviewed.
If you do not have a reference image, we cannot judge you.
Pictures of your creation process are also encouraged, but not required. All costumes will be judged prior to the masquerade, according to a specific set of guidelines (see below). Judging will be by appointment only, and if you are unable to make your appointment, we cannot judge you! If you are excessively late, you risk being disqualified. Please contact us if you have any scheduling problems!Registration will begin online, closing June 5th. Whatever spots are left open at the time of the convention will be available for “at convention” registration. An “at convention” registration spot is NOT GUARANTEED.
Judging scores will be determined by the following 5 categories,
all judged on a 1-5 rubric (with 1 being “not at all” and 5 being
“Very well”), along with any other notes the judges may want to
write down:
This year there will be 3 level of awards available (each level will have a 1st place, and a Runner-Up) plus 3 judge's choice awards.
Your level is determined by the amount of costuming experience you
have. Be as honest as possible.
Please be prepared to answer any of the judges’ questions. Good luck and happy creating!
If you wish to enter, fill out and submit this form: