1. Anime Banzai is a family-friendly convention. Performances must keep to a PG rating and cannot contain nudity, cursing, or sexually explicit situations. Costumes must abide by Anime Banzai’s rules regarding coverage. Body paint is not considered a replacement for garments – naked is not a costume. However, if you are wearing body make-up as part of your costume on your hands, arms, face, etc, please be certain to seal your make-up. This reduces the chance of accidental brush-across-type stains from occurring.

2. Weapons and props must abide by Anime Banzai’s security rules regarding peace bonding and visibility.

3. Costume, set, and prop size can be no bigger than 7.5’ high X 6’ wide X 3’ deep. Hoop skirts and other “collapsible” items are an exception. Please double-check with the Cosplay Director if you have any questions or concerns.

4. Costumes may not have won awards in previous years at Anime Banzai. We also ask that you do not submit costumes that have won major awards at any other conventions or contests. Competing in costumes that have previously won major awards at other conventions is considered “Sandbagging,” and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, we do not appreciate such actions. (Major awards include “Best in Class,” “Best in Show,” or “Best Overall”.) If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Anime Banzai Cosplay Contest Director at any time.

5. Walk-ons are 45 seconds. Skits are up to 3 minutes (less is ok too). The time limit for set-up and/or take down of props, backdrops, and set pieces on and off the stage is 1 minute. There cannot be any exceptions. Please submit your audio as an MP3 file attached to the Tech Needs form that shall be emailed to you as part of your welcome message. Skits need to submit a script with their contest registration form, including any stage directions. Skits that do not have spoken dialogue must still include a brief description of actions on stage.

Audio must be received by 11:59 p.m. on October 12, 2024. If you do not provide an audio file, background music will be chosen for you by the contest director — because silence is boring. A link to a YouTube video, Dropbox, Google Drive, or the like is NOT acceptable – you must attach the file in MP3 format to the Tech Needs form or it will not be used.

Please be aware of the time limits and edit accordingly.

6. Maximum size for group entries is 8 people.

7. If you require additional assistance in getting on/off stage, you would like the use of a microphone, or your performance requires “stage ninjas,” please let us know in advance.

8. The Anime Banzai Cosplay Contest is now requiring costume progress pictures as “proof of life”. We would like to see that you are working on your costume before the convention. We will require 2 photos of each costume, due by 11:59 pm on October 14, 2024. Email them to [email protected].

If we do not receive these photos by the deadline, you will forfeit your spot in the show.

9. All entrants must check in at the Cosplay Desk located in the Atrium Hallway near the Repair Station between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, or between 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday or your entries will be forfeit. Entrants will review their audio files to make sure everything is correct and sign waivers that will be provided at the desk. (Under 18 entrants must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.) Entrants must also attend a mandatory cosplay check-in meeting on Saturday, Oct 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the Events Greenroom, just before the show begins. You must attend or your entry will be forfeit.

There will be an optional rehearsal time on the stage of the Main Events Room on Friday, Oct 18, 2024, during the Second Hand Sale from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please enter through the Events Greenroom, and NOT through the doors to the Second Hand Sale – you will not be allowed access to the stage if you enter through those doors. We will review stage procedures and entries may use the stage space for a quick rehearsal on a first-come first-served basis. Lights and sound will not be available due to sharing space with the Second Hand Sale. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of this stage time.

10. For your own safety, no running on stage, no skating, no jumping off of the stage, and no materials on stage that cannot be easily removed. This includes, but is not limited to: confetti, rose petals, glitter, water or other liquids, pyrotechnics, or compressed air cannons. If you are unsure, please contact us in advance. Use of any of these without previous permission will result in automatic disqualification.

11. You must be registered for Anime Banzai to enter the contest. The majority of contest sign-ups will be online, so please make sure you (and your group if applicable) are registered! You will need your badge when you check in at the Cosplay Desk! Sign-ups must be submitted by Monday, October 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. If you miss the online sign-ups, there may be a few slots available for at-con entries  on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the Cosplay Desk on a first-come first-served basis. These slots fill up fast, so online sign-up is recommended. Audio for at-con entries must be presented on a flash drive in a pre-edited MP3 format when signing up. Please do not bring CDs. Video files or internet links will not be accepted. If you do not have your audio with you when you sign up, an audio file will be chosen for you.

For the benefit of everyone, please arrive at the judging location in the Home2Suites lobby at least 5 minutes before your assigned time. Be sure to check in so the Cosplay Staff knows you are there. Everyone 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian during judging.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are an Anime Banzai Staff Member or Volunteer, or you are entering as “Craftsmanship Only” and do not wish to appear on stage, you MUST have your Craftsmanship Judging on the evening of Friday, October 18th, unless this creates a time conflict with your staff duties. Such time conflicts need to be brought to the attention of the Anime Banzai Cosplay Contest Director BEFORE October 4, 2024.

12. A Cosplayer may only be a part of a single entry – no exceptions. You cannot enter as a solo and also be part of another group entry. You cannot enter a model for craftsmanship and also enter yourself in a performance. Please give others the opportunity to enter, too.