Masquerade: Rules and Guidelines

By submitting this form you agree with the terms and conditions listed in the Competition Rules. Please read the Competition Rules carefully and fully before applying. Every person in your entry must fill out one of these forms. If they are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete and sign this form.

How to apply

Please sign up by coming to the cosplay desk (next to the changing areas in the Main Hall) any time from when the Main Hall opens up to an hour before the contest you are signing up for.

Important! Notes on Application

1.   Participants agree to take part and be featured in marketing and publicity material for Japan Expo, Sefa Entertainment and their partners as required, as well as external media viewable by the general public, including but not limited to newspapers, magazines, television and websites.

2.   Application forms and/or reference pictures cannot be returned under any circumstances.

3.   Personal information collected via the application form will be used for no purpose other than the selection of cosplayers.

4.   All personal information collected via the application form will be protected by Japan Expo and Sefa Entertainment, and will not be provided to any outside party.

5.   Any cosplayer submitting false information will be disqualified from the event.

6.   Japan Expo and Sefa Entertainment accept no liability for any loss, damage, costs, expenses or claims suffered or incurred by any person as a consequence of any use of or inability to use this application process,  the website, or any related media content. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant and/or parents/guardian to confirm with Japan Expo regarding any queries or questions they may have about application, selection and/or participation. 

Japan Expo Masquerade is a contest to select one the best group and individual cosplays at Japan Expo USA. The contest will take place on August 23rd and 24th 2014, with overall winners announced on August 24th after the contest.

Winners will receive prizes from Japan Expo and our many sponsors, including official merchandise, exclusive signed items and premium passes to Japan Expo USA 2015.

1. a) To win Best Group, your entry must have 2 or more people.
2. b) To win Best Individual, you must enter solo.

1. a) The competition is open to cosplayers who are paying attendees at Japan Expo on the day of the contest.
2. b) Signed parental permission is required for cosplayers under the age of 18 at the time of the contest.
3. c) Cosplayers can enter the competition as individuals, or as a group of up to 20 people.
4. d) Contestants may only enter once per day.  If they choose to enter both days their costumes and presentations must be different

1. a) Contestants can enter costumes based on animation, comics, video games, movies and TV series from any country. Costumes based on Japanese music acts are also allowed.
2. b) All costumes must be based on an existing source.
3. c) Adaptations from fanart and original designs will be permitted at the discretion of the event coordinator.
4. d) Only costumes in an entry must be made by the members, either entirely from scratch or by modifying standard items of clothing, will be eligible for top awards.
5. e) Entries containing costumes purchased from ebay, taobao, or any other costume seller will be allowed to perform as time permits, and are only be eligible for recognition based on their performance and will not receive top awards.
6. f) Any costumes or parts not made by the contestant (i.e. handmade by their friends and family or purchased) should be declared during judging.

1. a) The jury will be made up of media guests and respected cosplayers. The winners will be chosen based on 50% costume and 50% performance.
2. b) Costumes are judged on their detail, conception, technical ability and resemblance to the original source.
3. c) Performances will be judged on their originality, entertainment value, direction and execution.

All contestants are asked to attend a pre-judging session on the day of the contest.

1. a) Judging will be done first come first served as entries sign up or check in.  Waiting until the last minute for judging may result in there being no time for your entry to be judged.
2. b) Each team will have a chance to show their costumes to the judges and explain how they made it.

All contestants are encouraged to prepare a progress book, to be brought with them on the day and given to the judges during the pre-judging. This is just so the judges can find out more about how your costume was made.

1. a) The book should contain reference photos of the character you are cosplaying.
2. b) The book should contain 5 progress photos per costume, and some notes to show how the costume was constructed.
3. c) Contestants can add extras to the book, such as extra photos, pattern or fabric samples, if they wish.
4. d) Progress books must be in hard copy (i.e. printed or written). Digital formats will not be accepted.
5. e) Progress books may not be returned.

1. a) Solo contestants have 75 seconds to perform on stage. Groups will have 2 minutes 30 seconds to perform on stage.
2. b) You will have 30 seconds to clear the stage of all props and items after your performance.
3. c) Groups must be able to perform and operate their costumes by themselves, without the help of outsiders.
4. d) Helpers and stage ninjas count as members of your group.
5. e) The Cosplay Team will be responsible for setting up cosplayers’ props on stage, and adjusting lighting and sound etc.
6. f) Contestants are NOT allowed to use video footage with their performance.
7. g) Contestants are NOT allowed to use any liquids, pyrotechnics or materials which may damage the stage or pose a health and safety hazard. Note that this includes confetti and silly string as well as anything that leaves a similar mess.
8. h) Performances must be suitable for a family audience. No swearing or sexual references please.
9. i) Please refrain from using derogatory comments or gestures during your performance which relate to real-life individuals or companies.
10. j) Japan Expo reserves the right to refuse or interrupt any performance which infringes on decency, safety or copyright regulations.

1. a) Each entry must provide audio for their performance. Please turn in your audio to our cosplay tech crew after you check in.
2. b) Only audio cds and MP3 audio files may be used. Other file types will not be accepted.
3. c) For speaking performances, it is recommended to make a high quality recording of your dialogue. 

1. a) All replica weapons and props must be legal to carry in the state of California. For more information please refer to the 2008 Dangerous Weapons Control Law, Chapter 6, Section 12556.
2. b) All props are subject to inspection by Japan Expo Staff and you may be told that you may not carry or use them at any time.

1. a) Performance order will be determined by staff, with highest priority given to people who have made their costumes and have not previously competed at Japan Expo 2014. Entries with bought costumes or that made costumes but have already competed will be given next priority. Lowest priority will be entries with bought costumes that have already competed.
2. b) Equipment and accessories are limited in size and weight to the maximum load that can be carried by the contestants in one go, from the backstage area to the stage.
3. c) Anyone who is not performing will not be allowed to accompany entries backstage.  Exceptions may be made for parents of young children who are entering, or cases where a special need has been demonstrated that our staff cannot fulfil.
4. d) Contestants who do not follow the rules or staff instructions, may be immediately and permanently disqualified.

1. a) All contestants are asked to act in a respectful manner to staff and other contestants. Any form of physical or verbal violence, vandalism or theft will result in immediate disqualification.
2. b) Contestants are asked to be aware of their surroundings and behave with caution, especially while on stage and when carrying props. Japan Expo and Sefa Entertainment are not responsible for any injury or damage caused as a result of reckless behaviour or misconduct.

1. a) You may be filmed or photographed during the competition. Japan Expo, Sefa Entertainment, and their partners reserve the right to use your image for promotional purposes. By entering the competition you agree to this.
2. b) Parental permission for filming and photography is required for entrants under the age of 18 at the time of the competition.

Sefa Entertainment, Japan Expo, and the Japan Expo Cosplay Team reserve the right to amend or update the rules at any time