As one of the most enduring traditions of Anime Expo®, the Masquerade is one of the largest and brightest highlights of Anime Expo®. Costumers hailing from around the world have graced our stage with their wonderful costumes and performances. They come for the fame, the glory and that huge trophy, “Best of Show”.
If you have the motivation, the skills and the bloodlust to compete in one of the most prestigious anime Masquerade, come join us! Meet new and interesting people! See wonderful and exotic costumes! Witness the glitz, the glamour and the glory of Masquerade!
The Anime Expo® Masquerade is a costume contest for all levels of amateur* costumers. Entries into competition may represent one of the following categories.
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Anime/Manga/Video Games:
Representation of actual costumes from anime, manga or video game. -
Original Costumes:
Original costumes inspired by anime, manga or video games. This requires approval from the Masquerade Coordinator prior to entry into the Masquerade. - Anime/Manga/Video Game based Live Action Productions: Representation of actual costumes from a live action, non theater production based on anime, manga or video game.
*Amateur is defined as a person or persons who:
- Create costumes for personal use without the intent of making a profit from their products.
- Do not create pieces specifically for sale.
Skill Ranking System
The judging of costumes will focus on aspects of costume construction, craftsmanship, presentation and performance. Because of the broad range of skill levels among the field of contestants, a skill ranking system have been established. The four skill levels are Novice, Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate and Expert.
This 4 tier system was developed to answer the growing diversity of ranging skill levels within our cosplay communities. This is to ensure that Novice costumers with limited costuming experiences will be able to compete with their peers, not with the more experienced costumers of higher skill levels.
Please note that any contestant can be reclassified by the Judges. If they feel you are underqualified or overqualified for your declared skill level, they can reclassify you into another skill level. Appeals can be presented to the Cosplay Events Manager but any arguments over the final decision could result in expulsion from this year’s event and possibly becoming ineligible for future events.
The 4 levels are defined as follows:
- Novice
- Total number of costumes made and worn for competition: 10 or less
AND - Total number of any awards won: NONE
- Total number of costumes made and worn for competition: 10 or less
- Intermediate
- Total number of costumes made and worn for competition: 20 or less
AND - Total number of Minor Awards won: 5 or less
AND - Total number of Major Awards won: NONE
- Total number of costumes made and worn for competition: 20 or less
- Advanced Intermediate
- Total number of costumes made and worn for competition: 30 or less
AND - Total number of Minor Awards won: 15 or less
OR - Total number of Major Awards won: 3 or less
- Total number of costumes made and worn for competition: 30 or less
- Expert
- Total number of costumes made and worn for competition: 40 or less
AND - Total number of Minor Awards won: 16 or more
OR - Total number of Major Awards won: 4 or more
- Total number of costumes made and worn for competition: 40 or less
Definitions of Major and Minor Awards
A Major Award is defined as:
-
Anime Expo® Awards:
- Best of Show
- 1st Place
- 2nd Place
- 3rd Place
- Runner Up
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Similar Awards from the following cons:
- World Science Fiction Society (World Con)
- Comic-Con International (San Diego Comic Con)
- Project A-Kon
- Otakon
- DragonCon
- Anime Boston
A Minor Award is defined as:
- Any costume award/prize from any con except those classified as a Major Award. (This includes Judges Awards and Honorable Mentions.)
This event is scheduled on Saturday, July 5th, in the Nokia Theatre LA Live. This brand new 7,100 seat venue is located across the street from the LA Convention Center and LA Staples Center.
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