AX Idol 2009 Rules

1. Participation by professionals is prohibited. A professional is monetarily compensated for his or her work as a singer or actor/voice actor.
2. All participants must be 18 and over. Photo ID will be required at check-in.
3. Although Cosplay is allowed, it will not be considered in judging.
4. There will be check-in an hour before the AX Idol Audition starts.
5. If your name is called at the audition and if you are not present or do not have your paperwork you will be skipped.
6. If you arrive late for the audition, you may still try-out if time permits. Those on the sign-up list will get first priority.
7. Online Sign-ups will begin . The deadline for online sign ups is June 1st at 12:00AM PST.
8. Past AX Idol Finalists will not be eligible to compete in the next year’s AX Idol contest in either event. However, after that year they will be eligible to compete once again.
   Ex. Finalists at AX Idol 2008 will not be eligible to compete for 2009; eligibility will open up once again in 2010.
9. Past AX Idol grand prize winners are not eligible to compete again for any portion of the contest.

Singing Rules

1. Singers may choose any song related to anime and/or video games, English or Japanese.
2. Singers will have one (1) minute during the tryout portion of the competition. This one minute must be memorized and sung without any musical accompaniment (acapella).
3. Finalists will have four (4) minutes to perform the same song during the show portion of the competition.
4. The finals may be performed with a karaoke track that each performer must provide to the AX Idol Manager immediately after the AX Idol Auditions are completed. Karaoke track must be on an Audio CD. Note: It is preferred that Burned CDs use high quality file formats.
   Ex. In MP3, files 190kbit/s or higher are preferred. Please email the AX Idol Manager if you have any questions regarding file formats.

Voice Acting Rules

1. The monologue must be from an anime. It may not contain blatant vulgarity or foul language. If you are unsure, please email your monologue to the AX Idol Manager before-hand and ask.
2. Actors must have their anime monologues memorized completely at the
   tryout.
3. Actors will have one (1) minute to perform their monologue at the tryouts.
4. Finalists will perform live on stage in a voice over competition to an anime clip provided by Bang Zoom! Entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q. What do I need to participate?
   
   A. We welcome any Anime Expo® attendee to participate so long as they:
   • Can verify with a photo ID (All government issued Photo IDs: Drivers Licenses, Passports, Military IDs, etc) that they are at least 18 years of age as of the day they check-in for their audition.
   • Are not a professional.
   • Have not been a winner in an AX Idol event of any previous year.
   • Have not been an on-stage finalist of the previous year’s AX Idol event.




2. Q. What do you consider a Professional?
   
   A. Our rules define a professional as an individual who has been monetarily compensated for his or her work as a singer, actor, or voice actor.




3. Q. Is participation open to non-US citizens?
   
   A. We are pleased to say that our international attendees are welcome to participate provided that they meet the requirements stated in Q1. Please, remind the staff at check in that you are from another country, so that we can make a note of it.




4. Q. I’m under age 18 and I really want to participate! What if my parents sign a waiver or what if I decline the prize?
   
   A. This is not possible in any way. However, we encourage you to participate in the various karaoke events and voice acting workshops held throughout the duration of Anime Expo®.




5. Q. My friends want to enter with me. Can we enter as a group?
   
   A. We love your enthusiasm, but we do not allow group acts to perform together at this time. However, you may each enter individually and compete against each other in the competition.




6. Q. I entered and won! Can I participate again?
   
   A. Congratulations! We hope your victory leads you to great professional opportunities in the future. However, past AX Idol grand prize winners, regardless of year, are ineligible to compete again in the future.




7. Q. Do the restrictions for past finalists still apply if I want to participate in the other parts of the competition instead?
   
   A. Yes, it does. If you were a finalist in either the portion of the competition, you may not participate in AX Idol in either part the following year.




8. Q. Can I enter both parts of the competition?
   
   A. A participant must choose whether they wish to compete in either the voice acting competition or the singing competition. You may not compete in both.




9. Q. May I cosplay a character during the audition and/or performance?
   
   A. Although Cosplay is allowed, it will not be considered in judging.




10. Q. How long will my audition be?
    
    A. Singers will have one (1) minute during the audition portion of the competition. This one minute must be memorized and sung without any musical accompaniment (acapella).
    
    Actors will have one (1) minute to perform their monologue at the tryouts. Actors must have their anime monologues memorized completely at the audition.




11. Q. Do I have to be present for the entire audition process, or can I leave until it’s my turn?
    
    A. After checking in, you are free to leave if you need to, but please be aware that if you are not present when your name is called to begin your audition, you will be skipped. You MUST be present when the winners are announced or you will be passed over even if you make it.




12. Q. I’ve changed my mind about what song/line I want to audition with. May I do this, or am I stuck with what I originally signed up for?
    
    A. You may change your selection if you like, so long as it meets the requirements. Just notify us that you are changing it when you check-in at the Auditions. Once you check-in, you cannot change your selection. Or you may email your changes to .




13. Q. What kind of lines may I use?
    
    A. You may use any monologue from any anime provided that it does not contain blatant vulgarity or foul language. If you are unsure, please email a copy of your monologue to the AX Idol management at and we will check it over.




14. Q. May I select a line from a manga?
    
    A. Your monologue must be from an anime.




15. Q. May I perform my lines in Japanese?
    
    A. The rules do not prohibit you from doing so, but this may make it difficult for the judges to review your performance.




16. Q. Must my lines be from the sub script or the dub script of a show?
    
    A. Your lines may be from either one.




17. Q. What kind of songs may I use?
    
    A. Your song must be from an anime and/or video game.




18. Q. Can I use a track from a music focused game? ie. DDR, Guitar Freaks, Osu! Tatakae! Quedan!, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, etc.
    
    A. Only if the song originates from an anime or an anime influenced video game. Song eligibility is determined at the discretion of the AX Idol manager. Please email if you have any questions.




19. Q. I want to use a cover (remake) of an anime song. May I do so?
    
    A. If the cover song itself was used in an anime as well, then yes certainly. If not, please contact the AX Idol management at , we will be happy to look into the song’s eligibility.




20. Q. May I use a song from a live-action remake of an anime?
    
    A. If the song was used not in the anime, no you may not. If the song is a cover of a song that was in the original anime, please contact the AX Idol management and we will consider it.




21. Q. May I use a J-Pop song or a song from a live action J-Drama?
    
    A. If the song is also used in an anime or video game, then you are certainly welcome to use it. If it was not, then no you may not.




22. Q. My song has one or two swear words. May I use it?
    
    A. Your song should not contain any blatant vulgarity or foul language (regardless of the spoken language). If you are unsure, please email the AX Idol management at before-hand and ask.




23. Q. I can’t find a karaoke version of a song I want to use. How can I use it?
    
    A. There are devices, tools, and software programs which can attempt to remove the vocals from a song. They all the work the same way and you won’t get a perfect result, but you might get something with suitable results. Give them a try, and if you’re okay with the result, go for it.
    
    Note: You will achieve best results if you attempt this with a raw WAV ripped directly off a genuine CD, not a downloaded song that has been compressed (like an MP3 or M4A).




24. Q. I’m a finalist! How should I provide you a copy of the song I want to use?
    
    A. Congratulations! You will need to provide a copy of your song to the AX Idol manager immediately after the AX Idol Auditions are completed. Please bring a CD with your track, if possible, in a high quality file format:
    
    Ex. MP3 (192kbps or higher recommended)
    
    Ex. Original CD




If you have any questions or concerns regarding file formats, please contact the AX Idol management at .

25. Can I sing acapella (without musical accompaniment) in the finals?
    
    A. You are absolutely welcome to do so.

If you have any questions about AX Idol 2009, please feel free to email them to:



Or ask in the Anime Expo® forums!

Good luck in this year’s competition, we look forward to seeing you at con!