Cosplay Fashion Show & Contest Information

Below is the information for the Cosplay contest for last year’s Japan festival, until new details are released for 2012, this will remain for historic purposes.

the online application has been disabled for our event administrators to gather information. If you have filled out an application OR still need to, everyone must check in at the Naka-Kon Room (Carlsen Center 3rd Floor) before 1pm

2011 Competition Rules

  1. All entries must be a registered attendee of Greater KC Japan Festival.
  2. All costumes must conform to the PG or TVY7 rating. Children may be in attendance so keep it clean and no nudity. We require shoes (backstage is dangerous!), make sure you wear them even if your character does not we will understand!
  3. All costumes must be completed before the mandatory cosplay meeting.
  4. All costumes must be majorly self-made. Costumes may be made by one person and modeled by another.
  5. All entrants will have a maximum of 60 seconds on stage. Remember to use that time to pose, people will want pictures and if you move around too much you will be a blurry cosplayer.
  6. All contestants under the age of 16 must submit a parent permission form. (E-mail cosplay@naka-kon.com to get one). In addition, they need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  7. If your costume has won an award at a large convention it will not be eligible to win at the Greater KC Japan Festival.
  8. Safety First!
    • No throwing objects onstage or into the audience.
    • No leaving objects on the stage.
    • No flames or smoke effects.
    • No jumping off the stage.
    • No running on stage.
    • No real weapons
    • If you have a large costume or something poking out of it (e.g. wings, spikes, chains…) watch out for those around you.
    • Be courteous and respectful. Remember to obey all state laws as well!
  9. Attempt to eat, drink, and use the restroom facilities prior to the contest.
  10. The cosplay staff has the right to disqualify anyone for any logical reason.
  11. Please DO NOT surprise the cosplay staff. Feel free to surprise the audience, but e-mail cosplay@naka-kon.com or speak to the cosplay staff at Contest Registration to notify us of unconventional plans!
  12. All cosplay participants must sign up between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  13. There will be a mandatory meeting at 4:00pm. If you have a group, all members of the group must be in attendance to participate.
  14. Please bring hard (printed) copies of pictures of your character(s). Remember, as much as we would like to we have not seen everything and neither have the judges. Reference photos may not be returned.