Craftsmanship Contest Rules

Happy crafting, Pandas!

Please make sure to read through ALL the rules before entering. For any questions, please refer to the Cosplay Contest FAQs or email Akaicosplaystaff@gmail.com.

General Akaicon Contest Rules

  • You must have a valid Akaicon badge to compete in the Cosplay Contest.
  • Akaicon is a family friendly convention with guests of all ages and from all walks of life, thus all costumes and props must abide by the rules of the convention and hosting location.
    • Please no foul language or lewd gestures while on or off the stage during the contest.  
    • Please make sure that your cosplay covers all appropriate areas.
    • If you are unsure if your cosplay meets these requirements, please email Akaicosplaystaff@gmail.com for any questions.
  • Nothing aside from yourself, costume, prop, and/or handler (if needed) will be allowed on stage during the contest. I.e. no glitter, confetti, etc. Breaking this rule will get you automatically disqualified. The stage is for everyone and needs to be safe and clean for your fellow contestants.
  • Please note: Akaicon will provide music. No requests for specific music will be honored at this time.
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Craftsmanship Contest Rules

  • There will be 45 (subject to change) slots available for this year’s contest.
    • As our slots are first come, first serve, we do encourage everyone to sign up early.
    • Once the initial 45 spots are filled, a waitlist will be opened for any potential contestants to join in case someone drops out of the contest.
    • If you are unable to compete, please let the Akaicon Cosplay Staff know as soon as possible.
    • If you are found to have dropped the day of the contest twice in a row, you will be placed on a list and will not be allowed to compete the following year. This is known as “whitelisting”.
  • Judging slots will be 5 minutes for individuals and 7 minutes for Groups. This is standard across most Cosplay Contests (some give less time), so we are adhering to this time frame.
  • Costumes that have won ANY major award from ANY convention’s cosplay contest may not be entered into the Akaicon Cosplay Contest. If you are unsure if this applies to your cosplay/costume, please email Akaicosplaystaff@gmail.com for clarification. The judges will make the final decision and email you back ASAP. If you are found competing with a cosplay that has won a major award, aka Sandbagging, you will be immediately disqualified and banned from competing in future Akaicon events.
  • If you are found to be dishonest about any part of your craftsmanship (i.e. tags from brands, passing off someone else’s work as your own, etc.) you will face immediate disqualification and will be blacklisted from all future Akaicon events.
  • 70% or more of the cosplay MUST be handmade for Novice and Journeyman levels, and  90%-95% for Master level competitors.
    • This percentage DOES NOT include thrifted pieces that have been slightly altered. Thrifted pieces that have been dismantled and used in other ways or thrifted fabrics are an exception to this rule. (For example, I bought a shirt, dismantled it and used the fabrics/buttons/etc as a part of my cosplay)
  • If you wish to enter a costume that you have created, but do not wish to be on stage yourself, you may use a model. However, the creator must be present during pre-judging and the contest. The creator MUST be present with the model to receive the award.
  • Fanart designs of licensed characters (Hannah Alexander, SunsetDragon, Sakizou, etc.) can be entered for a major award, if full reference is provided.
  • Original Designs/Characters can be entered as long as the contestant is able to provide a full reference image of their design/character.

Exhibition/Walk-on Rules: 

Cosplayers that want to show off their cool cosplays that are thrifted, from your closet, or bought. This division is not eligible for awards, but we still want to see those cool cosplays on the catwalk! 

Exhibition/walk-on should be on time to the line-up so that they know the flow of walk-on and where to be seated.

  • Cosplays that have pre-fabricated items (thrifted parts that have been as they are intended, bought cosplays, and altered pieces) that total more than 25-30% will be considered as an exhibition entry.
  • Someone else made your cosplay as a commission, but you think that it’s amazing and want to show it off! While your cosplay is handmade, it was not made by you, so this is where you need to be.
  • Made your cosplay, but you’re too nervous to be judged? Go ahead and cross that stage anyway as a walk-on!

THESE COSPLAYS DO NOT NEED TO BE SEEN IN THE JUDGING ROOM but do need to be checked in at the Cosplay Contest table so that they receive a number and are added to the list for announcement to walk.

Award Divisions

Major Awards

A major award is considered a “Best of Division” or a Best in Show win from a Craftsmanship Cosplay Contest. All other awards will be considered as a Minor Award.

  • Chibi: $25 + grab bag
    Contestants that are 12 years and younger. Can have parental help with their projects/cosplays, but minimal assistance is preferred.
  • Novice: $100 + Trophy
    Contestants that are first time competitors or have no more than one major award are permitted to join this division.
    Full reference images of characters are required, and progress photos/buildbooks are encouraged.
  • Journeyman:  $175 + trophy
    Contestants that have won two to three major awards or have a few years of craftsmanship experience can enter this division.
    Build books/Work in progress photos and full reference images are required.
  • Master: $250 + trophy
    Contestants that have won over three major awards, have lots of experience in competitions and/or crafting, or sew professionally. Masters must have made at least 90-95% of your cosplay.
    Build books/Work in progress photos and full reference images are required.

If you have any questions about what qualifies, please reach out to cosplay staff for clarification at Akaicosplaystaff@gmail.com

Please note: Judges reserve the right to move anyone up a category based on their skill set, but no one will be moved down.

  • Best in Show: $500 + trophy
    We found you to be the best of the best! This is not an enterable division; however, we will choose from any of the aforementioned divisions for this award. This is for that cosplayer (or group) that has gone above and beyond and has wowed the judges with their skill and creativity.

Minor Awards

                The minor awards are given out at the judges discretion. Akaicon has set minor awards for BEST Group, Judge’s Choice, and Tenacious Dee Award that are given out every year. All other minor awards will be given out as applicable.

  • Best Group: Groups of two or more contestants qualify for this category.  Groups may comprise any and all skill levels.  
  • Judge’s Choice: Each judge will give out an award for their choice of who fits their individual criteria for that award.
  • “Tenacious Dee”: Did you come back with even more amazing skills from last year’s contest and wow the judges with your improvement? We applaud your tenacity with this award!

As applicable minor awards that maybe awarded:

  • Best prop/armor
  • Best wig
  • Best sewing
  • Original Design (ANY design that is not a licensed character)
  • Most Eco-friendly (Some really cool use of pre-existing materials for their cosplays)
  • Best Theme

Sportsmanship and Etiquette:

Whether we win or lose, we all need to be understanding of how others may feel. While winning feels amazing, we do need to remember that not everyone wins something at the end of the day. Be a good winner or loser, no matter the case.

If Akaicon judges or Cosplay Contest staff hear or see any evidence of bad sportsmanship,
 we maintain a right to exclude the contestant from future events on this basis of behavior and breaking of the rules.

Now that you’ve read through all the rules, here’s your application!

Cosplay Contest Application

If you have any questions, please refer to our Frequently asked questions!