Catch the Barrel is a cosplay game played every year in the halls of Anime Boston. It does not require you to sign up in advance and anyone may play, but you must be in full costume to participate - cosplayers in street clothes and those in partial costume (i.e., just wearing a jacket or a headband over plain clothes) may not play. Attendees dressed as non-Japanese characters may also participate. (A ninja headband is NOT full costume).

Catch the Barrel is also part of the Cosplot, aka. Continuing Cosplay Plotline! This is an overarching storyline which ties together events at the Dating Game, Catch the Barrel, the Masquerade, Chess and other parts of the con. The theme for this year’s cosplot is: Good vs. Evil. The finale will occur at Cosplay Chess. For more information see the Cosplot page.

Rules for 2012:

Catch the Barrel - Good vs. Evil

Starting Friday, four Barrels marked "Catch the Barrel" will circulate in the halls; each Barrel is a powerful tool in the rivalry between the Good and Evil factions in anime.

How to Play: All Anime Boston cosplayers are invited to play (full costume is required - a ninja headband is not full costume). Choose your team, Good or Evil, depending on what fits your character best - if you're unsure, just pick one; you can switch if you change costumes. If you see someone on an opposing team carrying a Barrel, challenge that person to a single round of rock-paper-scissors; the winner keeps the Barrel until it is taken in another challenge. When you win, mark an "X" in one of the squares for captures for your team. Once one team gets 150 captures on a Barrel, bring it to Masquerade Headquarters, where a Cosplot staffer will give credit to the winning team. (Note: if you are the player who activates one Barrel, you have officially won, and must retire gracefully from the game and not play anymore until next year.) Winners will be announced at Cosplay Chess.

DO NOT wrestle, run or cause a disturbance. DO NOT Challenge inside showings or events. DO NOT intentionally ruin your rival Team's events or photo shoots. If you want to attend an event or leave the convention for a while, give the "Barrel" to a teammate first. If you can't get rid of a "Barrel", leave it by Masquerade Headquarters. DO NOT open the "Barrel" or something horrible will happen. DO NOT hide the "Barrel" or keep it among a small group without giving others a turn. More combat means faster victory.

IF YOU CHEAT AN EVIL TOM SELLECK WILL SCRATCH YOU WITH HIS MUSTACHE WHILE RARITY MOCKS YOUR POOR TASTE IN FASHION!!