Hall Cosplay Contest Home
Hall Cosplay Contest Rules
Hall Cosplay ContestJudging Sample Questions
Hall Cosplay Contest Signup Form

1. Registering: Pre-Con Expectations
2. Checking in: At-Con expectations
3. Hall Cosplay Contest Rules
4. Divisions
5. Awards List
6. Important Info on the Judging Process
7. Masquerade Fashion show
8. Special Requests

1. Registering (Pre-con Expectations for Participants)
   • You must pre-register for the Hall Costume Contest online. Online registration begins on February 1, 2012 and closes on April 1, 2012 (or when all spaces have been filled). Utilize your refresh button, spaces fill up fast!
   • If you are interested in participating in the Fashion show at the Masquerade, please indicate this on your application. There will be a period of time where you can change whether or not you wish to be in the Fashion show. However, whatever decision we have by April 1, 2012, will be the final decision. (Winners are typically announced at the Masquerade.)
   • Registration Confirmations are typically sent out by midnight of the day in which they are received. If you fail to hear back from us within 24 hours of submitting your application, please email us ASAP.
   • There are 35 spots available in the Hall Costume Contest.
   • Whether your dog ate your costume or you have fallen ill, sometimes people need to drop out -in advance- so for this reason we have a "waitlist" of a total of 15 groups in case cancellations occur. Any slots that open up due to cancellations before the convention will be given to waiting list groups in order. Cancellations are not uncommon, so the first ten groups on the waiting list have a very high chance of being in the show, and the next five still have a reasonable chance. If you are in the first ten spaces on the waiting list, you are required to come to Hall Costume Contest check-in and judging, to see if there is space for you. At that point it is FIRST COME FIRST SERVE! :)
   • Any spaces that were reserved before the convention but who have become no-shows at the convention will be up for grabs to those who wish to sign up at con. While banking on this being your way into the contest is not the most fool-proof plan, this will allows those on the fence more time to decide. This year only those competing as Intermediate or Masters may sign up at convention- the majority of those who sign up are Novice, with very few of the other two divisions. Sign up online and early to secure your place! And PLEASE do not email me asking if you can join after registration has been closed down!
   • The Hall Cosplay Coordinator will be e-mailing the primary contact for your group on a regular basis with important updates. You must keep your contact information updated. If your e-mail is bouncing and/or your phone number no longer works, we will be forced to remove you from the Hall Costume Contest or the Waiting List. You can update your contact information by simply sending us an email alerting us of any changes. If you happen to misplace the Coordinator's email please see the staff listing's page of the "About" tab on Anime Boston's main webpage. (Note: If you are in the armed services and think that you may be deployed or have to go off for training or anything else; please note this in your application so that we can make note of it and not remove you if you happen to go over-seas and we don't hear from you.)
   • The deadline for changes to group lineups will be APRIL 1ST at MIDNIGHT. Any changes submitted after this time may result in your group being dropped from the lineup. Cancellations will be taken up to the start of the convention, and the remaining spaces will be filled by wait-listed groups.
   • All contestants must be attending members of Anime Boston 2012 and will need to provide a badge at both check-in and at your judging time. Group leaders who are submitting Hall Costume Contest registrations should be pre-registered for Anime Boston 2012.
   • By registering, all Hall Costume Contest participants agree to let Anime Boston and the New England Anime Society use their images for promotional purposes, both photographs and video.
   • Minors (those under 18 years of age) may not participate in the Hall Costume Contest unless given written permission by a legal guardian. Forms will be available both at the convention and online prior to the event. Please bring the signed copy with you to registration check-in if you are less than 18 years of age.
2. Checking In (At-con Expectations for Hall Costume Contest Attendees)
   • You must check in to confirm your registration at Masquerade Headquarters anytime during operating hours on Friday of the convention before your judging time. The hours of the Hall Costume Contest Check-in will be posted closer to the convention. Please be sure to check in even if you are on the Waiting List in case some Registered Groups are unable to attend and spaces open up.
   • Craftsmanship judging will occur on Friday, April 6nd, from 10am - 6pm. Participants will be given the option of a morning or afternoon slot when they register. We will reserve a few spaces for Saturday judging for those groups with special circumstances (difficult or elaborate costumes, travel difficulties, panels, etc.) If you require a Saturday judging time, please indicate this on your application, or contact the Hall Cosplay Coordinator.
   • The Hall Costume Contest awards will be announced on Saturday April 7rd, at the Masquerade (happening in Main Events on Saturday evening). An exact start time will be posted closer to the convention and time's listed in your convention guide. Hall Costume Contest participants may show their badges at the door to get special seating near the front of the main events auditorium. If you're group planning to participate in the Fashion Parade, sitting in these seats is a requirement. If you are not there to pick up your award please come Sunday morning before 11am to Masquerade HQ to pick it up!!!
3. Hall Costume Contest Rules:
   • Anime Boston is a Japanese Animation convention, so all costumes must be based on Anime, Manga, Japanese-origin video games, OR live action series based on Anime or Manga (such as Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon and Cutey Honey.) Generally, if the series and/or character originated anywhere else than Japan, it doesn't qualify. (Obviously, Japanese adaptations of foreign material are permitted-- such as Rose of Versailles, Gankutsuou, or RomeoXJuliet.) If you have doubt as to whether your costume qualifies, please email the Hall Cosplay Coordinator.
   • J-ROCK AND J-POP IS PERMITTED in the Hall Costume Contest. Please bring appropriate reference images.
   • We do allow costumes based on promotional art for anime and manga, even if the costumes do not appear in the actual series. In these cases you must notify us ahead of time that you will be using promotional art as the basis of your costume and be certain to bring the promotional image with you to judging as a reference picture. This does not include fanart!
   • Costumes for original characters are not eligible.
   • You may not wear a costume at the Anime Boston 2012 Hall Costume Contest that was worn for any previous competition at Anime Boston. (This pertains to the Masquerade and Hall Costume Contests. Costumes that received ribbons in the Staff-Vote costume contest are still eligible.) For example, there is no limit on how many Ed Elric cosplayers we can have in a given Hall Costume Contest. Nor does it mean that someone can't dress up as Ed Elric every single year. All it means is that if you want to dress up as Ed Elric every year AND enter the Masquerade/Hall Costume Contest, you will need to have a new and different costume and a new skit each year (and it can't look exactly like the costume you used in a previous year. Make a different version of the character's costume or something.)
   • You may not enter both the Hall Costume Contest AND the Masquerade. If we (for some unknown reason) have trouble filling up all of the available spaces for the Masquerade, we may allow individuals in the Hall Costume Contest to take those spots, providing they enter with a different costume.
   • Judges for the Hall Costume Contest and Masquerade may not compete in either competition.
   • Anime Boston Staff may not compete in the Hall Costume Contest and Masquerade.
   • YOUR COSTUME MUST BE HOME MADE. Costumes purchased or rented or any costumes made for you by a professional designer or seamstress, are prohibited. Ignoring this rule result in disqualification of your group even if only one person in the group has an ineligible costume. Please tell us if one person in your group made all the costumes. That person (as long as they are a member of your group and not a professional seamstress or tailor) is still eligible for a Crafstmanship Award. There are exceptions to the "purchased or rented" policy:
     • Exception 1: "Found Item" costumes are allowed. This is basically a costume that was built by collecting various pieces from normal clothing stores and combining them or altering them in a unique way, with or without sewing.
     • Exception 2: If one or two minor components of the costume were professionally purchased. In such a case you MUST indicate all such items ahead of time, and these items will not be considered by the judges when they evaluate the costume for craftsmanship eligibility.
   • You may wear a costume that was not made by you by a friend or relative, as long as the maker of the costume must be present for craftsmanship judging. In this case, any Craftsmanship award is presented to the creator of the costume, not to the model wearing it. Remember, no costume made by a professional tailor is eligible, no matter who wears it.
   • If you are entering a costume modeled by a toddler or small child (baby, infant) you may not enter with just this costume alone. An adult, teenager or preteen must also be in a full costume in a group with the child. It is to keep it fair for those who spend more time and money on a large costume when the creation of Cosplay on a smaller scale is not as difficult. After all we wouldn't let some one complete with just their dollfie.
   • Groups must be competing from the same series.
   • Each contestant may present (wear) one and ONLY one costume, or a group of people may wear one costume at the same time (i.e., a large costume that requires several people inside to move it).
   • The maximum number of members allowed in one group is 10 people.
   • Costumes must be self-contained. Connections to electrical sockets will not be available.
   • Please review Anime Boston's Weapons Policy. All props used in the Hall Costume Contest MUST COMPLY with the Anime Boston 2011 Weapons policy.
   • No fire, flash powder, lasers, explosives or open flame of any kind will be allowed. Due to the time constraints of the event, electronic flashes will not be permitted for the Fashion show walk. Strobe lights are also not permitted.
   • No costumes that would be banned in a "PG-13"-rated film will be allowed. The State of Massachusetts DOES have public decency laws… If you are on stage please adhere to the Masquerade restrictions against lewd gestures (ie: explicit sexual gestures and nudity). Breaking this rule will result in immediate disqualification if you have won anything that weekend and an escorted expulsion from the convention center with a permanent ban on future Masquerade and Hall Cosplay events.
   • Please show respect to your fellow cosplayers backstage and during judging. Any heckling or threatening of other participants will NOT be tolerated, and may result in your dismissal from the Masquerade/Hall Cosplay, as well as affecting your ability to participate in future Anime Boston Masquerade events.
4. Divisions:
   • All entries will register under ONE of the following skill Divisions:
     • Novice: Your group may compete in the Novice division as long as:
       • No member of the group has won more than one minor award at Novice level at previous conventions.
       • No member of the group has won more than ONE (1) major award at any previous convention.
       • No member of the group has won any award above Novice level (Intermediate, Advanced/Craftsman or the equivalent).
     • Intermediate: Your group may compete in the Intermediate division if:
       • No member of the group has won MORE THAN THREE (3) total major awards at any previous convention.
       • No member of the group has won more than one major award at the Intermediate level at any previous convention.
       • No member of the group has won any award above Intermediate level (Advanced/Craftsman/Master or the equivalent).
     • Master: Your group will be required to compete in the Master division if:
       • If any of the group members have won more than one major award at Intermediate level at previous conventions.
       • If any member of the group has won more than THREE (3) major awards at any past convention
       • If any member of the group has won any award in the Master division at any previous convention.
     • Youth: Your group may compete in the Youth division if all group members are age 14 or younger. (If there are less than three Youth entries you will all be bumped to Novice.)

PLEASE NOTE that the definition of "Major Award" is any award that starts with the words "Best," "Most," "First," "Second," or "Runner-Up". Honorable Mentions count as Minor Awards. Three minor awards equal one major award. Both presentation and craftsmanship awards count. When in doubt about your eligibility for a division, contact the Hall Cosplay Coordinator.

5. Awards List:
   • First place, Novice division
   • Second Place, Novice division
   • First Place, Intermediate Division
   • Second Place, Intermediate Division
   • First Place, Master Division
   • Second Place, Master Division
   • First Place, Youth
   • Best Overall
   • Judge's Award - Three awarded
   • Hall Coordinator's Award
   • Honorable Mention (at Judges' Discretion)

   You may always choose to compete at a higher level than that for which you qualify. For instance, if you think the quality of your skit or costume is above the usual standards of Novice level, due to extra preparation, a more ambitious project, extensive stage experience, or for some other reason, then you are encouraged, though not required, to participate at the Intermediate or Craftsman level.

   • If you have opted to register and compete in a higher skill division (Journeyman, Master etc.) in the past, and won ANY AWARD in that division, you are obligated to compete in the same Division (or higher) thereafter. Knowingly entering Novice division when you ought to be in Journeyman or Master is grounds for disqualification. (Don't try to fool us; we've got people in the right places... we know what's up.)
   • While it is not technically against the rules, please refrain from competing with a costume that won a major award at another convention. It is frowned upon and in poor taste to do so. Some judges will refrain from awarding a costume that has two or three awards from other conventions more awards.
6. Important Info on the Judging Process:
   • You must indicate on your registration application what time you would prefer to be judged. You will be assigned a time slot by the Cosplay Events Manager, and will be notified of this time slot by before the convention. Craftsmanship judging will be held in Masquerade Headquarters.
   • Craftsmanship judging will occur on Friday, April 6th 2012 no later than 5:30pm. The only exceptions (who will be judged on Saturday, April 7th, 2012 no later than 1pm!) are those who need to apply heavy makeup or body paint, or those groups with traveling difficulties. If you need to be judged on Saturday, it must be prearranged with the Hall Cosplay Coordinator on your application. If you miss Friday craftsmanship judging and have not arranged ahead of time for Saturday judging, we cannot promise that we will have time to judge you. DO NOT APPLY FOR SATURDAY JUDGING IF YOU DO NOT TRULY NEED IT!
   • All Hall Costume Contest participants must bring at least one color picture, preferably two, of each character. A black and white image is acceptable if you have designed a manga-based costume for which no color image is available. We recommend that the images you choose be full length (including shoes), and show both, back and front. This is not required if such an image cannot be found. You should bring an actual image from the anime or manga - a screen cap, a manga page or a piece of promotional art (same goes for Jrock/Jpop cosplayers). Failure to bring a reference picture may disqualify you from craftsmanship judging, since if the judges don't know what your costume is supposed to look like, they cannot judge it.
   • One of the major craftsmanship judging criteria is how closely the costume matches the original. If some portion of your costume is never shown, such as the back or the shoes, then you should design the missing components as best you can.
   • "Embellishments" such as beadwork and embroidery are permitted so long as they are in line with the style of the original artist, and so long as the costume as a whole matches the reference pictures.
   • If one person in your group made all of the costumes for that group, solely that person is eligible, and only for Craftsmanship Awards.
   • Every contestant needs to be prepared to answer the judges' questions about his/her role in the construction of his/her costume. Some sample questions that the judges may ask can be found on our website.
   • As much as we appreciate the effort- cosplays entirely made of duct tape aren't really what we are looking for… even if they are awesome!
7. Masquerade Fashion Show:
   • Hall Costume Contest participants will be invited to wear their Hall costumes to the Masquerade and participate in a fashion show to be held during the Masquerade Intermission.
   • This will not be mandatory. You will be asked to indicate on your registration application whether or not you would like to participate in this.
   • How this will happen: A section of seats in Main Events will be set aside for anyone wanting to participate. You will be able to gain access to these seats by arriving to Main Events before Masquerade seating begins; you must show up early with the other Masquerade participants to gain access.
   • The fashion show changes where it is during the show from year to year but it's usually at the beginning or during the judging for the Masquerade. However, the awards are revealed at the end of the show and winners can pick them up on Sunday morning in Masquerade Headquarters. Please indicate in advance if you are not able to attend the convention on Sunday!!
   • The music for the fashion show will be pre recorded. You will not be able to bring your own music.
   • All entrances are from Stage Right, exits are from Stage left.
   • Upon being announced by the MC, you will cross to center stage (which will be marked), pose, and exit. The time period for posing should be no longer than 30 seconds.
8. Special Request:
   • If you have any special requests or concerns (such as requiring large props, those who are rendered blind in their costume and need an assistant, or needing to be judged early or late on a given day, or anything else unusual) contact the Hall Cosplay Coordinator before the cut-off date given to you when you apply, or place the request on your registration form. Because of the complexity of the event, few special requests will be able to be met, but the sooner you notify us about them, the more likely it is that we can accommodate you. Please contact us in advance. Special requests made at the convention itself are likely to be impossible for us to accommodate.