• Anime Magic! INK’D’s Cosplay Showcase and Halloween Costume “Spookcase” are a presentation of a general love for cosplay and Halloween.

• All Cosplay Showcase and Halloween Costume “Spookcase” participants must be registered attendees of Anime Magic! INK’D. 

• Any attendee may participate in one or both of the contests.

• All costumes must conform to federal, state, and local law and guidelines, including those for public decency. All costumes must follow the general Anime Magic! INK’D Rules for costumes and props set forth at https://www.animemagicinkd.org/anime-magic-rules including the Weapons Policy. 

  • Weapons Policy: 

    • All weapons must be easily distinguishable as props.  

    • Live steel and firearms are strictly prohibited. This includes real swords, knives, guns, airsoft weapons, blades, etc.

    • All prop firearms must have an orange tip with no projectiles loaded.

    • All blades must be fake and dull.

    • All ranged weapons, such as bows, must not be tightly strung.

    • Live projectiles are not allowed. Objects may not be thrown into the audience. 

    • Prop weapons should never be pointed in the direction of another human being. 

    • No smoke, vapor, dry ice, fire/flame, explosives, lasers, etc. are permitted. 

• Costumes must not use any materials which may damage, destroy, or ruin the convention space or the costumes of other attendees. This includes glitter, confetti, fake blood, messy or oily substances, etc.

• Generative AI in contest entries is strictly prohibited. If you would like additional clarification on if a certain use is permitted, please contact cosplay@animemagicinkd.org

• Costumes must be self-contained. No connections to electricity, water, amps, projection screens, etc. will be available. 

• All performances must be PG-13. Presentations may not include profanity, obscenities, lewd content, excessive violence, or political/religious/etc. statements. If you are unsure if your performance would break this rule, please reach out to the Cosplay Department at cosplay@animemagicinkd.org. 

• Surprise the audience not the Cosplay Department staff! Any surprise elements of your performance must be run by the Cosplay Department prior to the show for approval. No jumping on or off stage. No acrobatics/flips/cartwheels. 

• Please clean up after yourself. No props, participants, or other mess should be left on stage after your walk-on.

• Group entries are permitted and may not exceed 8 people.

• Participants are encouraged to notify the Cosplay Department if they will require any assistance crossing the stage. For example, contestants should let the Cosplay Department know if they will be using any mobility aids, require a handler, or have limited vision or mobility in their costume. 

• Anime Magic! INK’D reserves the right to make final decisions on any contestant or costume, including stopping your performance if these rules are not followed.

• All costumes are welcome, including costumes from Japanese media, western media, fan art, and original designs. This includes anime, manga, video games, comic books, films, sentai, danmei, etc. 

• Costumes do not have to be homemade. Purchased, commissioned, thrifted, or otherwise constructed cosplays are permitted. 

• Showcase participants are eligible for Showcase Awards.

• All entries are limited to 30 seconds. 

• Entries are first come, first serve.

• All costumes are welcome, including costumes from Japanese media, western media, fan art, and original designs. This includes anime, manga, video games, comic books, films, sentai, danmei, etc. 

• As this contest is Halloween themed, we encourage dressing on theme. Please refer to the Anime Magic! INK’D general rules and weapons policy regarding horror elements. 

• Costumes do not have to be homemade. Purchased, commissioned, thrifted, or otherwise constructed costumes are permitted. 

• Participants are eligible for Halloween Contest Awards. 

• All walk on entries are limited to 30 seconds. 

• Entries are first come, first serve.

• Online signups are open at the link provided at the top of this page. If there is no link, assume registration is closed.

• In person signups for both the Showcase and the “Spookcase” will be available at the convention. 

• Participants under 18 must have a legal guardian fill out the signup form either online or in person at the convention. 

• Once all slots are full, entrants will be placed on a waitlist. If anyone drops out or otherwise is unable to perform, we will reach out to the members on the waitlist to fill the slot. 

• If you must drop out of the Showcase or Spookcase for any reason, please reach out to the cosplay department at cosplay@animemagicinkd.org as soon as possible.

• All participants must check in with the Cosplay Department during designated times. Check in times and locations will be distributed prior to the convention or at on-site signup. Failure to check in may mean that your entry will be dropped.

• Cosplay Showcase Awards

  • Best Stage Presence

  • Best Prop

  • Best Youth

  • Best Group

  • Best in Show

• Halloween Contest

  • Scariest Costume

  • Funniest Costume

  • Most Original Costume

  • Best Group

  • Best Youth

  • Best in Show

By participating in any cosplay competition at Anime Magic! INK’D, you authorize the convention to take your photograph and video. This media may be used for reference by the judges and staff when determining a winner or for promotional/commercial use by the convention. 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Anime Magic! INK’D Staff at contact@animemagicinkd.org.

“Do I need to create my costume to enter?”

• Nope! Both contests are open to all attendees, including those who did not create their costume. 

“What is a closet cosplay?”

• A closet cosplay is a costume created using everyday clothes and items (from your closet, a thrift store, or purchased) rather than custom-made outfits or elaborate builds.

“Can I cosplay with a group?”

• Of course you can! Each group counts as one entry into each contest . We do ask that groups contain a max of 8 members. Please choose one representative of the group to fill out the Sign Up form. They will become the point of contact regarding participation and to organize the group’s stage order in the show. All group members will share stage time, hitting marks together during the event. In the case that a group cosplay receives an award, it would be shared by all members of the group. 

“Will there be in-person sign-ups?”

• We will have in person sign ups available during the convention for both contests. We will announce the times for in person sign ups closer to the convention. 

“Can I have a handler in the contest?” 

• Yes - if you need a handler to cross the stage or are under 18, you can have a handler stay with you prior to the contest. If you have questions about whether you qualify for a handler, please feel free to reach out to cosplay@animemagicinkd.org In order to keep the contest running smoothly, we request that friends/partners who are not participating sit in the audience and meet up with participants after the show. 

“I have some other questions or suggestions on this! How do I get heard?”

• Please reach out to cosplay@animemagicinkd.org with any additional questions! We’re happy to work with you to guarantee a fun experience for all participants.