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Discounted - Early Bird Ticket Sales (Ending 3/6 @3PM)

Cosplay Contest

Best of Show = $1000

Competition for a chance to win $1,000 as the Best of Show. If you are serious about advancing your cosplay skills and have a strong passion for designing, this is your moment to shine. 

June 14, 2025

NRG Center - Houston, Texas

2024 Cosplayers

Cosplay Contest Information

  • COSPLAY RUNWAY & SKIT CONTEST

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    Do you have a cosplay that’s a showstopper? Are you ready to WAO the crowd with your performance? Then sign up for our cosplay contest! We want to share the love of cosplay with the rest of Houston, so come and represent!

    (There is no entry fee)

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    **TOKYO X Cosplay Contest Policies & Rules are mainly for the safety and protection of all attendees and contestants of the event. TOKYO X encourages all Cosplay Contest entries and attendees, in general, to be creative in the spirit of fun and celebration. 

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    CHANCE TO WIN $1000 Cash Prize:​

    DEADLINE FOR ONLINE SIGN UP IS MAY 31st, Sunday  

    (35 Maximum Contestants: 30 RUNWAY & 5 SKIT)

     

    COSPLAY CONTEST SCHEDULE 

    June 14, Saturday   

    Contest Proper: TBA

     

    Cosplay SKIT MANDATORY Pre-Screening - TBA

    Cosplay RUNWAY MANDATORY Prejudging - TBA

    • Master

    • Journeyman

    • Novice

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    Contestant Lineup & Briefing is from - TBA

    COSPLAY CONTEST starts promptly at ​- TBA

    CONTEST Ends at - TBA

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    CONTEST WINNERS’ PICTURES 

  • TOKYO X encourages all of our attendees to come in and be creative with their cosplay ideas. We want to see the most unique and creative design you have.  In accordance with the local, state, and federal safety and regulations, there are some restrictions as to what can be worn and what can be brought to the event. 
     
    Please be mindful and respectful to everyone. 

    This event is open to everyone and body shaming or being inappropriate to guests or con-goers will not be tolerated. 
    Any minor infractions of the rules will result in being given a warning. Any major or repeated infractions to the rules will result in you forfeiting your entry from the event with no refunds. 

  • A. Indecent Exposure: Cosplayers are not allowed to expose private parts of their area during the event. We ask all our female cosplayers to have a minimum of coverage as a bikini and male cosplayers to have a coverage brief style. Proper steps must be taken by our cosplayers to make sure their costume is fashionably secure and prevent any possibility of a wardrobe malfunction, all outfits must be rated PG and family-friendly.

     

    B. Shoes are required at all times: All of our cosplayers are required to wear shoes at all times during the event even if your character does not wear shoes. This will not be counted against you in the judging process.

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    C. Must have a TOKYO X Badge at all times. All Cosplay Runway & Skit Contest participants must have a valid TOKYO X 2025 badge. Your badge must be present and visible at all times.

     

    D. No Sharp Edges or Spikes: Cosplayers must not have any sharp edges on their costume. All edges must be made up of a soft material that will not harm any other attendees or damage any property, NO metal objects or gun-like props will be allowed. Peace bonding is NOT allowed.

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    E. Cosplay cannot obstruct the view or passageway: All cosplays must fit through the doorway or cannot take up the span length of two people. Your prop should not be more than 7 feet and weigh more than 15 lbs. If a cosplay is disrupting the flow of traffic, you may be asked to remove your cosplay or change your cosplay outfit. Exceptions to this rule will be granted for the cosplay contest. 

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    E. Cannot pose as military or first responders: There are no realistic depiction of the military, law enforcement, or other official government uniforms allowed. 

    No first responders' uniforms are allowed at the convention. 

     

    F. Cosplay Previous Awards: In the spirit of fair play, all Cosplay Contest entries should not have won any awards from any previous competition and won a major award. If the Cosplay Staff has determined that you have entered a cosplay that won a major award at another contest, you will be disqualified.

     

    G. Mandatory Prejudging/Pre-Screening: All contestants must undergo a formal RUNWAY PREJUDGING session based on their assigned category & SKIT PRE-SCREENING session. Competitors who have not been 

    pre-judged or pre-screened when the contest begins will be disqualified. 

    Moreover, competitors who are entering as a model for a commissioner/tailor/seamstress must have the commissioner/tailor/seamstress present during the assigned  prejudging session. Each entry should be aware of their specific Pre-Screening & Prejudging schedule, otherwise, the said entry will be forfeited.

     

    H. Contestants’ Category Changes: While contestants  may enter in any category they qualify for, the judges reserve the right to change a contestant’s category at any time to ensure contestants are competing against those of a similar skillset. If this occurs, cosplay staff will relay this in a timely manner.

     

    I. Honoring the Cosplay Contest Schedule of Events: All Cosplay Contest entries are expected to be present and on time at their Prejudging or Pre-Screening scheduled time, Contest Lineup and Contest proper. Non-attendance at these designated times will forfeit the entry for the contest.

    • Original characters are not allowed.  If you are uncertain if your cosplay is allowed for Cosplay Runway, please contact cosplaying@tokyonightfest.com .

    • All other costumes must embody the spirit of the TOKYO X and celebrate Japanese culture and all that it touches and influences. If you have any questions regarding this, do not hesitate to email us at cosplaying@tokyonightfest.com 

    • All Cosplay Runway participants must have a TOKYO X 2025 badge that must be present and visible at all times.

    • Your costume must adhere to the TOKYO X 2025 Dress Code Policy.

    • No costume is NO COSTUME.

    • Per the Dress Code Policy, you must wear shoes at all times even if your character does not wear shoes. This will not be counted against you in the judging process.

    • Your costume may not render you immobile. TOKYO X 2025 believes that cosplaying involves behaving like a character while wearing your costume, not being a costumed mannequin.

    • No real weapons of any kind. Please read the TOKYO X 2025 Prop and Weapon Policy. If you have questions regarding the Weapon Policy specifically, please email info@tokyonightfest.com 

    • If you have previously entered your cosplay into another competition and won a major award, you will not be allowed to enter the Cosplay Runway with that cosplay. If the Cosplay Staff has determined that you have entered a cosplay that won a major award at another contest, you will be disqualified.

    • Use of a live cosplay model in place of yourself is permitted as long as the entry is submitted in your name and you are present for the judging. Commissioned cosplays are only permitted if the creator is part of the group or using a cosplay model.  All awards won under this rule are to the creator.

    • Each participant will have approximately 40 seconds on the stage, regardless of group size. There are three points on the stage in which you must stop and pose. Each pose at these points must be unique (meaning each pose you make must be different). Failing to do so will result in points deducted from your overall judging score.

    • Please do not throw anything onto the stage or at the audience. We WILL make you clean it up and it could also potentially get you removed from the convention.

    • Disrespecting or assaulting any TOKYO X staff members, volunteers, hotel employees, cosplay judges, or other contestants during and after the contest, including via social media, is strictly prohibited, and will result in disqualification.

    • Unsolicited interactions with the emcee are prohibited. The emcee is not a prop. Failure to abide by this will result in disqualification

    • The TOKYO X Cosplay Manager reserves the right to disqualify anyone for any reason deemed sufficient.

  • NOVICE:

    • The Novice category is intended for those with minimal crafting experience, or beginner cosplayers.

    • At least 35% of the costume must be self made and not fully store bought or commissioned. If you do not meet this requirement, you will be disqualified.

    • Participants cannot have won more than three minor awards and/or one major award at previous conventions.

     

    JOURNEYMAN:

    • The Journeyman category is intended for those who have won competitions in the past  from a Beginners or Journeyman category. or those with moderate costuming ability.

    • At least 50% of the costume must be self made and not store bought or commissioned to qualify for this division.

    • Participants cannot have won more than three major awards at previous conventions.


     

    MASTERS:

    • The Masters category is intended for people with extensive costuming ability or who have won several awards for costumes that do not fall into the other two classes.

    • At least 80% or more of the costume must be self made and not store bought or commissioned to qualify for this division.

    • It is suggested if entering in the Masters division to provide a portfolio/build book of your cosplay (in addition to the reference images you provide upon registering) for judging purposes.

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    NOTE: 

    Examples of Minor Awards: Honorable Mention, Judge’s Award, Best Prop, etc.

    Examples of Major Awards: Best in Show, Best in Division, Best Craftsmanship, or First Place, Second Place, etc.

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    Performance only awards are not considered in determining your Cosplay Runway division.

  • TOKYO X is allowing skits this year.  All skits will need to follow these additional rules:

    • All skits will be prescreened by TOKYO X Cosplay Contest staff.

    • Skits may be no longer than 2 minutes.

    • Skits must be PG or lower.

    • Any martial arts moves (such as sword fights) must be done at ¼ power and ½ speed.  One foot must remain on the floor.

    • Your skit must have original choreography (in other words, you cannot just copy choreography from somewhere else for a dance cover)

    • There are no provisions for additional/different stage lighting.

    • All audio must be in either MP3, OGG, or format & must be submitted upon online registration

    • All sound used in the skit must be pre-recorded in the audio.  Live microphones are not available.  There are no exceptions.

    • Your audio must not have any song lyrics from anime, games, or TV shows.

    • Your audio must be able to pass a content ID check for YouTube or Twitch, as the contest is streamed live.

    • If you are doing a skit, you must send your skit audio and a script upon your online registration.  Failure to do so will result in your entry being removed and your spot given to the next person in line.

  • BEST in SHOW:

    • This is given to an exceptional entrant and can be a part of any division. This award determines that you are the best in the entire cosplay event, therefore you will not qualify to win any other awards.

    • $1000 prize; Name on the TOKYO X Cosplay Cup of Fame; Cosplay Contest Judge for TOKYO X 2026

     

    BEST MASTERS

    • This is given to an entrant that has shown an exceptional display of craftsmanship and presentation for the masters division.

    • Best Masters Trophy will be rewarded for this prize.

     

    BEST JOURNEYMAN

    • This is given to an entrant that has shown an exceptional display of craftsmanship and presentation for the journeyman division.

    • Best Journeyman Trophy will be rewarded for this prize

     

    BEST NOVICE

    • This is given to an entrant that has shown an exceptional display of craftsmanship and presentation for the novice division.

    • Best Novice Trophy will be rewarded for this prize.

     

    BEST SKIT

    • This is given to an entrant that has the best skit in terms of performance.

    • Best Skit Trophy will be rewarded for this prize.

     

    PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

    • This People’s Choice Award will be given to the audience/crowd’s favorite through online votation during the Cosplay Contest

     

    JUDGE’S CHOICE

    • These awards are given by each judge to whichever entry should be specially acknowledged.

     

    Additional awards may be created at the convention itself at the discretion of the Judges, Cosplay Manager & Programming Manager. Awards for the cosplay contest will be picked up Saturday after the Cosplay Contest. For accounting purposes, you will need a valid photo ID for the cash prize. Please be sure to use the name that is on your ID when registering for the contest.

Cosplay Application

Category

** If there are any concerns and doubts with regards to your cosplay, please feel free to reach out to the TOKYO X Cosplay Contest Team. The Cosplay Contest Coordinator reserves the right to make final decisions of safety or any other potential concerns regarding any cosplay entry.

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