| Sugoi Con Cosplay Rules and Guidelines |
| 1) Overall Concept/Purpose: Sugoi Con recognizes that anime fans LOVE costumes. Some love to wear them, some love to make them, some love to get close-up looks at other fans' work and check construction details, and some just love to take pictures of every costume in sight. With any luck, all these people (and more) will enjoy themselves at our Costume Play! |
| 2) Format: Anyone wishing to participate in the Cosplay must attend one of the Sign-up sessions during the convention. The Cosplay itself will take place in the main lobby of the convention hotel, where everyone (not just cosplayers, but EVERYONE attending the convention) can gather, mingle, chat, take photos, and generally relax/show off/whatever floats your boat. We will have Karaoke happenning at the same time in the hotel lobby, so people won't hopefully won't be bored. During this time, cosplayers will be called back to the judging room in small groups, where the judges will get a quick look at your work, maybe ask a question or two about the costume, and then set the cosplayer free to mingle once more. Once that's done, the judges will take a few minutes to decide on the winners, which we will then announce and give out prizes. Since there really isn't a stage, DO NOT prepare any sort of skit. The judge's won't have time to watch any such performances, and there are no awards for this. |
| 3) Sign-up Sessions: As noted above, if you do not attend one of these sessions, your costume will NOT be judged for prizes. At these sessions, we will take down information such as your name, the name of your character, and other relevant notes. We will also briefly inspect your costume to make sure it obeys our guidelines (listed below). |
| 4) Weapons Policy: First and foremost, NO LIVE STEEL. That is to say, don' t carry any weapons that have a sharpened cutting/stabbing edge. Dull and blunt weapons only, please. This not only includes swords and knives, but also applies to arrows and the surface of your costume. NO LIVE FIREARMS whatsoever. If your weapon can fire anything more powerful than a suction-cup dart, leave it in the car. All weapons must remain sheathed or holstered if at all possible, or carried at your side if not. All ranged weapons must remain unloaded, even if they only fire water or the aforementioned suction cup darts. Anyone swinging or pointing a weapon (even a dull blade or replica) in any way will have a nice long chat with our Security staff, which is no fun for anyone. |
| 5) Appropriate costumes: Since there will be small children attending this convention, please keep your costume within the guidelines of "PG-13", so to speak. No X-rated costumes (such as the Overfiend), no X-rated props (such as an obvious sex toy), and no X-rated behavior ('nuff said). There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing a relatively skimpy costume for our cosplay (such as Naga's bikini and cape) if you wish to do so, but cosplayers should go on this general principle: If people can see details of your nipples or groin, you're over-exposed. |
| 6) Source material: As Sugoi Con is an Anime/Manga themed convention, we do require that all entered costumes fit within that general theme. I'll list below some categories (and examples of same) that would or would not be appropriate. |
| Good | Bad |
| Anime (Pokemon) | US animation (PowerPuff Girls) |
| Manga (Sanctuary) | US Comics (Spiderman, Superman) |
| Professional creations (Ash Ketchum) | Fanfic creations (new Sailor Senshi) |
| Japanese video games (Final Fantasy) | US video games (Mortal Kombat) |
| Japanese Live Action (Power Rangers, Zeiram) | US Sci-fi (Star Trek, Babylon 5) |
| Kaiju (Godzilla/Ultraman) | Disney stuff (Buzz Lightyear) |
| If you really want to walk around the Cosplay dressed as Darth Maul, you can, but you won't be able to compete for prizes. |
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7) Prizes and Prize categories: Awards will be given out for the following categories. a) Best Solo Costume (this is based on overall quality) b) 2nd Place Solo c) Best Group Entry (ditto) d) 2nd Place Group e) Most Kawaii (i.e. Cute) f) Most Dangerous-looking/Impressive-looking g) Most Original You can only win one prize. If you are part of a group entry, you are not eligible for the Best Solo Costume prize. Most Original will go to someone who picks the most interesting character that you hardly ever see done up as a costume (as opposed to Yet Another Ranma). The actual prizes themselves will consist of items and goods donated by generous companies from our Dealers Room. |
| 8) Final tidbits: If you are entered into the Cosplay, please be present when we call for you, in order to keep things running smoothly and quickly. Please be polite to and considerate of the other cosplayers. Remember, we' re all here to have fun and enjoy ourselves, so take it easy, and try not to get too wound up. To quote Mystery Science Theater 3000, "Repeat to yourself, 'it's just a show, and I should really just relax.'" |
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Enjoy your weekend! --Isaac Sher, Sugoi Con Master of Ceremonies |