• Cosplay

 

COSPLAY CONTEST

We are going to keep it real simple. Are you cosplaying? Yes? Then welcome to the Cosplay Contest!!! There will NOT be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner in these categories. There will be CATEGORY WINNER and that’s that. There will be lines made for the specific categories at the beginning of the contest.

When you come to the show the judges will explain more to you when you arrive.

I know it’s hard to believe , but it’s really that simple. There will be forms to fill out at the convention.

THE PRIZE: YOU BECOME THE NEXT “COSPLAY GUEST OF HONOR” FOR THE NEXT J1-CON!

These are the CATEGORIES that you fill out:

Is your character that you are portraying considered….

– Female Hero

– Male Hero

– Female Villain

– Male Villain

– Group (2 or more people)

‘BEST IN SHOW’ is a prize for the overall BEST cosplay in the contest.

FOR EXAMPLE: If you are female, but your character is a male hero then you would be entering the category of MALE HERO.

The Cosplay Contest starts at 6:00pm Saturday.

THE COSPLAY JUDGES:

TO BE ANNOUNCED!

In previous years, the WINNERS of the Cosplay Contest got to be the main stars of the CARTOON NETWORK J1-Con commercials. 

Here is the commercial for J1-Con: Anime Convention 2018

Here is the commercial for J1-Con: Anime Convention 2017

Here is the commercial for J1-Con: Anime Convention 2016

Here is the commercial for J1-Con: Anime Convention 2015

Here is the commercial for J1-Con: Anime Convention 2014

Your cosplay can be store bought or 100% handmade. As long as you have the “spirit” of the character then that gets counted as a plus. Just make sure NOT to do a whole LONG monologue. KEEP IT SHORT! Remember there may be 10 or there may be 100 in the contest. It’s only going to be 90 minutes long, so be considerate and think about the fact that you wouldn’t want someone taking up too much of the time  (unless it’s asked by the crowd).

In other words NO SKITS. You will get up on stage, they will ask you questions then present who you are. That’s where you show your character spirit! The judges may ask you questions, then they will move on to the next one.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN ENERGY, AND IMAGE THAT WILL LOOK GREAT ON TELEVISION!

This time around we won’t be able to add musical numbers to each presenter. If this year’s contest goes smoothly then expanding it to have your own custom music will be doable.

Quality and personality are the things the judges are going to be looking for. You know how many quality Cosplayers there are that don’t even know the character they are dressed as? Then you have to show love to the people who may not know how to sew or build that well but know everything about the character they are portraying. Cosplay is about the art and the heart. Have both. They want to feel that you ARE the character and not just a dressed up figurine.

Hint: Bring source material such as print outs of what the character looks like so that it makes it easier to compare to your costume.

COSPLAY CONTEST START TIME IS ON THE SCHEDULE.

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COSPLAY POLICIES

(Courtesy of Otakon)

WEAPONS CHECK WILL BE AT THE DOOR!

Weapons at J1-CON

Weapons policies at J1-Con are for your (and others’) safety, and include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • NO LIVE STEEL will be permitted on the premises of the J1-Con, without exception. Live steel is defined as:
    • Swords, bayonets, and knives (regardless of whether or not they are sheathed)
    • Star knives and shuriken
    • Metal armor
    • Other objects made of metal which can take an edge. This holds true regardless of whether the object is actually sharp.
  • NO PROJECTILE WEAPONS OF ANY KIND will be permitted.
    Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Airsoft guns, any and all kinds, regardless of whether functional or not. A non-functional Airsoft gun with no moving parts is still an Airsoft gun.
  • BB and other pellet guns
  • Crossbows, dart guns, and blowguns
  • Water guns and/or pistols
  • Stun guns and Tasers
  • The ONLY exception to this rule will be “prop” or resin models that are easily identifiable as toys, provided that they possess no moving parts and are clearly marked with a non-removable orange tip. The exception is with Airsoft guns; they are never acceptable — see above.
  • NO EXPLOSIVES or CHEMICALS of any kind including, but not limited to:
    • smoke powder, sparklers, or fireworks of any kind.
  • Finally, if it is illegal in the City of Philadelphia and/or State of Pennsylvania, it is illegal inside the J1-Con

Illegal weapons will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Permitted Weapons

  • Staves, bo sticks, boken, shinai, and wooden swords will be permitted as long as they are handled responsibly and meet all other criteria.
  • Fake, prop, or made-up weapons (i.e. made of tissue paper, plaster of Paris, cloth) are permitted if they are safe and not dangerous to others around you.
    • Examples of dangerous conditions include, but are not limited to, items that may trip others, items that can snag on people or surroundings, items that obstruct doors and hallways.
  • Prop weapons shall be limited to less than six feet six inches (6’6″) in height and less than fifty pounds (50lbs) in weight.
  • Any chain must be less than three feet (3′) in length regardless of material. This includes, but is not limited to, chain wallets and non-costume chains.
  • Prop bows may be carried in the convention space, provided they are NOT strung with authentic bowstring, and any alternative material used (e.g. twine, yarn, any other non-functioning material) is not attached to the bow in a taut (tight) fashion.
    • All bows must comply with all other general policies – no live steel or sharp edges, and not more than 6’6″ in height. Prop or toy arrows clearly marked as such are allowed. If our staff feels your bow or materials do not meet all of these criteria, you’ll be asked to remove the prop immediately from the convention space.

Behavior with Weapons/Props

  • Misuse of a weapon or prop, such as swinging it in a public area or posing a hazard to others, will result in the weapon or prop being deemed unsafe for the convention, and you will be asked to remove the item from the convention center.
  • Any item that poses a potential safety hazard may need to be removed from the convention.
    • This includes any costume, prop, or accessory that obstructs doors or hallways, or otherwise poses any kind of danger to other attendees, staff, or convention center property.
    • When in doubt, check with J1-Con staff.

Remember: Just because a staffer has not stopped you to check your item does not mean that the item is allowed.

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