Cosplay is a creative way to show off your passion for anime and manga.
The Japanese practice of cosplay has extended far beyond the confines of its home nation. Cosplay is short for "costume play" and is performed by fans of video games, anime and manga. Cosplayers create elaborate costumes in the style of characters from their favorite series and wear them to conventions with other fans and cosplayers. But you don't need a huge convention to get together with your friends at the local anime club and have some cosplay fun.
Fashion Contest
The cosplay costume contest is a standard at any anime or gaming convention. Contestants are judged, either by applause or by a panel of judges, based on the quality of the costume's build. Points are awarded for accuracy of the design to the source material, materials used and how well the cosplayer carries herself on stage. However, sometimes contestants win with poorly made, but hilarious costumes, especially when it's left to the crowd to decide. Set any rules or restrictions, such as "no revealing costumes," before the contest. Announce the contest well ahead of the event so people have the time to put together their costumes.
Build-Off
A costume build-off is similar to a fashion contest but with an improvisational element introduced. Cosplayers form teams to sign up for the contest and then draw slips of paper from a hat. The slips of paper have the names and series of different characters with similarly complex costume designs. The teams then have a limited amount of time to fashion the costumes they've been assigned. The drawing should be held a week before the event so the teams have time to gather materials. The winner is the team that creates the best costume in the very limited amount of time.
Performance Troupe Contest
Cosplayers often make costumes of different characters from the same series. This makes for an opportunity to recreate fan-favorite scenes from the series involving all the characters being cosplayed as. Teams can be formed weeks in advance so costumes can be coordinated and a scene can be picked and rehearsed. The winning team is the one that puts on the most entertaining performance according to popular vote or judging panel.
Voice Acting Contest
Voice acting is an important part of anime fandom, with many professional voice actors gathering enormous followings of fans themselves. Cosplayers can compete in contests to see who can mimic the voices of their favorite characters or actors most closely. This contest allows contestants some freedom with choosing the characters for their readings, since not everyone is comfortable with trying to speak Japanese in character. Winners are the characters who most closely match the voices and overall performances of their characters.
