Updated for 2023

CRAFTSMANSHIP JUDGING: NoBrandCon’s Cosplay Contest uses three levels of craftsmanship judging. Groups and Individuals are judged in the same categories.

• Beginner
  • Those with little-to-no cosplay experience, usually with no major awards, and few minor awards
• Advanced
  • Reserved for those with at least 2 major awards, or several minor awards, and previous cosplay experience
• Master
  • Reserved for anyone with 3+ major awards or comparable skill, with considerable cosplay and/or sewing and crafting experience
• Exhibition-Only or ”Walk-on”
• Those who wish to participate on-stage, but either do not want to compete for an award, or are interested in showcasing their work that is no longer eligible for an award (due to previously winning a major award at a different event)

PRE-JUDGING: All contestants competing for a craftsmanship or other award must participate in pre-judging by doing the following:

• Sign-up for a time slot at the Registration Desk.
  • Slots are available all day Friday and early morning on Saturday. They are in 5 minute increments. Groups are allowed to use two consecutive time slots to allow enough time for judging.
• Provide your information on a sign-up sheet, also at the Registration Desk.
• Bring your finished sign-up sheet to your judging time slot.
  • REQUIRED: Provide a color reference, whether that is printed on paper, a photo on your phone, a wall scroll, or an anime figure– it only matters that the judges see what you are working towards.
• NoBrandCon reserves the right to move any contestant to any category they deem appropriate and to the greatest benefit of both the entrant and the cosplay competition as a whole.

CONTEST SHOW-TIME: All registered entrants must participate in the cosplay contest by walking on stage to be eligible for an award. Please follow all Cosplay Contest policies and guidelines on and off stage during the show.

• Meet in the Green Room at the designated time. Any entrants not in attendance prior to the start of the show will be disqualified.
• Contestants must remain in the Green Room during the show, until called to walk to the stage.
• After a contestant has completed their walk/performance on stage, they may exit and find a seat in the designated seating area in the audience for the rest of the show.
  • Please remain seated during the show. Awards are announced after the intermission is complete.

COSPLAY CONTEST AWARDS:

• Duct Tape Boy’s Choice
• Judge’s Choice (One per judge)
• 1st Place Beginner
  • Runner-up Beginner
• 1st Place Advanced
  • Runner-up Advanced
• 1st Place Master
  • Runner-up Master
• Best in Show