The Cosplay Masquerade is open to ALL media types. This includes Anime, Manga, Comics, Western Cartoons etc.

Original designs are allowed but we must have documentation of both the front and back of the design your are submitting.

All participants and handlers must have an IsshoCon Badge (Either 3-Day or Saturday badge.) Badges are not complimentary to participants or handlers. Badges must be purchased by all parties involved.

You must participate in both Craftmanship and Performance to be considered for the “Best in Show” award.

It is perfectly acceptable to enter into a category under a different division type. (For example: Entering as Beginner in Craftsmanship but Intermediate in Performance.)

Hall Exhibition will not be eligible for any of the Masquerade awards mentioned below (this includes any cash prizes that will be given out.)

If you participate in the Hall Exhibition you may enter the official Cosplay Masquerade but you must submit a different costume than what you entered with. 

All participants must follow all IsshoCon policies - Cosplay Policies / Weapon Policies for more information on that please click here.

No harmful imagery may be used in your costume or skit. This includes cosplays that require you to change into a  race that is not your own (Blackface and other forms of harmful imagery). If you are found doing so, you will be immediately disqualified from the cosplay contest and removed from the convention.

 Please keep in mind this event is family friendly. Please keep performances acceptable for all audiences. If you have any questions regarding a performance or cosplay, please email us at isshocon.cosplay@gmail.com.

All participants are required to wear some form of shoes that cover their feet while on stage. We want to make sure that contestants stay safe while executing their costumes/ performances.  

Participants must keep the size of their costume in mind while moving through the con/ contest. It is highly recommended that participants choose a costume that is able to fit through an average doorway /hallway. 

Participants will be allowed 1 handler through the contest if needed. Only cosplay contest participants/ and approved handlers will be allowed into the Green Room. Each cosplayer participating in the contest will have a time slot to enter the Green Room for pre-judging. 

Contestants 12 and under must have a parent or guardian present with them throughout the entire cosplay contest process. This includes when prizes and awards are given out. There will be a form given to everyone who wins an award to fill out. There will be a required parental consent form that will be available for those 12 and under. 

There will be strict rules for contestants to be mindful on stage. This includes no running, jumping, flips etc.

Staff must be made aware of everything to be done on stage. Anyone caught breaking these rules will be immediately disqualified. We want to keep everyone safe.

No explosives such as smoke bombs/ machines etc.

Contestants are not allowed to bring/ use anything that could cause a mess or be hazardous to other contestants/ attendees. This includes shooting things into the audience like confetti/ t-shirts/ other merchandise etc. Although, items than can be cleaned quickly like throwing streamers are allowed.

Contestants may model a costume made by someone else. The original creator of said costume must be present during the entire judging process.

IsshoCon reserves the right to deny someone entry/ the continuation of participating in the cosplay contest for any reason. 

In order to attend the Cosplay Masquerade you must read all of the following rules and agree to them. Anyone found breaking these rules may be denied entry/ asked to leave.

Judges reserve the right to move contestants up/ down a division if it is found they are considered to be above/ below the division level applied for. If you have any question about which division you should be entered into please email us @ isshocon.cosplay@gmail.com.

IsshoCon has a zero tolerance policy on bullying/ harassing other attendees and contestants during the con/ Masquerade. Anyone found doing so will be immediately disqualified. This will also include prizes being revoked and being banned from participating in any future Masquerades at IsshoCon.  You also may be asked to leave the convention.