Hall Cosplay Contest

Hello Everyone!

Jensen is back hosting the hall cosplay contest, now with a special guest judge! Our judges are looking forward to seeing all the amazing entries this year.

This contest is meant to exist as a way for costumes that would perform poorly in the main stage show (whether due to a subtle design and craftsmanship that is better appreciated up close, or not quite making the main stage construction requirement) to be given their time to shine, and to provide a competition outlet for those who don’t have the time or inclination to perform on stage in order to compete.

San Japan 2023

Hall Cosplay Competition Categories

Novice

This is for newer competitors and crafters who wish to compete but don’t feel they’re quite up to journeyman standards.

Examples:

  • You are new to costuming and/or to competing
  • You have competed in the Novice division but have not won any major awards.

Journeyman

For competitors with more experience in crafting and/or competing, or competitors who have won:

  • Multiple major awards in novice category
  • Multiple awards in Hall contests

Master

For competitors who are professional seamstresses, tailors or customers, or competitors who have won:

  • Best in Journeyman/Masters multiple times
  • Best in Show
  • Best in Show (Hall)

Best in Show at shows of equivalent or larger size to San Japan (determined by attendance)

Annual Theme

Costumes which meet the criteria for the yearly theme will be automatically be considered to win in this additional award category. Costumes which do not meet the theme will not be considered for this category, but are still fully eligible to win any award within the other two categories. Costumes which meet the theme category are also eligible to win those awards, so long as they are not chosen to win an award within the theme category. The theme category award is intended to be more of an incentive to costume within the theme.

This year’s theme is “Quinceañera – Coming Of Age”.

The Contest

Rules

All competitors are required to construct their own costumes. No store-bought costumes are allowed in the contest. If the competitor’s costume was constructed by a third party, the third party must be present at judging. The third party, not the model, will be eligible for all awards.

As a general rule, at least 50% of the costume must be constructed or heavily modified by the competitor in Novice and Journeyman categories. All Masters class competitors’ cosplays must be at least 75% constructed or heavily modified.

While you can enter in both the main stage contest and the hall contest, you cannot enter the same costume and be eligible for awards in both. You can be eligible for awards in both contests if you enter two separate costumes.

Costumes must follow the rules set forth by the convention for decency. The same with props for safety.

You must be an attendee of the convention and have purchased a badge in order to enter the contest. We will be checking and marking your badge as part of the entry process.

Entering the Contest

To enter your costume, you must come to the Hall Cosplay Contest table (LOCATION: Room 208, HBG Convention Center), either wearing the costume you wish to enter or carrying it with you. If you choose not to wear your costume to enter, please have it on hand for the judges to see. You will fill out an entry form specifying which category you are entering, the series and character you are cosplaying from, etc. You will be judged on-site, the judges will take a photo of your costume for their records, your badge will be marked with your entry number for verification purposes in the event of a win, and the judges will talk with you for 5-10 minutes about your costume, and you will be sent on your way to enjoy the rest of the convention.

At the judging table you will scan a QR code to fill out a form with your contact information and information about your cosplay. All award winners will be notified by text message and/or email prior to the stage show.

Please bring reference images of your cosplay to judging. It does not have to be printed. Reference images are not required, but extremely helpful.

Hall Cosplay signup and judging is at the same times as Cosplay Show Check-In Hours. Your costume will be judged immediately at the table when signing up for Hall Cosplay. You are not required to attend a Pre-Judging session if you are only entering Hall Cosplay.

You must have or be wearing your cosplay in order to enter the Hall Cosplay.

Any questions regarding the contest can be addressed on the San Japan Facebook Cosplay Group
or you can email us at hallcosplay@san-japan.org

Hall Cosplay Guest Judge - SakuraShounen

SakuraShounen_Miku

Hall Awards List

Best In Hall (1) – $250
Best Theme (1) – $100
Best Per Category (3) – $100
Runner-Up Per Category (3) – $50

The Schedule

DayTimeEventLocation
Friday 08/29/252:00 PM - 6:00 PMMandatory Online Check-In / Hall Cosplay Sign-UpRoom 208 - HBG Convention Center 2nd Floor
Friday 08/29/255:00 PM - 7:00 PMREQUIRED: Pre-Judging (Appointment Required)Room 209 - HBG Convention Center 2nd Floor
Saturday 08/30/259:00 AM - 12:00 PMMandatory Online Check-In / Hall Cosplay Sign-UpRoom 208 - HBG Convention Center 2nd Floor
Saturday 08/30/2510:00 AM - 12:00 PMREQUIRED Pre-Judging (Appointment Required)Room 209 - HBG Convention Center 2nd Floor
Saturday 08/30/252:00 PM - 4:00 PMREQUIRED Pre-Judging (Appointment Required)Room 209 - HBG Convention Center 2nd Floor
Saturday 08/30/255:00PM - 6:30PMCosplay Show Entries Check-In and StagingStars At Night Ballroom [B3/B4] - HBG Convention Center 3rd Floor
Saturday 08/30/256:45PM - 7:30PMDoors Open For General Attendees (7:00 Early Entry For Gold/Premiere | 7:15PM For General Public. Badge Required)Stars At Night Ballroom [B3/B4] - HBG Convention Center 3rd Floor
Saturday 08/30/258:00PM - 9:30PMCosplay ShowStars At Night Ballroom - HBG Convention Center 3rd Floor
Post ConventionTo Be AnnouncedCosplay Show ResultsPosted On the San Japan Cosplay Facebook Group and on Discord