Castle Point Anime Convention

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Cosplay

Cosplay is a huge part of any anime convention, and CPあC is no exception. We offer a variety of cosplay-related events and activities to keep everyone’s schedules full of fun. More events will be announced as the year goes on, plase follow our social media pages for updates!

Any questions can be directed to programming@castlepointanime.com.

Cosplay Meetups

To request access to photos from various cosplay meetups at our convention last year, please fill out this Google Form an our staff will send the relevant album to you in a few weeks.

Cosplay Guests

Cosplay Guest applications are CLOSED. Thank you for applying and look out for an email soon regarding your application!

Follow us on social media for updates, and please email any questions or concerns to guests@castlepointanime.com.

Cosplay Masquerade

Applications for the Cosplay Masquerade are OPEN for CPあC 2025 !

Apply Now!

Applications for the Cosplay Masquerade will close on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM.

Have a performance you want to show off? Then the Masquerade is for you! In this competition, you will be judged on your performance. The Masquerade will be taking place on Sunday, April 27 and the winners will receive amazing prizes!

Rules
General Information
  1. All contestants and all individuals in a group must have a valid badge to attend CPあC .
    • A single badge CANNOT be split among a group.
    • No real weapons, airsoft guns, and/or live steel are allowed and all prop weapons must follow CPあC policies regarding weapons.
    • No nudity allowed according to CPあC policies. See the CPあC policy page for full details.
  2. Every contestant must sign a waiver form to participate in the Masquerade. This form must be signed and sent online for each individual in the entry.
  3. Minors participating in the Masquerade must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian prior to check in.
    • Minors under the age of 16 participating in the Masquerade must be accompanied by an attendee chaperone over the age of 18. This includes rehearsal, judging, and backstage.
  4. Competitors in the Masquerade are not permitted to also participate in the Hall contest.
  5. Everyone who is appearing on stage (i.e. helpers, handlers, chaperones for minors) must be mentioned within the application form. Access to the stage, green room, and craftsmanship judging areas will be restricted to individuals listed on the form.
  6. Applications close on Friday, March 07, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern
  7. CPあC Cosplay Events staff reserves the right to disqualify you for this and/or future years if you break any of these rules or are caught cheating.
Entries and Divisions
  1. Each entry will be categorized into one of the following divisions
    • This refers to the number of major awards won in cosplay competitions.
    • Novice: 0-1 major awards
    • Journeymen: 2-4 major awards
    • Masters: 5+ major awards
  2. Contestants, if they so choose, can compete at a higher division but cannot compete at a lower division.
    • Anyone can be a "Master", you just cannot be a Journeyman or Novice if you've exceeded the number of awards listed.
    • Major Awards are defined as “Best in Show”, Best in Division, Runner-Up Awards, and numerical placements (1st, 2nd, 3rd). - (Judges' awards DO NOT count as major awards.)
  3. Contestants that are professional costume makers and/or make a majority of their income from costume/garment construction must compete at the Masters level.
  4. When entering as a group, division will be based on the member with the most major awards. (Ex: a group with a Novice and a Master must compete at the Masters division.)
  5. Judges & CPあC Cosplay Events staff can bump an entry up at their discretion if the skill level exceeds the entry after prejudging discussion.
  6. Masquerade contestants will not be judged on craftsmanship.
    • Entries that wish to be judged on craftsmanship should enter into the Hall contest.
Check-in Information
  1. All entries are required to be checked in during designated times at the con. Times and location will be announced at a later date.
    • Details such as dress rehearsal times/locations will be sent out with Masquerade acceptance emails.
  2. During the check-in period badge ribbons will be distributed to all contestants.
  3. Changes to the skit after check-in can only be made under extreme circumstances like emergencies and illnesses. If this happens, please contact the Head of Cosplay Events at programming@castlepointanime.com.
Skit Requirements
  1. All skits must be family-friendly and follow CPあC policy. If the skit exceeds a PG rating then it is not allowed. No cussing, inappropriate gestures, or sexual references are allowed.
    • Any portion of a skit that is deemed inappropriate for a family friendly audience must be altered to fit these guidelines.
  2. Each skit is allowed a maximum of 9 people. Anyone who is on stage during the skit is defined as a person, including handlers and stage ninjas. This is for the safety of all contestants.
  3. No real weapons, airsoft guns, and/or live steel are allowed. All prop weapons must follow CPあC policies regarding weapons.
  4. No nudity is allowed, according to CPあC policies.
  5. Costumes must have unassisted freedom of movement on stage.
  6. Anything that appears on the stage must come off with you.
  7. Nothing can be thrown into the audience.
  8. No person is allowed to jump off of the stage. This is grounds for immediate disqualification during the show.
  9. The stage must be kept clean. No confetti, glitter, or anything that will make a mess.
  10. No flammable objects such as fireworks will be allowed on stage.
  11. No liquids, fog machines, or gas will be allowed on the stage.
  12. No stunts (acrobatics, flips, etc) will be allowed on stage for safety reasons. Choreographed combat is allowed but must be clearly staged.
  13. Only CPあC staff members are allowed to operate audio and video equipment. Contestants are not allowed to operate any staff equipment.
  14. All audio must be pre-recorded. No live instruments or live singing will be allowed.
  15. Breaking these rules are grounds for immediate disqualification during the show.
Skit Length and Timing
  1. Skit length will be determined by the number of performers in a group. (Stage handlers and ninjas do not count towards the time limit.)
    • 1-2 performers: 1:30 minute maximum.
    • 3-5 performers: 2:30 minute maximum.
    • 6+: 3:00 minute maximum
  2. The time limits mentioned above will be strictly enforced.
Audio Submission
  1. Audio must be submitted in an mp3 file to the Head of Cosplay Events via programming@castlepointanime.com before Friday, March 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Details on how to submit audio will be provided to contestants after their application is accepted.
  2. The mp3 file must be named after the name of the group.
  3. The audio submitted will not be altered by any of the CPあC staff. If you wish to add any audio effects, this must be edited yourself.
  4. Any pauses needed in the audio must be edited prior to submission.
  5. It is highly recommended that the contestants bring a backup USB drive with the audio in case of technical difficulties. USBs will be returned at the end of the masquerade.
    • This backup USB must be submitted at check-in.
    • The USB must be labeled with the skit name.
  6. No CD submissions will be accepted.

Cosplay Hall Contest

Applications for the Hall Cosplay Contest are OPEN for CPあC 2025 .

Apply Now!

Applications for the Cosplay Hall will close on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM.

Want to show off a costume you have made? Then the Cosplay Hall Contest is for you! In this contest, judges inspect your handmade cosplays and see which displays the highest level of craftsmanship. It will take place on Sunday, April 27 and the winners will get amazing prizes!

Rules
General Information
  1. All contestants and all individuals in a group must have a valid badge to attend CPあC .
    • A single badge CANNOT be split among a group.
    • No real weapons, airsoft guns, and/or live steel are allowed and all prop weapons must follow CPあC policies regarding weapons.
    • No nudity allowed according to CPあC policies. See the CPあC policy page for full details.
  2. Every contestant must sign a waiver form to participate in the Masquerade. This form must be signed and sent online for each individual in the entry.
  3. Minors participating in the Masquerade must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian prior to check in.
    • Minors under the age of 16 participating in the Masquerade must be accompanied by an attendee chaperone over the age of 18. This includes rehearsal, judging, and backstage.
  4. Competitors in the Hall are not permitted to also participate in the Masquerade contest.
    • If you want to walk-on stage with your costume, sign-up for the Cosplay Runway.
  5. Applications close on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern
  6. CPあC Cosplay Events staff reserves the right to disqualify you for this and/or future years if you break any of these rules or are caught cheating.
  7. Cosplay Hall winners will be announced during the Cosplay Masquerade Awards Ceremony on Sunday, April 27th. Winners are required to be present to receive prizes.
Entries and Divisions
  1. Each entry will be categorized into one of the following divisions
    • This refers to the number of major awards won in cosplay competitions.
    • Novice: 0-1 major awards
    • Journeymen: 2-4 major awards
    • Masters: 5+ major awards
  2. Contestants, if they so choose, can compete at a higher division but cannot compete at a lower division.
    • Anyone can be a "Master", you just cannot be a Journeyman or Novice if you've exceeded the number of awards listed.
  3. Major Awards are defined as “Best in Show”, Best in Division, Runner-Up Awards, and numerical placements (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
  4. Contestants that are professional costume makers and/or make a majority of their income from costume/garment construction must compete at the Masters level.
  5. When entering as a group, division will be based on the member with the most major awards. (Ex: a group with a Novice and a Master must compete at the Masters division.)
  6. Judges can bump an entry up at their discretion if the skill level exceeds the entry after prejudging discussion.
Craftsmanship Judging
  1. Craftsmanship will be judged on the interpretation of the character, the construction of the costume, the use of materials, attention to detail, and the representation of the skill division.
  2. All costumes and weapons entered into the contest must follow CPあC policies.
  3. At least 75% of the costume must be made by the individual entering the contest.
    • No commissioned, rented, or professionally made costumes not created by the individual are allowed. This also extends to store-bought costumes.
  4. A model may wear the costume during judging and on stage but the person who made the costume must be present for judging.
    • The maker should be present at the awards ceremony should they receive an award.
  5. Costumes from any source material are permitted and but not limited to any anime, manga, video games, movies, TV shows, fan design, or original character can be entered into the contest.
  6. References of the character are required for judging. References can be physically printed or digital (shown on a phone or tablet screen).
    • For original designs and fan designs, a sketch, mood board, or some other form of visual inspiration counts as reference material.
    • Build Books are encouraged but not required. Build books must be picked up by contestants after the Masquerade.
  7. Costumes that have previously won awards in competition will be permitted, as long as there has been at least 30% improvement to the costume since it won the award.
    • Costumes that have won Best in Show will not be allowed to enter.
    • Costumes that have won a Best in Category award must be entered at a higher level. (Ex: a Best in Novice costume with at least 30% improvement could be entered as a Journeyman costume.)
  8. Any costumes that require electricity must have a self-contained power source. Contestants will not have access to outlets.
  9. No costumes with confetti, loose glitter, live flames, smoke generators, or pyrotechnics are allowed.
  10. The craftsmanship judging room is not open to the general public. Only one additional person can join the contestant in the judging room.
    • This can include a parent/guardian, a handler for larger costumes, or someone for support/anxiety.
  11. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at the end of the Masquerade.
    • Contestants must retrieve their physical prizes at the end of the Masquerade.
Check-In Information
  1. All entries are required to be checked in during designated times at the con. Times and location will be announced at a later date.
    • Judging slots will be distributed in a separate email a week before the convention.
  2. During the check in period, judging slots and badge ribbons will be distributed to all contestants.
  3. Changes after check-in can only be made under extreme circumstances like emergencies and illnesses. If this happens, please contact the Head of Cosplay Events at programming@castlepointanime.com.

Cosplay Runway

Applications for the Cosplay Runway have not yet opened for CPあC 2025 .

Want to show off your favorite cosplay? Then the Cosplay Runway is for you!

Rules
General Information
  1. All contestants and all individuals in a group must have a valid badge to attend CPあC .
    • A single badge CANNOT be split among a group.
    • No real weapons, airsoft guns, and/or live steel are allowed and all prop weapons must follow CPあC policies regarding weapons.
    • No nudity allowed according to CPあC policies. See CPあC policy page linked above for full details.
  2. Every contestant must sign a waiver form to participate in the Runway. This form must be signed and sent online for each individual in the entry.
    • Minors participating in the Runway must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian prior to check in.
  3. Minors under the age of 16 participating in the Hall must be accompanied by an attendee chaperone over the age of 18. This includes judging and the backstage green room.
  4. Everyone who is appearing on stage (i.e. helpers, handlers) must be mentioned within the application form. Access to the stage and green rooms areasa will be restricted to individuals listed on the form.
  5. Applications close on a first come first serve basis
  6. Contestants will be notified of their acceptance prior to Friday, April 25
  7. CPあC Cosplay Events staff reserve the right to disqualify you for this year and/or future years if your cosplay violates convention cosplay policies.
Runway Information
  1. Each contestant will have a maximum of 30 seconds for their walk-on.
  2. Costumes must have unassisted freedom of movement on stage.
  3. Anything that appears on the stage must come off with you.
  4. Nothing can be thrown into the audience.
  5. The stage must be kept clean. No confetti, glitter, or anything that will make a mess.
  6. No flammable objects such as fireworks will be allowed on stage.
  7. No liquids, fog machines, or gas will be allowed on stage.
  8. No stunts (acrobatics, flips, etc) will be allowed on stage for safety reasons.
  9. Runway participants must be present for the entirety of the masquerade.
  10. Contestants who choose to walk on must report to the green room at call time to receive instructions and walk-on order. Contestants who do not show up on time will not be able to walk.
  11. CPあC Staff will finalize the runway order.
Check-In Information
  1. All entries are requried to be checked in during designated times at the con. Times and location will be announced at a later date.
  2. During the check-in period, badge ribbons will be distributed to all contestants.
  3. Changes after check-in can only be made under extreme circumstances like emergencies and illnesses. If this happens, please contanct the Head of Cosplay Events at programming@castlepointanime.com.
Pre-Register Today

Pre-Register Today!

(Pre-Registration Ends April 1, 2025)

$40

Saturday

$35

Sunday

$55

2-Day

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