Hello,
We have reached the end of the Cosplay Masquerade application window. Many thanks to everyone who applied. The department will compile the results soon and reach out to everyone. If you have not received a response by May 27th, please contact Cosplay@KitsuneKon.com. We want to make sure everyone receives a response as our follow up emails contain important information. Have fun on your Cosplay journey!

Cosplay Department Heads,
Wendy, Doug and Andrina

Cosplay contests are often referred to as “masquerades,” drawing inspiration from the masked balls of the 14th and 15th centuries. These events were a highlight of Europe’s carnival season, where attendees donned masks and extravagant costumes for festive celebrations. Modern cosplay contests carry on this tradition, infusing the experience with a sense of mystery, surprise, and enjoyment.

MASQUERADE CONTEST POLICIES 2026

GENERAL CONTEST RULES

These rules are in addition to the Kitsune Kon Convention and Prop Policy at Programming Guidelines | Kitsunekon.

Please remember to treat Kitsune Kon staff, Guest Judges, attendees and fellow Cosplayers with kindness and respect. Disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated and may be deferred to convention directors.   

• All participants must have a current Kitsune Kon badge.

• All participants will be required to appear on stage.

• Costumes, Music and Performances must adhere to a G or PG rating.  Each should be suitable for an all-ages audience, free from excessive violence/gore, explicit language, or mature themes.  Keep it family friendly.

• Contestants must wear attire that provides proper coverage.  Implement precautions (body tape, skin colored undergarments, etc.) to prevent accidental exposure throughout the competition.  Pasties may be worn provided they are firmly affixed and must not detach during the competition. Anyone wearing a spandex suit is required to wear a dance belt (or equivalent) for proper support and coverage.

• Contestants may not enter with multiple costumes.

• A contestant is allowed to submit a costume and have someone model it during the competition; however, the creator of the costume MUST be present for both judging and the stage presentation/awards.

• No profanity, political, controversial, or religious statements allowed on stage (including messages on signs, badge ribbons, or clothes).  Additional information can be found on Kitsune Kon’s Cosplay and Prop Policy at Programming Guidelines | Kitsunekon.

• No special effects such as projectiles, confetti, glitter, water, flash pots, fireworks, explosive devices, smoke, vaping, fog machines, lasers, or similar effects are allowed.

• Do NOT point any type of prop gun or projectile weapon directly at the audience.

• Do NOT jump off the stage or enter into the audience. All entries must stay within the stage space provided.  Only enter and exit through the approved stage entrances.

• You CAN surprise the AUDIENCE, DO NOT surprise the STAFF!

• Violators of these rules will be disqualified and risk being banned from future contests.

• By registering for the Cosplay contest, all participants agree to allow Kitsune Kon to use their images for promotional purposes, both photographs and video.

• Cosplay/Costumes must adhere to the convention’s safety policies, Hotel/Convention Center policies and adhere to all federal, state and local laws. 

MUSIC

For 2026, individual background music tracks can be played during your appearance on stage.  You are free to use any music/audio tracks of your choice for your performance.  Please be aware that if your performance and/or walk-on is recorded and uploaded to certain video platforms with copyright music, the audio may be muted due to copyright restrictions.

Keep the music/audio tracks in the MP3 or MP4 format. 

The music tracks must be rated PG or less.  No profanity, violent speech, or explicit content.

Microphones will not be available and audio must be pre-recorded.  Live instruments may be an exception if requested before the competition.

A separate Tech Rehearsal audio check is encouraged prior to the masquerade.  

Make sure your audio track is edited to start playing from the point you want it to begin. We will not be able to download or edit any music tracks at the convention.  Music MUST be submitted prior to the convention and a physical copy, on a flash drive, must also be brought to the convention with the contestant. Any questions, email us.  Cosplay@KitsuneKon.com .

CRAFTSMANSHIP

DIVISIONS

Novice – New to craftsmanship! No more than one (1) Major award or two (2) Minor awards. (i.e. Honorable Mentions, Judges Awards, etc.) previously won.

Journeyman – Those with a little more experience under their cosplay and craftsmanship belt. No more than two (2) Major awards or three (3) Minor awards previously won, or if you have comparable crafting experience.

Master – Excellence in the cosplay arts or a veteran of sewing/crafting.  Won three (3) or more major awards or if you have comparable crafting experience

The Cosplay guest judges reserve the right to assign you to a different division than the one you initially entered, if they deem it appropriate. If you are unsure about which level you should enter, feel free to reach out to us for clarification.

Craftsmanship entries must be at least 60% handmade (or have significant custom additions or modifications) by the entrant(s). Restoration work can count toward the handmade requirement, provided the entrant(s) have significantly restored or altered the costume themselves. 

If you got help with your costume, make sure that the assistance you received is less than 40%. Remember to let the judges know how much help you had when you present your costume. Purchased, commissioned, or less than 60% handmade cosplays may enter as an exhibition walk-on or with a skit but are NOT eligible for Craftsmanship awards

Physical Build Books are required for ALL Craftsmanship contestants! Build Books are an essential tool for the judges to be able to see the progress and work that went into your cosplay. This will stay with the judges and help with their deliberation and decision making process. If you do not bring a Build Book, you will not be eligible for awards. Kitsune Kon staff are NOT responsible for your build books after the convention. Build Books can be picked up after the Masquerade or at the Feedback Panel on Sunday. 

Groups in the Craftsmanship category can have up to 4 members but everyone must compete at the highest level of skill among them.  For instance, if one member is at the Masters level, then everyone in the group must also compete at the Masters level.

Craftsmanship stage appearance is limited to a maximum of 1 minute (no additional judging points awarded for stage performance).

No Sandbagging. Sandbagging occurs when a participant enters a cosplay costume into a contest that has previously won at another event without significant modifications, upgrades, alterations, or rebuilds. It also happens when a contestant tries to be dishonest about their previous wins to enter a lower category, aiming to increase their chances of winning. Anyone found sandbagging or being dishonest about past achievements will be disqualified and barred from future Kitsune Kon masquerade events.

EXHIBITION

DIVISION

Allows for a stage walk for those costumes which have been purchased or commissioned.  This is a chance to display your costume/cosplay that you put effort into but doesn’t meet the craftsmanship requirements.

PERFORMANCE

DIVISION

A Performance is categorized as any presentation that goes beyond a stage walk with poses.  Skits, dances or monologues are all examples of performances.

As an individual, you can compete in both craftmanship and performance provided you qualify for craftsmanship judging.  Just know that you will only be on stage with the performance, no additional walk across will be granted.

Each performance will be limited to 8 participants, including stage ninjas, and must be a maximum of 4 minutes in length.

All Performance music must be pre-recorded and emailed ahead of time to the cosplay department. Changes to performance music can be presented at Friday’s Cosplay Check-in.  Please keep the format MP3 or MP4 and bring a flash drive copy with you to the convention.

Performances are allowed to delight the audience with surprises, but again DO NOT surprise the staff!  Any unexpected surprises will result in automatic disqualification.

Performances will be reviewed for content appropriateness before the convention at rehearsal. 

Contestant Expectations 

Friday:  

• Check-in: Cosplay Corner.  This is to let us know you made it to Kitsune Kon and are ready to participate with the Masquerade.

Saturday:  

• Rehearsal: Main Programming- for Stage Walk, lighting cues and audio check

• Craftsmanship Judging: Cosplay Corner 

• Photo Shoot: Cosplay Corner

• Masquerade Line-Up: Cosplay Corner 

• Masquerade/Cosplay Contest: Main Programing

Sunday:

• Judge’s Feedback Panel: We are having a optional panel on Sunday where contest participants can receive private one-on-one feedback from the judges in 5-10 minute sessions. This is a great opportunity to identify and explore your cosplay strengths and areas for improvement together. Pre-registration is required.

AWARDS

Remember, while we celebrate everyone’s creativity and effort, not every participant can win. Let’s cheer on the winners and honor their accomplishments!

• Best in Show

• Novice Champion 

• Novice Runner-up

• Journeyman Champion

• Journeyman Runner-up

• Master Champion

• Master Runner-up

• Best Performance

• Best Prop

• Judge’s Choice Awards – Each judge will have an opportunity to award an individual that really impressed them.

If you have questions regarding the Masquerade or the Cosplay Department, please send them to Cosplay@KitsuneKon.com.