2025 Masquerade applications will open Saturday, June 7th at 10:00 am CST 

 

MASQUERADE/COSPLAY CONTEST POLICIES 2025

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.

 

GENERAL CONTEST RULES:

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

Please remember to treat Kitsune Kon Staff, Kitsune Kon Guest Judges, other attendees, and fellow Cosplayers with kindness and respect; disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated and may result in being barred from future Kitsune Kon events.

• All participants must have a current Kitsune Kon badge.
• All participants will be required to appear on stage.
• Costumes, Music, and Skits must adhere to a G or PG rating.  They should be suitable for a general audience, free from excessive violence, 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 else wear 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. Only enter and exit through the approved stage entrances.
• You MAY surprise the audience but DO NOT surprise the staff!
• Violators of these rules will be disqualified.
• 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 2025, 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, violence, 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 and/or audio check will be required prior to the contest (Currently scheduled Saturday between 4:00 to 6:00, subject to change). 

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.

 

CRAFTSMANSHIP 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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

Color references are required.  Printed pictures or pictures on your phone are great.  Figurines, plushies, wall scrolls, and other physical material may be used but it is your responsibility to keep them safe. Kitsune Kon staff are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

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).

Craftsmanship Divisions for Individuals and Groups:

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.

 

EXHIBITION (Also known as “Walk-On”)

Don’t want to go through the judging process and just want to show off your cosplay instead?  Want to hear all those cheers as you cross the stage? Exhibition is your option! This is great for those who have purchased or commissioned cosplays but still want to appear on stage. 

Exhibition stage appearance is limited to a maximum of 1 minute.

Purchased, commissioned, or less than 60% handmade cosplays may only enter as an exhibition walk-on or with a skit.

 

SKITS

Skits can be entered in two ways. The first way is to enter as an exhibition skit and compete only for a skit award.  The second way is to also enter the craftsmanship judging and be eligible for both a craftsmanship award and a skit award.

Mics will NOT be available. All skits must be pre-recorded and either emailed ahead of time to the cosplay department (preferred), or brought to Check-in.  Please keep the format MP3 or MP4.

Skits will be reviewed for content appropriateness before and at tech rehearsal. 

Skits will have a total length of 4 minutes. This length will include your set-up and tear-down time.  

Skits are limited to 8 people, which includes any stage ninjas and/or handlers.

Skits are allowed to delight the audience with surprises, but do not to catch the staff off guard. Any unexpected surprises will result in automatic disqualification.  

 

What to Expect:

(Times/Locations subject to change)

The Cosplay Prejudging Room is now the Cosplay Corner!

Same location, new name!

Friday:  

• Noon – 6:00 PM Cosplay Corner – Check-in (just to let us know you made it to Kitsune Kon and are ready to participate with the Masquerade).
• 2:00 – 6:00 PM Cosplay Corner – At Con sign-up (for any last minute open/available craftsmanship judging slots).
• <New for 2025>:  Main Programming – Tech Rehearsals and Stage Walks (Optional tech time for those who arrive early or want extra practice).

Saturday:  

• 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Cosplay Corner – Craftsmanship Judging 
• 5:00 – 6:00 PM Main Programing – Overflow Tech Rehearsals and Stage Walks
• 6:00 –  7:00 PM Cosplay Corner – Final Line-Up 
• 7:00 PM Main Programing – Masquerade/Cosplay Contest 

Sunday:

• <New for 2025> Judge’s Feedback: We are introducing a new optional panel on Sunday where contest participants can receive private one-on-one feedback from the judges in 5-10 minute sessions  Pre-registration is required. This is a great opportunity to identify and explore your cosplay strengths and areas for improvement together.

The hours for Check-in, Judging, Tech Rehearsal, and Feedback are subject to change.

 

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 – 1st place, Runner-up
• Journeyman – 1st Place, Runner-up
• Master – 1st Place, Runner-up
• Skit – 1st Place, Runner-up

• Best Dance

• Best Prop – This award will be given to the prop considered to have exceptional difficulty and creative implementation.
• Judge’s Choice Awards – Awards at the judge’s discretion in any level category! These awards could be something that really impressed an individual judge.
• Rising Star – A new Cosplayer who shows great potential.

• Memorable Walk-on

• Other Awards – At discretion, we love giving awards!

 

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

 

We are excited to see the results of all your hard work!