All props must be checked at the Prop Check table on the Atrium level, or at Convention Safety headquarters (room 305). If a prop is deemed acceptable, a member of Con Safety will wrap an AnimeNEXT Prop Check Band somewhere on the prop. If the band is broken or lost, you must get a new one.
AnimeNEXT reserves the right to deem any prop dangerous to the general public, regardless of size or material, and ask for it to be removed from the convention center.
Props that are larger than 6 feet in length, or 3 feet in width/diameter, are strictly prohibited in all convention spaces. If your prop exceeds these limits, you will be asked to return it to your home/car/hotel room.
No live steel will be allowed at AnimeNEXT. Live steel is defined as, but not limited to: swords, bayonets, knives (regardless of whether or not they are sheathed), star knives and shuriken, or other objects made of metal that can take an edge. This holds true regardless of whether the object is actually sharp. This rule also applies to selfie sticks, back scratchers, and collapsible walking sticks.
Live steel may not be used as a structural support component for any prop that enters the convention center or any other area maintained by AnimeNEXT.
Costume pieces bigger than pieces of jewelry that are constructed of metal, such as handcuffs, armor pieces, or chains, are also prohibited. Spikes and studs longer than half an inch are not allowed.
All weapons purchased from vendors at the convention must be checked at the Dealers Room exit by the Convention Safety Staff. Weapons must be boxed and taken immediately to a car, a hotel room, or home after purchase. Please purchase weapons at a time when you are able to leave the convention center.
Props made of polycarbonate are prohibited.
Firearms are not permitted at the convention. All gun reproductions MUST have an orange tip at the end of the muzzle, and they MUST have an AnimeNEXT prop band attached at all times.
NO PROJECTILE WEAPONS OF ANY KIND will be permitted. Examples include, but are not limited to: Airsoft guns, BB and other pellet guns, crossbows, dart guns, blowguns, and water guns/pistols.
Prop weapons with moveable parts but without ammunition are still prohibited.
Stun guns and tasers are also NOT allowed.
Bows must be strung loosely and unable to fire any projectiles.
NO EXPLOSIVES, INCENDIARY DEVICES, or CHEMICALS of any kind, including but not limited to: smoke powder, sparklers, or fireworks.
Leashes of any kind may not be worn by attendees at any time on convention grounds, but are required for all service animals.
Do not use props in an unsafe manner. This includes but is not limited to: mock-fighting, swinging, throwing, and hitting yourself and/or others.
For everyone’s safety, wheeled devices, excluding mobility devices, are prohibited from the convention. This includes, but is not limited to: heelies, roller skates/rollerblades, scooters, bicycles/unicycles, hoverboards, and skateboards/longboards.
Clothing and accessories showing “ahegao” faces (lewd or sexual facial expressions) are not permitted to be worn or displayed by attendees. Ahegao items may be purchased in the Exhibits Hall, but must be put in a solid, non-transparent bag to carry around the convention, until they are able to be put in an attendee’s car, home, or hotel room.
AnimeNEXT requires that all attendees wearing stilts as part of a costume remain on the ground (atrium) floor of the convention center while in use. Stilts are not permitted on stairs, escalators, elevators, or any floor above atrium level due to fall risk. Attendees on stilts are asked not to use the skywalk that goes from the Sheraton onto the second floor of the convention center.
Sign Policy
No signs are permitted at AnimeNEXT except for those signs that are an established part of a costume. I.e., the sign must be used by the character in official art, such as the sign carried by Genma the Panda from Ranma ½; signs from fan-produced works are not considered official.
Signs that are not from the source material are considered solicitation and are therefore prohibited.
Signs with offensive content are not allowed at AnimeNEXT, even if the character uses them in canon. Please remember that this is a family event. This includes, but is not limited to: expletives, racist and/or antisemitic words and imagery, sexism, and/or nudity.
All signs must adhere to the same restrictions imposed on all props: no live steel, and not exceeding 6 feet tall & 3 feet in width/diameter.
Apparel may not be used as signs to communicate messages, such as “Free Hugs” or “Free Kisses”. AnimeNEXT staff reserve the right to ask the attendee to change clothing if deemed to promote an inappropriate message.
Any attendee that breaks the sign rules will be asked politely to remove the sign.
