Entry Submissions

1. All participants must complete a Cosplay Masquerade entry form at https://animenext.org/masquerade 
2. On the entry form you are required to provide a brief description of your skit,  contact email, name, and the character for each member of the group. Please organize this information and have it ready prior to completing your entry form. 
3. All entry submissions are required to attach character reference materials. 
4. If you have any pre-recorded audio you can attach a mp3 file to your submission. Once our Staff has approved your entry you’ll be provided with a link in case you need to update this
5. Duplicate entries will be deleted and abuse of the entry form will lead to disqualification.
6. Even if a character is popular or well-known, reference material is required to judge accuracy. Since every judge has different levels of familiarity with a series or character, lack of / low quality reference materials will greatly affect scoring.
7. We encourage you to submit the following reference materials for each character:
• Work-In-Progress photos
• Original character art
• Character art of your specific outfit / design
• Any additional materials depicting “key moments” in your skit
8. Make sure to mention anything “unique” you have planned. The more we know in advance the better we will try to assist in making the magic happen. However, waiting until your check-in to ask for a special request is way too late!
9. Make sure to mention anything “unique” you have planned. The more we know in advance the better we will try to assist in making the magic happen. However, waiting until your check-in to ask for a special request is way too late!
10. By submitting an entry you confirm that you have read and agree to all rules and information listed in the Cosplay Masquerade section.
11. By submitting an entry form you agree to release AnimeNEXT of all responsibility and liability should any accident, injury, or misfortune occur. There is always on-site Trained Medical Staff provided to all Attendees.

Skill Divisions

All entries must choose the proper Skill Division as listed in the Cosplay Masquerade Application section. Any entries that are submitted to the incorrect skill division may be denied, disqualified, or moved to the proper division at the sole discretion of the Cosplay Masquerade Staff.

The skill division of each application is determined by the highest-ranked member of their group. For example, a group containing 1 Beginner, 3 Intermediate, and 1 Advanced, will be required to participate at the Advanced level.

• Youth: Open to all participants aged 12 or younger.
• Beginner: Open to competitors who have won 3 Major Awards or less as a Beginner. If you have ever won in any division higher than Beginner in any competition, you must enter in intermediate or higher.
• Intermediate: Open to competitors who have won 3 Major Awards or less as an Intermediate. If you have won more than 3 Major Awards as an Intermediate, you will need to enter the Advanced Division. If you have ever won in any division higher than Intermediate in any competition, you must enter in advanced.
• Advanced: Open to all competitors who wish to compete at this level. Professional Creator/Cosplayers must compete in this category.