2025 Planet Comicon Kansas City Cosplay Contest

 

 

 

2025 Planet Comicon Kansas City Cosplay Contest – $15,000 in Cash and Prizes!

 

Fun?! Passion?! Prizes?! Whatever drives you, we have got the contest for you! PCKC’s Cosplay Contest is an opportunity to showcase the awesome skills from both local and visiting cosplayers based on craftsmanship and character portrayal. It is a spirited competition that is inclusive of all genres and skill levels, so everyone can have a chance to have their work appreciated by judges and audience members alike!

We are pleased to announce that Ming Chen and Luna Flare are returning this year as our contest MCs. When these two get together to host a cosplay contest, the fun multiplies and you do not want to miss it!

This year’s contest will be held in the Grand Ballroom, room 2501 on  Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. Please be sure to check the convention app and/or programming schedule online in case the start time changes. This is a judged competition and the competitors are vying for a chance to win a part of the $15,000 prize pool, bragging rights and the coveted Planet trophy! Each year a different local crafter designs and creates the trophy we give to our winners. The Planet trophy is a symbol of excellence and we have been fortunate to see some amazing cosplays cross the stage over the years. Be sure to mark your calendar and attend this wonderful exhibition of art and craftsmanship. The contest is free to attend with your PCKC admission credential.

Contestants will sign up using the online registration form below beginning Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CT. Online registration will close on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CT. There is no on-site cosplay contest registration. 

 

Register here!

The Cosplay Contest Sponsors

We are so excited to announce our continued partnership with Nebraska Furniture Mart!  NFM has been a stalwart and generous supporter of our contest.  For 85 years, NFM has strived to make the comforts of home accessible for everyone. Because it’s not just a couch, a chair, or a table. They are pieces that set the stage for the lives we want to live, where we share laughs, big feelings, and make memories. NFM is a one stop shop for almost anything you might need in your home!  Furniture, electronics, games, computers, toys and even Funko Pops can be found within NFM’swalls!

3DHQ returns as a sponsor this year and will provide the winners of our Beginner, Intermediate, and Master classes as well as Best in Show with their own 3D statuettes rendered using their state-of-the art technology! In addition, every Cosplay Contest participant is entitled to go to the 3DHQ booth in the cosplay showcase and go to the front of the line to have their look immortalized with a 3D scan. They will also give all of our contestants an avatar, a GIF, use of their augmented reality app and exclusive discounts. Be sure to stop by and check out their amazing work! If you are a cosplayer at the convention, you will be given a free 3D scan and a digital avatar!

Overview of the Cosplay Contest

The contest is divided up by class and category. Class delineations are Beginner, Intermediate, and Master. Within each of these classes, entrants may choose their costume category of Needlework, Foamwork, Mixed Media and Group. All contestants will be judged on craftsmanship and stage presence with a heavy emphasis on craftsmanship.

If you need to drop out of the contest for any reason, please let the Cosplay Contest Directors know in advance.  Failure to communicate that you are dropping out may disqualify you from future competitions. Please read the rules, important times, and glossary items carefully.

General Rules

  • All contestants, models and their handlers must have valid tickets to PCKC for the day of the contest.
  • A single entry can be an individual or a duo. If your entry has 3-5 individuals, you must enter in the Group
  • Contestants are only allowed one entry, and may only enter their costume in one category (e.g. you may not enter one costume in the foamwork category and enter the same or a different costume in the needlework category).
  • Convention staff and volunteers may not enter the Cosplay Contest. Headlining and invited cosplay guests or other invited parties are also not eligible to enter the costume contest.
  • All contestants must bring character reference photos and work in progress photos of their costumes to pre-judging. These photos must be printed copies and bound in some way (e.g. in a folder, or a notebook). No digital (e.g. cell phone pictures) will be accepted.
  • PCKC is a craftsmanship-centric contest. The required percentage of contestant-made elements of your costume is determined by your class. No fully purchased costumes are allowed. For clarification on the definition of “made” vs. “altered,” please refer to the glossary section.
  • All costumes in an entry must meet the percent-made requirement for the entry class. For example, in an Intermediate Group of 3 people, all 3 costumes in the entry must be at least 60% made by someone in the entry.
  • Cosplays must be recreations or fanart of licensed characters to be eligible for Best in Show. Original characters are eligible for other awards, however.
  • Only entrants 15 years of age and up may enter the Cosplay Contest. Children 14 and under are not eligible to enter the Cosplay Contest unless they are part of a duo or group entry with at least one member who is at least 18 years old. Children 14 and under may enter the Young Fans Cosplay Showcase held on Sunday.
  • You can have someone model your costume, but you, the crafter, must register for the Costume Contest and be present for prejudging to answer the judges’ questions. If the costume receives an award, the award recipient will be the crafter, not the model.
  • Entries with 1-2 people will have 5 minutes to discuss their craftsmanship with the judges. Entries with 3-5 people will have 7 minutes.
  • No nudity, profanity, anything deemed racially or culturally offensive will be allowed. No politically charged or discriminatory cosplays or props will be allowed. See the Glossary for the definition of “Offensive Cosplays.” When in doubt, ask!
  • No liquids, messy substances, glitter, confetti, objects smaller than 3 square inches, or anything that may pose a danger is allowed to be used as part of your stage walk.
  • No pyrotechnics, fireworks, or open flames. No fog machines.
  • All electronics must be self-contained. There are no electrical outlets onstage.
  • No weapons that violate PCKC’s Weapons Policy or Bartle Hall’s weapons policy or local laws, including but not limited to: realistic-looking firearms without an orange muzzle cap; live steel; projectiles of any kind; unsheathing of bladed weapons without clearance from the Cosplay Contest Directors. (See Weapons Policy https://planetcomicon.com/weapons-policy/
  • Single and duo entrants will have up to 1 minute of stage time, and groups will have up to 2 minutes.
  • No throwing things into the audience, including yourself. Contestants will not be allowed to leave the stage as part of their performance.
  • Background music/ audio requests are not available. All background music will be provided by PCKC staff.
  • No microphones will be provided. No live dialogue is allowed.
  • Contestants agree to allow video recording and photography of their costumes for future promotions of PCKC.
  • Contestants understand that the published contest awards may be adjusted, changed, or withheld pending complaint resolution or for any reason deemed appropriate by the contest administrators.
  • Show integrity and the spirit of competition are important!
    • This contest is about balancing fun with true competition. For the integrity of the contest, you may be placed into the appropriate category/class at the discretion of the Cosplay Contest Directors without prior notice.
    • You may not enter a costume that has previously won Best in Show or a major award at an in-person PCKC or another in-person cosplay contest. See the Glossary for the definition of “major award.” Please email the Cosplay Contest Directors if you have questions.
    • This is largely a craftsmanship contest, where craftsmanship will make up the majority of your score. All entrants must have made a percentage of their costumes to be eligible for entry. Please see class divisions for your required “made” percentage, and the glossary for clarification on “made” vs. “altered” cosplays.
  • Cosplay contest contestants who are rude, or disrespectful to the PCKC convention staff, judges or other guests may be removed from the contest.

Violating these rules will disqualify you, and possibly result in being escorted off the premises.

Classes

You must enter at the class level of the individual who has the highest class in your entry (e.g. if you are in a duo and one person is a Master and the other is a Beginner, you must enter in the Master class).

 

Beginner: This class is for anyone who has never won a major award before at any other convention. 50% of the costume must be made by the contestant(s).

Intermediate: This is the class for anyone who has won 1-2 major awards at any convention. 60% of the costume must be made by the contestant(s).

Master: If you have won 3 or more major awards in a cosplay contest, if you have taken Best in Show at any cosplay contest of similar or larger size to PCKC, or if you make or sell cosplay costumes professionally, please enter this class. 75% of the costume must be made by the contestant(s).

If you are unsure if your costume meets a percentage requirement, please contact the Cosplay Contest Directors, and we will be happy to assist.

Categories

Contestants may enter one of 4 categories. The category delineations allow for recognition of all types of media used in cosplay construction. All categories are judged equally and all are eligible for Best in Show prizes, provided all other parameters are met. This is a way for PCKC to recognize the diversity of skills represented across the community. While you will select a category that encompasses the majority of the skills present on your costume, the costume in its entirety will be judged. For example, if you enter a costume that is majority fabricraft, and you have some foam elements present, all elements of the costume, including the foamwork will be judged even if you entered in the needlework category.


Needlework: For costumes created predominantly by sewing, embroidery, and fabricraft. Sewn leather costumes may enter this category as well.

Foamwork: For costumes created predominantly from foam products, such as EVA foam, rigid foam, expanding foam, etc. Worbla-covered-EVA foam cosplays would also fall in this category.

Mixed Media: For cosplays that feature animatronics, prosthetics, special effects, plastic, PVC, metal, latex or a variety of media that are not exclusively needlework or foamwork (e.g. if your costume incorporates formwork and needlework equally), this is the class for you.

Group: This category is for entries with 3-5 cosplayers. Group class will be determined based on the individual with the highest class in the entry (e.g., a Group with 1 Master and 2 Beginners will be judged on craftsmanship at the Master level. In this example, each costume in the entry must be at least 75% made by at least one contestant in the entry.) Also, each costume in the entry needs to meet the percent-made requirement for the entry class. For example, in an Intermediate Group of 3 people, all 3 costumes in the entry must be at least 60% made by someone in the entry.

NOTE: You may select the category and class you wish to compete in, however the Cosplay Contest Directors reserve the right to move your entry to another category or class if it is deemed appropriate for the sake of the integrity of the contest.

Judging and Scoring

The contest is divided into two parts: craftsmanship judging and stage judging.

 

Craftsmanship judging: For craftsmanship, contestants will arrive at the designated time and location for their class and meet with the judges to discuss how they made their costumes. Please do not be late to your judging time slot, or you may be disqualified from the competition.

  • Contestants will be assessed on their technique, finish, how well the costume stays together, fidelity to reference images and overall impression.
  • Factors that will NOT will not count against fidelity include the cosplayer’s race, age, ethnicity, height, size, use of mobility items, corrective vision, or lack thereof, socioeconomic status, and other health, cultural or religious identities that the cosplayer has that may differ between the cosplayer and the character. See the Glossary for the definition of “fidelity.”
  • Each class will have a designated judging timeslot and craftsmanship percentage requirement (see class requirements for details on required percentage).
  • Entries with 1-2 people will have 5 minutes with the judges. Entries with 3-5 people will have 7 minutes.
  • All costumes in an entry must meet the percent-made requirement for the entry class. For example, in an Intermediate Group of 3 people, all 3 costumes in the entry must be at least 60% made by someone in the entry.
  • Please note that if you are entering with more than one person in your entry, each of you will be judged individually, and the scores will be averaged. You will be judged at the class level of the person in your entry with the highest class.
  • You are required to bring reference images of your source material, and work in progress photos in hard copy form (no digital copies or photos on your phone allowed). We recommend bringing at least 5 images showing your process. When the competition concludes, you may pick up your progress photos in the Greenroom.
  • Judges will be closely examining your work and may ask you to hold up or move parts of your cosplay for them to see. If this makes you uncomfortable, please let the Cosplay Contest Directors know and we will assist with finding an alternative arrangement.

All entries are free to enjoy the convention before and after judging, but must be back to the Greenroom at the designated time. Contestants will be notified of their judging and Greenroom times via email.

 

Stage Judging: Contestants will be judged on how well their costume moves and stays together. This is your last opportunity to show off your work and any other special features of your costume. This is also your time to show off to the audience. They are here to celebrate all that you have made, so do not hesitate to show them what you’ve got! Throw in some twirls, some bows, hit those battle poses. As long as you are adhering to all general rules, this should be your time to have fun!

Prizes
What can you win? Over $15,000 in cash and prizes, and of course a coveted Planet trophy! Judges may recognize other worthy contestants with a judge’s choice award. An assortment of fantastic prizes will be issued by Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM) and 3DHQ, B&B Theaters (B&B). More details will be forthcoming. Here are the award classifications:

Best in Show

Best Needlework in each class (Beginner, Intermediate, Master)

Best Foamwork in each class (Beginner, Intermediate, Master)

Best Mixed Media in each class (Beginner, Intermediate, Master)

Best Group

Judge’s choice awards: Each judge may award a judge’s choice award. This is awarded to contestants who left a major impression on the judges in some way.

Prizes: Only one prize will be given to each entry. If there are multiple members of your entry, the entry members will be responsible for dividing up any prizes won. For example, if your entry receives a trophy, only one trophy will be distributed and it will be up to the members of that entry to share, saw it in half, set up visitation hours, etc.

Registration and Acceptance

Cosplay Contest entrants will be accepted through a juried process. Contestants will sign-up using the online registration form below beginning Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CT. Online registration will close on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CT. There is no on-site registration.

All entrants must complete the registration form which includes submitting contestant information, agreement to adhere to PCKC rules and guidelines and other entry submission materials. When submitting your application, please be prepared to include:

  • A minimum of 1 character reference image and at least 5 work in progress photos via your preferred virtual file-sharing mechanism, such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
    • These images are not meant to be your full build book, but rather, a cursory review of your progress.
    • Photos submitted should showcase the elements of the costume that you made, and the general trajectory of the build. This is to review the eligibility of the costume.
    • Preference will be given to entrants who can demonstrate that their entries are in line with PCKC Cosplay Contest rules and that at least 50% of the total build is complete at the time of entry.
  • Information about what elements of your costume you made from raw materials
  • Information about what elements you purchased or altered

 

Because this is a juried process, you do not need to rush to fill out the application form. Please prioritize completion of entry over speed of submission.

All entries will be reviewed to ensure they follow the rules, and meet the Cosplay Contest requirements.  Entries will be selected based on adherence to the rules and competitiveness amongst the other entries for this contest cycle.

When you submit your application, you will see confirmation page load and note that your application was successfully submitted. This will serve as confirmation that your application was received. You will not receive a supplementary email confirming application submission. Acceptance and rejection emails will be sent no later than February 21, 2025, and for those accepted, that email will contain judging time slots, confirmation of details and other information.

 If you have any questions, please email the Cosplay Contest Directors at cosplaycontest@planetcomicon.com.

Register here! 

 

Check In

In lieu of on-site check ins, contestants will instead confirm their participation and information via email. Contestants can also attend an optional Cosplay Contest meeting on Friday. Details will be sent in the acceptance emails.

Important Times

  • Registration open – Tuesday, January 14 at 6:00 p.m. CT
  • Registration close – Tuesday, February 4 at 6:00 p.m. CT
  • Acceptance and rejection notification – No later than February 21
  • Cosplay Contest judging slots, Greenroom etc. – To be included in acceptance email
  • Cosplay Contest – Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. CT

That’s it! Thank you so much for your interest in the PCKC Cosplay Contest. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to cosplaycontest@planetcomicon.com. We look forward to your entry!

Cosplay Etiquette

In general: Cosplay is not consent. This means:

  • Do not touch a cosplayer, their costume, or their props without permission.
  • Do not take photos of a cosplayer without asking permission and allowing them to pose first.
  • Do not use the zoom feature to highlight only aspects of a cosplayer without their consent. If you would like them to do a specific pose or do a closeup of a certain aspect, ask them!
  • Do not make any lewd or suggestive comments to a cosplayer because of what they are wearing. Unwanted criticism/critique or comments directed at cosplayers may be treated as harassment. This includes but is not limited to:
    • Criticizing someone because of their race, gender, body, etc.
    • Making snide remarks about skill level.
    • “I could do that better” statements.
    • Unwelcomed critiques of their cosplay. Unless a cosplayer specifically asks for feedback about how to do something better, do not give it.
    • In short: if you cannot say anything nice, do not say anything at all.

Etiquette for Photographers:

  • Please do not use flash or auto-focus assist lights during the cosplay contest! It makes it difficult for cosplayers to see when they are walking across the stage.
  • Do not ask to take photos with only one cosplayer out of a group from the same series/clearly in a group cosplay. Take a picture of the group, and if you would like an individual shot of your favorite character, ask later.
  • Please be mindful of your equipment that may block walkways, entryways, or other general traffic.
  • Only Planet Comicon Kansas City approved press will be allowed in the Greenroom.

Etiquette For Cosplayers:

  • Be fully aware when in a large costume or in a costume with protruding elements (like wings, tails, etc.). If you cannot see well, make sure you have a friend to help make sure your pathways are clear.
  • If asked for a photo, move out of the flow of traffic, against a wall, or to a less common area.
  • If you are wearing extensive makeup or body paint, seal it properly. You do not want to be in a situation where you cause damage to something (e.g., the pool, hotel, or convention center decorations, etc.).
  • Do not use being “in character” as an excuse to be a jerk, make lewd or suggestive comments, or physically or verbally bother someone. The harassment policy still applies to you, regardless of who you are dressed as.
  • You may not, under any circumstances, Black/Brownface, or wear any costumes that are offensive or disrespectful to any group of existing, living cultures and people. This includes darkening your skin to match that of an existing race, wearing Nazi regalia, etc.
  • If you are not a cosplay handler or cosplayer, please do not hang out in the Greenroom.
  • There may be photographers in the Greenroom. You are welcome to refuse photography if you do not wish to be photographed.
  • Please remember that the Greenroom is a collective space with a lot of nervous energy. When in the Greenroom, please be mindful of your noise level, how much space you are taking up, as well as the content of your conversations.

Glossary

  • Major Award: This is an award for a costume that has won a first place in class and/or category such as Best Beginner Needlework, Best Intermediate Foamwork, Best Master Mixed Media, Best in Show, etc. This does not include a Judge’s Choice award or a runner up award.
  • Class: Your rank within a contest based on the number of awards you have received: Beginner, Intermediate and Masters. Different contests and conventions have different ratings, so please make sure you read the information carefully.
  • Entry: Participant(s) registered in any of the cosplay contests. May include more than one person.
  • Fanart: Cosplays that have characterization rooted in existing, licensed characters, but have been reworked artistically. This includes reworks of licensed characters and licensed character interpretations (e.g., Pokémon gijinka, your interpretation of a podcast character etc.) Fanart also includes mashups of licensed characters (e.g., Deadpool Sailor Moon).
  • Fidelity: This term is in reference to how closely your costume and/or stage presence matches your character and/or reference images in terms of color, choices, and overall character essence. If you deviated from the reference, is the deviation sensible? Areas NOT considered for accuracy include: race, age, ethnicity, height, size, use of mobility items, corrective vision, or lack thereof, socioeconomic status, and other health, cultural or religious identities that the cosplayer has that may differ between yourself and the character.
  • Greenroom: Pre-show meeting and stage queue. This is usually an hour before your actual stage walk. This is an opportunity to make sure everyone is present, organized, and ready to go.
  • Made Cosplays: “Made” refers to elements of your cosplays that have been fabricated from raw materials and count toward your craftsmanship points and required craftsmanship percentage (See class level for details). Please note that this is different from “altered” items, which are elements of your cosplay that have been purchased or fabricated by someone other than the contestant and modified in some way, such as painted or embellished. If you are altering a piece of your costume, only the portions of the item that have been altered count toward your craftsmanship points and required craftsmanship percentage. It is also important to note that a costume that is comprised only of alterations does not meet any minimum required craftsmanship percentage.
  • Main Stage Cosplay Contest: This is the main cosplay attraction at Planet Comicon Kansas City on Saturday of the Convention and includes a craftsmanship pre-judging element, and a stage walk.
  • Minor Award: Awards that are not class and/or category specific, or first place awards in those categories. Examples would include a Judge’s Choice award, a runner up award, best prop award, etc.
  • Offensive Cosplays: “Offense” is a somewhat subjective term, but we are functioning with the following definition: cosplays that incite violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, transphobia, ageism, and bigotry. This includes race-facing (e.g. Blackface/Brownface) as well as costumes that replicate historic or current international or national tragedies. The goal is to make sure our attendees feel safe, included, and appreciated, so cosplays should reflect this intent.
  • Original Characters: Characters that are not licensed characters. Original characters may be submitted but they are not eligible for Best in Show.
  • PG Rating: No nudity or coarse language will be permitted on stage. Simulated violence and thematic situations are okay.
  • Progress and Reference photos: Progress photos are images that document the elements of your costume that you made and highlight anything particularly interesting/difficult about your costume. Reference images are images of the character you are personifying. These images must be presented in a hard copy form (i.e. “Progress book) and bound in some way (e.g. in a binder, a folder, stapled together etc.) No digital copies or photos on your phone allowed.
  • Sandbagging: Sandbagging has two meanings in the cosplay community, and both may disqualify you from the contest and bar you from competing in the Contest at Planet Comicon Kansas City in future years:
    • Intentionally placing your costume in a skill class lower than yours to increase your chances of an “easy win.” For the integrity of the contest, you may be placed into the appropriate class at the discretion of the judges and Cosplay Contest Directors without prior notice.
    • re-entering a cosplay for which you have already won a category award.