COSPLAY MASQUERADE APPLICATION

Want to strut your stuff on our Main Stage and show off that amazing cosplay you've handcrafted? We want to shine a spotlight on you in Anime NYC's Masquerade! Our contest is open to costuming pros and novices alike. To apply, please fill out this form as completely as you can. If you are submitting a group, please only fill out the form once for the group.

Before completing the application please ensure you read our Competitor Guidelines, FAQ, and the Anime NYC Masquerade landing page rules.

ALL ENTRANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PRE-REGISTER VIA THE APPLICATION.

The deadline to apply is July 23, 2026 at 12:00 AM EST. WE WILL NOT REVIEW ANY APPLICATIONS UNTIL AFTER JULY 23RD. REGARDLESS OF WHEN YOU APPLY, THERE IS NO ADVANTAGE TO APPLYING EARLY - BUT THERE IS AN ADVANTAGE TO HAVING A COMPLETE APPLICATION. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by July 31st, 2026. After the deadline new applications will not be accepted, even if the form is still live.

Email(Required)

(This will not be shared publicly.)

Email(Required)

(Please confirm your email address is written out correctly, if not, we will not be able to contact you about your application.)

Personal Information

Name(Required)

First Last

Phonetic pronunciation of your name

Your personal preferred pronouns (not the character)

She/Her

He/Him

They/Them

Other

Your age(Required)

(Will not be shared publicly)

Cell phone number(Required)

(Will not be shared publicly)

Location(Required)

(will not be shared publicly)

City State / Province / Region Country

Stage/cosplay alias(Required)

To be read aloud on stage. Can be your real name, stage name, group name and/or name of your performance.

Phonetic pronunciation of stage/cosplay alias(Required)

To be read aloud on stage

Please list your preferred social media links

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Linktree, or any other relevant links. These may be shared with our audience. If you'd prefer not to have them shared, please indicate that in the answer.

Do you have any accommodations that our staff should be aware of if you are accepted into the show?

This should include a need for a ramp/lift for a wheelchair, ASL interpreter, or any other needs. This has no impact on whether you are accepted to compete, but instead better helps us support you during the contest.

Cosplay Information

Category (select one)(Required)

Please select the skill level at which you should compete based on your experience or the number of awards you've won. If you have questions or concerns about how to choose, please see our Competition FAQ (leftfieldmedia.com/cosplay-competitor-faq/) or email us at [email protected].

Kids - Ages 11 - 15

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Are you a solo or a group?(Required)

Solo

Group

How many people are in your group?(Required)

Your costume/character’s name(Required)

Phonetic pronunciation of your cosplay/character name

Please list all of the costume/character’s names in your group.(Required)

Please include phonetic pronunciation of cosplay/character names.

From (Series/Film/Game/Etc)(Required)

How are you planning to compete?(Required)

If you have questions or concerns about how to choose, please see our Competition FAQ (leftfieldmedia.com/cosplay-competitor-faq/) or email us at [email protected].

Craftsmanship only

Performance only

Craftsmanship and performance

If you are competing with a performance, do you plan to start on or off the stage?(Required)

On stage - I want the music/video to start playing once I am on the stage

Off stage - I want the music/video to start playing before I enter the stage

Costume information(Required)

Give us the details on your costume! Who made it? What material did you use to make it? What's the part you're most proud of? Which part was the hardest and most challenging? If you are competing in performance only, just share a link to where you're purchasing the costume. We need to ensure the cosplay adheres to convention safety standards.

Help us write your stage description(Required)

Please write a draft of your stage description the host will read while you pose on stage. This could include ideas like - interesting facts about the creation of your cosplay. Maybe you used an interesting new material, maybe it has pockets, or maybe a certain part took you a really long time.

Please provide images of the actual character(s)(Required)

A full color character image of the character you are attempting to accurately cosplay is required if you would like accuracy points. We may also use this image in the contest slide show.

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 100 MB, Max. files: 3.

Please provide images of your cosplay in it's most complete state(Required)

We want 1-3 full-body shots of your cosplay on you, a dress form, or laid out on the floor in as complete a form as you have. Itʼs okay if itʼs only 50% done (though 50% is the minimum requirement to enter), but you must show us everything in at least one picture. Please remember that the contents of these images are a very large part of how we judge your application! Any applications without any full photos of the cosplay will not be considered.

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 100 MB, Max. files: 3.

Please provide images of the creation of your cosplay(Required)

In-progress images help us to understand how much of your cosplay you have made towards our 75% rule - for more information on this rule please review the FAQ (leftfieldmedia.com/cosplay-competitor-faq/). Please share 5-10 progress photos to show proof of work.

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 100 MB, Max. files: 10.

Brief synopsis of your performance(Required)

Give us information on what you plan to do for your stage performance. If you are only in Craftsmanship, please write "N/A"

Please share any links to performance recordings you have. (Up to 30 seconds of footage)(Required)

This does not have to be professionally filmed or a completed skit. You are more likely to be selected if you share a recording with us!

Please indicate here if the costume or performance you are submitting has won an award at another contest.

If so, please tell us the contest where it won and what award you won. Some award types or awards at conventions of a certain size is allowable so winning a prior award does not necessarily disqualify you from competing. If you have questions or concerns, please see our Competition FAQ (leftfieldmedia.com/cosplay-competitor-faq/) or email us at [email protected].

Acknowledgements

I and all the members of my group are 18 years of age or older(Required)

Yes

I and all the members of my group are 11 years of age or older(Required)

Yes

I have received a parent or guardian's permission(Required)

Yes

Please list your guardian's contact information(Required)

Name, phone number, and email

I have read and agree to Anime NYC's Policies and Contest Guidelines(Required)

animenyc.com/policies and leftfieldmedia.com/cosplay-competitor-guidelines/

Yes

I have read and agree to Anime NYC's Cosplay Masquerade rules and understand them.(Required)

animenyc.com/cosplay-masquerade/

Yes

I and all the members of my group understand any costume or performance entered that has won a comparable award at another competition is not allowed and will result in disqualification from the Masquerade.(Required)

Yes

If selected to participate in Anime NYC’s Masquerade, you agree to allow us to share photos you provide or we take of you during the event(Required)

Photos may be used for marketing purposes and promotion as well as future events.

Yes

Craftsmanship Acknowledgements

Did you or a member of your team make your costume?(Required)

Our Cosplay Masquerade requires handmade costumes as you are judged on craftsmanship. Sorry, but store bought costumes cannot be entered into the competition! You must make 75% or more of your costume.

Yes

I'm not doing craftsmanship

I agree to prejudging at the con(Required)

You are being judged on the craftsmanship of your cosplay. The judges will meet with you to learn about your build process before the stage contest. Prejudging takes three to five minutes the day of or the day before the contest.

Yes

I'm not doing craftsmanship

I agree to provide a build book prior to judging at the con(Required)

A Build Book is a series of photos demonstrating your process for key elements of your cosplay that you would like the judges to focus on. You may choose to include written bullet points about the process.

Yes

I'm not doing craftsmanship

I acknowledge that if I am accepted to compete, I will receive a complimentary badge to attend Anime NYC 2026 for myself and each competing person in my group, and that any previously purchased badges for Anime NYC will not be refunded as a result.(Required)

Yes