Any questions regarding the competition?
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Show off your cosplay skills at Magicon Unchained!
Are you ready for a show? Are you ready to show everyone the cosplay projects you’ve been working so hard on? Of course you are! So sign-up for the cosplay competition and compete in the “Classic” or “Master” category.
The winner will qualify for the Cosplay World Masters in Lisbon.
Cosplay World Masters is a solo competition in which craftsmanship, likeness to the original content and performance are the main criteria for judging.
The contest will be hosted at Iber Anime convention in May 2026 and there wil be participants from 14 countries from all regions of the world.
When: Saturday
Photo by: Mic Solberg
The cosplay competition consists of two categories: Classic and Master. This is a traditional solo cosplay competition which consists of two parts: pre-judging and performance on the Main Stage.
The Classic Category
A category for the beginner to intermediate cosplayers who wish to take the next step and challenge their cosplay skills. Have you been sewing for the first time and feel proud? Take the chance and show it off on stage. Been sewing for a while but always wanted to try and stand on stage, then sign up and surprise everyone with what you can do.
The Master Category
For experienced cosplayers with more advanced cosplay skills. Be it your best seams, glorious foam work, steel job, 3D printed props or LED-light. Let it all shine bright and let the audience bathe in your glory and wonderness. This competition will mainly focus on craftsmanship and techniques, though the performance part will have a small counting in it as well.
Rules and Criteria
Cosplay Competition Rules
1. Participation
This competition is for solo contestants only.
To qualify to Cosplay World Masters, you have to be a citizen of Norway and at least 18 years of age.
2. Costumes
– Only cosplay costumes based on characters from published/official visual media such as cartoons, webtoons, animations, games and movies can participate. Original characters and fanart are not allowed.
– The contestant has to keep the cosplay PG13.
– You are not allowed to participate with a cosplay that has previously received podium placement in a competition, unless there has been significant improvement or change on the cosplay.
– The cosplay has to be at least 60% selfmade* by the contestant.
3. The Performance
– The performance can’t be longer than 2 minutes.
– If you have video and sound, this has to be provided in .mp4 format, and you can only submit one file per act.
– You will not be able to use a microphone for your performance, all sound has to be pre-recorded. The audio has to be in English.
– Confetti, liquids, fireworks/crackers etc, is not allowed.
– Weapon/Prop rules must be followed at all times.
– The performance has to be PG13.
– The contestant is not allowed to bring a helper on stage, and stage ninjas are not allowed.
– You will have 30 seconds to prepare the stage and 30 seconds to clear it off. Choose your props wisely. The Magicon event crew can provide two helpers to bring out and collect props.
– If participants choose to take the help of two members of staff in the placement of their stage props on stage, the participants will also be responsible for all risks and potential damage to the props. The time available for assembly will always be 30 seconds; the sets are prepared by cosplayer or support staff.
– All media must be submitted by the end of day on the 18th of May. Participants unable to do so will be disqualified.
4.Tech test
There will be a tech test on the day of the competition (21. June)
The contestant is responsible for showing up during the tech test at the main stage.
Maximum length of the test is 5 minutes.
5. Pre-judging
– There will be pre-judging for the competition.
– Participants will get 5 minutes with the judges to show off their work.
6. Participant responsibility
It is your responsibility to show up on time for the tech test, prejudge and performance. Make sure you have enough time to get where you need to be.
7. Winners
There will be 1st and 2nd place in Masters and Classic. The winner of the first place Masters will qualify to Cosplay World Masters
8. Cosplayers who are professional or have formal education
Cosplayers who are either professional workers or have formal education (vocational high school certificate (fagbrev), vocational college (fagskole), university/university college) in any cosplay-related fields (e.g. tailoring, hairdressers/makeup artists, arts and crafts teachers, product engineering, goldsmithing etc) may not win in the Classic category. Individuals who have attended cosplay courses or other craftsmanship-based courses at “Folkehøyskole” are not affected by this rule.
The aim of this limitation is meant to make new cosplay competitors feel safe competing together with the veterans!
If the judges deem your cosplay to be of Master category quality they have the option to bump you up to the Master category.
Criteria for judging:
| Classification | Details | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Total points | 100 | |
| Craftmanship | Quality of craftsmanship, finishing, level of detail | 30 |
| Similarity* to the original content | Similarity between the costume made and the reference image. | 30 |
| Performance | Understandable, interpretation of characters (also considering fidelity to the original character) and the quality of presentation. | 40 |
*Self-made
Exceptions will be made for things like contact lenses, shoes, wigs, undergarments, prosthetics (like ears and noses, even though it’s cool if you do) etc. as well as using other people’s equipment (such as using someone else’s 3D printer after modeling your own file)
*Likeness
The judges will only evaluate how the costume is constructed and how the competitor is using it to achieve likeness to the character it is based on. Factors such as gender, height, weight, skin colour, or similar aspects are not to be taken into consideration.
