From NCC to ECC to WCS International Cosplay Competitions and Why They're Nothing Like Those at Home

Samie Correll, Josefine Hansen, Maiju Härkönen, Maija Melanen & Elina Rimpiläinen

vs.

Finnish cosplay scene focuses on costume◦Performance often just “something

extra”Danes are all about the

performance◦A good costume “something extra”◦Costume may be altered to suit the

performance

Over 40 cosplayers from XX participating countries, including one from Finland and two from Denmark

Finals annually in London, UKInternational judges from outside

of Europe

“EuroCosplay organises a costume oriented contest with countries from all over Europe sending a representative hoping to be crowned

European Cosplay Champion.”

Judging criteria:◦Accuracy 40%◦Construction 40%◦Performance 20%

Costume > Performance

Participants from the Nordic countries (except for Iceland)

Solo competitionFinals in Linköping, SwedenJudges from the participating

countries◦“The contestants will be judged on

craftsmanship, performance and likeness. Craftsmanship being the most important and likeness being the least.”

12 participating countries◦Finland is not invited because

Benjamin is so French and doesn’t like us

Solo & groupFinals in Paris, France

European Cosplay Gathering“The European Cosplay Gathering is a cosplay contest on European scale, but also a way for cosplayers to meet new friends sharing the same passion!”

10 points for costume, 10 points for show

Five judges from the participating countries

OthersChina International Cartoon and

Animation Festival (CICAF)◦Denmark and the Netherlands only

European participantsCosplay World Masters

◦Participants from an odd number of countries, finals in a different country each year

WCS

“In the true spirit of cosplay.”

Biggest and longest running of the international cosplay competitions

24 participating countries, some of them as “observers”

Finals annually in Nagoya, JapanJudges Japanese otaku celebrities

(voice actors, manga artists, singers, Furuya Tooru etc.)

Each judge awards a maximum of 10 pts for costume, 10 pts for accuracy and 5 points for fidelity to original

Additional audience votes in 2012

Entertainment event◦Competition itself is only a small part

of the event◦An epic performance is valued above

a great costumeScoring seems to mysteriously

favour certain countries

A great social mixer/place to meet cosplayers from around the world◦Platform for international

collaboration