Anime, manga, video games, OCs… what is allowed in cosplay contests?

Official contests and general principles

As cosplay has evolved, the number of categories and sources has increased, and it is not always easy to know what is allowed. This page aims to provide a clear and straightforward explanation of which categories are permitted in contests and activities organized by Cospop, with the goal of being as transparent and easy to understand as possible. The aim is to ensure a fair evaluation of cosplayers’ work, while distinguishing between official contests and spaces dedicated to creative freedom, particularly OCs. These rules apply only to Cospop events, and each association or convention remains free to establish its own rules.

Universes and works eligible for contests

Eligible sources include Western and Japanese animation (cartoons, anime), manga, European and American comics (Franco-Belgian comics, comics), manhwa and manhua (Korea, China), digital comics such as webtoons, video games, visual novels, mobile games (gacha, mobile RPGs), tabletop role-playing games when the characters originate from official universes, trading card games with an official narrative universe (TCGs), feature films, television series, officially produced web series, animated films and series, tokusatsu (Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Ultraman), music franchises featuring characters with an official design and commercial media (Vocaloid / Hatsune Miku, Project Sekai: Colorful Stage!, Love Live!, BanG Dream!, The Idolmaster, IDOLiSH7, Ensemble Stars!!, Paradox Live, etc.), musicals and stage productions with official costumes, as well as fantasy, science-fiction, or young adult novels, provided that an official visual representation of the character exists (official illustrations, covers, artbooks, adaptations)

Illustrations and artists

Illustrations by recognized artists or illustrators may be used as references in official contests provided that the character depicted is an existing pop-culture character and not an OC (Original Character) created by the artist. The illustration must constitute an official or clearly identifiable interpretation of the character and provide sufficient detail to allow the judges to accurately evaluate the costume. As an exception, OCs by the illustrator Sakizou are accepted as references in official contests, provided that the visuals submitted are sufficiently detailed to allow the judges to evaluate the costume.

Dolls, Figures and Merchandise

Dolls, figures, statues and other merchandise may be used as visual references in official contests, provided that they depict a character from a pop-culture work with an official license and that the character exists independently of the merchandise. The costume presented must correspond to an official design or a variation officially approved by the rights holder, such as an alternate, event-exclusive, or officially released collection outfit. The reference(s) provided must contain sufficient detail to allow the judges to objectively and fairly evaluate the costume. Dolls, figures or other merchandise depicting an OC or an original creation without an official source work are not accepted in official contests.

Mascots and Humanized Versions

Mascots originating from an official work or franchise are accepted in official contests when they are faithfully reproduced from an officially published design.
However, humanized versions (gijinka), free reinterpretations, or anthropomorphic adaptations of a mascot are not accepted in official contests, unless an official human version of the character exists and can be provided as a detailed reference for the judges.
Unofficial humanized versions are considered original creations and may only be presented as part of free-form performances.

Cases Not Accepted in Official Contests

Costumes based on OCs (Original Characters), original creations without an official source work, fan art, free interpretations, unofficial crossovers, exclusive designs or reinterpretations specific to an artist or manufacturer, as well as insufficiently documented references that do not allow for an accurate and fair evaluation, are not accepted in official contests.

Non-Competitive Performances and Artistic Expression

As part of non-competitive performances, the categories listed above may be supplemented by OCs (Original Characters), original creations, fan art, free interpretations, unofficial crossovers, artistic or musical universes that do not feature characters with an official design, such as J-music or K-pop groups when they are not associated with fictional characters having an official design, characters from personal projects or independent illustrations, as well as any work for which no officially published reference exists. Free-form performances provide an open space for artistic expression without licensing restrictions, but do not qualify for participation in official contests.