HYPER JAPAN 2012 Spring

What is Cosplay?

Cosplay (short for costume play) is the hobby of making or wearing costumes based on your favourite characters from anime, manga, films and video games. Cosplay first started in Japan in the 1970s and today it’s a popular hobby around the world at events such as Comic Market (Japan), Anime Expo (USA) and of course, HYPER JAPAN!

HYPER JAPAN 2012 will be hosting a whole range of cosplay competitions and activities, including the UK selections for both the World Cosplay Summit and the European Cosplay Gathering!

Cosplay Competitions at HYPER JAPAN 2012 Spring

• COSParade
• WCS and ECG Group Selection
• ECG Individual Selection
• International Cosplay Panel
• Information for Cosplayers

Supported by:

COSParade

3:30pm, Saturday 25th February

The COSParade gives cosplayers of all ages the chance to strut their stuff on the stage and win some great prizes, courtesy of Nintendo and Tucky's Anime!

To enter, please download the entry forms below and bring them to the Cosplay Desk at HYPER JAPAN, together with a reference picture, by 3pm on Saturday 25th February: 

• COSParade Entry Form
• COSParade Rules

WCS and ECG Group Selection

4:00pm, Saturday 25th February

Registration is now closed, but join us on Saturday for the World Cosplay Summit (WCS) and European Cosplay Summit (ECG) group selection, taking place after the COSParade. Who will win the chance to represent the UK at the WCS final in Nagoya, Japan and ECG final in Paris, France? 

International Cosplay Panel

1:50pm, Sunday 26th February

Join veteran cosplayer Dario (Italy), Morten from J-Pop Con (Denmark), Tab of Khaos Kostumes (UK) and other international cosplay guests, as they give an insight into the World Cosplay Summit, ECG, and the cosplay scene around the world.

ECG Individual Selection

2:15pm, Sunday 26th February

Taking place after the International Cosplay Panel. Registration is now closed, but join us to find out who will be chosen at this year's European Cosplay Summit (ECG) solo representative! 

Information for Cosplayers

Weapon and Prop Guidelines

Click HERE to download the guidelines for props and replica weapons at HYPER JAPAN

Changing Rooms

Opening times:
Friday: 15:00 – 19:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 18:30
Sunday: 10:00 – 16:30

Full changing room facilities will be available. The changing rooms are open to all cosplayers - however if they become overcrowded, priority will be given to those entering the cosplay contests.

Cloakroom Facilities

Free cosplay cloakroom facilities will be available to all WCS and ECG contestants, within reason. COSParade contestants may leave their luggage at the cosplay desk during the competition only (Saturday 15:30 - 17:15).

Other cosplayers and those with excessive luggage may use the venue’s general cloakroom (there will be a small charge).