All About Cosplay Competitions. Challenges and Hidden Realities

January 15, 2025

Cosplay competitions? They’re where creativity explodes in the best way possible. It’s like seeing characters leap out of your favourite shows or games and come to life right before you.  It feels a little magical. It wasn’t anything fancy back in the old days. It’s all about creativity, connection, and pure passion for the craft.

But let’s not sugarcoat everything—there are issues. Fairness, favouritism, unclear judging… these things can’t just be swept under the rug. If we want this incredible scene to grow, we’ve got to face the challenges head-on.

A World of Diversity

What intrigues me about cosplay competitions is how diverse they are. There’s something for everyone. For the makers, there are craftsmanship competitions. This is where cosplayers show off the insane amount of time and detail they pour into their costumes.

Every stitch, every prop, every tiny piece of armour or fabric—it’s all about creating something so perfect you’d swear it came straight out of an anime or game. Watching these creations feels like walking through a live gallery.

The Magic of Performance

Then you’ve got performance competitions. These are next-level fun. It’s not just about wearing a costume—it’s about being the character. The best performances make you forget you’re watching a cosplayer. For a few minutes, you’re completely pulled into their world. And when someone nails it?

Team Manboobs, WCS MY 2017 Champion in Nagoya, Performing their entry in WCS JP 2017

The Challenge of Hybrid Competitions

Hybrid competitions take things up a notch. You must be excellent at crafting and performing even to stand a chance. It’s not easy—actually, it’s ridiculously hard—but the ones who rise to the challenge? They’re unforgettable. An example of this is the World Cosplay Summit Malaysia Preliminaries.

The Team Effort in Group Competitions

Group competitions bring an entirely different kind of energy to cosplay. Success isn’t only about individual talent; it’s about collaboration, creativity, and aligning every aspect to create a unified narrative. From costumes and timing to how the performance evolves, everything must align.

When it does, it resembles a live theatre show featuring cosplayers. Witnessing a team work seamlessly together is enchanting. Each movement draws you deeper into their realm. The focus isn’t on a standout performer but instead on the collective effort to forge something memorable—an experience defined by fellowship and artistry.

The Impact of Online Competitions

And there are online competitions. They’re a game-changer for people who can’t attend events in person. Social media has allowed cosplayers from all over Malaysia to showcase their work.

Unfortunately—public voting can sometimes feel more like a popularity contest than a talent showcase. Yeah, that stings for the ones who’ve poured their hearts into their craft. However, there are exceptions to this professional endeavour.

Team Potato, Malaysia Representative Video to World Cinematic Cosplay Summit 2024

Take the World Cinematic Cosplay Summit 2024 (WCCS), for example. It’s the ultimate international platform where the art of cosplay reaches cinematic levels.

This prestigious event focuses on merging impeccable craftsmanship with storytelling, challenging participants to deliver performances that feel straight out of a blockbuster.

Last year, Team Potato claimed the national title in Malaysia with its breathtaking combination of intricate costume work and deeply engaging cinematic storytelling. Events like WCCS highlight how passion and talent can push cosplay to extraordinary heights, even in the digital world.

Addressing the Issues

Still, as impressive as these competitions are, the challenges can’t be ignored. Fairness is a big one. If the judging criteria aren’t clear, how should cosplayers know what’s expected of them? It’s frustrating—and totally, it’s unfair.

Then there’s favouritism. Whether real or feels that way, it’s tough to shake the idea that some people win because they’re popular or know the right people. Imagine putting in hours—weeks—of effort, only to feel like your work didn’t matter. That kind of thing can crush motivation.

Judges, too, can be a sore spot. Being famous doesn’t automatically make someone a good judge. Without the technical skills to evaluate craftsmanship or performances, decisions can feel random—and when that happens, trust in the whole system starts to crumble.

The Path Forward

So, how do we fix this? First, let’s talk about transparency. Competitors needs to be clearly explain what they’re being judged on and how it is being done. Cosplayers deserve to know whether their costumes, performances, or both are being evaluated.

Listening to the Community

Organizers also need to listen. Cosplayers’ feedback isn’t just helpful—it’s vital. When people feel heard, they’re more likely to trust the process.

Investing in Training

Training judges could help, too. Teaching them how to give constructive feedback and stay consistent would make competitions feel fairer and more professional. And maybe—just maybe—it’s time to bring in third-party panels for some extra accountability.

Automating the Scoring Method

Investing in an automated scoring system for the judges allows a fair and consistent input of results by individual judges while maintaining the coherency of how scores are given without bias.

Judges deliberations

Time needs to be given to judges to deliberate who is a clear winner and best performer. Deliberations by the judges, in addition to scores, prove for a definitive champion that goes beyond scoring,  as a set of lines of coverage may dilute judges’ ability to reward elements like wow factors or special use of technical apparatus.

Inui Tatsumi San, One of the panel judges for Curecos Runway and World Cosplay Summit 2025 in Noizucon.

Observers and Overseers

Observers and overseers play a crucial role in ensuring the fairness and transparency of the judging process. Monitoring the evaluation and decision-making provides an additional layer of accountability, reducing the risk of bias or favouritism.

Their presence also builds trust within the community, as participants feel reassured that every entry is judged objectively and consistently. Ultimately, observers and overseers uphold the integrity of the competition, fostering a more inclusive and credible environment for everyone involved.

Why the Community Matters

Despite the challenges, the Malaysian cosplay community is something truly special. There are countless moments of support and celebration for every bit of drama. People sharing tips, cheering for each other, and just vibing over their shared love for cosplay—that’s what makes it all worth it.

A Celebration of Creativity

Cosplay competitions aren’t just about winning. They’re about art, connection, and passion. Sure, there’s work to be done, but this community can overcome anything with fairness, collaboration, and a little heart.

The prizes. It’s those little moments—like someone recognizing your character or the fun backstage chats with other cosplayers. The best part? That pride you feel when everything comes together. Let’s keep creating, cheering each other on, and making the Malaysian cosplay scene one of the most inspiring in the world.

Noizucon & WCS MY, CureCos

You can explore Noizucon, which organizes the World Cosplay Summit Malaysia and the Curecos Runway Competition. Both events are backed by WCSMAP, a community workgroups that contribute to their rules, regulations, and execution plans, ensuring a fair, transparent, and seamless experience.

Access our complete library of published content through the Noizu Asia Content Directory.

Mia Chen

Hi, I’m Mia Chen—a freelance blogger who lives for travel, food, and finding hidden gems. Whether it’s chasing street food in Bangkok or sipping coffee in a quiet café, I’m here to share the laughs, bites, and stories from my thoughts. 🥢✈️

"Will travel for food, write for fun, and probably get lost along the way—but hey, that’s where the best stories happen!"