CEOtaku 2023 Cosplay Contest
Saturday September 23rd
Pre-Judging from 2-5 pm in Azalea (Across from Floral/Palms)
Contest Finals & Awards around 5:45 pm in Palms Ballroom Main Stage
Register for CEOtaku through start.gg/ceotaku
CEOtaku’s Cosplay Contest Details
- The cosplay contest at CEOtaku celebrates the convergence of cosplay and anime fighting games. All entrants are encouraged to dress as playable characters within the fighting game genre. The contest will highlight the creative skills and artistic ability of the entrants, while paying homage to anime fighting games as a whole. CEOtaku’s Cosplay Contest is a free-to-enter activity with pre-judging available in a publicly accessible area in Azalea across from Floral Ballroom.The cosplay contest takes place on Saturday September 23rd. Pre-Judging will take place from 2-5 pm inside of Reg Office B across from Palms Ballroom. Awards and Cosplay showcase will begin around 5:45 on the CEOtaku MainStage inside of Palms Ballroom. (Schedule subject to change within an hour time frame)
- Please note, you will need either a Spectator Weekend badge (start.gg/ceotaku) or a single day Saturday wristband which will be available at the door for $30.
Categories and Rules
- Contestants will have their Cosplays reviewed on the following criteria:
- Craftsmanship: The stitching, fabric selection, form, fit, and construction of your costume. This category includes prop-making in our contest.
- Accuracy: How well your costume represents your character.
- Originality: Is your costume unique? Did it require inventive crafting to realize?
- Presence: Do you bring your character to life?
- Weaponry Rule: Only blunted, wood, plastic, or otherwise non-lethal weaponry will be allowed.
- Contestants are encouraged to bring in-progress photos and reference images for their Cosplay if they are available to show our judges
- While not required, basing your cosplay on an anime fighting game character from our official game list would be preferred.
CEOtaku’s contest is open to cosplayers of all skill levels, but our Finalists will need to display great skill and a love of fighting game characters to go home awarded. All costumes will be judged singularly, with no additional favor shown to group costumes.
Prizing
We’re excited to Announce Cosplay Prize Support from these partners. Embellish FX Cos-Craft and Theatrical Artistry, Holiday Matsuri Anime, Gaming & Cosplay Convention & Level 99 Games Board Games
- 1st Place / Best In Show Costume is at-least 80% hand-crafted, with minimal purchased props or additions
Prize: CEOtaku Cosplay Contest 1st place medal + $200 EFX Gift Card + Free ticket to Holiday Matsuri 2023 + Astro A10 Headset - 2nd Place / Runner-Up Costume is at-least 60% hand-crafted
Prize: CEOtaku Cosplay Contest 2nd place medal + $100 EFX Gift Card + Free ticket to Holiday Matsuri 2023 - 3rd Place / Notable Cosplay Costume is at-least 40% hand-crafted
Prize: CEOtaku Cosplay Contest 3rd place medal + $50 EFX Gift Card + Free ticket to Holiday Matsuri 2023 - 4th Place Honorable Mention $25 gift card to EmbellishFX
- 3 Additional Judge’s awards of $20 gift card to EmbellishFX each
- 1 Jebailey Award for his personal favorite. If the cosplay contest reaches over 30 contestants, we will be giving out additional prizes TBD.
- ALL Registered Cosplay Participants will receive Level99Games various giveaways such as The BlazBlue Board Game and more.
- If the cosplay contest reaches over 30 contestants, we will be giving out additional prizes TBD.
Vitamin D Cosplay Repair Station
- Hey Cosplayers! Be sure to stop by the Cosplay Center located at the Vitamin D Cosplay Booth and The Splendid Treasures Booth in Artist Alley. We will have you covered with emergency cosplay Aid and any Cosplay questions you may have!
If you have any cosplay contest questions before CEOtaku, please reach out to us at ceogaming@gmail.com!
Meet the Judges!
MsValentine
Jill Valentine. Nathan Drake. Cortana. Lord Beerus.
There’s a long list of wonderful characters that Ann Marie (MsValentine) has poured her heart and soul into over the past 20 years, and has brought to life through her contributions to the world of cosplay.
Winning awards as such as “Top 8 at Combo Breaker”, “Best Individual”, “Best Craftsmanship”, and “Best Journeyman”, creating panels for various fandoms, and providing leadership to guide the course of cosplay contests at events such as GAAM and CEOtaku, she tirelessly pursues excellence and strives to push herself, and those around her, beyond limits with each creation.
When Ann isn’t bringing another character to life, you might find her supporting her favorite esports players, gaming on Twitch, or spending time with her doggo Drake
But more often than not, you’ll discover her radiating joy through various communities via her stickers, positivity, and willingness to share experiences.
VITAMIN D COSPLAY
Vitamin D forges his cosplays using foam, body paint, and gym time!
Through cosplay volunteerism, workshop attendance and leading, Vitamin D has judged, and organized cosplay events for the Chicagoland Area for over a decade.
When he’s not streaming on Twitch, he’s internationally helping others learn how to develop confidence, along with the basic skills of Content Creation.
Denialism
Known as Denialism in a microscopic corner of the internet, Julia is no stranger to the winner’s circle, having snagged the title of Best in Show at CEOtaku’s cosplay contest four times over.
This year, she hopes to put her considerable talent at judging people to use in support of the fighting game cosplay community.
With a concerning desire for perfectionism and uncanny ability to fixate on a costume’s most unnecessary detail, entrants can rest assured knowing this veteran cosplayer has been in their (likely very uncomfortable) shoes.
