Points are awarded according to the following three criteria related to the production of the constituent elements that express the character (costumes, hand props, makeup, etc.):

Differences in race, gender, or size of the cosplayers with respect to the original characters will not influence the judging of the degree of completeness of the costume itself.

Level of Precision in Costumes (40 Points)
Costumes are evaluated by comparing the actual costumes with the design of the costumes in the original work.

• If the actual costumes are completely identical to the costumes in the original work, full points are awarded. If completely different, the lowest score of 0 points is given.

• In cases where there are unknown elements in a costume from the original work, as long as the costume remains true to the spirit of the character and the atmosphere of the original work, design construction and color choices are left to the cosplayer’s discretion. Differences from the submitted image of the costume in the original work will not affect the score. (e.g., in black-and-white manga, the correct costume color may not be known).
  

Costume Quality (40 points)

The costumes are assessed based on various factors, including the harmony of their design, how well the costume complements the contestant’s appearance, and the craftsmanship quality, such as the precision of painting, sewing, and overall finish.

Technique (20 Points)
Costume-making skills are evaluated.

• • Costumes created using a variety of challenging techniques are scored more highly than those relying on basic skills.

  • These criteria focus on the level of quality rather than the number of techniques employed. Special techniques or gimmicks that change the appearance or structure of the costume are also evaluated.

Points are awarded for on-stage performance according to the following four criteria:

1. Performance (50 Points)
   • Evaluates aspects such as the quality and accomplishment of the performance, storytelling, prop usage, adherence to the original work, and overall entertainment value.
2. Acting & Stage Proficiency (20 Points)
   • Focuses on expressiveness on stage, including aspects such as singing, dancing, or other active elements. It also considers how well-rehearsed performers appear, their expressiveness in scenes with little or no action, and their delivery of dialogue.
3. Costume Stage Presence (20 Points)
   • Evaluates the visual impact of costumes on stage, including the impression they create upon first appearance. The use of gimmicks to change the appearance or structure of the costumes during the performance is also considered.
4. X-Factor (10 Points)
   • Additional points for exceeding expectations, particularly moving or exciting moments, or innovative ideas not seen before in the competition.

Total Score: A scale of 200 points (100 for Costume Judging and 100 for Stage Performance Judging).

Average Score Calculation: The average score is determined by excluding the highest and lowest jury scores. The final classification is based on the combined score.

Tie Resolution: In the event of a tie, rankings are determined at the discretion of the stage judges during the judges deliberations process. 

1. Judges evaluate the excellence of the representative cosplayers’ handmade costume creation, design, and overall atmosphere. A score is assigned out of 50 points (half of the full score).

    

2. Judging considers all elements of the character presented for evaluation, including costumes, makeup, wigs, and hand props.

    

3. Judging is carried out through a costume report written in Japanese or English, accompanied by a presentation (5–8 minutes) explaining the costume construction. Video materials may also be used.

    

4. The costume judging panel consists of 6-8 or more members from past alumni, WCS JP Affilated persons or approved industry experts vetted by observers excluding the WCS Secretariat.

    

5. Judges cannot evaluate representatives that has been a partner in previous WCS (MY) championship. Observers whose primary role is compliance and not judging decisions may participate.

    

6. Judging includes:
   • Presentation (8 minutes): The team explains the costume’s features, quality, precision, and applied techniques using costume report photos.
   • Q&A (2 minutes): Judges ask questions about the presentation or costume report.
   • Hands-On Check (5 minutes): Judges examine costumes up close.
7. Judging order is pre-determined and can only be changed for health or emergency reasons.

    

8. Late Submission Penalty:
   • A 10% score deduction applies for every 24-hour delay past the submission deadline. After 120 hours, a score of 0 is awarded.
   • Resubmissions for corrected documents must be returned within 24 hours to avoid further deductions.
9. The Observer members must be present at the costume judging site.
    

1. Judges evaluate staging, expressiveness, creativity, and entertainment through a maximum 2:30-minute performance. A score of 50 points is assigned

    

   Time Limit Penalties:

   • Less than 10 seconds over: 10% deduction.
   • 10 seconds or more: 25% deduction.
     
2. A performance sheet, original costume photos, audio files, and video materials must be submitted before judging. 
3. Contestants must leave the stage promptly after their performance. Actions that dirty or damage the stage are prohibited. Props left on stage will be collected by staff, with no liability for damage. 
4. Performances have a 40-second changeover time for stage props.
5. Only the two representatives may participate in the performance; no external assistance is allowed. 
6. Performance order is decided by the organizor and cannot be changed except for health reasons.

1. Judging includes all essential elements presented to portray the character. All items that are judged should all be made by the 2 representatives themselves. Elements placed on stage but not worn cannot be judged as part of the costume.
2. At least 75% of all judged items must be handmade. Assistance by friends or family must be disclosed in the costume report.In case that details are changed with respect to the original work, such as when adding parts for gimmicks, this must be clearly explained in the costume report.
    
3. Shop-purchased items (e.g., props) are ineligible unless heavily altered (50% or more).
4. 3D Printing:It is permitted to use fully automatic production tools that rely on data input, such as 3D printers or fabric printers. Aspects such as the modeling data, balance with the costume, finishing, paint, and coating or fitting/attachment to the representative are to be judged with the costume if it is part of the worn structure of a costume. Items which are hand props and not attached to the body of the representative will be judged separately as hand props.

   Purchasing digital 3D models is allowed (like the purchasing of commercial sewing patterns) provided the original creator of the model is credited by the representatives.

   Representatives may utilize public places such as maker spaces and libraries for the use of 3D printers and are not required to own a 3D printer for their prints to be judged.

   However, the items will only be judged on the steps the representatives themselves carry out. These steps are to be clearly outlined in the craftsmanship portfolio of the representatives and should clearly indicate which steps were taken to produce the final result. Items which have less process steps or are of low quality when they are finished will receive lower scores than items which follow multiple process steps and have high quality in their finishing.

   Examples of these multiple steps include modeling/creation of the 3D print, printing/scaling and manipulation of materials used for the print, finishing, including connecting the seams of multiple printed pieces to create a larger piece, sanding, priming, painting, and the attachment of these items to the costume/body of the representative.

   Cosplayers who create their own 3D files will need to show proof of their work (ie: a digital signature and/or screenshots of their process) and be able to explain their processes in their craftsmanship portfolio or in their craftsmanship presentation. Failure to acknowledge a purchased 3D print file or lying about the origin of 3D print files will be grounds to exclude the items from judging and they will receive no points.

   Items which are purchased and printed/finished not by the representatives will be treated as ‘purchased’ items like pre-made swords or knives. There must be at least 50% alteration to a purchased item for it to be considered for craftsmanship judging. Items which are purchased and have little to no alteration work from the cosplayer will be excluded from craftsmanship judging entirely.
5. Stage Props:
   A maximum of 3 stage props are allowed. Each item should weigh under 10 kg and measure no more than 2,100 mm in height, 2,100 mm in width, and 900 mm in depth. Furthermore, unique items that are used to hide the costumes or that include special features such as gimmicks or other mechanisms, must be clearly indicated in the performance sheet. Also, in case that stage props need to be connected, unfolded or manipulated likewise, such an adjustment must be carried out within the 2:30 minute limit for the stage judging.

   – Should one of the stage props exceed 10 kg in weight, Costume Judging points will be deducted as follows:

   – 10.1 to 10.5 kg: 5 point deduction

   – 10.6 to 11.0 kg : 10 point deduction

   – Over 11.0 kg: an additional 5 point deduction for each 0.5 kg of excess weight

   – Should the stage prop exceed 15 kg, an unconditional score of 0 will apply to Costume Judging.

   – Should the size of one of the stage props exceed the maximum allowed dimensions for height, width, or depth, character judging points will be deducted as follows:

   – 1 point deduction for every centimeter in excess of any of the maximum allowed dimensions for height, width or depth

   – 1 point deduction for each centimeter in excess of the combined figure for the height, width or depth

   – For excess dimensions a total of 10 cm or more, an unconditional score of 0 will apply to Costume Judging

   Items other than the stage props that need to be set on or at the side of the stage before the performance are to be set by the representatives. The setup should be possible within the stage changeover time (40 seconds), and the total weight of costumes and props should not exceed 40 kg.

   The total weight of the costumes, wigs, and hand props used on stage is to be under 40 kg for the two representatives.

   – Should the total weight exceed 40 kg, Costume judging points will be deducted as follows:

   – 40.1 – 41.0 kg: 5 point deduction

   – 41.1 – 42.0 kg: 10 point deduction

   – For total weight over 42.0 kg: 10 point deduction for every kilogram in excess

   – For an excess weight of 10kg or more, an automatic score of 0 will apply to Costume Judging

   Weapons such as shop-purchased imitation swords, katana, or similar items are prohibited. If WCS MY considers an item to be dangerous, for such reasons as the possibility that it can be dropped and/or cause injury to the audience during the performance, its use may be prohibited.

   The use of official illustrations or logos from WCS MY, WCS JP or official logos and images from other original works on items required for the performance is prohibited.
    

6. Special Effects Rules:
   • Prohibited materials: fire, liquids, metallic confetti, small confetti (<2 cm), and unapproved props.
   • Consult with WCS MY for approval of special effects (e.g., lasers, smells).
7. BGM
   Rules for the use of background music and videos are as follows:Music used in the video must be played or sequenced by the representatives if it is music that would otherwise be subject to rights management by JASRAC, or it must be copyright-free music and sound clips. Organizers should confirm that no sound sources used in the representative’s video incur copyright infringement.Background videos may be projected on the screen set up on the stage. As the use of such videos is intended to assist with the stage and enhance the scope of the stage production, points will not be awarded for the quality of the background video.

It is allowed to use the mother tongue of the participants, whereas dubbing in unrecognizable Japanese will be rejected.

The use of background music or the words of voice actors from original works and the copying or tracing of scenes or images appearing in original works for use in the background videos is not permitted. In addition, the use of videos for which the copyright holder is someone other than the representative team is also prohibited.

In addition to the above points, background videos are to be produced in accordance with the following points:

– Standard backgrounds: backgrounds that augment the stage atmosphere. i.e.: landscapes, groups of buildings, interiors Permitted production methods: live-action video, drawn illustrations, computer graphics, dioramas, etc.

– Special effects: Explosion, energy, or light effects that coordinate with movements of the cosplayers on stage. Permitted production methods: live-action video, drawn illustrations, computer graphics, dioramas, etc.

The dialogues in the performance are to be displayed with subtitles in Japanese and English. The display of the subtitles is to be arranged on the WCS MY side, and therefore it is not required to include any subtitle in the video submission. It is recommended to use the mother tongue of the representatives for the dialogue, and only the contents that have been clearly indicated with an accurate timing in the script form, in either English or Japanese, will be included in the bilingual subtitles.  

Additional rules regarding special effects and further considerations:  

Performing in the audience area or outside of the stage is prohibited.

Using the following materials is not allowed.

– Powder, small metallic confetti (lamé)

– Fire (Smoke)

– Water (Liquids)

– Paper confetti smaller than 2 cm (includes flower petals and feathers to scatter on stage)

* Paper confetti bigger than 2 cm can be used up to a total of 100 pieces.

– Crackers that use gunpowder

* Crackers that do not use gunpowder can be used. However, the paper confetti expelled from the cracker must be larger than 2cm, as stipulated above.

WCS MY will stop the use of any material that it deems dangerous or a hindrance to further changeover of the stage. When planning any special stage effects please consult with WCS MY in advance. Only equipment that has been approved by WCS MY can be used for special effects. (i.e. items that produce a smell, make an explosive sound, emit strong light,etc.)

Please consult with the WCS MY in advance if you wish to use laser lights.

Performers are not allowed to use any other external power source, such as the plugs, at the venue. All power must come from built-in batteries only.

Only two representatives of each country/region and their two designated organizers/interpreters/assistants are permitted to enter the backstage area of the Championship.

*The designated assistants for each Team must be appointed by  application to the WCS MY organizor team prior to the event.

*Family, friends, and related press will have seats provided for them and must remain in the audience.

If an issue arises upon which it is difficult to make a decision regarding a representative’s costume, it will be discussed and judged by the Observers.

Event Details:
WCS MY 2026 will be held in conjunction with Noizucon 2025.
Venue: MMU Cyberjaya (expected).
Date: TBA, September 2025.

1. Language Usage
Skits must be performed in English or Japanese.
If another language is used, participants must provide subtitles or a translated script for the judges in advance.

2. Skit Relevance
The skit must prominently feature characters and elements from the chosen Japanese pop culture source.
Significant deviations from the source material may result in point deductions.

3. Collaboration Disclosure
Teams must disclose any collaboration with professional performers, costume makers, or prop builders.
Failure to disclose collaborations may result in disqualification.

4. Cooldown Period
Previous National Champions must observe a 2-year cooldown period before participating, performing, or using their WCS MY skits in any WCS MY-driven events.

5. Competition and Prizes
Winners of WCS Malaysia 2026 will:
Earn the title of Malaysian World Cosplay Summit Champion.
Receive an opportunity to travel to Nagoya, Japan, to compete in The World Cosplay Summit.

6. Liability Statement
The World Cosplay Summit Malaysia Organization is not responsible for any injuries or losses that may occur during the event.

7. Guidelines for Participants
Participants must adhere to instructions provided by organizers and crew to ensure a seamless competition experience.

8. Promotional Use of Footage
The WCS Malaysia Organization retains the right to use footage and images of participants for promotional purposes.

9. Disqualification Notice
The Organization reserves the right to disqualify participants found in violation of the rules.

10. Changes or Amendments
The organizer reserves the rights to make reasonable changes to the rules & regulation. Only registed contestants and stakeholders will be notified.
All changes will be vetted and pass through WCSMAP for a peer review.

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Relevant questions asked by anyone will be added into the FAQ