Hentai Matsuri Cosplay Contest
Check out this video of the winner from the Cosplay Contest from our family friendly and general audience event, San Diego Anime Con!
If you’re interested in joining our 2025 Hentai Matsuri Cosplay Contest, fill out the form below!
2025 Cosplay Contest Judges
All Nighter Cosplay
All Nighter Cosplay is a competitive and ero-cosplayer from Southern California. A cosplayer of over ten years, he has found confidence and community through this art form and strives to see others do the same! In addition to modeling, he enjoys making tutorials and teaching workshops for beginner cosplayers at conventions around SoCal.
Ceaseless Creations
Ceaseless Creations is a competitive cosplay duo. Comprised of rexdaecosplay and alchemic.workshop they have over 15 years of cosplay experience under their belt and have recently begun their pursuit into the competing scene themselves! Alchemy (Left) prides herself in her costuming and prop work while Daemon (Right) handles wigs. Together they have found a mutual love for cosplaying and performance and are always eagerly talking shop, offering a helping hand, and encouraging fellow budding competitors to chase their dreams!
Halftime Show featuring Neon Nash!
Neon Nash is a Los Angeles based cosplayer, YouTuber and singer/songwriter. Neon has amassed over 1.5 million followers across her social media platforms and has been a professional cosplay guest at conventions around the country. She has also performed her original music at several conventions including Anime Expo.
Hentai Matsuri Masquerade Rules
- Participants must check-in at least 60 minutes before the contest begins. If you choose to participate in pre-judging for Craftsmanship, you must check-in at least 30 minutes before your assigned judging slot.
Failure to check-in means forfeiting your chance to perform. Please let us know ASAP if you are unable to attend. - Contestants can only enter with one performance.
You may enter more than one costume but they must be part of the same entry, and worn by separate people. If you are found to have more than one entry, you will be disqualified. - At least 60% of the costume must be made by the contestant(s) in order to qualify for Craftsmanship judging. Performance-only entries may wear purchased costumes, but will only be eligible for a Performance award.
“Made by” means either constructed or heavily modified. - Do not enter or exit the staging area except at the designated points. Follow all Masquerade staff instructions for your own safety.
- Performance entries will have 2 minutes (2:00) to perform a dance, short skit, or other stage performance. Walk-on entries will have 45 seconds (0:45) to get on stage and pose to music.
- This is an 18+ convention so exotic dancing and lewd costumes are encouraged! Please keep genitals and nipples covered (pasties and thongs/jockstraps are okay).
We ask that entries do not expose the genitals or include any unsafe or unsanitary acts. - No discrimination, racism, or hate speech of any kind is allowed.
No political or religious statements via costume or commentary will be permitted. - All weapons and props must adhere to the weapons policy (coming soon)
No weapons or props may be sharp or be able to launch projectiles. Nothing may be launched at all, no matter how “safe” a participant claims it to be. - Judging will be done by our panel of qualified judges.
Craftsmanship judging is optional, and will be done before the show. Performance judging will be done on stage, and may include comedic commentary and ratings during the show. - Costumes must be self-contained and not need any external support or utilities (e.g. electricity)
- Large, elaborate costumes must be handled by the contestant.
Staff will be limited in their ability to assist so we recommend bringing your own handler.
- Any surprising elements in your performance (such as a planned fall, mock battle, etc) must be disclosed to Masquerade staff. Surprise the audience, not the staff!
- Please ensure that your provided audio is in .MP3 format, and is cut to the appropriate length of time for your entry.
- As this is an 18+ event, you may include profanity in your skit audio.
- Music does not have to be royalty-free, but we do recommend it if you want to post your performance on social media after the event.
- Failure to abide by these rules will result in removal from the current performance and a one (1) year ban from participating in future events.