Cosplay World Masters

Cosplay World Masters

May 2026 — Lisbon, Portugal

Any dates listed in the rules are for finalists competing at CWM Finals 2025 and are not applicable to the preliminaries at Youmacon. Rules will be updated with dates for the 2026 finals at a later date.

CWM requires that costumes entered have no prior awards. You cannot enter a reworked costume if it has previously won an award. It must be a new costume or a costume with no prior awards.

CWM General Rules

The CWM is a cosplay competition in which both stage performance and costume craftsmanship are evaluated, along with the similarity to the original reference image.

• All participants must be at least 16 years old. Participants under 18 (or under the age of legal adulthood) must submit a signed authorization statement from their guardians.
• The skit should have a maximum duration of 2 minutes per participant.
• Finalists must submit all elements that accompany their skit by April 21st via email to cwm@cosplayworldmaster.com (cc: filipe.costa@manz.pt). This includes video/audio, reference images, lighting requirements, etc.
• Characters represented must be from existing works in Anime, Manga, Video Games, Animated Movies, or similar media. Fan art is not allowed.
• Participants and helpers in the Grand Finale will have free entrance to Iberanime on both days.
• Firearms and other weapons are forbidden, except for replicas.
• Racist or offensive comments and behavior are strictly prohibited.
• Participants must cooperate positively with the organizers. Misconduct such as delays, inappropriate language, or conflicts may affect jury evaluation and can lead to dismissal from the competition.
• Entering or leaving the stage without proper access is not allowed.
• By participating in the CWM National Round/Finale, all participants grant free rights for exposure, reproduction, and disclosure of their work, portraits, and/or recorded images.

Costumes & Performance

• A minimum of 60% of costumes and accessories must be made by the competitors. Purchased accessories must be customized by the cosplayer.
• Cosplayers may not wear their competition costume before the Grand Finale performance. Surprise is an important element. If you do not bring an alternate cosplay, you must wait in the dressing room until your performance. After the competition, you may circulate in costume.
• Participants have 30 seconds to prepare the stage before their performance and 30 seconds to clear the stage afterward.
• Delays in performance or stage setup/cleanup will result in a deduction of 0.5 points for every 30 seconds of delay.
• Timing for preparation, performance, and cleanup will be recorded by the organizers.
• A performance begins at the start of background music or upon signal from the stage manager and ends with the participant’s acknowledgment or thanks to the audience.
• Only English audio is allowed for the Grand Finale.
• The use of liquids, viscous materials, fireworks, firearms, extinguishers, sharp tools, solvents, toxic, or dangerous substances is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in penalties or disqualification.
• The organization will provide two staff members to assist with stage props. After placement, only cosplayers may handle them. Participants assume responsibility for risks if staff assistance is used. Stage setup time remains 30 seconds.
• Scenery must be portable, easy to handle, and cannot be affixed to existing structures (no nails, glue, or hanging).
• Maximum scenery dimensions: 2 m wide × 2.5 m high × 2 m deep, divided into a maximum of three parts.
• “Scenery” refers to items on stage before the presentation. “Accessories” are objects carried or used by the cosplayer during the performance.
• The organization may inspect presentations at any time. Non-compliance may result in disqualification.

Jury Evaluation

Finalists must submit all skit materials by April 23rd via email to cwm@cosplayworldmaster.com (cc: filipe.costa@manz.pt), including:

1. Information list
2. Costume details
3. Skit materials (image, video, or music to be used)
4. Introductory video (max. 20 seconds) preferably including something representing your country
5. A short personal description (hobbies, zodiac sign, favorite anime, dream trip, etc.)

Judging Criteria

Prejudging (before performance): costume quality, complexity, detail, and similarity to the original reference.
On-stage performance: interpretation, choreography, music use, charisma, and body movements.

Scoring Breakdown

• Costume construction & finishing: 30%
• Similarity to reference/original: 30%
• Performance: 40%

Additional Notes

• Judges may request a re-performance in the event of a tie or uncertainty.
• Participants are scored from 0.5 to 10, with half points permitted.
• Winners are determined by the sum of scores.

Tie-breaker Rules

1. Higher performance score prevails.
2. If still tied, higher costume construction score prevails.
3. If still tied, the organizing committee makes the final decision.