Tekko | Cosplay

Photography & Meet Ups!

Looking for cosplay photography and photo meet up information? Click here!

Official Cosplay Frames

Want to share your cosplans for Tekko this year? Feel free to use our special frame and share them on social media!

Click Here to Download This Frame (JPG) (PNG)

Cosplay Guests

Maguma

Website Bio:

Matthew “Maguma” Lewis is a 34 yr old cosplayer from Los Angeles, California. Since his very first convention at Anime Expo 2005, Maguma has found an overabundance of challenges, joy, & fulfillment in the world of cosplay! Through the years, he has participated in convention programming from award-winning Masquerade performances to hosting a variety of events & panels. Additionally, he has participated in cosplay centered TV shows, has worked with anime productions, video game companies, & volunteered at conventions from coast to coast, as well as being a member of the Executive Committee for Animé Los Angeles.

Outside of Cosplay, Maguma is a digital artist/character designer and very invested in the FGC. This has led him to begin developing his very own fighting game, Burning Souls, combining his love of art and fighting game classics.

Social Medias:

Bluesky: maguma.bsky.social
Instagram: maguma.usagi
Twitter: @MagumaUsagi
youtube.com/magumausagi
Website: Burning-Souls.com

Cosplay Craftsmanship Contest

In the Craftsmanship Contest, cosplayers are judged on their ability to skillfully recreate a design in a private, scheduled interview with a panel of experienced judges. Please review all of the rules below before registering for this competition.

Info & Rules

1. Only costumes handcrafted by the entrant are allowed to be entered into the Craftsmanship contest. Commissioned, store-bought, or thrifted costumes cannot compete. Most of the costume should be made from scratch or heavily altered.

2. Costumes that have won major awards are not allowed to compete unless major revisions or significant improvements have been made. Major award examples are “Best of…”, “Best in…”, first place, second place etc. Judge’s awards, honorable mentions, fan favorites etc do not count as a major award.

3. Official designs or fan art designs of licensed characters are welcome to compete. Original characters will not be permitted. All entries must have accompanying reference materials brought to their judging appointment. Participants will be judged on faithfulness to the design in addition to craftsmanship.

4. Participants may not enter a costume that has been judged in any previous Tekko craftsmanship contests.

5. If a costume will be modeled by someone else, the crafter of the costume is considered the entrant. They are the person who must submit the application, speak to the judges, and the one eligible for a craftsmanship award, not the person wearing the costume.

6. All craftsmanship awards will be presented during the performance event. Attending the performance is HIGHLY encouraged. If the entrant cannot participate for any reason, please notify a judge or staff member during the scheduled judging session. Entrants may also participate in the Walk-On portion of the performance, but it is not required.

7. Entrants with a Friday judging time slot may participate in the skit portion of the performance event. Entrants with a Saturday judging slot may not, due to the performance rehearsal conflict. Preference for a Friday or Saturday time slot will be in the application form.

8. Please arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment. If the participant does not show up at the time assigned, they will forfeit their right to compete.

9. Active Tekko staff and current guests are not permitted to compete.

Divisions

Junior : Participants 15 years of age or younger. This category is meant to encourage young participants to develop their crafting skills. As such, Junior entries must have made most of their own costume. Costumes made by adults for juniors cannot compete at the Junior level and must compete at the skill level of their creator.

Novice - You are new to costume making or have received no major* awards.

Journeyman - You have some experience in costume making or have received no more than 2 major awards.

Master - You are an experienced costumer or have received 3 or more major awards.

*Major award examples are: "Best Of…," "Best In…," "First Place," "Second Place," and so on. Judges' awards, fan favorite rewards, etc. do not count towards the participant’s skill level. Craftsmanship Contest skill levels only take into account awards won on the merit of craftsmanship. Performance rewards are not considered.

Participants may compete in a skill level higher than they are in, but may not compete lower level. We encourage entrants to challenge themselves! However, once the participant wins an award at a certain level, they can only compete at that level or higher from then on.

In a group, the skill level of that group is determined by the highest classed skill member of that group. For example, a group of Novices with one Journeyman must all compete as Journeymen.

2024

Best in Show

Kaijuscientists (@Kaijuscientists) as Vash the Stampede from Trigun Maximum

1st Masters

Jeremy E Taylor Design (@jeremy_e_taylor_design) as Richter Belmont from Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles

2nd Masters

On Frozen Wings (@OnFrozenWings) as Sasuke Uchiha from Live Spectacle NARUTO ~The Shinobi Way of Life~

3rd Masters

Elephantbird Cosplay (@El3phantbird) as Signet from Friends at the Table: Twilight Mirage

1st Journeyman

Ironically Nautical (@IronicallyNautical) as Fizzarolli from Helluva Boss

2nd Journeyman

Severeluna (@SevereLunas) as Edda Blackbosom from Final Fantasy XIV

3rd Journeyman

Melpool (@MelPoolCos) as Roy from Fire Emblem/Super Smash Bros Ultimate

1st Novice

Lunarcosplay (@LunarCosplay) as Aloy from Horizon Forbidden West

2nd Novice

Wisteria (@Wisteria.Cos) as Hu Tao from Genshin Impact

3rd Novice

Coskitsch (@Coskitsch) as Fujimoto from Ponyo

Judge's Awards

Sarcasm-Hime's Judge's Award

Warren Triad (@WarrenTriad) as Khury Wezette from Final Fantasy

HylianCream's Judge's Award

Swordsfaire (@Swordsfaire) as Erina from ATLUS’ Persona 5 Tactica

Tunaphish's Judge's Award

Lala Vee (@LalaVee_Cosplay) as Purah from Legend of Zelda

2023

Best in Show

Laura Sanner & Dustin Hartman (she/her & he/him) as SogeKing from One Piece

1st Masters

Raspbearry Cosplay (he/him) as Yaoyao from Genshin Impact

2nd Masters

Chibi Lenne (she/they) as Persephone from Hades

3rd Masters

Wayward Owl (she/her) as Lord Sesshomaru from Inuyasha

1st Journeyman

VioletUnversed (she/her) as Hatsune Miku from Vocaloid (Snow Miku 2019 module)

2nd Journeyman

Gearstation Cosplay (she/her) as Deuce Spade (Starsending outfit) from Twisted Wonderland

3rd Journeyman

Lauren Laufeyson (she/her) as Ranger General Sylvanas from World of Warcraft

1st Novice

Asterea Cosplay (she/they) as Prince Leo from Fire Emblem: Fates

2nd Novice

Rinn (she/her) as Katarina Claes from My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

3rd Novice

Starxxbird (he/him) as Venti cosplay from Genshin Impact

Judge's Awards

MelPool's Judges' Awards

lil-ink (she/they) as Midna from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Lutavia's Judges' Awards

Amalia (she/her) as Hilda Valentine Goneril from Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Lady Cel's Judges' Awards

ArdenEzra.cos (she/they) as Cherry Blossom from Sk8 the Infinity

2022

Judges' Awards

Momo Karino's Judge's Award went to Arielle Eiger as Mima Kirigoe from Perfect Blue.

ChibiTifa's Judge's Award went to Slothier as Sailor V from Codename: Sailor V.

VickyBunnyAngel's Judges Award went to Violet Unversed as Hatsune Miku from Project Diva/Vocaloid in the Siren Module.

1st Novice

Owlfeather (she/her) as Hu Tao from Genshin Impact

2nd Novice

Chloe Kitsune (she/her) as Foul Legacy Childe from Genshin Impact

3rd Novice

Mia Disanti (she/her) Hua Cheng from Tian Guan Ci Fu (Heaven Official's Blessing)

1st Journeyman

Ligerscout (they/them) as Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings

2nd Journeyman

Little One Cosplay (she/her) as Laudna from Critical Role Campaign 3

3rd Journeyman

Nimbus Grey (she/they) Aerith Gainsborough from Final Fantasy VII Remake

1st Masters

tunaphish (they/them) as Tunaphish Vex’ahlia from Critical Role Campaign 1

2nd Masters

Malicious K Cosplay (she/her) as Sephiroth (designed by Dessi Desu) from Final Fantasy XVII

3rd Masters

Corwynte (they/them) as Diluc from Genshin Impact

Best in Show

Jeremy E Taylor Design (he/him) as Masquerade from Sakizou

2021

Judges' Awards

Slothtier's Judges Award went to Aurra Cos as Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd from Fire Emblem Three Houses https://www.instagram.com/aurracos/

Akakioga's Judges' Award went to Trina as Sylvanas Windrunner from World of Warcraft (no social media listed)

Risuruuu's Judges' went Award to Crimson Kami Cosplay as Misa Hayase from Super Dimension Fortress Macross www.Instagram.com/crimsonkami_cosplay

1st Novice

Nimbus Grey (she/her) as Princess Peach from Super Smash Brothers Ultimate https://www.instagram.com/nimbus_grey/

2nd Novice

Ashasauros (she/her) as Kaedehara Kazuha from Genshin Impact Instagram, Twitter, etc : @ashasauros

3rd Novice

Sirah (he/him) as benton from Zone 00 https://www.instagram.com/sirahcos/ https://www.facebook.com/sirahcos

1st Journeyman

Erika Mull as Kamado Tanjiro from Demon Slayer

2nd Journeyman

Nathan (he/him) as Zinogre Armor from Monster Hunter https://www.instagram.com/edeline_dravern/

3rd Journeyman

thelegendofemily (she/her) as Princess Zelda from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Instagram.com/thelegendofemily

Best Masters (bumped from Journeyman!)

Corwynte (they/them) as Xiao from Genshin Impact

instagram.com/corwynte

Best in Show

Tunaphish (she/her) as Mollymauk Tealeaf from Critical Role Campaign 2

https://www.instagram.com/tunaphish/

Performance Contest

In the Performance Contest, cosplayers will take to the Main Stage and perform in front of a live audience. Performers are not judged on craftsmanship, only overall presentation. You may compete with bought or commissioned costumes.

2025 Registration will be available soon!

Rules & Requirements

1 As this is a cosplay Masquerade, performers are required to be in cosplay. Please contact the coordinator if you have questions about your costume's appropriateness.

2 The Masquerade is open to Tekko attendees. Staff and guests are not permitted to compete.

3 Skits have a time limit of 4 minutes. The time it takes for you to get on and off the stage does not count toward your time limit. Your audio track must be within the time limit.

4 Tekko is an all-ages event and the material in the Performance section must reflect such. No explicit sexual references or gestures, obscene language, graphic violence, or nudity is permitted. All audio must be edited for content.

5 You will be required to submit a script of your skit for approval via email before the convention. Pre-recorded music and/or dialogue is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED and PREFERRED. We cannot guarantee more than 1 microphone. You will be asked to submit your audio file via email before the convention.

6 Masquerade rehearsal is mandatory unless cleared with the coordinator before the convention. Participants in Friday craftsmanship judging may also participate in the Masquerade, but not on Saturday judging as it is a scheduling conflict with rehearsal.

7 Stage combat and other more physical things will need approval at rehearsal to ensure the safety of attendees and equipment.

8 Whatever comes on the stage with you must leave the stage with you. Confetti, silly string, and other “messy” props are prohibited. Your performance must also be limited to the stage area.

9 You cannot enter in both the Walk-Ons and Performance. You also cannot be in two different performance entries. Stage ninjas/helpers count as performers/entrants. If you wish to enter both Craftsmanship and Performance, you must have a Friday judging time for craftsmanship.

Divisions

Novice - No more than 1 major award received Novices are new to performing and competing.

Advanced - 2 or more major awards received. Advanced competitors have some experience and have often competed or performed on stage before.

Categories may be changed/combined depending on cosplayer turnout.

Major awards are awards that are considered “Best Of” , “Best In”,”First Place”, “Second Place” and so on. Honorable mentions, gag awards and Judges awards do not count towards your skill level.

You may compete in a skill level higher than you are actually in, but you may not compete lower than your skill level. We encourage you to challenge yourself! BE AWARE- Once you win at a certain level you can only compete at that level or higher from then on out.

In a group, the skill level of that group is determined by the highest classed skill member of that group. For example, a group of novices with one journeyman must all compete as journeymen.

Walk-Ons

The Walk-Ons are a non-judged exhibition of cosplayers during the Performance Contest. You walk on the stage, pose a few times and that’s it!

This portion is open to all costumes from any genres, as well as original designs. You do not have to have made your costume to participate.

You may not be a Walk-on and in a Performance entry. Walk-ons do not attend rehearsal.

Registration for walk-ons will be done at con before the Performance Competition. Please show up at Main Events an hour before the competition starts and staff will direct you. There are limited spots available and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Please have the following information ready to go! This will be written on a card that you will hand to the MC, who will read it to the audience as you walk on stage.

*IF YOU ARE WALKING ALONE:*

The name you want to be called on stage. This is YOUR name, not your character's name. A cosplay handle, nickname, or first name are all acceptable.
The character's name that you are cosplaying. If you are not cosplaying a character, write out what your costume is. For example, "original fox spirit design" or "historical kimono."
The title the character is from. For example, "My Hero Academia," "Genshin Impact," "Disney." If you are not cosplaying from a series, you do not need this information.

Examples:

Erica as Princess Jasmine from Disney's Aladdin

Bob Cosplay as an original fox spirit design

John as Shoto Todoroki from My Hero Academia.

*IF YOU ARE WALKING AS A GROUP:*

You will all be listed on one card. Please have the name of each group member followed by the character they are cosplaying, as well as series if you are all cosplaying from different media. Make sure that they are all comfortable with the name you provide being broadcast.
The title of the media the character is from. For example, "My Hero Academia," "Genshin Impact," "Disney." If you are not cosplaying from a series, you do not need this information.
You do not all have to be from the same series, but all groups must be under ten people.

Example:

Erica as Kyoko Kirigiri, Bob Cosplay as Makoto Naegi, and John as Monobear from Dangan Ronpa.

Dragon Cosplay as Batman and Evan as Goku from Dragonball Z.

Iron Cosplay

Make costumes from actual garbage, play outrageous mini games, SABOTAGE your friends!

Join host Ely Renae for a fast-paced creative adventure, where you get to speed-build costumes, and maybe sabotage your friends a little bit along the way! The audience will be split into teams and must choose their Cosplay Champions to create the ultimate costume and win the competition! Champions will have to use scrap cosplay materials and their imagination to make a kick-ass costume before the time runs out. If you're not a creative type, never fear! Audience participation will be paramount in helping your team win this event. Compete in mini-games in order to sabotage other teams, or to help your team receive items that will help them build their costume! All sorts of entertainment, inventiveness, and mischief will be had! Don't miss out on this outrageous event!

Iron Cosplay will take place on Sunday at noon at Hall stage. Any potential builders should show up 10 minutes beforehand. Those who sign up in advance will have first priority to join a team, but additional positions may be available at con.

Sign up here!

Ely Renae

Ely Renae (she/they) is an award-winning professional costume designer, cosplayer, and sewist, local to Pittsburgh, PA. She began her cosplay journey as a hobbyist 13 years ago, and since then has grown her skillset in armor construction, sewing, and wig work. Ely has been awarded multiple grand prizes in both armor-making and sewing techniques.

In 2016, Ely began taking commissions for custom-made fleece costumes and kigurumi, which led to her founding the size-inclusive brand, Kangaroomis. Since then, she has created over 1000 costumes out of her home studio, and has shipped her custom designs to cosplayers around the globe. Ely firmly believes that everyone should feel comfy and happy in cosplay, no matter their body type, size or shape, and she tries her best to reflect that sentiment in all of her creations. She also creates custom clothing, bags, and plushies.

Along with creating new designs for her cosplay brand, Ely enjoys teaching classes on costume-building techniques, sewing, and small business management. She finds fulfillment in connecting with people, and believes in the importance of fostering a cosplay community rooted in inclusivity, acceptance, and unbridled creativity. Ely also loves a little chaotic energy, which is evident in her MC work, as well as her Iron Cosplay event! In her free time, Ely is a dungeon master for a magical girl themed D&D campaign, an avid Stardew Valley farmer, and an overly-affectionate parent to her two cats, Arya and Midna.

Website: Kangaroomis

Facebook: Ely Renae

Cosplay Repair Station

You are now entering Hangar Bay 16 aka Cosplay Repair! We are a highly skilled group of Cosplayers and enthusiasts here to help you fix your minor costume and prop mishaps.

This FREE service is available for all with badges to the convention!

You will recognize our staff by their aprons and CRC badges. We will also have a Cosplay Medic wandering the convention to help with on the spot needs.

We have dressing rooms and stations for Wigs, Glues and adhesives, Sewing, general repair and paint. Our staff is knowledgeable in all areas. We are a safe space where you can change outfits, fix items (yes, even your pants for you non-cosplayers!) and prepare for judging.

Open to cosplayers: (Hours based on prior years)

Friday 9am-11pm
Saturday 9am-11pm
Sunday 10am-2pm

Magic of Cosplay Exhibit

Welcome to a unique experience, here at Tekko! Once again we welcome The Magic of Cosplay Exhibit! We believe in Cos-Positivity and look forward to another wonderful year. For 2023, we have secured a number of beautiful costumes, props, and wigs for your viewing pleasure. The exhibit will give you a chance to get up close and personal with the creations, but please, No Touching. Don’t worry, we do have some great items that you can touch and a project you can participate in. We have videos, costume construction books, and a Cos-Positivity question for all to answer. We hope the exhibit will inspire you to get creative! Our Exhibit staff will be present to answer any and all questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you at the convention. And yes, we are participating in the Ribbon Game!

Location and Hours: (For 2024!)

Friday: 11am - 7pm

Saturday: 10am - 7pm

Sunday: 10am - 1pm

Cosplay Guest Suggestions

Would you or someone you know make an amazing cosplay-themed guest at Tekko? Let us know who you want to see and why!

Cosplay

Photography & Meet Ups!

Official Cosplay Frames

Cosplay Guests

Maguma

Midnight Pursona

HylianCream Cosplay

TunaPhish

Sarcasm-himé

Rakumaroo

Paige Knovice

Horror Queen Cosplay

MC Jez Roth

StarsOfCassiopeia

Black Bettie

MelPool Cosplay

Lady Cels

Rakumaroo

Lutavia Cosplay

AJ Cosplay

Jez Roth

Cosplay Craftsmanship Contest

Info & Rules

Divisions

2024

2023

2022

2021

Performance Contest

Rules & Requirements

Divisions

Walk-Ons

Iron Cosplay

Cosplay Repair Station

Magic of Cosplay Exhibit

Cosplay Guest Suggestions