If you’re coming to San Diego Anime Con in costume/cosplay, then join us on Saturday, November 14, 2026! You MUST have a Saturday or 3-day pass/ticket for San Diego Anime Con to participate in the Cosplay Contest! Time will be announced soon!
You MUST have a Saturday or a 3-day pass/ticket to San Diego Anime Con to have your registration submission considered.
THE PRIZE
Pictured below is the actual 8 pound WWE-style championship belt that the winner of the Annual San Diego Anime Con Cosplay Contest will win!
Click here to register for the San Diego Anime Con Cosplay Contest
Cosplay Contest Prize
Our Cosplay Contest Judges
Chibbycookie
Chibbycookie is a SoCal based cosplayer who has been cosplaying for nearly two decades! She has been doing competitive cosplay off and on since 2014, and has won awards for both individual and group performances. From Princess Peach to JJBA to Pokemon, she loves to take characters from 2D and bring them to life in her own unique way, either by adding fun details to an existing design or by making her own designs, like the various Pokemon gijinkas she has made.
Follow her @chibbycookie
Kira Masquerade
Kira Masquerade is one half of award-winning Team Kirari Cosplay, and a cosplay fabrication specialist! She enjoys creating large props and armor using a variety of materials, including foam, Worbla, Thibra, and even materials you wouldn’t think of utilizing. She is also the tinkerer who likes to experiment with electronic elements of costumes such as motors and lights. Kira has been cosplaying since 2013, started competing in 2014, and has since won several awards including Best in Class Masters at AX 2019, Best in Show at AX 2022, becoming WCS Team USA 2024 with her cosplay partner Ari, Best Stage Choreography at ALA 2025, and most recently, Best in Class Masters at AX 2026. She is the proud parent of two furbabies, a chocolate and coffee addict, and full-time fangirl from Southern California.
Follow her @kira_masquerade
Beanandcheese.burrito
Beanandcheese.burrito (Katie) is a Los Angeles-based cosplay maker and content creator whose work focuses on clean sewing and wig styling. Her work has been awarded by Anime Expo, Anime Los Angeles, LA Comic Con, and more. She strives to uplift the cosplay community by making informative crafting videos, teaching panels, and creating a welcoming atmosphere in the judging room. She can also be found in the arcade playing rhythm games (usually while in cosplay)!
Follow her @beanandcheese.burrito
Toritea Cosplay – Master of Ceremonies
Toritea Cosplay is a master level competitive cosplayer, contest runner, member of Angel Hearts Idols, industry cosplay actor, official Beyblade tournament judge, all around Sidequest Master…..AND your Host once again for the SDAC Cosplay Competition! Tori is most widely known as a cosplay actor for Sailor Venus (Sailor Moon – ViZ/Toei), Yuki Sohma (Fruits Basket – Crunchyroll), Aya Maruyama (BanG Dream – Sentai), and more at marketing events across America. Bring your cameras and your loudest voice to cheer with Tori as they lead you through a night of fun and fabulous cosplay!
Follow Toritea Cosplay @beanandcheese.burrito
Cosplay Contest Coordinator
Ari B / The Fashionable Cupcake
Ari, also known as the Fashionable Cupcake, is a hobbyist competitive cosplayer and maker. She has been cosplaying seriously since 2013, and competing since 2016, with many craftsmanship and performance awards under her belt. She is a textile specialist, and loves working with different fabric-based techniques such as dye, embroidery, and patternmaking. She has been running cosplay contests at local events since 2022, and pre-pandemic worked on fashion shows for J-fashion events. When not working on cosplay, she is probably watching anime, reading romance comics, or spoiling her three cats. You can find her staffing many SoCal events, including San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon, San Diego Anime Con, and many more!