World Cosplay Summit

The first World Cosplay Summit was held in 2003 to highlight the international popularity of Japanese anime and manga through cosplay (costume play).^[4] It was subsequently held as part of Expo 2005 in Nagoya, where it gathered considerable media attention.^[5] The event grew to include participants from 40 countries and encompasses multiple activities including the Osu Cosplay Parade and the Cosplay Championship.^{[citation needed]}

On October 12, 2003, the first event was held at the Rose Court Hotel in Nagoya. Activities included a panel discussion and photography session. Five cosplayers were invited from Germany, France and Italy; "International Common Language" (MANGAは世界の共通語), a television programme dealing with the contemporary situation of anime and manga in Frankfurt, Paris and Rome, was produced and broadcast on November 24.

The 2004 event was held on August 1 at the Ōsu shopping district in Naka-ku, Nagoya. Eight international cosplayers were invited, and about 100 cosplayers participated in the inaugural Osu Cosplay Parade.

In 2005, the WCS was reorganized from an invitation-based system to a qualifying system with preliminary events held around the world, leading to the first WCS Cosplay Championship. Four cosplayers in single and group teams represented participating countries. Along with supporting activities, the event took place in two main locations: the Cosplay Parade was held in Osu on July 31 and the Cosplay Championship was held at the Expo Dome on August 7 during Expo 2005. 40 people from seven countries participated in the first Cosplay Championship, with France winning the group category, Italy winning the individual category, and with the overall contest winner being Italy.^[6] The initial goal of the event was to bring a part of Japanese youth culture to Expo 2005.

In 2006, the venue for the Cosplay Championship was moved to Oasis 21 in Sakae, Nagoya. Nine countries competed: Italy, Germany, France, Spain, China, Brazil, Thailand, Singapore and Japan, with a total of 22 cosplayers. The grand prize was won by brother-and-sister team Maurisio and Monica Somenzari L. Olivas, representing Brazil. (Dressed respectively as Hughes de Watteau and Augusta Vradica from Trinity Blood, they made their costumes by hand with help from their parents.) The event was supported by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT). Over 5,000 people attended the Cosplay Championship stage event and several thousand more attended the Cosplay Parade. TV Aichi produced and broadcast, "World Cosplay Summit 2006: New Challengers".^{[citation needed]}

In 2007, Denmark, Mexico and South Korea joined the event to bring the number of participating countries to 12, with a total of 28 participating cosplayers. About 10,000 people attended the Cosplay Championship. "World Cosplay Summit 2007: Giza-suge yatsura ga yattekita Z!" (The Super Cool Have Arrived!) was televised, and became a part of MLIT's 2007 "Visit Japan" campaign.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, with growing recognition of Japan's otaku culture, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) became the third national ministry to join in official support of the event. About 300 cosplayers participated in the Parade. Thirteen countries with a total of 28 representative cosplayers performed in the Championship in front of 12,000 visitors. TV Aichi produced and broadcast the WCS special "Everyone's Heroes Get Together!". It's a last time Japan had more national team representative than one team.

In April 2009, the WCS Executive Committee was created to administrate the development and expansion of the event. The parade had grown to 500 cosplayers, and 30 participants from 15 countries competed in the Cosplay Championship before 12,000 spectators, with Australia and Finland being the two newest participating nations. The first international symposium was held at Nagoya University entitled "Outward Minded: Worldwide Impact of Cosplay and Interpretations in Japan".

In 2010, the symposium was moved to the Mode Gakuen Spiral Towers.The number of visitors in event reached 89,800.

In 2011, the Netherlands and Malaysia joined, bringing the total participating countries to 17.^[7]

In 2012, the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Russia entered competitively at WCS, with Hong Kong and Taiwan participating under observer status, bringing the total number of represented countries to 22. WCS expanded to 12 days for its 10th anniversary, with official visits paid to Gifu, Mie, Tottori and Aichi Prefectural offices, and a second parade was held in Ichinomiya during the Tanabata Festival. The sequence of activities were altered, with the Championship held on the Saturday and the Parade on Sunday.

In 2013, Vietnam and the Philippines joined as observer nations, bringing the overall total to 24. The event was held with the help of local and international volunteers since 2009; however, this year saw the beginning of the Omotenashi (Hospitality) student volunteer group. This was the first year of the WCS as an independent company after 10 years where it was organized through the Events Department of TV Aichi. This was the first year of the World Cosplay Summit has become available broadcast live via Niconico.

In 2014, This was the first year that the Championship was held at the Aichi Arts Center beside Oasis 21. Portugal was selected to join. Also, Kuwait joined the WCS as the first nation from the Middle East, which brought the total number of participating nations/regions to 26.The number of visitors to the main venue, Oasis 21, exceeded 200,000.

In 2015, The Championship moved to the largest venue within the Aichi Arts Center called 'The Theater'. With the inclusion of Canada and Sweden as Observer Nations, the number of participating nations/regions now total 28.This is the last year that WCS used the song "We are the world" during the closing ceremony on stage after using this song many years before.

In 2016, India (the first nation from South Asia) and Switzerland joined the WCS, bringing the number of participating nations/region to 30. With this large field, the Championship was held in two stages over consecutive days. The First Stage, held on Saturday, will be divided into 2 groups and only 8 teams will be selected per group to qualify for the next round by an organized committee from each country who has no stake in their own country in each group and special prizes (Brother, Niconico etc.) will be distributed immediately after the selection. It was later found that the votes were miscounted, with Germany and South Korea having the same score as some of the nations with the fewest points to qualify. The jury has decided that both nations will advance to the next round for justice. which resulted in a total of 18 teams qualified for the next round. In The Second Stage held on Sunday All teams qualified in the afternoon before the start of the main event in the Championship round. They had to meet with the committee to explain the costumes. This was the first year of the World Cosplay Summit has become available used backscreen for enhance abilities representative's performance.The number of visitors during the periad exceeded 300,000. "We Can Start!!",^[8] the official WCS theme song, sung by Tōru Furuya WCS senior judges, was first sung during closing ceremonies on stage and later became the theme song during WCS events, including used in the closing ceremony on stage until now

In 2017, 15th anniversary of the WCS.Nagoya city declared ”Cosplay Host Town”.Belgium, Chile, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, and United Arab Emirates joined, while Kuwait withdrew, bringing the number of participating nations/region to 34. This was the first year the WCS allowed the use of dialog and scenarios from Japanese live action adaptations for performances. During the final stage of the Championships, participants from Taiwan and Brazil made unexpected marriage proposals on the stage.

In 2018, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, and South Africa joined WCS. Kuwait returned to participate while Puerto Rico and United Arab Emirates were unable to send representatives, bringing the number of participating nations/regions to 36. The Championship was held in a single stage at the Dolphins Arena Gymnasium. The Taiwanese cosplayers who became engaged during the 2017 championship held their wedding ceremony in the Wedding Hall Photo Party event;after the cake cutting ceremony, there was another surprise as the male WCS representative from Singapore made an unexpected marriage proposal.A night parade event was held for the first time at Central Park underground street.

In 2019, Austria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Trinidad and Tobago joined WCS. United Arab Emirates returned to participate after being absent in 2018 while Kuwait and Puerto Rico were unable to send representatives for this year, bringing the number of participating nations/regions to 40. The WCS Championship expanded to a three-stage event: the Tokyo Round at Tokyo Dome City Hall on 27 August, only the two teams with the most points in each group from the costume show will be qualified for the finals immediately and the remaining 32 teams will compete in the next round. It was originally announced that Group 3's Mexico and Costa Rica would advance to the Final, With the mistake of counting the votes and it was discovered later that Russia had more points than Costa Rica. So Russia has the right to compete in the final instead of Costa Rica. On 31 August, A bridal cosplay party was held in Wedding Hall Bleu Leman, where the male WCS Alumni 2018 from Chile made an unexpected marriage proposal during the event. The Nagoya Round (Semi) and Final (Championship) moved to the venue within the Aichi Arts Center. In the Nagoya Round, there will be a method of selection through the Stage Performance Contest. Only 16 teams can advance to the final and compete against the 8 previous teams who have previously qualified for the final, a total of 24 teams in the World Cosplay Championship. This was the first year of the WCS was broadcast live on YouTube, But Tokyo Round And Nagoya Round Only.

In 2020, the cosplay championship stage was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In place of the event, a 24-hour live stream fund-raising event and a Kickstarter campaign was held to support the event in Japan and its partner organizations around the world. The campaign raised over 11,000,000 yen.

In 2021, Colombia, Latvia, and Ukraine joined WCS and Saudi Arabia participated as an observer. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings and travel, a number of countries/regions were unable to send teams, including Colombia, Latvia, Austria, China, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE, Portugal, Denmark, and Myanmar.This brought the number of participating nations to 30. WCS 2021 was planned to utilize a combination of recorded, online and in-person events.A large mosaic mural of the Oasis 21 complex depicting cosplay images of many of the campaign backers was hung at Chubu International Airport. The WCS Championship was broadcast live on multiple channels: officially on Facebook, Niconico, and YouTube and by recognized broadcasters in various languages on Bilibili, Discord, and Twitch.

In 2022 will the 20th anniversary of the WCS but COVID-19 pandemic are continues including 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, a number of countries/regions were unable to send teams. The WCS organizing committee stipulates that there will be competitions in two categories by WCS representatives are coming to Japan with 11 nations for participate in Stage division (6 August) and 17 nations who cannot send representatives come to Japan will send video for participate in Video Division (7 August). But at the same time, 11 nations who have participated in Stage division will also participate in this event too, a total of 28 nations. On August 1, the WCS Organizing Committee announced that Finland unable send representatives to the stage division but still participating in the video division. And Saudi Arabia's participation in only video divisions has been canceled,total of countries participating to only 27 nations. The WCS Championship broadcast live was addition a new on Twitter And Locipo (Video Division Only). The first year WCS have grand champion two categories by Stage Division,Video Division And for the first time that the same nation has been got runner-up 2nd from both categories. Later 3 – 4 September A WCS Exhibition Event will be hosted for the first time in outside of Japan in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia called "World Cosplay Summit Exhibition Gamers8!!". Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Egypt, Lebanon and Poland joined the WCSxGamers8 event (not as WCS member countries). It is the first time that Colombia, Latvia has sent a joint representative after being unable to do so in 2021. The representatives are all alumni over the years, including the most recent representative and some representatives has been direct invite by WCS.By competing in such events, the WCS does not have an official live broadcast.

In 2023, Austria, Malaysia and Portugal returned to participate after being absent in 2021.The WCS organizing committee had set the competition to be just Stage performance as before.It was announced that there were 34 countries/regions, but later the Philippines withdrew from the competition bringing the number of participating nations/regions to 33 only.Later August 28-28, the WCS exhibition will be held again in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia called "Gamers8 Cosplay Cup supported by World Cosplay Summit". Argentina, Bangladesh, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iraq, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Serbia and Slovakia joined the WCSxGamers8 event (not as WCS member countries). It is the first time that Myanmar has sent a joint representative after being unable to do so in 2019, bringing the number of participating nations/region to 45. This competition still adheres to the rules of the WCS competition, but this competition, each national representative allowed the use of dialog and scenarios from Western media. which is different from the normal that it has to be a media from Japanese only.And this is the first time that WCS official YouTube channel has broadcast live competition in Saudi Arabia. Just like the WCS Championship in Japan. But due to some problems, the representative from Lebanon will not be able to perform on stage, but will still participate in activities on stage with representatives of all nations.

In 2024,The WCS organizing committee has announced that the video division will return and renamed the World Cinematic Cosplay Summit and change to online event competition on June 8–9 and broadcast live on officially on Facebook, Twitch, X (Twitter) and YouTube, while the WCS Championship will remain on its original schedule in August.The participating countries include 19 original member nations.The first day was a competition to select the top 5 representatives from the wild card group to compete with the 19 member nations in the next day. Each country could send more than 1 team, but in the end, the competition ended with 6 representatives because the bottom 2 teams had the same score.The WCCS champions who win the tournament will be invited to participate in the WCs events in August. Czech Republic and Mongolia joined WCS as member countries.bringing the number of participating nations/regions to 36.

in 2025, Bolivia, Peru and Poland joined WCS and Kuwait returned to participate, bringing the number of participating nations/regions to 41.This is the first year that a special live broadcast of the costume judging was held before the championship day and the highest costume score was announced before the Grand Champion and two runners-up were announced.After competition ended,The WCS organizing committee announced that the 2026 event would be the last year to be held in August, and from 2027, it would be held in November.

Regulations of the preliminaries for each country are decided by the event in which the respective preliminaries takes place. The following are participation regulations of the WCS Championship (finals) in Japan

Sources:^[9]

1. Each country will be represented by one team of two cosplayers.

2. The costumes must be from Japanese anime, manga, and tokusatsu.

• Dojinshi and unique characters from live-action movies based on anime or manga are not permitted (i.e. Dragonball Evolution, etc.).
• When doing a costume from a game, the character must be recognizably Japanese (i.e. not a Disney or Star Wars character even though the game may be made in Japan).

3. Cosplay costumes are to be hand-made.

• It is permissible for family and friends to help with costumes, but the contestants should be actively involved in the construction process.

4. Prospective entrants must be able to travel to Japan for about one week from the end of July to early August for the World Cosplay Summit Championship.

5. Participating minors must have consent of a guardian (rules may vary depending on the preliminary rules in different countries).

6. Contestants must participate in a positive manner in order to ensure the success of the World Cosplay Summit.

7. Legal Documents (i.e. passport application, official documentation, etc.) must be prepared and submitted as quickly as possible at the request of the WCS sponsor (TV Aichi).

8. Media such as TV programs, Internet homepages, newspapers, magazines, etc. may use photos and images of the preliminary contests prior to the World Cosplay Summit. On these occasions, compensation will not be furnished.

9. All image rights in all media exposure, such as news from TV programs and other assorted media involved with the World Cosplay Summit, promotional activities in print media as well as events and performances, and announcements of the Cosplay Summit both prior and during the event, will be attributed to TV Aichi.

10. After the World Cosplay Summit, images, photographs, footage, programs broadcast, Internet homepages and DVDs, etc. of the contestants will come under the jurisdiction of TV Aichi. Compensation will not be furnished for such images used by the media.

Source:^[9]

1. A minimum of three costumes must be brought to Japan: one for the Parade, one for the Championship, and one for media appearances.

2. In the Cosplay Championship, the costumes of the characters must be from the same Japanese manga, anime, video game or tokusatsu series.

• It is not necessary to coordinate costumes for the Parade or otherwise.

3. All equipment, costumes and props for the Cosplay Championship performance are limited to a maximum weight of 40 kg (88 lb) combined for both performers.

4. All large props set on stage before the Cosplay Championship performance begins are limited to a maximum weight of 10 kg (22 lb). Prop dimensions are limited to 2,100 mm (83 in) in height, 2,100 mm (83 in) in width and 900 mm (35 in) in depth.

5. All large props set on stage are limited to a maximum of 3 items. Dimensions of hand held props carried onto the stage must be relayed to WCS head office in written form and accompanied by photographs.

6. It is not permitted to directly copy original drawings or logos to your equipment or props.

7. You are required to bear the cost of any overweight luggage charges when shipping costumes and other items. It is not possible to send them to Japan by air or ship beforehand.

8. Please prepare your own music for your performance. A performance sheet stating what you will perform is to be submitted in advance. The use of voice actors voices from original works in your music is prohibited.

9. Please send the documents and sound file at latest one month before the date of the Cosplay Championship.

Source:^[10]

1. Only handmade costume

2. The costumes must be from Japanese anime, manga, and tokusatsu.

3. The Stage Performance team must in group 2 judging time is 2.30 min for performance

4. Background screen can be used as a stage direction

5. The ranking is determined by the total score of the Character Judging and the Stage Performance Judging

Source:^[10]

1. The championship a special "online" edition (2021)

2. The national team will not be coming to Japan (2021)

3. Videos under 2 minutes and 30 seconds, the basic video editing must be done by the representatives, however adding CG or visual effects done by someone other than the representatives are allowed with credit to them.

4. Pair of 2 people (use of extras allowed)

5. Costumes are handmade, no weight or size restrictions

6. Music used in the video must be played or created by 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.

7. The use of copyrighted background music or the voices of voice actors from original works and the copying or tracing of scenes or images appearing in original works for use in the videos, and sources, where the copyright holder is someone other than the representative team, is not permitted

The Semi-final judges are a panel of usually organizer from participating nations/region, selected so that they are not judging the same group that contains their own team. Judging criteria use the same championship criteria apply as 2016.

The Tokyo judges are a panel of usually organizer from participating nations/region, selected so that they are not judging the same group that contains their own team. Judging criteria have a maximum total of 25 points for (a) Costume stage presence (50 points) and (b) Fidelity towards the original (50 points)

Judges are a panel of usually guest judges from the anime, manga and cosplay community.

In Early – 2015, Judging criteria have a maximum total of 25 points for (a) Performance (10 points), level of performance, inventiveness, entertainment, (b) Costume (10 points), design, faithfulness to the original characters costume, and (c)Fidelity to Original (5 points), level of faithfulness of the performance towards the original story and characters. At a later time has been change costume score to 15 points make a maximum total of 30 points

In 2016, Costume scoring criteria has been changed divided into costume craftsmanship (10 points) by organizers (organizer from participating nations/region, selected so that they are not judging the same group that contains their own team.) and the costume impact on stage (5 points)

In 2017, Costume impact on stage has been changed to Costume stage expression

In 2018, Judging criteria for all scores has been increased by 10 times.

In 2019, Costume Craftsmanship has been changed to Character Judging

In 2021, the hybrid year, the criteria were: (a) character judging, comprising costume precision (30 points), costume quality (10 points) and technique (10 points), and (b) video judging (100 points), comprising conception (45 points), acting (45 points), and "X-factor" (10 points).

In 2022, This is the first year a competition is divided into two categories, making it two Categories of criteria. Stage Division the criteria were: (a) character judging (100 points), comprising costume precision (40 points), costume quality (40 points) and technique (20 points), and (b) stage judging (100 points), comprising performance (50 points), acting・stage proficiency (20 points), Costume stage presence (20 points), and "X-factor" (10 points). Video Division use the same criteria apply as 2021.

In 2023, the judging criteria for stage performances will be based on the same criteria as in 2022.

Judges are a panel of usually guest judges from the anime, manga and cosplay community.

In 2024, the judging criteria for WCCS will be based on the same video division criteria.

Attending countries in bold indicate first attendance for that year:

Year	No.	Attending countries	Guest commentator/s	Date	Venue
2003	4	France, Germany, Italy, Japan	–	October 12	Rose Court Hotel
2004	5	France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United States	–	August 1	Ōsu shopping area
2005	7	China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, United States	Tōru Furuya Tomoe Shinohara	July 31	Ōsu shopping area
				August 7	Expo Dome
2006	9	Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Thailand	Tōru Furuya	August 5	Ōsu shopping area
				August 6	Oasis 21
2007	12	Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand	Tōru Furuya Shoko Nakagawa	August 4	Ōsu shopping area
				August 5	Oasis 21
2008	13	Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, United States[2]	Tōru Furuya Natsuki Katō	August 2	Ōsu shopping area
				August 3	Oasis 21
2009	15	Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, United States[2]	–	August 1	Ōsu shopping area
				August 2	Oasis 21
2010	15	Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, United States	–	July 31	Ōsu shopping area
				August 1	Oasis 21
2011	17	Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, United States	–	August 6	Ōsu shopping area
				August 7	Oasis 21
2012	22	Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong (Observer), Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan (Observer), Thailand, United Kingdom, United States	–	August 4	Oasis 21
				August 5	Ōsu shopping area
2013	24	Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong (Observer), Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines (Observer), Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan (Observer), Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam (Observer)	–	August 3	Oasis 21
				August 2	Ōsu shopping area
2014	26	Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait (Observer), Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines (Observer), Portugal (Observer), Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam (Observer)	–	August 2	Aichi Arts Center
				August 3	Ōsu shopping area
2015	28	Australia, Brazil, Canada (Observer), China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden (Observer), Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam	–	August 1	Aichi Arts Center
				August 2	Ōsu shopping area
2016	30	Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,  Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam	–	August 6	Aichi Arts Center
				August 7	Ōsu shopping area, Aichi Arts Center
2017	34	Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,  Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam	–	August 5	Aichi Arts Center
				August 6	Ōsu shopping area, Aichi Arts Center
2018	36	Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,  Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam	–	August 3	Central Park
				August 5	Ōsu shopping area, Dolphins Arena
2019	40	Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,  Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam	–	July 27	Tokyo Dome City
				August 3	Aichi Arts Center
				August 4	Ōsu shopping area, Aichi Arts Center
2020	24 hour global online broadcast – August 1 – Aichi TV, Osu Studio
2021	30	The national representative no coming and send video only Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia (Observer), South Africa, Spain, Sweden,  Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam	–	August 8	Oasis 21
2022	28	All national representatives will participating in video division but have 10 national representatives only participating both a stage division (S) and video division (V) Australia (S&V), Belgium (S&V), Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France (S&V), Germany (S&V), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands (S&V), Philippines (S&V), Saudi Arabia (Withdraw in 1/8/2022), South Korea, Spain (S&V), Sweden,  Switzerland (S&V), Taiwan, Thailand (S&V), Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Vietnam (S&V)	–	August 6	Aichi Arts Center
				August 7	Oasis 21
2022 EX	39	Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippine, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain,  Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam	–	September 3	Boulevard Riyadh City
				September 4	Boulevard Riyadh City
2023	34	Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt , Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines (Withdraw in 15/6/2023), Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,  Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam	–	August 5	Aichi Arts Center
				August 6	Oasis 21
2023 Cosplay Cup	45	Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Panama, Peru, Philippine, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam	–	August 27	Boulevard Riyadh City
				August 28	Boulevard Riyadh City
2024 WCCS	32	Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada , Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany , Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico , Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine , United Kingdom, United States	–	June 8	Commufa Esports Stadium Nagoya (Online Event)
				June 9	Commufa Esports Stadium Nagoya (Online Event)
2024	36	Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland , France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Latvia , Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Philippines , Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,  Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam	–	August 3	Aichi Arts Center
				August 4	Oasis 21
2025	41	Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Bolivia, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden,  Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam	–	August 3	Aichi Arts Center

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Yearly results for the top awards:

Year	Grand Champion		Runner-up 1st		Runner-up 2nd		Special award from "brother"
2005 1, 2		Giorgia Vecchini (Individual,Over All Grand Champion) Francesca Dani (Over All Grand Champion) Emilia Fata Livia (Over All Grand Champion) Elena Fata Livia (Over All Grand Champion)						Nakamura-han/Nakamura Family
2006 3		Maurício Somenzari L Olivas (Mah Psylocke) Mônica Somenzari L Olivas (Kawaii Aeris)		Mariko Cyoko		Alessandro Leuti Alessia de Magistris		Goldy Marg Aoisakuya
2007		Damien Ratte Isabelle Jeudy		Kikiwan Naoki Shigure				Linaloe Rodriguez Rivera (Linamoon) Alejandra Rodriguez Rivera (Yunnale)
2008		Jéssica Moreira Rocha Campos (Pandy) Gabriel Niemietz Braz (Hyoga)		Zhao Chin Zhang Li				Yui Mino
2009		YuRi RiE		Bereniç Serrano Vidal (Piruletosa) Laura Fernández Ramos (Madoka)				Elizabeth Licata (fatwetdog) India Davis (Dia)
2010		Luca Buzzi Giancarlo Di Pierro		Gabrielle Christine Valerio Gabriel Niemietz Braz (Hyoga) Orawan Aggavinate (Alexis Seiz) Patawikorn Uttisen (Pat)		Myungseon Lee Suengyong Kong Laura Salviani (Nikita) Cecile Auclair (Sikay)		Orawan Aggavinate (Alexis Seiz) Patawikorn Uttisen (Pat)
2011		Maurício Somenzari Leite Olivas Mônica Somenzari Leite Olivas		Marika Roncon Daniela Maiorana		Deng Ya Qian Zheng Jia Hong		Tessa Beattie Jessica L. Allie
2012		Yukari Shimotsuki Kaito		Frank Koh (Raistlin03) Valerie Seng (ayatenshi)		Yesaya (Konnichi) Rizki (Zhuge)		Frank Koh (Raistlin03) Valerie Seng (ayatenshi)
2013		Andrea Vesnaver Massimo Barbera		Cassandra May (Breathlessaire) Tiffany Tezna (Starlighthoney)		Pongwat Honghiranrattana (Hisa Minuet) Chittaworn Veeraroj (Scarleta Win)		Cassandra May (Breathlessaire) Tiffany Tezna (Starlighthoney)
2014		Nek (Neko-tin) Nichi		NadiaSK MOGU		Dharma (Guriinko) Ryan (Ryan no Ryu)		Shinji TinYasuo
2015		Juan Carlos Tolento (TWIIN Cosplay) Shema Arroyo (TWIIN Cosplay)		Akiba (Manuel Capitani) Luca Buzzi		Ashley Rochelle (AlpacaAsh) Sarah R. (Yummy Gamorah)		Ashley Rochelle (AlpacaAsh ) Sarah R. (Yummy Gamorah)
2016		Rian CYD Frea Mai		Shinji TinYasuo		LucioleS Lyel		Jesmo Yumi Koyuki
2017		Xue Yan Xue Tian Tian		Al Squall Doritaa		Mahio Mariko		Milou Aluota
2018		Banana Ed Banana Luis		Yumaki Machibun		Jasper Z (Zei) Kutto		Aik0hime TinYasuo
2019		K Ameno Kitarou (A.K. Wirru)		Joshua Hart Design Garnet Runestar (Elrowiel)		Kalimsshar SakuraFlame		Feder Cita
2020	Championship not held due to COVID-19
2021		Calssara Elffi		Diaboliko Cosplay Nero Cosplay		Nomes (Nomes Cosplay) Minney (Be More Shonen)		Jin (behindinfinity) AC Hernandez
2022		Beryl Hazariel (Stage Division) Yumidun Birthbysleep (Birthbysleeping) (Video Division)		Taigakunn Natalie (Artemis) (Stage Division) Rizel cosplay Sorato (Sora to cosplay) (Video Division)		Thames Malerose Jasper Z (Zei) (Stage Division & Video Division)		Beryl Hazariel
2022 EX		Rian CYD Yumaki		Eriza Javier Gaete		Yuko Exion		Eriza Javier Gaete (Don't have Brother award at the event, but have similar awards.)
2023		Clood Tsupo		SayoChuu Saber		Chris Lorraine		Clood Tsupo
2023 Cosplay Cup		SayoChuu Saber		Banana Ed Banana Luis		Jiu Xin You Ling		Nymesia Synergie (Don't have Brother award at the event, but have similar awards.)
2024 WCCS		Kairi Dorian Makbeth		Karlonne Devas		Newtsip AliceNyanNya
2024		Mamemayo Mioshi		Pilerud's cosplay (Henrik Pilerud) MightyMillis (Victoria Christensen)		Tedy Avena		Penumbra ZIN
2025		Heidi Mckayla		Milou Thaly		Kellthy Luis Telles		Heidi Mckayla

• ^1 Group Champion: France (Pauline Mesa, Laurence Guermond, Wendy Roeltgen)
• ^2 Individual Champion: Giorgia Vecchini
• ^3 3rd: Italy (Alessandro Leuti, Alessia de Magistris)

Results of the 2025 World Cosplay Championship

2025 Award	Winner
1st Place (Grand Champion)		Heidi Mckayla
2nd Place (Runner-up 1st)		Milou Thaly
3rd Place (Runner-up 2nd)		Kellthy Luis Telles
Tamakoshi Award (Alumni Category/Number 1 Team Select By Alumni)		Kellthy Luis Telles
Samurai Energy Award (Action Category/Most Excellent Action)		Stan Cosplay William AS
Nagoya University of the Arts Award (Dramatic Category/Most Movie Scenario)		Tery Kate
Brother Award (Costume Making Category/Best Costume)		Heidi Mckayla
Nigigen No Mori (Best Armor Category/Best Costume Design)		Redemption Props (Rohit Kailashiya) Kiku Art and Krafts
Famoré Cutlery Award (Celebrating the Joy of Cosplay Category/Most Emotional Performance)		Lilikoi Shibuhara
Holiday Matsuri Award (Holiday Matsuri Category/Cultural Exchange)		Glin Miss Bakemono
Muta Marine Award (Gimmick/Technology Category)		RE VEGA MATT OF THE MONSTERS

Results of the 2024 World Cinematic Cosplay Summit

2024 World Cinematic Cosplay Summit Awardrd	Winner
1st Place (Grand Champion)		Kairi Dorian Makbeth
2nd Place (Runner-up 1st)		Karlonne Devas
3rd Place (Runner-up 2nd)		Newtsip AliceNyanNya

Results of the Gamers8 Cosplay Cup supported by World Cosplay Summit

Gamers8 Cosplay Cup supported by World Cosplay Summit Award	Winner
1st Place (Grand Champion)		SayoChuu Saber
2nd Place (Runner-up 1st)		Banana Ed Banana Luis
3rd Place (Runner-up 2nd)		Jiu Xin You Ling
4th Place (Runner-up 3rd)		Unu Ochi
5th Place (Runner-up 4th)		Daiki Kuniton
Best Performance		AR★Lu Ronnie Kui
Best Crafted Costume		Nymesia Synergie

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This list contains the champions of World Cosplay Summit.

Club	Wins	Winning years
Italy	3	2005, 2010, 2013
Brazil	3	2006, 2008, 2011
Indonesia	2	2016, 2022 Exhibition Event
Japan	3	2009, 2012, 2024
Mexico	2	2015, 2018
France	2	2007, 2022 (Stage Division)
Russia	1	2014
China	1	2017
Australia	1	2019
Germany	1	2021
Sweden	1	2022 (Video Division)
United Kingdom	1	2023
Latvia	1	2023 Cosplay Cup
Poland	1	2024 WCCS
USA	1	2025

The following conventions, organizations and events have held or organized the preliminary contests to select the representatives of each country for the Cosplay Championship since 2005

• Australia: SMASH! in Sydney
• Austria: AniNite in Vienna
• Bangladesh: Bangladesh Association of Cosplayers – BAC in Dhaka
• Belgium: Made In Asia in Brussels
• Bulgaria: Aniventure ComicCon in Sofia
• Brazil: Editora JBC / Festival do Japão in São Paulo
• Canada: Otakuthon in Montreal
• China: Howell International Trade Fair Ltd. in Beijing
• Chile: AEX Santiago in Santiago
• Colombia: CLICK ON DESIGN LTDA in Bogotá
• Costa Rica: Con-X Convention in San José, Costa Rica
• Czech Republic: Animefest in Brno
• Denmark: J-Popcon in Copenhagen
• Egypt: EGYcon in Cairo
• Finland: Cosplay Finland Tour / Tracon in Tampere
• France: Japan Expo Sud in Marseille
• Germany: Connichi in Kassel
• Hong Kong: C3 in Hong Kong
• India: Winter Cosplay Wonderland 2 in Chümoukedima, Nagaland
• Indonesia: Indonesia Cosplay Grand Prix in Jakarta
• Italy: ROMICS in Rome
• Japan: Cossan in Tokyo
• Kuwait: Plamo Con (2014) / Comic Con Kuwait (2017) in Kuwait City
• Latvia: UniCon – Latvian Comic Con in Riga
• Malaysia: World Cosplay Summit Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur
• Mexico: Expo-TNT in Mexico City
• Myanmar: WCS Myanmar Preliminary in Mandalay
• Netherlands: Animecon in The Hague
• Philippines: Anime Alliance Philippines in Manila
• Poland: Magnificon Winter in Kraków
• Portugal: Iberanime (2014) in Lisbon
• Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico Comic Con (2017) in San Juan
• Russia: Hinode in Moscow
• South Africa: IconCGC in Gauteng
• South Korea: Samsung Everland / Wonder Cosplay Festival in Seoul
• Spain: FICOMIC / Salón del Manga (Ficomic ^[es] / Salón del Manga de Barcelona) in Barcelona
• Sweden: Comic Con Stockholm in Stockholm
•  Switzerland: Polymanga in Montreux
• Taiwan: Petit Fancy in Taipei
• Thailand: COSCOM / Orinos BKK / Asia Comic Con / Cosplay Grand Prix / Japan Expo / WCS Thailand Preliminary By GYu Creative (2019–present) in Bangkok
• Trinidad and Tobago: Alias Entertainment Expo in Tunapuna
• UK: MCM Comic Con in London
• USA: Holiday Matsuri in Orlando
• Vietnam: Touch FES in Ho Chi Minh City

• Australia: Animania in Sydney (2009–2013)
• Bulgaria: AnimeS Expo in Sofia (2018-2024)
• China: Hangzhou True Design Company Ltd. (2005–2007)
• France: Epitanime (2005)
• India: Japan Pavilion in India Gaming Show (2017) in Delhi
• india: Japan Pavilion in India Gaming Show South (2018) in Bengaluru
• Japan: Cosplay Festa in Tokyo Dome City (Tokyo, 2006–2008)
• Japan: Layered XTRM at Osaka Castle Bandshell (Osaka, 2007)
• Japan: Cosplayers JAM Revolution (Osaka, 2008)
• Japan: Nipponbashi Street Festa in Osaka
• Singapore: Cosfest in Singapore (2006–2017)
• Singapore: Anime Festival Asia in Singapore (2018-2019)
• Thailand: Negibose Thailand (2006–2016) / Oishi Group (2010–2015 Co-organizations With Negibose Thailand) in Bangkok
• USA: New York Anime Festival (2008, 2009) in New York City
• USA: FanimeCon (2010) in San Jose
• USA: AM2 (2011) in Anaheim
• USA: Katsucon (2012) in Washington, D.C.
• USA: Anime Central in Chicago

In addition to the World Cosplay Summit, there are other international cosplay competitions:

• China International Cartoon & Animation Festival (CICAF) / China Cosplay Super Show (CCSS) in Hangzhou, China
• Clara Cow's Cosplay Cup (C4) in Rotterdam, Netherlands (Final Year held in 2022)
• Cosplay World Masters (CWM) in Lisbon, Portugal
• Euro Cosplay Championship (EuroCos) in London, United Kingdom (Now merged with Cosplay Central Crown Championship)
• Extreme Cosplay Gathering (formerly European Cosplay Gathering) (ECG) in Paris, France
• Gyeonggi International Cosplay Festival (GICOF) in South Korea
• International Cosplay League (ICL) in Madrid, Spain
• Nordic Cosplay Championship (NCC) in Sweden
• Yamato Cosplay Cup International (YCCI) in São Paulo, Brazil

• Anime convention
• List of anime conventions