Want to see your favorite characters battle it out with each other? Well with Cosplay Human Chess, anything is possible. No one knows what will happen as two chess players maneuver cosplayer pieces across a giant chessboard. This year's theme for AnimeNEXT is the classic battle of Good vs Evil. Lets just see who comes out on top!

How does Cosplay Human Chess work? In ordinary Human Chess, 32 participants act out the parts of chess pieces on a giant board as two players direct from above. Cosplay Human Chess is the same, except that all the pieces are in costume, and act out their moves as their characters would. Only the two main players need chess experience.

Cosplay Human Chess Rules

To participate on the board in Cosplay Human Chess, you must be in costume as anime/manga/video game characters. Priority is given to well-known characters from popular series and to multiple characters from the same series. Pre-registration for this event is required for those actually participating in the event as chess pieces.

1. Entries must be from a Manga, Anime or Japanese video game.

2. You may enter more than one costume.

3. Costumes will be selected on quality and construction, as well as popularity of the character and show. This is not available on a first come, first served basis.

4. Costumes do not have to be made by the cosplayer.

5. All costumes must be suitable for viewing by those aged 13 and younger. We will immediately discard any entries that disregard this rule. All costumes must also follow the convention's guidelines. All weapons must also adhere to the AnimeNEXT's weapon policy. [ADD LINK TO CODE OF CONDUCT PAGE]

6. You must attend the chess meeting prior to the match. There are things that you need to know that will be covered during this time. This will help prevent some of the chaos from occurring during the match. You must also be on time! Being late will mean your character is dropped.

7. All contestants must be registered for an AnimeNEXT membership. If you are not registered for the convention, you will not be able to participate. Anyone participating that is under 18, must have a waiver signed by their parents or guardian which you will receive if you've been approved.

8. This is a performance after all, so you may not perform "attacks" that could hurt the other cosplayers or damage their costumes. Overall, please be considerate of the others involved.

9. Images of your costume must be presented along with the entry form. Please include multiple angles of your costume. You will NOT be considered without all information on your entry, as detailed below. All costumes entered must be 100% complete in the reference images. Remember to include your real name, contact email and the series of your character when applying. Also please indicated whether your character is Good or Evil.

10. Feel free to apply as a part of a group, or individually.

Cosplay Human Chess FAQ

How are applicants selected?
We will select the participants on the basis of the characters, and the quality of the costume, not on a first-come, first-served basis.

We are looking for applicants who will cosplay major characters from well-known shows so that everyone in our audience will be able to enjoy their viewing experience to the utmost. Priority will be given to very recognizable and popular characters that will be easily distinguishable from one another at a distance. Applicants with costumes from obscure shows or of lesser-known characters will almost certainly not be accepted, no matter how delightful the costume is.

How does the role-play work on stage?
On stage, you will follow the directions of the chess players and voice-overs. There will be no role-playing involving dialogue, because it is impossible to provide microphones to everyone on the stage. Only physical movement will be visible and there will be no scripted or unscripted banter possible between the participants. Please keep this in mind when submitting applications. You will be able to interact with other characters in pantomime and you will be asked to prepare an elaborate attack. If you are selected, the chess coordinators will brief you thoroughly by email before the match and help you plan.

How many people will be selected?
We will choose thirty-two (32) chess piece participants who will be active on the chessboard. We will also select a set of alternates and several special attacks.

Do I get to pick which piece I am?
Applicants will not be given a choice of which position they want to be on the chessboard. These decisions will be entirely up to the chess coordinators with no exceptions. No requests in this matter will be considered.

Do I get to pick which side I'm on?
When submitting an application form, please state whether you are applying to be on the Evil or Good side.

How do I apply?

Please fill out the contact form [LINK TO FORM] on this page. Make sure to include your real name, contact email, and age. Every applicant must submit a link to a web page with a minimum of two (2) color photos of the applicant wearing the specific costume that they intend to wear as a participant: one (1) full-length front view, one (1) full-length back view. Photos of the cosplayer not in costume or of the costume not being worn by the cosplayer are not acceptable. Other photos, of side views or significant accessories, may be included on the web page at the applicant's discretion. Everything that an applicant intends to visibly wear or carry as a participant must appear in a photo.

If you do not have a web page with photos, you should create one; an easy way to do this is to go to Cosplay.com, which offers a free cosplay profile service. When you send in your application, be certain to check the links to make sure they work and that no login is required to access them. If you do not have photos of your completed costume yet, wait to submit your application until you have them. Do not submit an application and then send pictures later. Being accepted into Cosplay Human Chess in one costume and checking in for the event in another costume, or with another person wearing the same costume, is grounds for immediate dismissal from the game.

When should I apply?
Please apply as soon as possible. Since chess pieces are selected based on quality and not first-come, first-served, it's better to wait until your costume is finished than to rush and apply early. Take your time and make your costume the best than it can be!

I'm under 18. May I still apply?
Cosplayers under 18 may certainly apply with the inclusion of the appropriate form signed by parent or guardian. Be certain that your parent or guardian knows the time of the match and that you will not be forced to leave the convention early.

May I apply with several different costumes?
Yes. Any applicant may submit more than one costume, as long as each costume has its own set of photos and otherwise meets all rules. The application form is designed to hold up to four costumes. If you wish to submit more than four costumes, you may make a note of it on the form. If more than one costume is submitted, decisions as to which costume an applicant will wear in the game are entirely up to the chess coordinator, although the applicant may indicate a preference.

There are several of us friends who want to be chess pieces! May we apply as a group?
Yes. Applicants may apply as a group, if they are applying with costumes from the same series. For example, a Naruto group could apply with a Naruto, a Sasuke, a Sakura, and a Kakashi. Note that smaller groups are much more likely to be selected since we do not want to let one series monopolize the game. If you apply as a group, we will try to accept the whole group, but may accept individuals from it if there is not room for everyone. Applicants applying in groups may concurrently enter costumes individually that are also in a group application. If you do this, your group must still fill out only one application form and list the individual character costumes as well as the group costumes on that form.

Is it okay if I didn't make my costume?
Since this is not a costume contest, costumes may be submitted that were not made by the applicant or that have been professionally tailored or contain commercially manufactured pieces. Costumes may also be submitted that have previously been entered in the costume contests or masquerades at other conventions. Award-winning costumes will be appreciated. We do ask that you not submit a costume which you intend to enter in the Hall Costume Contest or the Cosplay Masquerade at AnimeNEXT 2008.

I've never made a costume before. What are my chances of being selected?
Experienced cosplayers will be given priority, although it will certainly be possible to be selected if you are a beginning cosplayer with an exceptional costume.

My costume has moving parts/large weapons/gets in other people's way. Is this a problem?
All costumes must be self-contained, with no electrical plugs or other outside support required. A costume should be something that the applicant can move in--chess is, after all, a fighting game, and movement will be necessary for the role-playing. If your costume is bulky, heavy, heavy looking, or awkward, an explanation should be included with the application explaining in detail how the design of the costume makes quick movement possible.

All costumes must be appropriate for wear in a family environment and must be street-legal in the state of New Jersey. Any costume that turns out to be obscene, excessively revealing, or not street-legal will be removed from the game instantly.

Show weapons are permitted, but no actual metal will be allowed in weaponry. This event will adhere strictly to the AnimeNEXT Code of Conduct. Weapons will be examined both in applicant photos and at the event sign-in. Any breach of the weapons policy will result in expulsion.

No props or stage accessories will be allowed which scatter. This means no confetti, no fake blood, no rose petals, and nothing else that could disrupt everyone's footing.

How will I know if I've been selected?
Selected applicants and alternates will be notified by email as decisions are made. Please ensure that your Inbox is set up so that you will be able to accept emails from gameshows@animenext.org. You must keep your email contact information current and stay in touch with the Chess Director.

I've been selected! What do I have to do before the con?
Participants will be required to exchange frequent emails with the Chess Director and other planning staff during the months leading up to the convention. Failure to communicate with the Chess Director in a timely manner when required will lead to dismissal from the game.

The con is here! What next?
All participants and alternates are required to sign in at the Info Desk on Friday or Saturday while wearing or carrying their costumes. No exceptions. Anyone who fails to sign in will be dismissed from the game.

Is there paperwork to fill out?
Participants will be required to submit release forms at the Info Desk when they sign in, allowing the use of their images in commercial video and photography. The match will be recorded and failure to turn in a form will result in dismissal from the match. Underage participants must have a parent or guardian sign their release forms.

I'm all fired up and ready to sew and go! What do I do again?

Please review the rules, and fill out the form on this page.