Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For those who wish to cosplay at the World Cosplay Summit, please be sure to purchase a Cosplay Participation Ticket.
For those who wish to take photos, please purchase a Camera / General Admission Ticket.
Additionally, if you will be accompanying or interacting with cosplayers or photographers, please purchase a Camera / General Admission Ticket.

Please note that staff members may approach attendees without a proof of participation.
Revenue generated from ticket sales will contribute to cover the operation expenses of the event, and we sincerely appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the ongoing success of the World Cosplay Summit.

If you plan to participate and take photographs during the cosplay event, you should purchase either the “Cosplay Changing Room Ticket (including participation ticket)” or the “Cosplay Participation Ticket”.

It is acceptable for one representative to purchase tickets for multiple people.
For electronic tickets, please make sure that all ticket users are together when you come to the reception.

Unfortunately, ticket exchanges and refunds are not available.

If you are unable to attend the event, the transfer of your ticket to some acquaintance like your family or friends is not forbidden.

The “Cosplay Changing Room Ticket (includes Cosplay Participation Ticket)” and the “Cosplay Participation Ticket” are priced per person per day.
If you wish to participate on multiple days, please purchase tickets for each day.

You only need to visit the reception on Saturday to complete the registration for both days, so there’s no need to return on Sunday.

＜If using the changing room＞
For participants who are elementary school age or younger, and whose guardians are not cosplaying, please purchase a changing room ticket for the child and a Camera/General Participation Ticket for the guardian.
One same-gender guardian may enter the changing room as an escort without a ticket.
If the guardian also plans to cosplay, please prepare tickets for both persons.

＜If not using the changing room＞
Participants who are elementary school age or younger do not need a Cosplay Participation Ticket.
Please prepare either a Cosplay Participation Ticket or a Camera/General Participation Ticket for the guardian.

Unfortunately, we do not offer discounted rates for individuals with disabilities at this time. Please purchase tickets at the current available rates.

For questions regarding how to purchase tickets or how to operate the ticket system, we kindly ask you to contact Ticket Pia directly.
https://t.pia.jp/help/

Since the secretariat is unable to assist with this matter, we kindly ask you to directly contact Ticket Pia.
https://t.pia.jp/help/

If you stay only within the Osu shopping street area, no participation ticket is required to be in cosplay as usual.

However, if you visit other event venues such as Oasis 21 or Hisaya Odori Park, please prepare a participation ticket.
Staff members will approach those without a participation ticket.

Those who have a Cosplay Participation Ticket or a Camera/General Participation Ticket should check in at the “World Cosplay Summit Special Reception” located in the Central Park Underground Shopping Mall.
Those who have a Cosplay Dressing Room Ticket (including Cosplay Participation Ticket) should check in at each designated dressing room.

Yes, you can enter and exit the changing room multiple times.
However, please join the waiting queue each time you enter.

Reception before the specified time is not possible.

Cosplay Participation Tickets cannot be checked in at the dressing room venues.
Those holding Cosplay Participation Tickets or Camera/General Participation Tickets should proceed to the “World Cosplay Summit Special Reception” in the Central Park Underground Mall for check-in.

Please go to the reception desk at the designated changing room reception to exchange your “Cosplay Changing Room Ticket (including participation ticket).” To avoid confusion, please cooperate by queuing and waiting in line.

Yes, you can use the changing room solely for storing luggage without changing attire. However, to maintain order and avoid confusion, we kindly ask that you wait in line like other attendees.

Access to the changing room is only granted to individuals with a “Cosplay Changing Room Ticket.” If you require assistance to access the changing room, the accompanying person must also obtain a “Cosplay Changing Room Ticket.”

If you do not intend to use the changing room facilities, the accompanying person should purchase either a “Cosplay Participation Ticket” or a “Camera Participation Ticket” to join the event.

For those who require special accommodations, we provide individual assistance if you hold a Cosplay Summit ticket.
Please contact us in advance via the inquiry form.

Tripods and similar equipment can be used in designated areas.
Reflectors are allowed only if they are handheld or attached to the camera and do not take up much space.
Please refrain from using large equipment that obstructs passage during shooting.

For more details, please refer to the event participation rules.

Yes, Handheld reflectors are permitted.

However, please refrain from using items like single-legged stands or objects directly on the floor, as they could damage the glass floor of the Spaceship-Aqua area.

Photography is allowed as long as no other people besides the cosplay subject appear in the shot.
Please refrain from photographing or using images without the subject’s permission.

Photography and video recording are permitted at the Cosplay Summit Selection (Runway and Performance Stage) and the World Cosplay Championship.

We plan to recruit event day volunteers called “WCS Supporters.”
Additionally, we are seeking volunteers to help with subtitle checking for videos used in the World Cosplay Championship, the highlight event of the World Cosplay Summit.

For more details, please check the respective recruitment pages.

Yes, from August 1nd (Friday) to August 3th (Sunday), you can ride the Nagoya Municipal Subway and Nagoya City Bus while in cosplay. When traveling, please remember to be considerate of others by wearing a jacket or covering longer props.

If you are coming to the Cosplay Summit by car, there are no designated parking lots available. Please use nearby public parking facilities.

There are many restaurants and food vendors available within the event venues for your convenience. If you are wearing cosplay, please kindly check with each establishment regarding their cosplay policy before entering.

Bringing your own food and drinks is also permitted.

Yes, it is.
Since many members of the public also utilize these services, please ensure proper etiquette while using them.
Please note that there may be times, such as during peak hours, when cosplay may not be permitted. If unsure, please inquire with the store upon entry.

During the event period at each venue, any distribution or promotional activities not authorized by official sponsors are prohibited.

Lost and found items within Oasis 21 should be reported to the Oasis 21 Disaster Prevention Center.

For other venues, lost items will be collected by the event office after the event and handed over to the nearby police stations.
Please contact the relevant police station directly for inquiries.

When uploading to online networks or submitting photos/videos to magazines or books, please make sure to obtain permission from both the subject and the photographer.
Also, please be careful not to include other people besides the cosplay subject in your images.

Regarding the sale of books, whether for profit or free of charge, due to copyright issues related to cosplay, we may not be able to provide clear answers or approvals. We appreciate your understanding on this matter.

The venues for Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2025, are Oasis 21, Hisaya-odori Park, Central Park Underground Shopping Mall, Aichi Arts Center, Osu Shopping District, and Hisaya-odori Garden Flarie.
For detailed information about the venues, please refer to the Shooting Area Introduction page and Area Map.
Regarding locations where cosplay photography is permitted, please see the Event Participation Rules.

You can also utilize public transportation to move between these venues.
While commuting, please cover any handheld props (such as weapons) and consider bringing additional clothing to cover up if your attire is revealing.

Participation and photography in the Osu Cosplay Parade are free of charge.
For more details, please check the event page.

We will hold the general participation runway stage and performance stage event, “CosSami Selection.”
For more details, please refer to the CosSami Selection application guidelines.

Special Photo Shooting at the Water Basin in Hisaya-odori Park
This event offers a chance to take magical and atmospheric photos on the water basin at Hisaya-odori Park.
Advance registration is required, so please apply during the recruitment period.

For more details, please check the Special Photo Shooting event page.

To watch the World Cosplay Championship at the venue, please purchase a reserved seat ticket.
Even those who have a Cosplay Participation Ticket or Camera/General Participation Ticket must purchase a reserved seat ticket.

For more details, please refer to the Championship Viewing page.

To represent your country, you should participate in selection events held within your own nation. Depending on your country or region, advancing through local qualifiers may be necessary. By competing in these selection events and emerging victorious, you will earn the title of representative cosplayer and the chance to compete in the World Cosplay Championship, aiming for the coveted title of world champion.

If you are unsure about the selection event held in your country, please contact the secretariat at inquiry-e@wcs.co.jp

You can watch the online streaming on platforms such as YouTube, niconico, X, Facebook Live, and Twitch.
For details, please check the Streaming Information page.

If you plan to participate in cosplay, please purchase either a 【Cosplay Participation Ticket】 or a 【Cosplay Changing Room Ticket (including Cosplay Participation Ticket)】.

On the day of the event, please come to the reception to exchange your ticket for a participation pass and undergo a costume check to join the event.

While the World Cosplay Summit allows participants to change into their cosplay attire at their reserved hotels, please avoid changing or applying makeup in public areas or restrooms.
If you intend to arrive dressed in cosplay attire and ready to participate, please consider purchasing the “Cosplay Participation Ticket.”
Upon arrival at the event venue, undergo a cosplay attire and props check at the reception desk to collect your proof of participation.

Cosplay is permitted within the Osu Shopping District.
However, since Osu Shopping District is designated as a cosplay strolling area, casual commemorative photos are allowed, but professional or extensive cosplay photo shoots are prohibited.

Unfortunately, we can’t confirm the suitability of every prop or attire individually.

Please review the event participation regulations and exercise discretion when selecting your attire. Some items may require intervention by staff during the event. Kindly follow the instructions provided by event staff.

Excessive exposure refers to revealing underwear or intimate areas, which may breach moral standards. If such violations occur, venue staff will kindly remind you. Thank you for your cooperation.

When moving within or outside the event venue, where your attire might attract attention, please wear outer garments to be considerate of others.

Male cosplayers are permitted to showcase their bare upper bodies, such as depicting muscular definition, while keeping their lower body covered. Please ensure that underwear or genital areas are not visible and maintain decorum.

Event staff may provide reminders on-site, so please follow their instructions. When moving between venues in revealing costumes, we kindly request that you add extra layers to minimize exposure and be considerate of others.

According to the participation regulations, the use of fake blood and any violent depictions like blood or bruises is prohibited.
As this event takes place in public spaces, we kindly request that all expressions refrain from causing distress or shock to teenage audiences who may be present.

It’s prohibited to wear authentic or historically used uniforms, including military and police attire.
However, homemade costumes inspired by manga or anime are acceptable.
Using real-world uniforms for characters is not permitted due to potential concerns in public areas.

Helium-filled balloons are not permitted in the basement of Oasis 21.
However, you may use air-filled balloons as props.
In venues other than Oasis 21, helium-filled balloons are allowed as props.

Wooden weapons are not allowed.
However, if a weapons is made of a soft material that resembles wood and is used solely as a prop, it is permitted.
Additionally, if wood is used as the core of the handle and coated with a safe material to prevent harm, it is also allowed.
When dealing with weapons, prioritize lightweight materials to ensure the safety of everyone.
Please use safe and non-hazardous materials or modify them accordingly, referring to toy standards if needed.
For more details, please refer to the participation guidelines.

Before proceeding, please ensure that your airsoft gun complies with all regulations outlined in the “Public Nuisance Prevention Ordinance,” “Minor Offenses Act,” and “Firearms and Swords Control Law.” Any items prohibited by these laws in daily life will not be permitted at cosplay events.

Acceptable examples include:

Airsoft guns with their muzzles completely sealed, power turned off, and no ammunition loaded.
Homemade replicas with no firing mechanism. (During transportation, ensure they are securely stored in cases to reassure the general public of their safety and security.)

While the World Cosplay Summit does not have specific rules against such attire, activities that are typically restricted in daily life are not allowed at the event.
Please follow the instructions of station staff.
The World Cosplay Summit takes place in public areas.
We kindly ask that you take steps to ensure the comfort and safety of those around you and avoid causing undue concern among the general public.