Youmacon is excited to announce our newest International Event Partner: Pop Culture Hiroshima.
One lucky team of two cosplayers will receive a trip to Hiroshima, Japan in October of 2026 to perform in the Pop Culture Festival. This is a cultural exchange and not an international competition. The pressure of international competition disappears and representatives are encouraged to fellowship with the other teams. PCH is a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, promote international collaboration, enjoy a new experience, and explore Japan.
Please be sure to read the rules for each contest carefully as well as the general cosplay contest rules to be sure you understand what is required of you.
One lucky team of two cosplayers will receive a trip to Hiroshima, Japan in October of 2026 to perform in the Pop Culture Festival. This is a cultural exchange and not an international competition. The pressure of international competition disappears and representatives are encouraged to fellowship with the other teams. PCH is a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, promote international collaboration, enjoy a new experience, and explore Japan.
Please be sure to read the rules for each contest carefully as well as the general cosplay contest rules to be sure you understand what is required of you.
Representative selection regulation:
- Each country/region's representative cosplayers will consist of a team of two people.
- Participants must be 18 years old or older.
- The selected 2 representatives must come to Japan during the period specified by Pop Culture Hiroshima (hereinafter referred to as "PCH") and participate in all programs, including rehearsals, as designated by PCH.
- The two representatives must be selected through a representative selection conducted by the PCH-commissioned organizer.
- During the representative selection, the two members of the team must cosplay the characters from the same work. Works originating from Japan are preferred.
- Those who have previously represented their country in international cosplay contests (such as WCS, ECG, GICOF, PCH) are generally not allowed to participate. Being selected for other international events like CWM, ICL, NCC, PGEC, ATPBCC, or C4 is permitted.
- The content of the performance during the representative selection event must be appropriate for children to watch, and karaoke-only performances are not allowed. Performances must follow Youmacon’s Masquerade performance guidelines.
- Both representatives must have the nationality (passport) of the country they are selected to represent.
- Selected representatives are responsible for covering the cost of acquiring a passport and, if necessary, a visa.
Representative’s regulation:
- Actively cooperate with PCH for the event.
- For the promotion of the PCH, video footage and photos from the representative selection event can be used freely in various media (TV programs, websites, newspapers, magazines, etc.). No compensation will be provided for this.
- The portrait rights for all media exposure related to PCH, such as TV programs and coverage from various media, as well as promotional activities in print media and appearances at events, etc., during the PCH event period, belong to the PCH.
- After being selected as representatives, all required materials must be submitted by the specified deadlines. Deadlines will be communicated closer to the event date.
Additional Rules:
- Performances must be a maximum of 2:30.
- Selected representatives are not required to use the same costume for the national selection contest and the exhibition at PCH. Handmade costumes are not required for the exhibition at PCH, but are encouraged.
- The use of stage ninjas/stage hands is not allowed during the performance. Staff members will be present to assist bringing sets and props onto and off of the stage but cannot remain on the stage during the performance.
- Representative selection will be based on 40% craftsmanship and 60% performance.
- A minimum of 75% of the costumes must be made by the contestants. Modelling someone else’s work is only allowed if they are the other person in the duo.
