Revised: February 3, 2008

Anime Dating Game

It's the in-character, in-costume Anime version of The Dating Game! Handsome bachelors and beautiful bachelorettes from your favorite anime and manga series will answer questions and compete to win a chance at true love! See Ed Elric ask Faye Valentine what she thinks of shorter men, or Rei Ayanami answer if she's a "people person." There are certain to be romance, madness and threats of violence at this must-see cosplay game show event!

Rules

The Anime Dating Game is a hilarious cosplay game show event in which cosplayers compete in character to win a date with a fabulous anime bachelor or bachelorette. The prize, a popular anime character like Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop) or Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist), sits on one side of the stage and asks questions of three or four contestants, also popular anime characters, who sit on the other side of a screen where the prize can't see who they are. At the end of the match, the prize must choose one of the contestants to go on a date, based solely on their answers and without seeing who they are:

Edward: "Bachelorette #4, would you describe yourself as a people person?"
Bachelorette #4 (Rei): "...no."

Faye Valentine: "Bachelor #4, are you a cat person or a dog person?"
Bachelor #4 (Sesshoumaru): "I am not a dog!"

The participants in the Anime Dating Game are chosen from among the convention attendees. If you are interested in participating, you must submit an online application, along with a sample photo of yourself in the costume. Registration for the Anime Dating Game is not first-come, first-serve. Instead, all applications will be reviewed at once after the application cut-off date and the participants will be selected based on the appropriateness and popularity of the characters, as well as the quality of the costumes. The application deadline is November 1st!

What kinds of characters get picked?

Priority is given to popular and easily-recognized characters, since the match is more fun for the audience if they know who the characters are. You may apply with more than one costume, in which case we will select the most appropriate one. The more you apply with, the more likely you are to be accepted.

Application details

Individuals participating in other cosplay events at the convention this year may also apply to the Anime Dating Game, with the same or different costumes. You may also apply to both Cosplay Human Chess and the Anime Dating Game with the same costume, but each costume will probably only be selected for one event. When you apply, you must submit a link to a photo of yourself in your costume as a reference. (A picture of you without the costume, of the costume without you in it, or a screen cap or manga image from the series is not acceptable.) Applications are not first-come, first-serve, so if you don't have a photo yet, wait to apply until you have one, rather than submitting an incomplete application. There is room on the application form for four costumes to be submitted. If you wish to submit more than four

Apply using our online application form.

Anime Dating Game 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-serve 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 usually not be accepted, no matter how delightful the costume is.

How many people will be selected?

We will choose eight participants, four for each round, four male characters and four female. The gender refers only to the gender of the characters, the gender of the actual cosplayer is not a factor in selection.

Do I get to pick whether I ask the questions or answer them?

No, you may not, we will assign characters their parts to best reflect the selection of characters who apply.

How do I apply?

Simply fill out the online application form. Every applicant must submit a link to a web page with a minimum of two color photos of the applicant wearing the specific costume that they intend to wear as a participant: one full-length front view, one 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 the Anime Dating Game 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?

The cut off date for applications is November 1st. Since participants are selected based on quality and not first-come, first-serve, 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!

Do I have to apply in advance?

To make sure a spot is reserved for you, you must apply online in advance; however a few at-the-door applicants may be accepted at the convention itself if some of the online applicants fail to check in. If you want to participate in Anime Dating Game but did not manage to apply in time, then as soon as you arrive at the con you should contact the Dating Game Coordinator to see if there are spaces free.

I'm under eighteen. May I still apply?

Cosplayers under eighteen may not apply to the Anime Dating Game.

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, and the more costumes you include in your application the more likely you are to be selected. 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 Dating Game Coordinator, although the applicant may indicate a preference if you like one of your costumes more than the others.

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 of Anime USA or other conventions. Costumes entered in the Masquerade are acceptable. You may submit the same costume to both Cosplay Human Chess and the Anime Dating Game, but you must indicate that you are doing so on the application form and, if selected, each costume will probably only be selected for one event.

I've never made a costume before. What are my chances of being selected?

Experienced cosplayers have a slight advantage, but it is easy for a beginning cosplayer to be selected so long as you have a good costume.

Is anything not allowable in a costume?

All costumes must be appropriate for wear in a family environment and must be street-legal in the State of Virginia. Any costume that turns out to be obscene, excessively revealing, or not street-legal will be removed from the game instantly. This event will adhere strictly to the Anime USA Weapons Policy - no weapon not allowed under the Anime USA Weapons Policy will be allowed in the Dating Game. Weapons will be examined both in applicant photos and at the event sign-in.

How will I know if I've been selected?

Selected applicants and alternates will be notified by e-mail as decisions are made. You must keep your e-mail contact information up-to-date and stay in touch with the Dating Game Coordinator.

I've been selected! What do I have to do before the con?

Participants will be required to exchange frequent e-mails with the Dating Game Coordinator and other planning staff during the weeks leading up to the convention. Failure to communicate with the Dating Game in a timely manner when required will lead to dismissal from the game. Questions? Contact the Dating Game Coordinator.