Masquerade policy regarding fan artist design & Voltron

[Kiarrens]

Just putting this out there so people aren't confused about the ruling on these two things. I will likely be adding them to the official rules for next year.

FAN DESIGNS
Due to the popularity of alternative designs and "fan" artists such as Saziko, we have put a lot of thought into what we do and do not allow for the Masquerade Craftsmanship competition. I hate to stifle peoples' creativity, but we have to draw a line in the sand *somewhere.*

Any "alternative" design must be OK'd by the coordinator (namely, me) before it will be allowed to compete. This said, there are some guidelines I am working off of, on each case-by-case basis.

1. If the design is a gijinka or a steampunk/fem version/etc of an established Japanese character, is it recognizable as the original character? If so, we are likely to allow it. This goes for both original designs by the costume creator and fan art.
2.Fan-art designs commissioned by the costume creator are also permissible, provided the above stipulations are met (ie, that the original character is of Japanese origin and the costume is still recognizable as the character).
3.Saziko is an interesting case, as the artist is Japanese and often makes up her own characters or utilizes characters already in the public domain. Since the artist is Japanese, I am ruling that she should be viewed as a manga artist in her own right. If she were to do a version of, say, Iron Man, this would not be allowed to compete (though it would be hilarious and I would love to see a big floofy-dressed Iron Man at the con). But Japanese characters or those in the public domain (such as Snow White) are admissible for competition. Original characters or characters from the public domain by non-Japanese artists would NOT be permissible.


VOLTRON:
The original 1980s Voltron is permissible, as the American version of the Japanese show stole a lot of the animation and plot/character/theme elements almost wholesale from Beast King GoLion and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV. However, the Netflix reboot (while awesome) is NOT permissible. They've changed too much of the story and characters, and are essentially an entirely new (American) show.

[MomoMiraculous]

Thanks for the clarification on where new Voltron stands
This was bound to be a huge issue for next year since the theme is space, so this saves you the trouble of answering the same question a million times.

[NekoKimono]

Going to post this here, since the discussion is already about what's allowed and what's not.

Kubo and the Two Strings
Based very solidly on Japanese Mythology, costume design based very solidly in Japanese History. American production.

Can a Kubo-sourced costume enter into the masq?

Edited for spelling

[Kiarrens]

Going to post this here, since the discussion is already about what's allowed and what's not.

Kubo and the Two Strings
Based very solidly on Japanese Mythology, costume design based very solidly in Japanese History. American production.

Can a Kubo-sourced costume enter into the masq?

Edited for spelling

Sadly no. I love this movie and I wish we could allow it, but it's an American production.

[FiretoIce]

hi,
A group of friends and I were thinking of doing a gijinka pokemon thing. is there a way to find out if our concept is ok before going head first into this? And we were thinking of adding details like the Valor, Mystic, and Instinct team logos on our costumes. Would that be a problem seeing pokemon go is technically american?
sorry if this is the wrong place, I just wasn't really sure.
Thanks!

[MandaTifa]

hi,
A group of friends and I were thinking of doing a gijinka pokemon thing. is there a way to find out if our concept is ok before going head first into this? And we were thinking of adding details like the Valor, Mystic, and Instinct team logos on our costumes. Would that be a problem seeing pokemon go is technically american?
sorry if this is the wrong place, I just wasn't really sure.
Thanks!

Pokémon is very solidly Japanese. Niantic may be an American company, but The Pokémon Company is still Japan-based. We've had gijinka Pokémon in the past, and on a personal note, I think that they're fabulous and I love the creativity that goes into them.

For more detail, you can check the official Masquerade Rules (see Point D for your specific question). http://www.animeboston.com/cosplay/masquerade/#rules

Thanks!

[ArtestCosplayGirl200]

thank you for this, i was hoping that you guys can clear that up because i have a feeling people might enter voltron this year for the masquarade and cosplay events.

[foreverfinn]

Just putting this out there so people aren't confused about the ruling on these two things. I will likely be adding them to the official rules for next year.

FAN DESIGNS
Due to the popularity of alternative designs and "fan" artists such as Saziko, we have put a lot of thought into what we do and do not allow for the Masquerade Craftsmanship competition. I hate to stifle peoples' creativity, but we have to draw a line in the sand *somewhere.*

Any "alternative" design must be OK'd by the coordinator (namely, me) before it will be allowed to compete. This said, there are some guidelines I am working off of, on each case-by-case basis.

1. If the design is a gijinka or a steampunk/fem version/etc of an established Japanese character, is it recognizable as the original character? If so, we are likely to allow it. This goes for both original designs by the costume creator and fan art.
2.Fan-art designs commissioned by the costume creator are also permissible, provided the above stipulations are met (ie, that the original character is of Japanese origin and the costume is still recognizable as the character).
3.Saziko is an interesting case, as the artist is Japanese and often makes up her own characters or utilizes characters already in the public domain. Since the artist is Japanese, I am ruling that she should be viewed as a manga artist in her own right. If she were to do a version of, say, Iron Man, this would not be allowed to compete (though it would be hilarious and I would love to see a big floofy-dressed Iron Man at the con). But Japanese characters or those in the public domain (such as Snow White) are admissible for competition. Original characters or characters from the public domain by non-Japanese artists would NOT be permissible.


VOLTRON:
The original 1980s Voltron is permissible, as the American version of the Japanese show stole a lot of the animation and plot/character/theme elements almost wholesale from Beast King GoLion and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV. However, the Netflix reboot (while awesome) is NOT permissible. They've changed too much of the story and characters, and are essentially an entirely new (American) show.

this might sound dumb but may I ask what the public domain means? and how snow white qualifies for a japanese centered convention? Sorry again for any ignorance

[MandaTifa]

this might sound dumb but may I ask what the public domain means? and how snow white qualifies for a japanese centered convention? Sorry again for any ignorance

Public domain mostly means that the copyright/patent has expired, and thus open to public use. Most fairy tale characters fall under public domain, including Snow White. The reason that Snow White MIGHT be considered for this competition is if a contestant very specifically uses the Saziko design of the Snow White character, as Saziko is an established Japanese artist.

I hope that helps clarify.

[snapelicious]

Like how Haato no Kuni no Alice is a Japanese game that is entirely referencing an English Public Domain work, Alice in Wonderland. Right? Disney's Alice in Wonderland designs are a no-go but Quin Rose's designs are.

[Kiarrens]

Like how Haato no Kuni no Alice is a Japanese game that is entirely referencing an English Public Domain work, Alice in Wonderland. Right? Disney's Alice in Wonderland designs are a no-go but Quin Rose's designs are.

Some other examples:
Gankutsuou (Count of Monte Cristo)
Romeo X Juliet
Les Miserables: Shojo Cosette (Specifically based on Victor Hugo's novel)