Cosplay Mania

History

The first event was held at Megatrade Hall 3 in SM Megamall on October 12, 2008. It revolved around three main activities: Workshops, Costume Building Contest and the Cosplay competition for individuals and groups.^[4] Notable cosplayer Jin Joson and her group the Tux Team^[5] were invited to be part of the workshop tutorials as well as judge for the cosplay competition.^[6] It returned the following year to Megatrade Halls 2 and 3.^[7]

In 2010, Cosplay Mania moved to SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay and was made two days long.^[8] It introduced the first nationwide cosplay competition called the Cosplay Tournament of Champions (TORCH), where winners of tournament legs from SM Cagayan De Oro, SM Clark, SM Davao, SM Cebu, and SM Manila converge for the finals at SMX. The event also invited international cosplayer guests to be part of the celebration and become part of the judges panel for Project Cosplay and TORCH.^[9]

In 2011, tickets were pre-sold online and in SM Supermalls nationwide in response to the long lines that plagued past iterations when ticket sales were sold on the day itself.^[10] Starting that year, halls of SMX were divided into two areas: one Fiesta Area (later "Hall EX" or the "Exhibits Hall") with merchandise and activity booths, and a Stage Area (later "Hall S", "Hall SP", or the "Special Performance Hall") where the main cosplay contests, band performances, meet-and-greets, and cosplay workshops. Access to the Stage Area required a higher-tier ticket.^[11] It also hosted the Philippine Cosplay Appreciation Day, where cosplayers were invited to register upon entering one of the function rooms in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record of the number of video game cosplayers attending an event.^[12] Starting that year, the event partnered with Anime Festival Asia (AFA), with the winning pair of TORCH becoming the official Philippine representatives to join AFA's Regional Cosplay Competition, performing against other cosplay teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.^[13] The Philippine Team, represented by Amado Carl Hernandez and Zhel Guiral,^[14] later won the AFA competition.^[15] In 2012, Cosplay Mania again attempted to set the Guinness World Record they attempted in 2011.^[14] Notable supporters of the event include the Department of Foreign Affairs, The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines,^[16] All Nippon Airways, Toei Animation Philippines and SGCafe.

Cosplay Mania in 2013 introduced the application of Cosplay.ph's CRS, or Cosplay Ranking System, where cosplayers who will join the event's contests are required to apply. This system would help designate the beginner and veteran ranking as to improve fairness in Cosplay.ph held competitions.^[17] 2013's TORCH winners Rommil Donair Jr. and Krislyn Branzuela won first runner-up at AFA.^[18]

In 2014, Cosplay Mania introduced the Japanese Anime Music (JAM) concert, a multi-day concert that occurs in the night of the event, with different performers for each night. Another higher-tier ticket was introduced which provided access to the JAM concert. In addition, a specific ticket for meet-and-greet sessions was added.^[19]

Cosplay Mania in 2020 was originally scheduled to be held on October 3–4, 2020, but was eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[20] Instead, Cosplay.ph held a related virtual convention named Fanfes Online.^[21] During Cosplay Carnival in 2022, Cosplay.ph announced the return of Cosplay Mania in 2022, along with ACX.^[22]

Convention locations