GES Cosplay Competition at rAge 2022 – What You Need to Know

Can you believe that it’s almost the end of 2022? In a lot of ways, this year has flown by, and in others, it’s really, really dragged. However, it’s always great to end a year off strong, and thanks to rAge 2022 expo returning after a years-long hiatus, gamers, geeks, and cosplayers country-wide have one last big event to long forward to. In exciting news, rAge has just announced that the annual rAge GES Cosplay Competition is back.

While die-hards will know precisely what this is and how to participate, after a few years of being isolated, rAge is encouraging everyone, regardless of age or skill, to join in the fun. Regardless of if you’re an old timer or thinking about jumping into the hobby for the first time, Cosplay is the perfect creative outlet to set yourself free and be a real part of an imaginary world.

GES Cosplay Competition at rAge 2022

Cosplay is a term that comes from a combination of the words’ costume’ and ‘play’. It allows people to express their love for fictional characters by dressing up and acting like their favourite film, game, and comic characters.

Originally popularised in America at the 1st World Science Fiction Convention in 1939 but probably better known for its Japanese sub-culture links, Cosplay is a live-action art form that is incredibly fun for those dressing up and those who get to see the amazing outfits. Over the years, it has increased in popularity among almost all fandoms leading to cosplayer participation at most popular culture conventions. A recent award-winning documentary, “Cosplay Universe”, digs deep into the many facets of this worldwide phenomenon. It’s not simply playing dress-up; cosplay is art.

Why should you join in on the Cosplay at rAge?

According to Michael James, the Project Director of rAge :

“Over the last decade, cosplay has grown exponentially in South Africa and around the world. The competition is fierce, and some of the costumes are pure works of fantasy art. There’s so much heart and soul in some of the outfits that you cannot help but wonder. During 2020, Capetonian cosplayer Ludus Cosplay took Best in Show for his take on Puss in Boots at our rAge Expo Digital Edition. Now we’re excited to announce that the competition is back for 2022. There’s plenty to look forward to, and I can tell you from years of personal experience that nothing beats seeing your favourite fictional characters come to life!”

A sentiment echoed by Jade Bayes, GES Head of Cosplay:

“The rAge Expo cosplay scene holds a special place within the local community as it’s where many now world-famous South African cosplayers, such as Kinpatsu Cosplay and Jinxie Cosplay, won their first-ever cosplay competition and where many people were first introduced to cosplay. From the days when cosplayers used to hold informal competitions to the massive cosplay competitions of 50-plus entries, cosplay at rAge has gone from strength to strength. Now, after this long break, we have refined the competition and added a Festive Cosplay Division for the first time, where cosplayers can enter outfits such as Ambitious Elf Jinx, or even their festive design or take of a character! We are looking forward to seeing people getting their creative juices flowing again.”

The cosplay competition is open to all skill levels, from Novices to Masters; whether it’s your first-time cosplaying or if you have been doing it for years, you are welcome. From armour to needlework to fur suits, we accept all cosplays across all ages.

Entries are open and will be closing on 30 November 2022. Entry forms can be found here, and the rule book can be found here.

rAge Expo 2022:

Photo Credit: Just Plain Chris and Ludus Cosplay