
Are you ready for a day filled with creativity, community and amazing costumes?
In connection with the Japanese Film Festival JDFF, we invite you to an exciting cosplay event in Kolding on Saturday 30 May 2026.
Special Guest & Host : KAHO SHIBUYA
- Cosplay Event Program
- Entrance Ticket Reservation
- Special Guest – KAHO SHIBUYA
- Part 1 : Rout Map
- Part 2 : Cosplay Contest
- Judges
- Regler/Retningslinjer
The Cosplay Event will be held in two exciting parts:
Part 1: Cosplay Parade through Kolding
10:00 – 11:00
Start Location: Staldgården, Kolding
Join us as we bring the spirit of Japanese pop culture to the streets! A vibrant parade starting from the city center and heading towards the festival heart.
Free to join and watch – No ticket required.

Part 2: Cosplay Contest & Stage Event
11:00 – 12:00
Location: Nicolai Scenen, Kolding
The excitement moves indoors for the grand contest and special stage performances.
Important: *Due to the venue’s limited capacity, a Free Entrance Ticket is required for this session.
** If you want to take the stage and compete for a prize, please register via the link.

Ticket Reservations
While the event is free of charge, you must reserve your spot for Part 2 in advance.
*Note: If you already have a 3-day Film Festival ticket, it includes entrance to the cosplay event venue. No separate ticket is required!
Special Guest
KAHO SHIBUYA
Cosplayer / Content Creator / Author
Born and raised in Tokyo, Kaho Shibuya is a globally multi-talented personality. Appearing as a regular on big YouTube channels to be a cultural bridge between Japan and the rest of the world, she has been invited to multiple conventions as a guest speaker as much as a cosplayer.
Kaho has also been a Crunchyroll Anime Awards judge since 2021. As a former newspaper reporter, she has published books in both Japanese and English. You can find her in “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” as a 3D and live-action character Kaho. She is a playable character in her own DLC for 2D Beat ‘em Up “Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate” as well. She hosts a cosplay contest at EVO, the world’s largest esport event, where she also manages a collectible exhibit.
Taking a break from her busy work schedule, Kaho loves to stream on Twitch as a hobby.

Route Map
Heading to the parade? Here is everything you need to know for a smooth walk through the city!
- Start: Staldgården (Koldinghus)
- Finish: Nicolai Scene
- Distance: Approx. 1.5 km
- Time: 10:00 AM Start
- Please gather at the starting point by 9:45 AM.
Additional Information:
Route: Follow our staff members leading the way through the city center.
Photos: Feel free to wave and pose! Let’s show Kolding the beauty of Cosplay.
Safety: Please stay on the designated route and follow the instructions of the festival crew.
Weather Note: In case of rain, the route may be shortened or moved indoors.
Baggage: Please keep your belongings with you, as there is no baggage storage during the parade.

Cosplay Contest
Join us at Nicolai Scene for the JDFF Cosplay Competition! Show off your passion, creativity, and favorite characters on stage.
Format: Walk-on (Catwalk)
Venue: Nicolai Scene
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Rules & Requirements
- Age: Participants must be at least 13 years old by May 30, 2026.
- Cosplay Type: Both store-bought and handmade costumes are welcome!
- Previous Entries: You may enter with a cosplay used in previous competitions.
- Registration: First-come, first-served basis.
- Deadline: May 29, 2026.

1. Pre-registration
Information required:
Full Name & Age
Contact Details
Cosplay Name (Stage name)
Source Material (Movie/Game title)
Character Name
Reference Image

2. The Contest
The competition follows a “Walk-on” format.
Participants will take the stage one by one for a simple catwalk presentation.
Our host, Kaho, will introduce you by your cosplay name, character, and series
The judges observe your performance and costume.

3. Judging & Awards
Winners will be selected by our panel of judges based on their presentation and overall impact during the walk-on.
Award Ceremony (3 Categories)
Best Look-alike: For the most accurate recreation of a character.
Best WOW Effect: For the most striking and impressive stage presence.
Best Character Portrayal: For capturing the true spirit and personality of the character.
To join the Cosplay Contest or to cheer your friends, please don’t forget to book your entrance ticket!
*Note: If you already have a 3-day Film Festival ticket, it includes entrance to the cosplay event venue. No separate ticket is required!
Judges
Meet our Judges!

Julie
“Hello. I am Julie, better known as cosmic_julieverse. been cosplaying since 2014, and have been competing in craftsmanship competitions both here in Denmark and in Sweden. I cosplay a wide variety of characters from sci-fi and live-action. Comics, games, and more, in both homemade and store-bought costumes. i focus a lot on using makeup to change up my looks for each cosplay i do, as i find changing my look for each character as much as possible to be very important.
First time as a judge, and I am looking forward to seeing your costumes and various Characters come to life. ”

D-Kitty
“I’ve been cosplaying since 2009, when I went to my first con alone in a cosplay I had made myself. Since then, I’ve trained in tailoring and now also 3D modeling. Since 2022, I’ve been participating with my cosplays in various craftsmanship competitions. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you here and seeing all your amazing cosplays.”

Josefine’s Fine Cosplay
“Hello, I’m Josefine’s Fine Cosplay! I have been cosplaying for over 13 years, and has been competing in a few Danish craftmanships and catwalks throughout the years. This is my first time as a judge, so I hope you all welcome me with love. I cannot wait to see all your amazing cosplays on stage!”
Regler/Retningslinjer

Fotoregler
- Cosplay is not consent – at cosplayere har kostume på er ikke ensbetydende med, at de giver deres accept til at få taget billeder eller at blive filmet, hvad end man kan se deres ansigter eller ej. Man skal altid spørge om lov, inden man tager et billede.
- Et nej er altid et nej.
- Billeder, lydoptagelser og videoer taget på området må ikke kunne bruges til at identificere enkeltindivider uden deres accept.
- Billeder, lydoptagelser eller videoer taget på området må ikke bruges til kommercielle formål, medmindre der foreligger en aftale om sådan anvendelse af materialet.
- Grænseoverskridende opførsel bør føre til udsmidning.

Våbenregler
- Våben skal overholde dansk våbenlovgivning.
- Almindelig sund fornuft burde finde sted, når man håndterer våben – plastik eller ej.
- Ved uregerlig brug eller håndtering, som står til fare for andre, risikeres en advarsel eller konfiskering af våbnet så vel som klip i ens armbånd!
- Maksimum højde for ens prop/våben er 30 cm højere end din egen højde. Det vil sige, hvis din egen højde er 175 cm, må dit prop maks være 205 cm, så at du har fuld kontrol over det. Derudover må udhæng af ens prop/våben også maksimalt være din egen arms længde af samme årsag.
- Hovedbeklædning må heller ikke stikke længere ud fra dit baghoved end 30 cm, og maksimal vægt på hovedbeklædning er 2 kg.
- Ens våben/props, rustning eller andre genstande, lige meget materiale, må ikke have nogen skarpe kanter eller spidser. Det skal være stumpt eller slebet og ikke i stand til at stikke eller skære og efterlade et mærke.
- Alment værktøj såsom skruetrækkere og tænger skal begrundes.
- Lige meget materiale må ens håndholdte prop/våben maksimalt veje 2 kg. Dette gælder ikke rustninger bortset fra hjelme.
- Eventet forbeholder sig retten til at afvise et våben adgang på stedet, skulle regler blive brudt. Våben, der er direkte ulovlige, som i at de er skarpe, vil blive frataget ejeren og sendt til politiet mod godkendt jagttegn eller godkendelse til transport.
