Cosplay — the art of dressing up as characters from anime, manga, video games, TV shows, or any other media — has become a global phenomenon over the years.
Once dressed in their cosplay, cosplayers attend conventions to take photos, enter competitions, or perform theatrical routines. The World Cosplay Summit is a perfect occasion to do all of this at the same time. It’s the world’s biggest cosplay event, and it’s happening right here in Nagoya!
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The Art and Dedication Behind Cosplay
Being a cosplayer requires time, money, and skill. Many cosplayers spend hours designing and creating their costumes, while some buy pre-made cosplay outfits online. However, the latter requires significant research into the seller’s credibility and the quality of the costume they’re selling.
Those making their own cosplay outfits from scratch may spend anywhere from hours to months (or even years) researching, drafting, and sewing the costume and creating the props.
One reason cosplay is so popular is that if offers a way to escape from everyday life. Dressing up as different characters enables cosplayers to express themselves more freely.
From the United States to Europe and Asia, cosplay conventions and events are held worldwide. The World Cosplay Summit, also known as WCS, is one of Japan’s biggest annual cosplay events and is actually the world’s largest cosplay festival! For this reason, every year the best cosplayers from more than 40 countries gather in Nagoya to compete for the title of “Best Cosplay Performance Team in the World”.
Over 20 Years of History: The Journey of World Cosplay Summit
The World Cosplay Summit began in October 2003 as a small event with five cosplayers from Germany, France, and Italy, featuring a panel discussion, photo session, and mixer event with Japanese cosplayers.
In 2004, the USA joined, and eight cosplayers participated in the first Nagoya event, which included a mixer and the first cosplay parade in Osu. This event had around 100 participants.
In 2005, with the World Expo in Aichi Prefecture, the WCS evolved into an international event, thanks to sponsorship from the Japan Exhibition Association. That year saw the first World Cosplay Championship, with 40 participants from seven countries, and Italy winning the inaugural title.
The WCS exponentially increased in size and popularity over the years. Support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) in 2006 helped the Summit grow. Due to the number of people participating, championship was moved to Oasis 21 that year.
Preliminary rounds were introduced in 2007, with 12 countries participating. By 2012, this number had jumped to 20 countries, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) became a sponsor.
In 2014, 200,000 spectators attended, and by 2016, competitors from 30 countries participated. In 2017, Nagoya was officially declared “The Headquarters of Cosplay.”
The 2018, Summit included 36 countries and regions, with new participants from Bulgaria, Costa Rica, and South Africa. The 2019 edition expanded further with Austria, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Trinidad and Tobago joining.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the WCS online in 2020, with no championship but live streams connecting the community. A hybrid event was held in 2021, with small local events and an online competition.
From 2023, the World Cosplay Summit returned to a full in-person schedule, continuing to be as exciting as ever!
Celebrating Cosplay: A Look at the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya
The WCS 2025 Starts With a Red Carpet Ceremony
The opening day of the World Cosplay Summit begins with a Red Carpet Ceremony at Oasis 21, the main location of the event.
On Friday, August 1st (times TBD, but will be announced on this page closer to the date. Additional details are available on the Japanese page here), representative players from each country and region who will participate in the “World Cosplay Championship Stage Division,” along with past representatives (WCS Alumni), will walk the red carpet as an opening act. They will be accompanied by live music performed by more than 100 students from the Department of Art Studies, Faculty of Arts, Nagoya University of the Arts.
The Ultimate Cosplay Challenge: WCS 2025 Edition
The main event of the WCS is the Championship, where the best teams from around the world compete to win the title! This year, the Championship Stage Division is back on a real live stage. During this yearly competition, the Best Cosplay Performance Team in the World is decided. The finalists had to go through regional and national preliminary rounds before participating in the actual finals at Nagoya’s Aichi Arts Center to represent their country.
In 2025, the Championship – Stage Division is scheduled to begin at 14:30 on Sunday, August 3rd. Tickets to see the event will be sold on the official website, along with a complete list of this year’s national Cosplay representatives.
Just like in the previous two years, you can join the entire event from anywhere in the world by watching the live stream. Join from the comfort of your home on YouTube, Twitch, Niconico, Lopico, or Facebook Live.
Join the Colorful Cosplay Parade in the Shopping Streets of Osu
Another highlight of the WCS 2025 is the Osu Cosplay Parade, held on Saturday, August 2nd in the Osu Shopping Streets, starting with the backdrop of the Osu Kannon Temple. Times will be announced closer to the date.
Finalists from all 38 countries, as well as WCS alumni, will participate in this parade, and anyone is welcome to take pictures and join in the fun!
Don’t Miss a Thing About the World Cosplay Summit 2025
Nagoya is not boring will announce further updates and information on Instagram and Facebook.
Are you also eager to see what the World Cosplay Summit will be like this year? Check out the trailer below:
World Cosplay Summit (ワールドコスプレ)
Date: 1st to 3rd of August 2025
Time: TBA
Location: Oasis 21 / Aichi Arts Center (Grand Hall) / Hisaya-Odori Park / Hisaya-Odori Garden Flarie /Osu Shopping Street
Website
This post was last updated in June 12 2025.
Although we strive to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information possible, please note that changes may occur nonetheless. We recommend you confirm any relevant information such as event cancelations or changes, opening hours, or possible restrictions using a direct source. Please keep in mind that these sources might be only available in Japanese.
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