Championing Filipino cosplay talent all over the country, SM Cyberzone Cosplay Craze has set records for being the biggest nationwide series of cosplay competitions ever. Already on its fourth straight successful year, Cosplay Craze 2019 will be giving away some of the biggest cash prizes ever for cosplay as it kicked off in grand fashion at SM City Fairview with over a whopping 70,000 pesos at stake.
With 6 legs all over the country and giving away over 70,000 pesos in cash at each leg, Cosplay Craze comes back this year definitely bigger and better than before, with huge cash prizes and more attractions in store for everyone as it held its official launch at SM City Fairview.
Sponsored by SM Cyberzone and organized by cosplay.ph, Cyberzone Cosplay Craze brought absolutely free events closer to where the cosplayers are, offering huge prizes and giveaways that even major events can’t match. But most of all, it has given cosplayers a reason to meet up with others like them within their communities and have an enjoyable, non-cramped, stress-free afternoon of cosplay fun.
Cosplay Craze has been SM Cyberzone’s promotional series of events since 2015. Already the premier hub for consumer technology with 29 locations all over the country, Cyberzone has striven to provide the most interactive and most technological experience to its patrons. It is also known for holding the some of the biggest gaming and tech-related events in the country, and it has been especially supportive of cosplaying, holding many cosplay events all around the country. In addition, this nation-wide tour partnered with technology giants to present the latest in the market.
Cosplayers and enthusiasts have gathered from Manila and the surrounding areas at the event area since the mall opened. Cosplayers were asked to register so that they could take part in the competition. The main program was set to begin later in the afternoon, and the cosplayers used the time before then to prepare for the competition, socialize with each other, have their photos taken by the mall patrons, or just take it easy with their friends. The event proper started off with the Cosplay Parade where the cosplayers made a round of the mall in their striking and colorful costumes. Mall patrons couldn’t get enough of them as they snapped away on phones and cameras and took videos as well.
Once they got to the event area, the program got to start with hosts Lora and Neto, welcoming everyone to the very first leg of Cyberzone Cosplay Craze this year. They did a splendid job of getting the audience pumped and excited for the event. They then got to call all the cosplayers on stage by batches to present them in front of the judges and the curious but appreciative crowd that has gathered around them.
From among all these cosplayers, the esteemed panel of judges made up by seasoned cosplayer, crafter and organizer Robert Wong, online influencer and seasoned cosplayer NicoNicoLittle Star, and arkadymac.com’s Photographer and Cosplay Model Mitchaki, got to choose 16 competitors who would be moving on to the main round. Each was already assured of 1,000 pesos cash. The Top 16 then went on head to head in a tournament called Cosplay Contenders where they faced each other in elimination matches based on sequential pairing.
From the Top 16, only the Final Four were left after the tournament, and they made their final catwalk to determine the champion.
After a grueling competition and careful deliberation by the judges, the Champion of the SM City Fairview was Aria Sei csopalying Alice from Alice: Madness Returns, winning 30, 000 pesos in cash plus a guaranteed spot at the Cosplay Mania Cup in September. For the other finalists:
2nd Place: P15,000
3rd Place: P8,000
4th to 16th Place: P1,000 each!
Best Cosplay Contender Junior Division: P5,000!
Congratulations to the winners, and many thanks to all the cosplayers who have taken part in the first episode of many other Cosplay Craze tours in many cities around the country.
There will be 6 legs this year featuring the best cosplayers in the region competing in an original, tournament-based cosplay contest called Cosplay Contenders. Catch Cosplay Craze on May 4, 2019 at SM City Pampanga, June 22, 2019 at SM City Legazpi, July 20, 2019 in SM Seaside City Cebu, August 10, 2019 at SM Cagayan De Oro Uptown, and September 07, 2019 in SM Southmall.
For rules on joining Cosplay Craze 2019, do visit: https://cosplay.ph/cosplay-craze-2019/
arkadymac.com will be covering all legs of Cosplay Craze 2019, so we hope to see you there as we enjoy and celebrate Filipino cosplay all over the country.
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