FAQs

  • SEATTLE 2024
    PHOENIX 2024
    ORANGE COUNTY 2024
    BAY AREA 2024
    LOS ANGELES 2025 (coming soon)

  • Cosplay Guidelines

    ANIME Impulse seeks to foster a safe and fun environment for all its cosplaying guests. ANIME Impulse reserves the right to deem a costume unacceptable and request the wearer to make modifications, failure to comply may result in rejection from the event premises.

    To all guests attending in cosplay or bringing a cosplay prop to ANIME Impulse, please read our cosplay rules first. Cosplaying is a big part of the ANIME Impulse fan experience, as event organizers we want to do everything we can to foster and promote the most creative and unique cosplay outfits – our priority is always on maintaining attendee safety.

    STANDARD OUTFIT GUIDELINES

    1. Nudity is not a costume, and will be prohibited from entering event premises.

    2. Bare feet is prohibited, some form of foot covering such as shoes or slippers must be worn.

    3. No signs offering services or making requests to be hugged or touched.

    4. Outfits must not obstruct or impede the flow of traffic or entryways. Costumes must be able to fit through the standard convention hall doorways.

    5. Attendees with bulky costumes, costumes that obscure the vision, or costumes with large extensions such as spikes or wings must have a designated assist to help them when walking through crowds.

    6. Cosplay costumes and apparel associated with criminal organizations or hate groups are not allowed at ANIME Impulse.

    7. No costumes may be realistic depictions of American law enforcement, current American military uniforms, first responders, emergency medical personnel, event security personnel, or any official government agent. “Vintage,” historical, any non- current uniforms, and any military or police-style costumes may be allowed as long as it does not create confusion with actual law enforcement officers.

    Cosplays Props Policy

    ANIME Impulse is vitally interested in the ongoing health and safety of our attendees, visitors, guests, staff and crew. ANIME Impulse has adopted this policy to ensure that we minimize the threat of potential injuries associated with weapons or props at any of our event venues. As such, possession of a weapon is prohibited while participating at any ANIME Impulse event venues.

    Due to the nature of our business, a series of guidelines for safe prop rules have been established.

    THE POLICY

    1. All ANIME Impulse attendees, visitors, guests, staff and crew must comply with all Federal, Provincial, and local laws and regulations regarding, hand or set props, as well as their usage.

    2. Attendees are reminded that while traveling to and from the event, to make sure due care is taken on your behalf to ensure any hand or set props that could cause public alarm are stored in a bag or in a storage container.

    3. ANIME Impulse attendees are, under no circumstances, allowed to possess or bring to the event grounds any actual weapons or objects that could cause physical harm to other event attendees. Unlawful possession of weapons is an offense and will result in denied admission into the event.

    4. All props and imitation weapons must be in plain sight at all times and are subject to mandatory inspections performed by ANIME IMPULSE staff or entrance security staff. As a general rule, no metal props are allowed. Additional rules are outlined below.

    5. Any prop cosplay item not covered in this policy must be inspected by security staff at the entrance bag check area; these items will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

    6. ANIME Impulse staff or security reserves the right to remove any attendees brandishing a hand or set prop in an inappropriate fashion such as play fighting, swinging the prop around or causing complaints from other attendees at the event.

    7. ANIME Impulse has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to guns, weapons, and any weapon-like items. ANIME Impulse reserves the right to confiscate any guns, weapons, and weapon-like items at its discretion if they are deemed a public hazard.

    ENTRANCE BAG & WEAPONS CHECK

    1. Attendees who come to any ANIME Impulse event with a prop may be stopped by security for further inspection to make sure that the prop complies with the below ANIME IMPULSE rules and regulations regarding cosplay props.

    2. If approved, security will issue a NEON GREEN ZIPTIE to be placed in a visible area of the prop. If show security does NOT see this NEON GREEN ZIPTIE on your prop while on the show grounds, you will be asked to return to the entrance prop check to receive a prop inspection and ZIPTIE.

    3. If not approved, attendees have the option of storing their prop in their car, home, or hotel room. Due to possible loss, theft, damages, and other liabilities, we do not offer storage services for any unapproved props.

    GUNS & PROJECTILE WEAPONS

    1. Live firearms, including airsoft, modern, hunting, or historic, either functioning or decommissioned, are not permitted at any ANIME Impulse event.

    2. Replica firearms made from metal, solid resin/plastic/rubber are not to be brought onto event grounds.

    3. All other firearms/projectile weapons are required to have orange safety tips at all times on event grounds. However, they can be removable for photography or competition purposes as long as they are re-attached when moving around the event.

    4. No water guns, silly string shooters, explosives, incendiary devices, chemical weapons, pepper spray, mace, vuvuzelas nor flame throwers are allowed.

    5. No props or weapons capable of firing any projectile or powder charge of any kind. This is for the safety of both yourself and the people around you. Nerf guns and other foam dart guns ARE allowed, but they must not have any foam darts loaded at any time.

    6. Bows and slingshots are allowed; however, they must be de-strung. There must be no capacity to fire any object from the bow or slingshot.

    7. [ANIME Impulse PHX ONLY] Per the guidelines of the Phoenix Convention Center, prop guns/prop guns/weapons with hard casing/sharp edges are NOT ALLOWED to be brought into the convention center. Foam guns/weapons are permitted.

    SWORDS, BLADES, KNIVES & OTHER IMITATION SHARP WEAPONS

    1. Metal swords, metal knives and other active martial arts weapons are not allowed to be brought onto any of the event grounds. Failure to comply will result in being banned from the event without refund and local authorities will be contacted.

    2. If you buy a metal sword, knife or martial arts weapons at the event, this is covered below in the Items Purchased at ANIME Impulse section.

    3. Costume swords must be tied to your costume in such a way that they can’t be drawn.

    4. Blunt weapons such as baseball bats and hockey sticks are prohibited.

    PROP WEIGHT & SHAPE RESTRICTIONS

    1. No items can have sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight or any other features that could be deemed dangerous to others (ie. we do not allow metal replica samurai swords, “BB guns/air guns” even if they are not loaded). If the items are not approved during security inspection, they are forbidden on event grounds. Non-approved items must be stored in attendee’s hotel room, vehicle or home. Failure to comply will result in being escorted off the event premises and banned from the event without refund.

    2. Props with an excessive weight are subject to approval by security at the event entrance bag check. There is no set weight limit, however, if it is deemed to be too heavy or unsafe, it will be requested that the item is checked at the weapons check desk for the duration of the event.

    ITEMS SOLD AT ANIME IMPULSE (VENDORS)

    1. All displayed prop weapons must be firmly secured and tied down at all times. Failure to adhere to this requirement will result in the removal of the items from display.

    2. Vendors selling prop weapons (including guns and swords), are not allowed to give sold merchandise to Customer Attendees while on event grounds. Alternative merchandise pickup must be arranged between Vendor and Customer Attendee.

    3. Vendors are provided with two options for conducting sales:

      Online Sales: Vendors are authorized to conduct online sales at their booth, with items to be shipped directly to the buyer at a later time.

      On-Site Pickup: Alternatively, vendors may opt to conduct sales at their booth and arrange for pickup outside and off the Event Venue Premises.

    ITEMS PURCHASED AT ANIME IMPULSE

    1. Attendees who purchase imitation or replica weapon such as metal movie swords or knives from the Vendors/Exhibitors Hall must be picked up when leaving the event.

    2. To use the purchased item as a prop or costume piece, items must be presented to security staff at the entrance bag check in their original packaging. If ANIME Impulse’s security approves the item, it may be used in accordance with our props and weapons policy guidelines and of course your best sense of judgment.

    3. ANIME Impulse has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to guns, weapons and or any weapon like items. ANIME Impulse staff, security, local police and venue operators reserve the right to confiscate any guns, weapons and or weapon like items at its discretion if it is deemed a public hazard. Due to possible loss, theft, damages and other liabilities, we do not offer storage services for any unapproved props.

    THE LEGAL

    ANIME Impulse will not be held legally responsible or liable for any misconduct, damages, injuries or death resulting from the actions of any ANIME Impulse attendee. Any inappropriate behavior or misconduct by any attendee will be not be tolerated by ANIME Impulse or local authorities. Please use your best judgment and discretion by refraining from swinging weapons around, or using them in intimidating or threatening manner.