The World Cosplay Summit 2026 was held from July 31 to August 2, 2026, in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. Representatives and related parties from 40 countries and regions gathered for the event, which featured programs at multiple venues including Oasis 21, Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater, Osu Shopping Street, and Hisaya-odori Park. The main venue, Oasis 21, recorded a total of 259,000 visitors over the three days, as cosplayers, photographers, fans, and tourists from Japan and abroad enjoyed cross-cultural exchange through cosplay.
The World Cosplay Summit is the world’s largest urban cosplay festival, held annually since 2003 primarily in Aichi Prefecture, with the aim of promoting international cultural exchange through Japanese pop culture such as anime, manga, and games.
This 24th edition featured a variety of programs including the World Cosplay Championship 2026, a cosplay parade, stage events, exhibition booths, and a red carpet ceremony. Pre-events and official visits also facilitated international exchange between representatives and local communities. As this was the final summer edition, participants enjoyed the last “Summer CosSummit.”
On July 29, ahead of the main event, cosplayers participating in the World Cosplay Championship paid a courtesy visit to Aichi Governor Omura Hideaki and Nagoya Mayor Hirosawa Ichiro. Governor Omura greeted them in a cosplay of Muzan Kibutsuji from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, saying, “Welcome to Aichi and Nagoya. I hope the three days of the World Cosplay Summit will be a great success. Let’s all win the championship at this event. Please enjoy Japan and the World Cosplay Summit.” Mayor Hirosawa appeared in a cosplay of the hero Himmel from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, stating, “I am delighted that Nagoya is the host city for the Cosplay Summit. Cosplay is a treasure that Nagoya is proud to show the world. As a cosplay host town, we will continue to support and cheer on everyone enjoying cosplay with the full backing of the city.”
Opening Ceremony & Red Carpet
On July 31, a red carpet was laid on the grand staircase of Oasis 21 for the opening ceremony. Representative cosplayers from each country and region, along with guests, walked the red carpet. Executive Committee Chair Oguri Tokumaru, Governor Omura, Mayor Hirosawa, and Oasis 21 President Saji Doppo also appeared in cosplay. At the Oasis 21 special stage, Chair Oguri said, “This is the 24th edition. I am very happy to meet all of you who love anime, manga, and games here in Aichi and Nagoya. Spending such passionate, peaceful time together through a shared love is a wonderful form of international cultural exchange. I hope we can pass this baton on to the children of the future.” Together with Governor Omura and others, they declared the opening with the catchphrase “Cosplay Everywhere!”—a wish that everyone, anywhere in the world, can enjoy cosplay. The venue was lit up and photo spots were set up, allowing many visitors to enjoy the combination of night scenery and cosplay.
Osu Cosplay Parade with Approximately 1,000 Participants
On August 1, the Osu Cosplay Parade was held around Osu Kannon and Osu Shopping Street. Representative contestants from 40 countries and regions, along with general participants from Japan and abroad, paraded through the streets in their costumes. Many spectators lined the route, waving and taking photos, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the shopping district. A marching band performed music from various genres to energize the parade. The Osu Cosplay Parade is a popular program symbolizing the World Cosplay Summit, where cosplayers, local residents, and visitors interact. The historic streets of Osu combined with diverse cosplay expressions created a scene unique to Nagoya. Approximately 1,000 cosplayers participated in the parade that day.
World Cosplay Championship 2026: Hong Kong Representatives Win Grand Champion
On the final day, August 2, the World Cosplay Championship 2026 was held at the Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater Main Hall to determine the world’s best cosplay performance team. Teams from each country and region showcased their skills and creativity in costume accuracy, acting, and reproduction of the original work’s world. The event was live-streamed to cosplay fans worldwide. After judging by voice actor Furukawa Toshio, singer and talent Nakagawa Shoko, and kabuki actor Sawamura Seishiro, the Hong Kong representatives Aruu and Ronnie Ko won the Grand Champion for their Monster Hunter performance.
Nakagawa Shoko, who appeared as a guest at the World Cosplay Summit for the first time in 19 years since 2007, praised the participants’ efforts and passion: “It’s been 19 years since I last came, but it has evolved so much that it really felt like the characters were alive here. When I think about how much everyone loves their characters, how hard they worked on their costumes, and how they practiced their actions, I truly believe humanity is wonderful. The synchronization with the video was also amazing.” Miyata Toshiya appeared as a surprise guest.
Due to considerations regarding extreme heat and weather conditions, as well as the need to further accommodate international participants and trends in domestic and international tourism, the World Cosmos Summit has decided to change its schedule. The next World Cosplay Summit 2027 is scheduled to be held from November 12 to 14, 2027, over three days. The venue will continue to be centered around Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City. Details on the content and venues will be announced sequentially on the official website and official social media.
Full Comments
Grand Champion Comments
Hong Kong Representative: Aruu
“I am truly happy that I was able to perform in front of everyone in a costume I spent a whole year making with all my heart. It was difficult to reproduce the lively texture of the Felyne, so I remade it about three times. My pet cat was a reference, so I am grateful. During the performance, I kept cat whiskers in my pocket.”
Hong Kong Representative: Ronnie Ko
“I still can’t believe I won. All the participating teams were amazing, so I am really surprised. I am nothing but grateful that our performance scored highly. Monster Hunter is a game I love. The world view is wonderful, and I am drawn to the character designs.”
Hong Kong Representative: Aruu
“Felynes always help hunters, so we are the best duo. The hunter’s armor was all handmade, and the thing I was most particular about was the coloring. I used UV light to paint it.”
Organizer Comment
World Cosplay Summit Executive Committee Chair Oguri Tokumaru
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the cosplayers from around the world who gathered here in Nagoya this year and helped create this wonderful scenery together. This year, representatives from 40 countries and regions gathered for the World Cosplay Summit. However, due to various circumstances including the international situation, some countries were unfortunately unable to participate this year. Still, there are over 30 countries and regions that wish to join the World Cosplay Summit beyond those that participated this time. We are once again reminded that this culture has the power to connect people across borders, languages, and cultural differences. As I declared here last year, 2026 was the last summer edition. Did you all enjoy the final summer? The special time of laughing with friends under the sun, sweating, and seeing the whole city dyed in cosplay will surely remain in each of your hearts. The World Cosplay Summit is a stage for international exchange that connects the world through culture. Our goal is to expand that circle even further. We will make the autumn edition starting next year a new start. We seriously aim for a world’s largest cultural exchange festival where 100 countries and regions gather. To achieve that, we will create new systems, welcome new friends, and continue to grow this community. A place where ‘likes’ from around the world gather, where differences are accepted, and friendships are born. We want to continue building this stage of cultural exchange that the world can be proud of, together with you. So, see you again next November in Nagoya. To all cosplayers around the world! Thank you for loving cosplay!!”
World Cosplay Championship 2026 Results
Grand Champion
Hong Kong Representative (Aruu, Ronnie Ko)
Work: Monster Hunter
Characters: Felyne / Hunter
2nd Place
Canada Representative (Autumn’s Cosplay, Cien Ar Cosplay)
Work: Tokyo Aliens
Characters: Gunjii Akira / Tenkuu Kakeru
3rd Place
Brazil Representative (Arbineg, Gee)
Work: Tales of Arise
Characters: Alphen / Shion
Special Awards
Alumni Division Tamagoshi Award: Hong Kong Representative
Action Division Shiraf Award: Kuwait Representative
Dramatic Division Universal Entertainment Award: Latvia Representative
Sewing Costume Division Brother Award: Canada Representative
Modeling Costume Division Nijigen no Mori Award: Indonesia Representative
Wig Division Assist Wig Award: Brazil Representative
Enjoy Division Famore Cutlery Award: Australia Representative
Festival Division Holiday Matsuri Award: South Africa Representative
Best Sound Division Epilogue Media Award: Trinidad and Tobago Representative
Next Journey Division ZIPAIR Award: India Representative
World Cosplay Summit 2026 Event Overview
Dates: July 31 (Fri), August 1 (Sat), August 2 (Sun), 2026 – 3 days
Venues: Oasis 21 / Aichi Arts Center (Main Hall) / Hisaya-odori Park / Osu Shopping Street / Hisaya Odori Garden Flarie / Central Park / Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER / SLOW ART CENTER NAGOYA
Participating Countries/Regions: 40 countries/regions
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States
*United Arab Emirates and Vietnam did not participate due to circumstances.
Organizer: World Cosplay Summit Executive Committee (Comprising: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City, Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chubu Centrair International Airport Co., Ltd., Osu Shopping Street Federation, The Japan Times, Ltd., TV Aichi Co., Ltd., WCS Co., Ltd.)
