
Gender-based, color-coded badges to be introduced as part of new regulations.
Earlier this week, the organizers of Tokyo Comic-Con ruffled the costumed feathers of many in the cosplay community when it came to light that men would be prohibited from dressing as female characters at the event. But with the festivities not scheduled to get underway until December, Tokyo Comic-Con’s decision makers have had time to take into consideration the negative reactions provoked by the restriction, and have since reversed their stance.
The cosplay rules, as found on the event’s official website, so longer include a ban on men dressing in women’s attire. Moreover, it specifically states that the practice is now allowed, in a message that translates as:
“After a committee discussion, the decision has been made to remove the restriction against men dressing as women. Along with this, on the day of the event, male and female cosplayers will be given differently colored cosplay registration badges. The badges will be checked by staff at the entrance to the changing rooms and restrooms, so please keep your badge on your person at all times.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”
The regulations also state that cosplayers will receive a badge of the color corresponding to the gender listed on the form of ID they present during the registration process. In addition, guests are prohibited from entering the venue while already wearing their cosplay outfits, so all cosplayers, regardless of bladder strength, can expect to have the gender color of their badge checked at least once as they enter the changing area.
Tokyo Comic-Con is scheduled for December 2-4 at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba Prefecture.
Related: Tokyo Comic-Con
Source: Tokyo Comic-Con
Top image ©RocketNews24

Tokyo Comic-Con explicitly prohibits men from cosplaying as female characters
Booth babes and cosplayers come out to play at world’s first-ever Tokyo Comic-Con 【Pics】
Women-only restaurant in Tokyo suddenly reverses policy, allows male diners 【Update】
Stan Lee impresses audiences in Japan at Tokyo Comic-Con
The amazing cosplayers of (the first two days of) Comic-Con 2014
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Super! Eel Bread takes Japanese sushi into uncharted territory
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
A look at the cosplay of the 2025 Osaka Comic Con
We visited Tokyo Comic-Con 2017 to get our fill of superheroes and cool cosplays
Our reporter goes looking for fans at Comic-Con…in his Sailor Venus cosplay outfit
Get ready for excitement, Japan—Steve Wozniak’s Comic Con is coming to Tokyo in December 2016!
Our Japanese correspondent’s report from his first-ever San Diego Comic-Con
Is it OK for men cosplaying as women to use the women’s restroom in Japan? Twitter debates
Adam Savage, co-host of TV show Mythbusters, cosplayed at New York Comic Con as Totoro 【Video】
Japanese town’s mascot character may be a man dressed in women’s clothing, possibly on purpose
Japanese cosplayer steals the show at New York Comic Con with awesome Iron Man costume 【Photos】
Tokyo Comic-Con wasn’t just fun, it was delicious, and here’re our top picks from its food booths
The female cosplayers (and their occasionally male characters) of Summer Wonder Festival
Tokyo Disneyland allows cosplay for Halloween but prohibits non-Disney character costumes
Tokyo restaurant refuses service to all-male groups of customers
Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea announce cosplay rules, allowed characters for Halloween 2019
Nicolas Cage meets Gachapin and a world record is broken at Osaka Comic Con 2025