We’re back downtown at Bartle Hall and the Convention Center for Planet Comicon Kansas City 2025!

(see our previous coverage here: We♥Comics!- Planet Comicon Kansas City 2025 (March 21-23) recap- Part One – W♥M)

One of the highlights for many of the three-day convention weekend, is all the Cosplay and costuming seen throughout – from the fans dressed up and simply walking the aisles to take in the show (and they can also receive awards from the floor cosplay judges), to what many consider the biggest event of the weekend – the Saturday Night Cosplay Contest.

With a prize pool of $15,000 in cash and prizes and respect amongst their hardworking peers on the line, contestants entered in one of three levels of expertise: Beginner, Intermediate, and Master.’

The definitions of each category were this:

Beginner: This class is for anyone who has never won a major award before at any other convention. 50% of the costume must be made by the contestant(s).

Intermediate:This is the class for anyone who has won 1-2 major awards at any convention. 60% of the costume must be made by the contestant(s).

Master:If you have won 3 or more major awards in a cosplay contest, if you have taken Best in Show at any cosplay contest of similar or larger size to PCKC, or if you make or sell cosplay costumes professionally, please enter this class. 75% of the costume must be made by the contestant(s).

There were a few less award categories awarded this year versus previous, but the quality level was as high as ever and the crowd was sure to let the judges know their favorites, by cheering and howling.

This year’s event included a ‘halftime show’ which featured styles and fashions creatively made from previous year Planet Comicon fabric banners, now re-purposed as capes, shawls, dresses, accessories, and more.

Hosts Ming Chen and Luna Flare were again on-hand and in-costume to introduce the categories and entrants and present the contestants and awards. Flare performed as well and there was also an after-hours drag show on Friday night, that no doubt, also had some great outfits and creative costumes (though we unfortunately missed it).

Here were the results (with bonus points if you can recognize all the characters depicted):

Planet Comicon Kansas City 2025 Cosplay Contest winners:

Beginner Needlework – Grapefruit Cosplay
Beginner Foamwork – Arkhi from H.A. Cosplay
Beginner Mixed Media – Wyvern Cosplay
Intermediate Needlework – Nola Cosplay
Intermediate Foamwork – Fearbe Cosplay
Intermediate Mixed Media – Sheep’s Cosplays
Master Needlework – Grey Crist
Master Foamwork – Fancy Jen Cosplay
Master Mixed Media – Shind UwU cosplay
Owner’s Choice – 40 Below Cosplay and Props Karl Franz
Best in Show – Kaizley