Kawaii Kon Song Contest Official Rules

Whether you’re here to rock a legendary anime opening, belt out a pop classic, or just have fun on stage, the Kawaii Kon Song Contest is your chance to shine.

Get ready to perform and make this year’s contest one for the books!

Entry Requirements

  • Open to all attendees of Kawaii Kon and all ages.
     Participants under the age of 16 must have parental permission.
  • All contestants must sign up in advance as same-day sign-ups are not allowed. See the Sign-Up section of the rules for full details.
  • Contestants must have a valid badge for each day the Contest is held. Exact panel dates and times will be announced via the official schedule.
  • Accepted contestants will be notified via email and must be available for the applicable rounds:
    • Semi-Finals on Friday evening
    • Finals on Sunday noon
  • Participation in each round is only required if selected to move forward.
  • Violations of the rules—explicit or implied—may result in removal from the contest. Final judgments will be made by the Kawaii Kon Events Managers.
  • All contest communication will be sent via email. Contestants are responsible for checking for updates and meeting deadlines.

Song Selection

  • Songs can be in any genre or language. Anime songs are encouraged but not required.
  • Keep it PG-13 or lower. No profanity or explicit content (violence, sexual acts, etc.).
  • Maximum song length is 4 minutes. Longer tracks must be trimmed prior to submission.
  • Instrumental tracks only. No main vocal lines. Light background vocals or harmonies are acceptable but may be rejected if they interfere with judging.
  • For song approvals or questions, email [email protected] 

Judging Criteria

Judging will be based on the following categories:

  • Vocal Quality (50%) – Volume, pitch, control, clarity
  • Song Difficulty (30%) – Pitch/tempo changes, vocal range, challenge level
  • Stage Presence (10%) – Performance energy, charisma, use of space
  • Crowd Response (10%) – Audience reaction and engagement

Note: For the video preliminary round, only Vocal Quality and Song Difficulty will be judged. Stage Presence and Crowd Response apply to in-person rounds only.

Sign-Up and Preliminary Round

Entry Period: Saturday, November 1, 2025 – March 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM HST
No late entries accepted.

Audition Video Requirements:

  • Minimum 1 minute, maximum 3 minutes
  • Video only—no audio-only submissions
    • Upload to a public hosting site with no log-in required to download
      Recommended options:
  • DropBox
  • Google Drive
  • YouTube (set as Unlisted)
  • Submit the entry form with your video link during the entry window.
  • Privacy Note: Audition videos are stored securely, used only for judging, and deleted after the contest cycle ends.
  • Email notifications will be sent no later than April 17, 2026 to semifinalists. Instrumental tracks must be submitted in advance for the live performance if selected.

Conduct and Behavior

By participating in the Song Contest, all contestants consent to being photographed and/or recorded during the event. These images or recordings may be used by Kawaii Kon for promotional or archival purposes.

Contestants (and their guardians) must follow all Kawaii Kon conduct policies, including:

  • Respect fellow contestants at all times.
  • Keep content and attire family-friendly.
  • No reckless or unsafe behavior.
  • No alcohol or substance use before or during performances.
  • No jumping or running off stage.

Violations may result in disqualification, badge forfeiture, and removal from the event.

Semi-Finals Round

Friday April 24, 2026 – Special Events Room (Time TBD)

Accepted contestants must:

  • Perform 1 song (may reuse audition song)
  • Provide their own instrumental
  • Report to the Song Contest Coordinator 15 minutes early

Contestants will be introduced by the emcee before performing, and judges will select those advancing to the Finals on-site.

Finals Round

Sunday April 26, 2026 – Special Events Room (Time TBD)

Finalists must:

  • Perform 2 songs (may reuse previous songs)
  • Provide their own instrumentals
  • Report to the Song Contest Coordinator 15 minutes early

A break or interlude may occur while judges tally scores, and at the end of the event, the winner will be announced live on stage.

Grand Prize

  • Custom trophy
  • $100 cash prize

You must be present during the Final round to claim your prize. Those who leave early may forfeit the award.

Disclaimer

Kawaii Kon reserves the right to modify rules or make final judgment calls as necessary to uphold the integrity of the contest. Good luck and have fun!

Questions? Reach out to us at [email protected].