Anime Boston has a continuing storyline uniting its cosplay programming. This plotline consists of a series of performances by Anime Boston attendees as well as staff, in costume and in character, enacting skits, competitions and battles to create a story connecting the Anime Dating Game, the Masquerade, Catch the Barrel and Cosplay Human Chess. Some of these events are skit performances or game shows, while others are team competitions between groups of cosplayers such as Ninjas, Pirates or Shinigami. Each separate event is complete in itself, but attendees or audience members who watch or participate in all the events get to watch their favorite characters progress and help their favorite teams to victory. The participants and events of the plotline are partly decided in advance, but the actual winners of competitions and rivalries are determined by the participants and the audience, live, as events progress. This plotline began in 2007 and will continue in 2010, by the Cosplay Gameshows Director (Ada Palmer aka. K-san).

If you simply wish to participate in a single event, such as Cosplay Chess or the Anime Dating Game, you should fill out an application for that event and if your character fits well with the Continuing Cosplay Plotline, then you will automatically be contacted about participating. If, on the other hand, you are interested in helping in many events, as well as in planning and organizing the Continuing Cosplay Plotline, then you should not only apply to the individual events, but also fill out the Continuing Cosplay Plotline Application. Those who apply to participate in the Continuing Cosplay Plotline will be expected to exchange frequent e-mails with the Cosplay Gameshows Director and other participants before the convention and to commit considerable time and effort to preparing these unique events. Failure to keep in contact or to meet deadlines will result in your removal from the Continuing Cosplay Plotline roster.

Last year's plotline events in brief:

Late one Anime Boston Friday night, in a seedy performance hall, the 18+ Dating Game was in full swing. Just as contestants were lining up for the final round, a villain struck from the shadows. Sailor Moon was dead. The mystery a-foot, Detective B-kun was on the case! Arriving moments too late, he sequestered the sailor scouts and proceeded to interrogate them as to what they witnessed. Signs pointed to a brown haired figure in a dark robe, though speculation could not confirm if it was Organization XIII or the elusive Team Evil with their signature Akatsuki cloaks. Finding no more information, B-Kun set out to find another lead.

Sure the killer would strike again, B-Kun assumed the role of Emcee for the regular dating game on Saturday. Sure enough, the assailant burst from the shadows and attempted to off Kamina as he was about to take the stage. Before the masked murderer could be apprehended, however, Doctor Robotnik intercepted the pursuing authorities. After some banter involving a bizarre device the Doctor is carrying, the game continued as scheduled.

At the Masquearde, more clues came to light. Kamina takes the stage with a figure suspiciously matching the description: Brown hair, school uniform, an Akatsuki cloak, and an ANBU mask. B-Kun managed to burst on stage and apprehend the suspect before they could attack with the pistol concealed up their sleeve. Unmasking the culprit, it is revealed to be Tohru. As a red herring, like Communism, Robotnik came in with his latest Doomsday Weapon. In the confusion, he grabbed up the pistol and finished of Kamina. With Robotnik's escape backstage, the Good Guys settled to take Tohru into custody.

Sunday morning, Cosplay Court Chess was called to order. Through the course of the game, evidence was presented by the prosecution, Deigo Godot. Defense was run by the honorable and skilled Phoenix Wright. When the game left only twelve players, the jury was selected. After brief deliberation on the case, the vote came down to a 9 to 3 split in favor of Tohru being Not Guilty. Pulling a Phoenix Down from Wright's hair, Sailor Moon was saved. Aeris chose then to accuse Cloud of not doing that sooner. Staying true to tradition, Robotnik ran her through with a lightsaber. Finally caught by B-kun, he was taken away.

Application details:

Individuals applying to the Continuing Cosplay Plotline must have costume(s) of character(s) pertinent to the ongoing story, or who would make good cameo or additional characters, or fit well with the Chess themes (Past vs. Future). When you apply, you will be asked to list all the costumes you have at your disposal and the administrators will select those most useful for the plot. All costumes are acceptable, including commissioned costumes and costumes also used in other events including the Masquerade, but all costumes must comply with the Anime Boston Weapons' Policy and must be legal in the state of Massachusetts. The more costumes you include, the more likely you are to be accepted to participate. Not all who apply will be selected. Priority will go to experienced cosplayers, especially those who have participated in other cosplay events at past Anime Boston conventions, particularly Cosplay Human Chess and the Anime Dating Game. Minors applying must submit a participation permission form signed by a parent or guardian. The application cutoff for participation in the Continuing Cosplay Plotline is March 1st 2010.

To apply for the Cosplot, please fill out the Cosplot form.