General Attendance Rules
Tsukino-Con has rules regarding general unacceptable behaviour at the convention, on top of the University of Victoria’s own rules. Please download the rules as a PDF here, or read them on this page by expanding the tab below:
General Attendance Rules
- No Weapons:No real weapons are allowed on the convention grounds. Anything in a costume that is weapon-like in appearance must be peacebonded at registration. Please see the Weapons & Prop Policy for more information.
- Guns:While guns are a part of many Costumes and main symbols of a lot of Anime Characters, the real world frowns on anything that looks like a real weapon. UVic will not allow anything that looks like a real gun. Therefore, we ask that you leave them at home. If you need a prop gun for a Cosplay Contest or skit, contact the convention staff before attending and we’ll see what we can do.
- Listen to the con-staff:If a staff member or volunteer tells you something, listen to what they say.
- Area Restrictions:Non-convention rooms and hallways are out of bounds. There will be exams in session during the convention, please be respectful when passing through these areas.
- Respect your fellow con-goers:Don’t make others uncomfortable. We want this to be a fun experience for everyone, so respect the people around you. If you are not sure whether or not something is appropriate, it is best to err on the side of caution as this rule is enforced at the discretion of the convention staff.
- Keep exits and hallways clear:Beyond following the fire code, this allows for greater mobility among attendees and improves the convention experience for everyone.
- Dress code: We are a family friendly convention run on UVic school property, therefore while most bikinis are acceptable, they are considered the most skin that should be showing. Please note, thongs and string bikinis are not permitted. These are general guidelines, at the discretion of Tsukino-Con Staff. If you are unsure whether a costume is appropriate, please ask info@tsukinocon.com.
- Respect those not attending:This is a University where students will be studying, please respect their space.
- No Alcohol or Drugs:There is no drinking or drug use allowed at the convention. Attendees found with liquor or drugs, or who are noticeably under the influence, will be banned. Campus Security or the Police will be contacted if deemed appropriate.
- Two strike policy:Violating Con policy will result in a warning upon which the attendee’s badge will be marked. A second violation will result in removal and potential banning from the convention. Convention staff reserve the right to remove attendees without warning if their actions are deemed dangerous or highly inappropriate. This is at the discretion of Convention staff and UVic Security.
- Smoking:No smoking inside Ring Road. This is a University of Victoria rule. If you are unsure what areas count as Ring Road, please look at one of the UVic maps provided on the Hotels & Travel page. All convention buildings are inside the ring.
- Photography and Video: If you are taking pictures or video, for yourself or others, please read our Media Rules.
Media Rules
Tsukino-Con has rules about taking photographs and video at the convention. Please download the rules as a PDF here, or read them on this page by expanding the tab below:
Media Rules
- Permission: Always ask to photograph someone. A cosplayer wants to give you the best photo possible. Taking a picture without warning diminishes their year-round hard work and preparation. While you may not want to interrupt a cosplayer, they would rather stop for a good photo than find a bad one online.
- Timing: Good timing is common sense. Don’t approach a cosplayer while they’re eating lunch, dismantled and resting, in the bathroom, sitting in a panel, etc. Wait till they are ‘on the job’.
- Rules of Engagement: Look with your eyes not your hands. Many costumes are made with delicate materials and can be accidentally damaged. When taking a picture with a cosplayer, make sure it’s okay to put your arm around them. Remember, cosplay is not consent.
- Keep it Brief: A cosplayer’s commitment is to the overall fans, not to any one person. Try not to start up a lengthy conversation, unless they are encouraging it. Be mindful of others around you and careful of dominating a cosplayer’s time.
- Wonder Twins: A lot of cosplayers are open to pairing-up temporarily, if you have a costume of matching theme and skill level. However, don’t take offense if they would rather go solo.
- Safe Space: Do your part to create a ‘safe space’ for cosplay. If you see inappropriate behavior, report it to a staff member. Sexual harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Remember, cons are about celebrating heroes and you can be a hero by looking out for each other.
- Respect: Cosplayers strive to enhance the Convention experience, inspire through their art, and express their fandom. They may come in all shapes and sizes, but they all want and deserve to be treated with respect. Just like any public place, there is a difference between appreciating beauty and making others uncomfortable. Cosplayers are artists and should be treated with respect. Maintaining eye contact is a good habit to form.
- Listen: If a Convention staff member or UVic security asks you to do something, politely respond to the request and follow the instruction.
- Traffic: High-traffic areas should be avoiding for photography and video purposes. E.g. narrow halls, the outside of registration, panel line ups, vendors hall, etc.
Weapons & Prop Policy
Tsukino-Con has rules surrounding weapons and props at the convention. Please download the rules as a PDF here, or read them on this page by expanding the tab below:
Weapons & Prop Policy
Tsukino-Con and Tsukino-Con staff reserve the right to require peace-bonding of any items they deem to resemble, or can be used as, weapons, and the right to require immediate removal from convention events of any items they deem dangerous, regardless of any previous decisions or policies, including this document. Anyone found in violation of these policies is subject to a formal strike against their badge or immediate banishment from the convention, at the discretion of convention staff. Campus Security and/or the Police may be notified if applicable.
Unacceptable Items:
*This list is presented for example purposes and is not intended to be a complete list of unacceptable items.
- Anything illegal
- Anything against the University of Victoria Policies
- Any real weapons, functional or not
- Firearms, including anything resembling a real world model firearm, regardless of colour, orange tip, material, etc.
- BB, Pellet, Paintball and Airsoft guns
- Any type of exploding device (ex: smoke bombs or grenades) regardless of the method used for detonation, including air & CO2
- Metal bladed weapons, including swords, knives
- Glass
- Ceramics
- Stone
- Skates; Roller Blades, Roller Skates, Ice Skates
- Yaoi/Yuri, Seme, Uke, and/or any other fandom type paddle designed or intended to be used on another person.
- Anything currently capable of firing or releasing one or more projectiles
Any live ammunition, including bullets & tipped arrows
Questions about other items resembling firearms should be directed to: consafety@tsukinocon.com
Acceptable Items:
This list is presented for example purposes; staff reserves the final say on whether an item is acceptable.
- Wood
- Foam
- Paper/Cardboard
- Plastic or fiberglass composites
- Clay
- Metal items are acceptable as long as they are NOT bladed and/or pointed. ie: Baseball bats, Frying Pans, Staffs, Rods, etc.
- Strung bows may be acceptable so long as the string is made of a material which does not exceed 5 pounds of draw strength (Even if these conditions are met, Tsukino-Con staff may refuse to Peace Bond a bow)
Peace-Bonding:
All items/props/accessories that by design, or otherwise, resemble, or can be used as weapons must be peace-bonded during registration/check-in at the Registration Desk immediately upon arrival on convention grounds. Peace-bonding indicates your agreement not to harm, or engage in combat with anyone and to abide by convention rules. If harm occurs to yourself or others due to your violation of this agreement, you agree that you alone are liable and that the convention has no part in it. Peace-bonding is indicated by a visible tag that enables convention staff to easily determine the status of your item. Please see the Wikipedia article about peace- bonding for more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction_convention#Peace-bonding_and_weapons_policies
Items Bought From Dealer’s Room:
In the case of a Dealer selling items that fall into the unacceptable category, purchases must be kept in sealed cases (such as an acceptable, sealed dealer packaging box) until it can be feasibly removed from the convention grounds. All products that are unsealed or unbound must be immediately removed from convention grounds, or placed in coat check.
Any item(s) deemed unacceptable may be placed in Coat Check free of charge if they were purchased that same day from an on-site dealer.
Special Circumstances:
Any items that are real weapons, or are in any way illegal, can never be admitted on convention grounds. However, if you believe you have a special circumstance (for example: an entry in the cosplay contest, etc.) regarding a prop item that has been modified to be harmless (for example: a dull, unable to be sharpened prop), you may email consafety@tsukinocon.com with a detailed description of the item, the features used to prevent the item from being dangerous, and why you feel special consideration is warranted. Please include pictures if possible.
**However, Tsukino-Con and Tsukino-Con staff fully reserve the right to deny any special requests for any reason at their discretion.