Dance Competition

Prizes for the dance competition are sponsored by Foamtastic Crafts (by foamatelier.nl)

The Dance Competition is a dance competition for dancers and/or cosplayers! The competition will be held on Friday, August 7th. The exact time will be announced soon. Here you’ll find the rules and sign-up form.

You can join the competition as a solo dancer, a duo or as a group! You will be judged per category, meaning there will be three prices: Best Solo, Best Duo and Best Group.

On the bottom of this page, you will also find a sign-up guide. This has some insights on how to give yourself the best chance of getting selected to join the competition!

Sign-up opens April 16@20:00

General Competition Rules

  • You must have a valid Abunai! 2026 ticket to enter this competition.
  • Signing up does not guarantee participation in the competition.
  • Being selected to participate in the Dance Competition means you cannot sign up for the Dance Showcase. This includes signing up in other formations/groups.
  • We accept the following combinations of costume/music for your dance act:
    • Cosplay with music from the same source.
    • Cosplay with music from a different source. Music can be non-Japanese or Korean in origin. Yes, you’re allowed to dance in cosplay to K3.
    • Dance costumes or idolsonas with music of Japanese or Korean origin, including but not limited to J-Pop, K-Pop, Anime soundtracks, movie soundtracks and traditional folk music.
    • The music can be a remix of the original version.
    • If you are unsure whether your costume/music choice is allowed or not, you can check by contacting our Dance Competition team through email via dancecompo@stichtingabunai.nl.
  • You may enter the competition by yourself or in a group consisting of max. 10 people.
  • Your act cannot be longer than 3.5 minutes (210 seconds).
  • You cannot change your song choice after being given a go to enter the competition. 
  • Costumes and props may be either handmade or purchased.
  • Acts may not contain materials that make the stage dirty or slippery. This includes dust, glitter and other materials smaller than 2cm.
  • Acts may not use fireworks, smoke or any items that cause an open flame or an explosion.
  • Acts with inappropriate language and/or movements, nudity or excessive violence will be rejected outright.
  • Any contestants who receive a prize, will not be allowed to join the competition the year after, to create space and opportunities for other contestants.

Audio and Video rules

  • We will be accepting MP4 files only.
  • If you don’t want to utilise the video screen, please provide an MP4 file containing a black background with your audio included.
  • We recommend the following video resolution: 1280x720p or 1920x1080p. Other resolutions will be accepted but we cannot guarantee they can be displayed in their full quality.
  • Audio must be of good quality; no microphone peaking or sudden volume changes.
  • Audio must not be recorded from the TV broadcast/film/gameplay/etc. Please only use official soundtrack sources.
  • Any timed cues must be edited into your file. The file will be played as is, from start to finish. Our tech is not available for additional audio cues.
  • We do not allow AI-generated content.
  • Please bring a back-up of your MP4 on a USB stick. If your file does not work during the competition, you cannot compete!
  • Please note: you are not allowed to dance along to source material. For example: if you dance to a K-Pop song, you are not allowed to have the actual music video play behind you!

Dates & Deadlines

All times mentioned are Amsterdam time (CEST).

  • Sign-up opens on the 16th of April at 20:00.
  • The sign-up form closes at on the 30th of April at 23:59.
  • You need to send required files, as instructed by email, by the 24th of May at 23:59. This includes giving us your script and submitting your song. We also encourage submitting practice videos. Providing us with as much material as possible will give us a better idea of your performance. This will influence the selection process.
  •  You will receive a definite acceptance or rejection email for the competition around May 28th.
  • The last day to send your finished MP4 file is the 5th of July.
  • We will inform you of the rehearsal time by the 12th of July.
  • If you cancel your act after the 1st of August without a legitimate reason, you may be blacklisted from participating in Abunai! Competitions/Showcases in the following year.

At the Convention: Rules and Important Information

  • Before the competition, tech rehearsal will take place. This time is primarily used for the Tech Crew to run a check and test the submitted light settings. You can also use this time to get a sense for the stage you’ll be performing on.
  • The tech rehearsal is not for you to rehearse your act, but for the technical crew to rehearse the show. We do not accept new audio-visual material or other such requests during the rehearsal.
  • All contestants must be present backstage 60 minutes before the competition is scheduled to start. You are not allowed to leave before the show starts. If there are delays, you are still required to be present.
  • The order in which the acts perform is decided by Abunai! staff and not open to discussion.
  • We reserve the right to interrupt performances for safety reasons.
  • By taking part in this competition, you grant us the right to photograph and record your performance. This material may be used for promotional purposes, with all rights reserved to us.
  • You are free to let someone in the audience take your picture or film you. However, they must remain seated and not bother other audience members by blocking their view.

(These rules are subject to change. When rules change after sign-up, all participants will be notified.)