AX Idol

Official Sponsors

About AX Idol

Calling all thespians, vocalists and lovers of anime! We wish to welcome you to another great season of AX Idol. One of the most coveted and attended events at Anime Expo, AX Idol gives attendees the unique opportunity to display their voice acting and singing talents in front of both fans and respected industry professionals. So, go for it! Sing your favorite anime tune or recite the script of your choice and YOU could be the next AX Idol!

Please see the AX Idol 2012 Rules and Frequently Asked Questions below for more details on next year’s competition. Registration will open soon. We hope to see you at the AX Idol Auditions!

Rules

1. Participation by professionals is prohibited. Any performer found out to be as such will be disqualified.A professional is defined as having:
   • a current/previous contract for talent representation (ie. talent agent or coordinator);
   • current/previous music recording contract(s); or
   • current/previous acting contract(s)
2. All participants must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Photo ID will be required at check-in.
3. Cosplay is allowed, but it will not be considered in judging.
4. There will be check-in an hour before the start of the AX Idol Auditions.
5. If your name is called at the auditions and if you are not present, you will be skipped.
6. If you arrive late for the auditions, you may still audition if time permits. Those who have already checked-in will receive first priority.
7. Past AX Idol Finalists will not be eligible to compete in the next year’s AX Idol competition in either event. However, after that year they will be eligible to compete once again.Ex. Finalists at AX Idol 2010 will not be eligible to compete for 2011; eligibility will open up once again in 2012.
8. Past AX Idol grand prize winners are not eligible to compete again for any portion of the competition.

Singing Rules

1. Singers may select any song from an Anime (Opening/Ending/Main Theme/Soundtrack), any song from an Anime-Themed Videogame (Opening/Ending/Main Theme/Soundtrack), or Original Vocoloid Creations.
2. Singers will have one (1) minute during the audition portion of the competition. This one minute must be memorized and sung a cappella (without music or instrumental accompaniment).
3. Finalists will have four (4) minutes to perform the same song during the show portion of the competition.
4. If chosen as one of the finalists for Battle of the Bands, and auditioning for AX Idol, you may not perform the same song at both events.
5. The finals must be performed a cappella OR with a karaoke backing track that each performer must provide to the to the AX Idol Coordinator immediately after the AX Idol Auditions are completed.
   • Karaoke tracks must be on an Audio CD. Anime Expo ® will not provide, nor will we create karaoke tracks for any contestant.

   Ex. In MP3, files 192kbps minimum or higher (preferred). Please email the AX Idol management at if you have any questions regarding file formats.

Voice Acting Rules

1. The monologue must be from an Anime, or an Anime-Themed Videogame
2. Monologues may not contain blatant vulgarity or foul language.
3. Actors must have their monologues completely memorized for the audition portion of the competition.
4. Actors will have one (1) minute to perform their memorized monologue at the auditions.
5. Finalists will perform live on stage in a voice over competition with a script provided by our sponsor Bang Zoom!Entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q. What do I need to participate?
   A. We welcome any Anime Expo® attendee to participate so long as they:
   • Can verify with a photo ID (All government issued Photo IDs: Drivers Licenses, Passports, Military IDs, etc) that they are at least 18 years of age on the day of the AX Idol Auditions.
   • Are not a professional.
   • Have not been a winner in an AX Idol event of any previous year.
   • Have not been a finalist of the previous year’s AX Idol event.
2. Q. What do you consider a Professional?
   A. Participation by professionals is prohibited. Any performer found out to be as such will be disqualified.
   A professional is defined as having:
   • a current/previous contract for talent representation (ie. talent agent or coordinator);
   • current/previous music recording contract(s); or
   • current/previous acting contract(s)
3. Q. Is participation open to non-US citizens?
   A. International attendees are more than welcome to participate provided that they meet the requirements in Question 1.
4. Q. I’m under age 18 and I really want to participate! What if my parents sign a waiver, I decline the prize, or my birthday is X number of days away?
   A. Given the nature of the prize, we cannot make exceptions to this rule. However, we encourage you to participate in the various karaoke events and voice acting workshops held throughout the duration of Anime Expo®.
5. Q. My friends want to enter with me. Can we enter as a group?
   A. We love your enthusiasm, but we do not allow group acts at this time.
6. Q. I entered and won! Can I participate again?
   A. Congratulations! We hope your victory leads you to great professional opportunities in the future. However, past AX Idol grand prize winners, regardless of year, are ineligible to compete again in the future.
7. Q. Do the restrictions for past finalists still apply if I want to participate in the other parts of the competition instead?
   A. Yes, it does. If you were a finalist in either the portion of the competition, you may not participate in AX Idol in either part the following year.
8. Q. Can I enter both parts of the competition?
   A. A participant must choose whether they wish to compete in either the voice acting competition or the singing competition. You may not compete in both.
9. Q. How does the AX Idol Auditions Check-in process work?
   A. There is a 1 hour check in period prior to the start of the Auditions. Contestants who registered online will be processed on a first come, first serve basis.
   Ex. 1^st person to check in will be the 1^st to audition
10. Q. I missed the registration deadline! Do you allow walk-in AX Idol registration at the AX Idol Auditions?
    A. Occasionally, we allow this if time permits. To be fair to those who registered on time, they will receive priority over you at AX Idol Auditions. There are no guarantees, so please try to get your AX Idol registration in as early as possible! Please, email the AX Idol management if you have any questions at
11. Q. May I cosplay during the audition and/or finals?
    A. Cosplay is allowed, but it will not be considered in judging.
12. Q. How long will my audition be?
    A. Singers will have one (1) minute during the audition portion of the competition. This one minute must be memorized and sung a cappella (without music or instrumental accompaniment).

    Voice Actors will have one (1) minute to perform their monologue at the audition. Actors must have their monologues completely memorized for the audition portion of the competition.

13. Q. Do I have to be present for the entire audition process, or can I leave until it’s my turn?
    A. After checking in, you are free to leave if you need to, but please be aware that if you are not present when your name is called to begin your audition, you will be skipped. You MUST be present when the winners are announced or you will be passed over even if you are announced as a finalist.
14. Q. I’ve changed my mind about what song/monologue I want to audition with. Can I change it, or am I stuck with what I originally signed up for?
    A. You may change your selection if you like, so long as it meets the requirements. Just notify us that you are changing it when you check-in at the Auditions. Once you check-in, you cannot change your selection. Or you may email your changes ahead of time to .
15. Q. What type of lines may I use?
    A. You may use any monologue from any anime or anime-themed videogame provided that it does not contain blatant vulgarity or foul language. If you are unsure, please email a copy of your monologue to the AX Idol management at and we will check it over.
16. Q. May I select a line from a manga?
    A. Your monologue must be from an anime or an anime-themed video game.
17. Q.May I perform my lines in Japanese?
    A. The rules do not prohibit you from doing so, but this may make it difficult for the judges to review your performance.
18. Q. Do my lines have to be from the sub script or the dub script of a show?
    A. Your lines may be from either one.
19. Q. Can my lines be from a fan sub?
    A. While it is not against the rules, please remember the judges may have difficulty reviewing your performance. So choose your lines with care. Please, email us at if you have any questions.
20. Q. What kind of songs may I use?
    A. Your song must be from an anime, an anime-themed video game, or an original vocoloid creation.
21. Q. Can I use a track from a music focused game? ie. DDR, Guitar Freaks, Osu! Tatakae! Quedan!, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, etc
    A. Only if the song originates from an anime, an anime- themed video game, or an original. Song eligibility is determined at the discretion of the AX Idol management. Please email if you have any questions.
22. Q.I want to use a cover (remake) of an anime song. May I do so?
    A. If the cover song itself was used in an anime as well, then yes certainly. If not, please contact the AX Idol management at , we will be happy to look into the song’s eligibility.
23. Q. May I use a song from a live-action remake of an anime?
    A. If the song was used not in the anime, no you may not. If the song is a cover of a song that was in the original anime, please contact the AX Idol management and we will consider it.
24. Q. Can I use a Vocaloid song?
    A.The song must be an original vocoloid creation, not a cover/remake of an already existing song. Please email if you have any questions.
25. Q. May I use a J-Pop song or a song from a live action J-Drama?
    A. If the song is also used in an anime, an anime-themed video game, or an original vocoloid, then you are certainly welcome to use it. If it was not, then unfortunately you may not.
26. Q. My song has one or two swear words. May I use it?
    A. Your song should not contain any blatant vulgarity or foul language (regardless of the spoken language).

    If you are unsure, please email the AX Idol management at before-hand and ask.

27. Q. Can I change the pitch/tone/speed/tempo of my song?
    A. Your backing track should be easily identifiable as the original song you selected. Please email the AX Idol management at for more information on this topic.
28. Q. May I sing in a different key/octave than what my song originally had?
    A. You may perform your selected song in whatever key or octave you see fit so long as it does violate any of the AX Idol 2011 rules.
29. Q. I’m a finalist in the Battle of the Bands competition, but I also want to audition for AX Idol. Can I use the same song in both competitions?
    A. Congratulations on making to the Battle of the Bands finals! If chosen as one of the finalists for Battle of the Bands, and auditioning for AX Idol, you will not be able to perform the same song at both events.
30. Q. Can I sing a cappella (without music or instrumental accompaniment) in the finals?
    A. Absolutely!
31. Q. May I use an instrument during my audition or in the finals?
    A. We love the enthusiasm! However, we do not allow the use of instruments for the AX Idol competition. If you really feel the need to rock out an instrument we highly encourage you to also look into our sister competition Battle of the Bands!
32. Q. I’m a finalist! How should I provide you a copy of the song I want to use?
    A. Each performer must provide to the to the AX Idol Coordinator immediately after the AX Idol Auditions are completed. The finals must be performed a cappella OR with a karaoke backing track.
    • Karaoke tracks must be on an Audio CD. Anime Expo ® will not provide, nor will we create karaoke tracks for any contestant.

Ex. In MP3, files 192kbps minimum or higher (preferred). Please email the AX Idol management at if you have any questions regarding file formats.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding file formats or any other thing not listed on this page, please contact the AX Idol management at .

Or ask in the Anime Expo® forums!

We look forward to seeing you in next year’s AX Idol Competition!