Shopping Guide
Like figures? You know we love ‘em!
And we're always looking for ways to help spread the love.
That’s why we have so many listed on the TOM Shop. And that's what motivated us to begin hosting figure photo contests.
The contest includes multiple different prize tiers: some awarded by our panel of judges, and others awarded based on fan voting.
This time, there’s also an extra-special new prize devoted exclusively to Hatsune Miku!
That means more chances to participate—and more chances to win! Whether or not you enter the contest, we hope you enjoy exploring the submissions and choosing your favorites.
Need inspiration before submitting one of your creations? Try checking out our past contest results (linked below).
The TOM Instagram account also showcases examples of stunning figure photography from all over the world.
Keep scrolling for full details on how to enter. We’re so excited to see your photos!
UPDATE: Entries are now closed.
All results will be announced by December 2023 (PDT)
In the meantime, please enjoy browsing entries with hashtag #tomphotocon8 on
X (Twitter) or Instagram!
- 1
- Follow TOM on X (Twitter) and/or Instagram
- 2
- Post a figure photo with hashtag #tomphotocon8
Don't use X (Twitter) or Instagram?
Enter via Google form instead!
Entries close at 11:59 pm on Oct. 31, 2023 (PDT)
Results to be announced in December 2023
Overall Contest Rules
- Multiple entries permitted (go for it!)
- Photos must be your own original work
- Only entries submitted directly via X, Instagram, or Google form will be considered
- Photos that have been submitted or posted anywhere in the past are ineligible
- Previous contest winners are permitted to enter again (with different photos)
- Photos must feature officially licensed figures—no bootlegs
- No photos that include identifiable people
- No photos that others might find disturbing or derogratory
- Post-contest, entries may be reposted (w/ credit) on TOM social media
- Tokyo Otaku Mode has unlimited permission to use submission photos on otakumode.com and/or across contest announcement materials
- Your photo may be cropped or edited for display purposes on otakumode.com
Violation of the above guidelines will result in immediate disqualification at any stage of the contest.
- The number of runner-up prizes will be determined during the judging process.
- Winners will be announced on this page & contacted via DM or email.
- All coupon prizes will be distributed by the end of December 2023.
Happy 16th birthday, Hatsune Miku!
Art by KEI Ⓒ CFM
For the first time ever, in honor of Hatsune Miku’s 16th anniversary, the TOM Figure Photo Contest includes a special additional prize specifically for photos of Hatsune Miku figures.
Note: It’s possible to win both the Hatsune Miku prize and one of the overall prizes with a single submission, so there are no drawbacks to submitting photos of Hatsune Miku figures!
- Hatsune Miku Prize Eligibility
- All photo contest submissions featuring a Hatsune Miku figure will be automatically included in consideration for the Hatsune Miku Prize. Simply use hashtag #tomphotocon8 and follow the overall contest guidelines listed here: How to Enter
- Hatsune Miku Prize Judge
- Crypton Future Media will select the winner of this prize.
- What is Hatsune Miku?
- Hatsune Miku is music software developed by Crypton Future Media, INC., and it enables anyone to make the computer sing by entering lyrics and melodies. As a massive number of users created music using the software and posted their works on the Internet, Hatsune Miku quickly evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Moreover, Hatsune Miku has gained much attention as a character, involved in many fields such as merchandising and live performance as a virtual singer. Now her popularity has spread across the globe.
*Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO and KAITO are also virtual singers developed by Crypton Future Media, INC.
- Winners will be announced on this page & contacted via DM or email.
- All coupon prizes will be distributed by the end of December 2023.
© Crypton Future Media, INC. www.piapro.net
Your votes will decide these 3 special prizes!
After entries close, TOM’s judges will review all photo contest submissions and prepare a (still very large!) list of nominees to proceed to the next round of judging. These nominees will also be eligible for the Fan Voting Prizes listed above!
- A TOM account will be required to vote.
- You’ll be able to vote for as many photos as you like!
- As a small thank-you present, each person who votes for at least one photo will receive $5 TOM Points after the contest ends.
(Voting for multiple entries will not increase the amount of points received.)
All fan voting winners will remain in consideration for the TOM Judge Prizes.
It may be therefore possible to win both a Fan Voting Prize and one of the TOM Judge Prizes with a single submission.
- Winners will be announced on this page & contacted via DM or email.
- All coupon prizes will be distributed by the end of December 2023.
- Thank-you points will also be distributed to eligible voters by the end of December 2023.
A panel of TOM staff who absolutely love figures (and photos of them!).
HaraPhotographer
MorisawaDesigner
CueDesigner
TajimaDesigner
RachelIllustrator
See which entries took home the big prizes in prior Figure Photo Contests!
Need more ideas to get you started? Follow us on Instagram!
Tokyo Otaku Mode Instagram
We showcase stunning figure photos from all over the world (only with permission, of course).
Every month, the photographer behind one featured image is selected to win $10 in TOM Points.
Once the Figure Photo Contest results have been announced, your entries could get specially featured & win points, too.
Follow our account and keep tagging your figure photos with #tomsenpainoticeme for more chances to get featured in the future, even after the latest Figure Photo Contest officially comes to an end!
Itching to improve your figure photo-taking skills?
Get a leg up with expert advice from TOM’s staff photographers!
Plus, for TOM Premium members only:
enjoy a special peek behind the scenes of a previous figure photo contest,
including a Q&A with one of our judges, as well as a few special words from the Grand Prize winner!
Premium Exclusive Article
Let's Talk about the 2nd Figure Photo Contest!
A look back at the stories behind the TOM's second ever Figure Photo Contest!
Learn a few tips on what it takes to produce a winning submission!