Crossplay (cosplay)

Crossplay (a portmanteau of "cross-dressing" and "cosplay") is a type of cosplay in which the person dresses up as a character of a different gender. Crossplay's origins lie in the anime convention circuit, though, like cosplay, it has not remained exclusive to the genre. While it is similar to Rule 63 (gender-bending) cosplay, it can be differentiated by the performer becoming completely immersed in the codes of another gender, rather than picking and choosing what behavior enhances the performance.[1]

In most countries that play host to hobbyists who would call themselves cosplayers, female-to-male crossplayers (females costumed as male characters, sometimes abbreviated "FtM") are far more common, due to a variety of social and cultural factors.[2] As bishōnen are portrayed in manga and anime as liminal beings, it is considered "easier" for women to cross-play as bishōnen than it would be for them to crossplay as a male character from a Western series.[3]

Male-to-female crossplayers (males costumed as female characters) are somewhat more common outside Japan. Originally, in the United States, a popular anime series for MtF crossplayers was Sailor Moon, creating "humorous effect and social levity".[4]

Crossplay has seen some controversy from anti-LGBTQ activists and has been compared by critics to drag. In 2023, following the passing of an anti-drag law in Florida, crossplay was banned from that year's TFcon. Refunds were made available for individuals who felt unsafe attending.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gender and the superhero narrative. Goodrum, Michael D., 1983-, Prescott, Tara, 1976-, Smith, Philip, 1983-. Jackson. 2018. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-4968-1880-5. OCLC 1030446156.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. ^ Palmer, Ada (March 29, 2007). "Let's Cosplay: Crossplay". TokyoPop. Archived from the original on April 21, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
  3. ^ Craig Norris; Jason Bainbridge (April 2009). "Selling Otaku? Mapping the Relationship between Industry and Fandom in the Australian Cosplay Scene". Intersections: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific (20). Archived from the original on September 14, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  4. ^ Winge, Theresa (2006). "Costuming the Imagination: Origins of Anime and Manga Cosplay". Mechademia. 1: 65–76. doi:10.1353/mec.0.0084. S2CID 121679787.
  5. ^ Baggs, Michael (9 June 2023). "Florida Transformers convention bans 'cross-dressing cosplay' under state's anti-drag law". PinkNews. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
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