Crossplay is a combination of cross-dressing and cosplay, where a person dresses up as a character of the other gender. Its origins lie in the anime convention circuit, but, like cosplay, crossplay has not remained restricted to the genre. There are two types of crossplays, namely, male-to-female crossplay, and female-to-male crossplay. Generally, male-to-female crossplayers are more common outside Japan. On the contrary, female-to-male crossplayer’s presences are far more prevalent within Japan.
Male-to-female crossplay is generally divided into two definite categories, that is, those making an attempt to pass as females, and those engaging in genderplay. The major difference between these two categories is largely due to the social environment surrounding the issue of male cross-dressing. As a rule of thumb, most males do not take cross-dressing lightly, and often disassociate and distance themselves from it. Suffering from these prejudices, crossplayers often, choose to either take the route or ironic humor (an intention to not pass as a male), or that of the masquerade (pretending to be or attempting to pass as a female).
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Off late, though, anime conferences and conventions have been witnessing a rise in the amount of male-to-female crossplayers who are increasingly preparing and applying more effort into their impersonation of a female. Often, many males, especially teenagers, are able to create a perfect replica of the female gender, fooling many unsuspecting bystanders.
Female-to-male crossplay are the most common type of crossplayers amongst all the countries that play host to cosplayers. The situation is similar in Japan, where female costumers lead the field of cosplayers in general, often replicating a huge variety of colorful characters irrespective of gender. This is due to a variety of social and cultural reasons. A majority of the females cross-dress for the very same reason they would cosplay, that is, because they like the character and/or the costume worn, and would like to make a statement of their choice by sporting that.
Also, another deciding factor to consider is the fact that bishonen are portrayed as liminal beings in both manga and anime, so, it is considered a comparatively easier task for a female to cross-play as a bishonen than it would be to crossplay as a male character from a western series.
Though, there are numerous social stigmas attached to crossplayers, such as homosexuality, transgendered, inferiority complexions and the likes, for the real fans, it is a small price to pay in their attempt to imitate and worship their idol. The pleasure of replicating their hero’s by resembling them, even though, it may need a temporary crossover of one’s gender is worth the pain and taunts for the enthusiasts.
http://allcosplayonline.com/2010/08/18/crossplay-male-or-female/