Page 22 . Volume 10, Issue 2 November 2013 Impersonating and performing queer sexuality in the Cosplay zone Katrien Jacobs, The Chinese University, Hong Kong Abstract: This article highlights the physical and digital costuming activities of the fans of Japanese ACG (Animation, Comics and Games) cultures in Mainland China and Hong Kong and, to a lesser extent, in Taiwan. It focuses on Cosplayers (costumed players) who frequently engage in acts of cross-dressing and fantasized same-sex relations. The article explores what these costuming sessions and performative gestures mean in relation to their sexual identities. Ethnographic testimonies were solicited through interviews, collaborative photography and video documentation. The article postulates that new boundaries of selfhood and sexual pleasure are edžploƌed ǁithiŶ a CosplaLJ zoŶe, an amalgam of interconnected spaces and augmented realities that allow subjects to morph between fictionalized fantasy worlds, physical gatherings and online appearances. I suggest that this specific performative context ŵakes possiďle iŶteŶse sedžual ƌelatioŶs iŶĐoƌpoƌatiŶg outĐast peƌsoŶalities, eǀeŶ as Cosplayers utilize public spaces that are heavily regulated by (self) censoring mechanisms and attitudes of homophobia. As a theory of liminality suggests, the Cosplay zone is a space of fan-driven entertainment and identity transgression that involves strict boundary-policing by authorities and by peer groups themselves. The article will show that to be a sex-positive or opeŶlLJ Ƌueeƌ CosplaLJeƌ ŵeaŶs to ďe a ŵisfit ǁithiŶ the ŵaiŶstƌeaŵ ǀeŶues of the CosplaLJ zone. At the same time, the Cosplay zone offers access to fringe venues, as well as support aŶd toleƌaŶĐe ďetǁeeŶ these ŵisfits aŶd Ƌueeƌ aĐtiǀisŵ, ǁhich is where the potential for social change is located. Keywords: Animation fandom, Cosplay, Queer Sexuality Queerness and Cosplay This article looks into Cosplay and its practices of cross-dressing and gender performativity as aspeĐts of Ƌueeƌ sedžuality, ďLJ ǁhiĐh I ŵeaŶ peoples ǁilliŶgŶess to ďeloŶg to a ǁideƌ