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Crossplay
Close friends and new acquaintances at an anime convention confront their crushes, challenge their hang-ups, and question their once-comfortable identities in this erotic graphic novel about discovering who you’re meant to truly be and who you’re meant to love. The debut graphic novel of creator Niki Smith, cartoonist and Smut Peddler contributor.
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2018
6 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Niki Smith
37 books215 followersArtist, writer, lover of fine comics (and some pretty trashy ones too). Niki Smith now calls Germany home and is dedicated to filling the world with queer and diverse stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
June 5, 2019
This graphic novel was perfectly sweet and sexy, while also being extremely informative! My biggest complaint though is that I really struggled to tell a few of the characters apart? They were all drawn very similarly and it took me until the end of the book to figure out who was who, and I was only really able to do that because there were labeled photos of the couples lol. All around though, this was a fun read and I'm glad I finally read it!
September 5, 2018
This was adorable! Short, sweet, lots of sex - which I actually really appreciated for the diverse expressions of sex and bodies. The whole story was just very cute and affirming. I wish it had been longer so we could learn more about everyone outside of sexy times BUT I know that wasn’t the author’s goal AND I really support the author’s goal of wanting everyone to be able to see themselves in erotic comics. So, four stars!
December 6, 2019
Perhaps if I had more of an attention span I could have found more in this graphic (graphic!) book. As it was, in 20 slow minutes, the characters remained out of focus and no real plot was in sight. Did not get much out of this book. Really feels aimed at a very young audience with a lot of time on their hands.
February 11, 2021
Cosplay, roleplay, genderplay.
A graphic novel about a group of friends at a con with cute pink and black art and diverse characters. We've got rep for: trans, non-binary, BIPOC, hijabi, and poly folks with a lot of overlap between those identities. There's also one (1) white cis dude, which feels about the right ratio for fandom. And hello: pegging.
I did have some trouble identifying the characters, a problem made even more difficult by them being in multiple costumes with different hairstyles over the course of the day. I'd mostly figured it out by the end, but it killed some of the nuance. Like I could tell that one girl had a crush on her friend, but as soon as she left the room I lost track of her. Luckily I always understood the dynamic of the characters who were having sex, even if I didn't know their names, so that was handled well. And the sex is diverse too, both in deed and intent, like sex within an established relationship, first time casual sex, and sex at the start of a relationship. Pro tip: There are brief portraits at the end with all the characters and their names, which would have been much more helpful at the beginning of the book rather than the end.
Fun, sexy, affirming, and super queer.
Contains: explicit sex; misgendering (challenged in the text); body dysphoria.
A graphic novel about a group of friends at a con with cute pink and black art and diverse characters. We've got rep for: trans, non-binary, BIPOC, hijabi, and poly folks with a lot of overlap between those identities. There's also one (1) white cis dude, which feels about the right ratio for fandom. And hello: pegging.
I did have some trouble identifying the characters, a problem made even more difficult by them being in multiple costumes with different hairstyles over the course of the day. I'd mostly figured it out by the end, but it killed some of the nuance. Like I could tell that one girl had a crush on her friend, but as soon as she left the room I lost track of her. Luckily I always understood the dynamic of the characters who were having sex, even if I didn't know their names, so that was handled well. And the sex is diverse too, both in deed and intent, like sex within an established relationship, first time casual sex, and sex at the start of a relationship. Pro tip: There are brief portraits at the end with all the characters and their names, which would have been much more helpful at the beginning of the book rather than the end.
Fun, sexy, affirming, and super queer.
Contains: explicit sex; misgendering (challenged in the text); body dysphoria.
January 26, 2019
I would like to be best friends with Lee, thanks.
I also just liked how effortlessly real this all was. Though I got lost a few times trying to follow the characters, I fully believed all the situations they were in, so it didn't matter much in the end.
In conclusion, I would read the shit out of a Lee/J. spinoff.
I also just liked how effortlessly real this all was. Though I got lost a few times trying to follow the characters, I fully believed all the situations they were in, so it didn't matter much in the end.
In conclusion, I would read the shit out of a Lee/J. spinoff.
August 28, 2018
I appreciate all the representation of relationships here <3
August 8, 2023
Interconnected short stories about queer love, sex, and identity set at an anime convention. It's NSFW, sexy, fun, heartbreaking at times, and also incredibly compassionate and kind to all its very diverse and queer cast. The stories are each distinct, and I liked every single one. if it sounds at all interesting to you, give it a try. (I actually enjoyed it even more on my second read because I picked up more about the characters.)
January 19, 2023
I liked the gender exploration and the pegging but everything else was pretty meh. Too many characters; too little time to differentiate them well.
October 16, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a fun and sexy story that is a window into the dynamics of this friend group at a con. I enjoyed this for the most part. I liked the art style and appreciated that there were so many different kinds of people and body types. There were some cute dynamics here but I do wish we had more time with the characters to really understand all of the relationships (and to get to really know more about the characters that I did really like)
This was a fun and sexy story that is a window into the dynamics of this friend group at a con. I enjoyed this for the most part. I liked the art style and appreciated that there were so many different kinds of people and body types. There were some cute dynamics here but I do wish we had more time with the characters to really understand all of the relationships (and to get to really know more about the characters that I did really like)
February 17, 2021
A cute and sexy short read about a group of friends at a cosplay convention, and their adventures with gender and sex. It's helpful to flip to the back to get the cast of characters (this would have been useful at the front of the book).
Makes me miss going to conventions and hanging out with fans.
Makes me miss going to conventions and hanging out with fans.
December 22, 2022
somehow completely read over the "erotic" part so I was in for a surprise lol. oops. This was quite cute but I was missing some more plot. maybe it would've been better if it had been a bit longer with more time to flesh out the relationships.
April 18, 2019
Wow ok so first I tried to read this on the subway but when I got to like the 3rd page I realized I was not that brave. It got explicit pretty fast! But it’s really sweet and sexy, great cute art, lovely friendship and romantic storylines, a huge range of types of couples, pretty much all the genders and variations represented. Very fun to read, especially once you are able to keep track of who’s who (it’s a big-ish cast so it takes a minute). You don’t have to be fannish to appreciate but I think it helps. Definitely recommended!
June 23, 2022
Excellent, sexy, and relatable. Like Dramacon with more sex and queer people!
May 28, 2018
Crossplay is awesome! I do crossplay myself too, I go to conventions and well, I'm one huge manga and anime nerd, so this comic was a spot-on! It's about these fandom friends, who cosplay and go to conventions and at the same time try to find themselves and learn to be different the way they want to. Mostly it's actually sexual encounters and perhaps I've lurked in wrong fandoms, but that's not really what happened to me, although I know this happens (OK, I've seen it with my own eyes too). The whole concept is great, but I would've wanted to know more about the characters, what they cosplay/crossplay, about fandom and everything instead of just a sex fest. Crossplay isn't bad or anything, but it could've been more. So, a continuation of some sort perhaps?
The art is slightly crude, but it doesn't bother that much. The color world of pink and black-and-white works really well and somehow highlights the whole thing. Crossplay looks actually quite cute, which is great and again, works with the theme. I'm glad Smith made this, since we need more fandom oddness! You could argue that how come everyone is a weirdo, but that's how it is. We just find each other and we have so much more fun than all those normal people, haha.
The art is slightly crude, but it doesn't bother that much. The color world of pink and black-and-white works really well and somehow highlights the whole thing. Crossplay looks actually quite cute, which is great and again, works with the theme. I'm glad Smith made this, since we need more fandom oddness! You could argue that how come everyone is a weirdo, but that's how it is. We just find each other and we have so much more fun than all those normal people, haha.
May 31, 2018
Crossplay is a beautifully illustrated erotic comic about a group of queer cosplayers and the variety of sexual encounters they have with one another during a convention. It's an inclusive and sexy piece that avoids many of the gross pitfalls of erotic stories.
June 28, 2018
This was a tough between 4 and 5 star comic for me. The comic is amazingly queer with scenes I know will be sexy for a wide audience who is into the particular kinds of sex on display and maybe even for people not into it. Despite the name Crossplay the comic is very trans positive
Artistically the comic is very well layed out, you can tell Niki Smith is really fantastic at her craft. However, perhaps do to the nature of this books first publishing I found the comic to be a bit hectic at times and it was hard to keep up with the names, pronouns, etc of characters. The art does a good job at being sexy visually and while I personally wasn't really turned on reading it I know a lot of people will be when reading.
Both Prya and J had compelling arcs that even taking away all the sex make for a great story. I think you like smutty books you will love this title, I think for most queer people who are also sexual + attracted to women in any way they are going to find this to be very hot, fun and amazing.
Artistically the comic is very well layed out, you can tell Niki Smith is really fantastic at her craft. However, perhaps do to the nature of this books first publishing I found the comic to be a bit hectic at times and it was hard to keep up with the names, pronouns, etc of characters. The art does a good job at being sexy visually and while I personally wasn't really turned on reading it I know a lot of people will be when reading.
Both Prya and J had compelling arcs that even taking away all the sex make for a great story. I think you like smutty books you will love this title, I think for most queer people who are also sexual + attracted to women in any way they are going to find this to be very hot, fun and amazing.
February 19, 2019
Way sexier than I imagined a comic could be! Loved the way the author played with gender roles/exploration and sexuality in ways that felt real and on a spectrum which isn't often seen in comics! Lots of sweet characters. Felt it moved a bit quick at times, but overall enjoyed reading this.
read-comix
March 27, 2023Crossplay is an erotic graphic novel about a group of queer cosplayers and the variety of sexual encounters they have with one another during an anime convention.
As I’ve come to learn with smut, there isn’t usually much plot, so don’t go in expecting that. But I enjoyed how the story explored many gender roles and identities.
I loved that this one had a wide range of characters and rep, but I honestly had a hard time differentiating between the characters until the end. I think a little more character development at the beginning would’ve helped me with this! There are brief portraits with all the characters and their names at the end.
I also recommend The Deep & Dark Blue (trans rep) and The Golden Hour (gay rep) by this creator!
———
CW: explicit sex, misgendering (challenged), body dysmorphia
Rep: trans, nonbinary, lesbian, BIPOC, hijabi, poly folks, and an assumed straight couple into pegging
As I’ve come to learn with smut, there isn’t usually much plot, so don’t go in expecting that. But I enjoyed how the story explored many gender roles and identities.
I loved that this one had a wide range of characters and rep, but I honestly had a hard time differentiating between the characters until the end. I think a little more character development at the beginning would’ve helped me with this! There are brief portraits with all the characters and their names at the end.
I also recommend The Deep & Dark Blue (trans rep) and The Golden Hour (gay rep) by this creator!
———
CW: explicit sex, misgendering (challenged), body dysmorphia
Rep: trans, nonbinary, lesbian, BIPOC, hijabi, poly folks, and an assumed straight couple into pegging
September 8, 2020
It was tough to get to know the character because most of them are introduce all at once, and you never know exactly what they are cosplaying as. This was pretty close to "Plot? What Plot?" in that it is all about the characters just getting close and fucking. The focus was on queer relationship with non-binary, trans, lesbian, and an assumed straight couple into pegging.
The art is lovely. There is a diversity of size and shape, but the faces are stylized in the same way, but the artist switches up the eyes and mouths but they're so similar. The art style reminded me of Meredith McLaren. It was in shades of black, gray and pink.
It also made me think of the before times on cons and sharing a hotel, but I never did that, so it was more an idealized setting for the sex.
The art is lovely. There is a diversity of size and shape, but the faces are stylized in the same way, but the artist switches up the eyes and mouths but they're so similar. The art style reminded me of Meredith McLaren. It was in shades of black, gray and pink.
It also made me think of the before times on cons and sharing a hotel, but I never did that, so it was more an idealized setting for the sex.
January 3, 2019
Good Lord I'm in love with this book. It's so simple, so sexy, so good about trans stuff, and so damn cute.
It feels a bit short, like there could definitely be subsequent volumes to flesh out the characters more and I would not complain. Either way, though, I'm happy that this special book is as long as it is.
It feels a bit short, like there could definitely be subsequent volumes to flesh out the characters more and I would not complain. Either way, though, I'm happy that this special book is as long as it is.
February 9, 2020
Fans at a convention make new friends and gain new sexual partners.
This is a bit explicit for me but I enjoyed the way everyone looked out for each other and didn't judge. I read this because I loved the author's "The Deep and Dark Blue" (which is a middle school graphic novel) - quite the change of pace for her apparently. I'll keep an eye out for new work by this author/artist.
This is a bit explicit for me but I enjoyed the way everyone looked out for each other and didn't judge. I read this because I loved the author's "The Deep and Dark Blue" (which is a middle school graphic novel) - quite the change of pace for her apparently. I'll keep an eye out for new work by this author/artist.
July 29, 2018
Cute, positive, very inclusive smut! I really enjoyed the limited color palette, was used very effectively. Had some excellently sweet character beats of self discovery and exploration. If you like your smut kinda light on the explicit, this is a good one for you.
November 3, 2021
It was sort of confusing at first, and most of the characters come off as not having boundaries but they're poly (idk the rules though). It also didn't have any plot. However three stars for queer rep and sex scenes.
September 14, 2022
I love the art and the idea of this, but the story building just didn’t really happen. I feel like it needed to be much longer. Or part of a series where we already know the characters. I had a hard time figuring out the relationships and what was going on
August 29, 2018
I am soooo sad how short this is because I want more of these cuties.
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May 28, 2019
So cute! And sexxxxxxxy
January 23, 2020
Very nerdy, and very queer, and very pretty, and pretty sexy!
September 23, 2020
Sweet and sexy?! A truly wonderful combo
August 6, 2022
Ohhh fun, but much too short :(
April 5, 2022
One of those that puts the word "graphic" in graphic novel. The sex scenes are, well, sexy, but the storytelling is uneven enough that I had to read it twice to understand the plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews