Most cross-dressing bls I've found are more focused on s-xual content and are oneshots as a result. The characters are usually flattened as well so- I've been trying to find stories where the author actually writes about the cross-dressing aspect as it connects to the character's identity. The only example I can think of is "Smells like a green spirit" where the ml was a feminine gay man who connected with his classmate who was a trans woman, his appearance is linked to how being different made him a target. I'm not exclusively looking for just romance stories but any story where the cross-dresser characters are written as third-dimensional.

Hooray, a question i'm specifically qualified to answer!!

My no.1 favorite is Houkago Edge. It can feel a little bittersweet with how flawed the characters and their relationship is, but I think that adds to its realism and distinctiveness, and it ends with a positive feeling. It's also completely nonsexual.

I also really enjoy Watashi wo Misete, Ore wo Mite, which is a bit more sexual and less deep, but still a fairly wholesome romance.

Koisuru Mizuki-kun no Kanraku Keikaku is not a character-who-crossdresses-just-because-they-like-to situation but it's a good romance with some interesting character depth. Unfortunately it's never been translated.

Glasstaion Shoukougun is not a crossdressing-for-the-love-of-it situation but again, it ties into the character depth in a different way.

Suki to Kirakira has also not been translated and I don't remember it extremely well but I think it's exactly the sort of thing you're looking for. It's deep but not dark.

Udagawachou de Mattete yo. is very dramatic and edgy and fairly sexual but definitely has what you're asking for with crossdressing that ties into character depth.

Josou Danshi to Menhera Oji-san again - dark and edgy, but crossdressing + character depth.

You could also read Nanashi no Asterism for the BL sub-plot if you're ok with the crushing disappointment of knowing it was cancelled before it could reach its full potential.

I read a lot of stuff and have a very iffy memory about most of it but I hate sexual content so I think I can at least promise that all of these were plot-heavy enough that the sex was not the defining aspect of any of them, though it's definitely in some of them.

Thank you so much for the list! I'll be starting my reading binge!

I have read Josou Danshi to Menhera Oji-san years ago and I forgot the title so seeing it here was a whole whiplash, so ty for that as well!

"Smells Like Green Spirit" is also one of my all-time-fave!

and here's some cross-dressing bl manga recommendation:

Hana ni Kuchizuke

Even If There's No Rainbow Tomorrow

Kikazaru Hina wa mada Koi wo Shiranai

I Didn't Expect a Scandal Like This

Akihabara Fall in Love

A Beak Upon the Dawn's Flower

Cross-Dresser Therapy -Make Me a Shameless Bottom-

Kaishain Aihara Sou no Naishogoto

Nise x Koi Boyfriend

I'll Make You My Number One Idol!



Can an Otaku Like Me Really Be an Idol?

check them out if you get a chance🙂🙂🙂