This may come off as an odd request, but I was wondering what yaoi/shounen-ai manga (or even anime, or BL games) out there have super nice details in the character design and their costumes? I am a cosplayer and I would love to take something out of my favourite genra of anime and manga. It does not have to be well known, so long as it is intricate enough that if you read the manga, you could recognize it. And even if you have not read it, then you would still think it looks awesome- ya know?

Any suggestions as to where I should start my search? I'm thinking something preferably fantasy or historical... but I’m quite open-minded.

[color=blue]THE SOUND OF THE OCEAN IS DEAD
[/color][color=gray]IT'S JUST THE ECHO OF THE BLOOD IN YOUR HEAD[/color]

lamento maybe? but it still not scanlated

Hmm... I'm not sure what kind of costumes you want exactly, so I'll just toss out a few I've noticed.

I'm just guessing, since I haven't read it, but you might want to keep an eye on Hanamatsuri? The mangaka's shoujo works have some pretty fantastic outfits (and they're slashy enough in their own right anyway):
Ganymede being dramatic and forlorn. Apollo being pretty. (Olimpos)
Fourth being very subdued (for him), and wearing something a bit more normal and typical (for him). But fellow noble Eiri can give him a run for his money. (A*D)

On the fantasy front, I also like Sugiura Shiho, though I think that if you're looking for outfit recognizability, you'd have the best luck with Silver Diamond - between his goggles, his bandages and his gun, Chigusa's way recognizable. (He also normally wears more clothes.) Ignore Rakan sneaking into those pics, he's not nearly as distinctive as Chigusa.

And since you mentioned games, I'm also a fan of Nitro+CHiRAL's character designs. I particularly like the poet from Lamento, but I'm not sure how you feel about cat appendages. Good thing about the poet that you don't get with the other cats (though they're awesome, too): the poet has a hood, so you only really need to worry about the tail. The devils are pretty awesome, too, but then you have to worry about horns and snake tails. And if you're a girl, wide-open shirt fronts. Togainu no Chi also has pretty nice character designs, but they're not as cool-looking. Except for Shiki, but he doesn't follow the same rules as everyone else in the post-apocalyptic death game they're all in.

...Mind you, I've never actually cosplayed, so I don't know how helpful any of this is. It kind of devolved into me going, "Look how cool these outfits are! Spiffy!" I'm sorry. I'll stop now. -hides-

Kanga ne Spoon has insanely AMAZING costumes, seriously... There's one scene of alternative theatre (you'll know it when you see it) which has the most amazing costumes I've EVER seen in manga...

Boy Princess and pretty much any of Yoshinaga Fumi's historical romances also have great costumes. 1001 Nights, too...

These are great suggestions guys! Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated.

I have been considering doing a Lamento cosplay, and I almost had a group willing to do it with me as well. Not sure why we never perused that idea further. I’ll see if they are still up for it.

Ah… Shiki. Now that would be epic. Too bad PVC costs an arm and a leg. If I can convince myself that the expenses are worth it, though… (gah~ so hard to justify!)

Hell, keep the list coming guys. As content as I am with the feedback, I these are also good serie suggestions. Plus I’m more than likely going to make more than one. Maybe other people will be inspired to cosplay as well with this list too?

[color=blue]THE SOUND OF THE OCEAN IS DEAD
[/color][color=gray]IT'S JUST THE ECHO OF THE BLOOD IN YOUR HEAD[/color]

Gah! All my top choices were mentioned already! Well I definately second everything that has been listed so far.

Mede Shireru Yoru no Junjou is just so pretty.
April 4th had some pretty interesting costumes. I also liked the outfits in Deep Bloody Night although I didn't really like the story itself.
Hero Heel has some interesting costumes what with the power-ranger-like thing going on.
Yokan has some cool rocker/goth outfits.