8 Underrated Crossdressing Anime like Hana Kimi Fans Should Watch

crossdressing anime like hana kimi
Credit: Hisaya Nakajo, Hakusensha / "Hana-Kimi" Production Committee

crossdressing anime like hana kimi
Credit: Hisaya Nakajo, Hakusensha / "Hana-Kimi" Production Committee

Itā€™s a good year for romance anime fans as the ever-popular Hana Kimi manga series is finally getting its adaptation, which will later stream on Crunchyroll. As we wait for its upcoming release, you might want to check out these cross-dressing anime like Hana Kimi that will give you the same feels!

It is not uncommon for anime characters to dress as the other sex for various reasons, such as attending an all-boys or all-girls school, joining the military, or even evading death.

They each have their motivations, which ultimately drive the plot of the series.

  1. Mayo Chiki

    At first glance, Mayo Chiki appears to be a standard high school anime, but there's more to it than meets the eye, thanks to its funny dialogue, distinct charm, amusing characters, and friendship themes.

    Mayo Chiki follows Kinjiro Sakamachi, a young man who is terrified of women due to his overbearing mother and sister.

    His life changes dramatically when he discovers Subaru Konoe's secret identity as a girl dressed as a seemingly ideal male butler at his school.

    The bizarre but amusing incidents surrounding Subaru and Kinjiro will keep viewers entertained, making it ideal for a weekend watch.

  2. Busted! Darklord

    In this Chinese anime, the demon lordā€™s son, Yu Renjie,Ā tries to get into the elite Hero Academy and get his own Hero Certificate.

    It's not so simple, though, for countless righteous knights might kill him the instant they discover his true identity.

    Yu's personal information was leaked on his first day of school, leaving him with no alternative but to disguise himself in the school's stunningly adorable female outfit.

    While Busted! Darklord may not be the most groundbreaking anime, but its unique premise and lovable cast make it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

  3. Princess Princess

    Similar to Hana Kimi, Princess Princess is set in a prestigious all-boys boarding school where three characters, Tooru, Yuujirou, and Mikoto, are chosen to act as "Princesses," boys who dress up in girl clothes for the sole purpose of bringing joy to their fellow students.

    These characters have their reasons to crossdress, from finding a sense of belongingness to escaping the pressures of their own lives.

    As with other crossdressing anime on this list, Princess Princess explores themes of identity and acceptance while breaking gender stereotypes.

  4. Strawberry Eggs

    Strawberry Eggs stands out from the other anime on this list due to its exploration of societal constraints and sensitive treatment of gender issues.

    The anime follows Amawa Hibiki, a struggling teacher who continues his passion for teaching by disguising himself as a woman. It was his last resort, as only female teachers are accepted at Seito Sannomiya School.

    Amawaā€™s peculiar situation resulted in a series of comedic and dramatic consequences that donā€™t shy away from addressing discrimination and prejudice in real life.

  5. Cybersix

    Cybersix, a TMS Entertainment anime released in the summer of 1999, distinguishes itself from the other anime on the list with its sci-fi and action themes, which are unique to the crossdressing genre.

    Most notably, it emphasizes character development, the nature of humanity, and moral complexity while telling the narrative of Cybersix, a genetically modified being developed by the infamous Dr. Von Reichter.

    By day, Cybersix is a male high school teacher, but at night, she transforms into a formidable vigilante trying to rescue the city from her creator's terrible creations.

  6. Buddy Go!

    Buddy Go! is a short crossdressing anime with only three episodes, so you may watch it in one day.

    It's a charming anime with colorful character designs, great animation, and lighthearted moments that will undoubtedly leave an impression.

    It revolves around Ai Shizukuishi, an average girl who decided to broadcast her dancing videos on Smile Douga, where she became a viral hit owing to her prince-like appearance.

    She dressed as a man, and her life changed overnight. Now, Ai wants to be Smile Douga's prince of dance, but she must first defeat Hayate.

    The problem is that her new entertainment agency has paired her with Hayate as an idol unit!

  7. Otoboku: Maidens Are Falling for Me

    Otoboku: Maidens Are Falling for Me is a fun anime from beginning to end, thanks to its appealing characters, lighthearted humor, and themes of self-acceptance and friendship.

    Despite its comical concept, this crossdressing anime depicts the main character's quest to accept his true self and gain acceptance among his classmates, which may teach viewers a lesson or two about life in general.

    The anime follows Mizuho Miyanokouji, who pushed himself to attend Seio Academy, an all-girls boarding school that his mother had previously attended, to fulfill his grandfather's last will.

    The good news is that Mizuho is already accustomed to behaving like a girl, thanks to his family, who have reared him as a girl since birth.

  8. Kenka Bancho Otome -Girl Beats Boys-

    Kenka Bancho Otome -Girl Beats Boys- is yet another short crossdressing anime, with only 12 episodes lasting eight minutes each.

    Despite its brief runtime, the anime series is an original take on the typical high school delinquent genre, depicting Hinako Nakayama's journey through an all-boys school known for its tough and rebellious students for the sake of her twin brother, Hikaru.

    Hinako must manage the hardships of her new environment while still fulfilling her responsibilities as the leader of an infamous delinquent gang.

Can you name more cross-dressing anime recommendations? Let us know in the comments below and follow us on Facebook for all the latest anime news, lists, and explainer articles!