In academic and respectful fan discourse, the term you mentioned is generally avoided. Instead, scholars typically use , Gender-nonconforming (GNC) , or Otokonoko (a specific Japanese term for boys who dress as girls). Using these terms in your research will help you find more credible, high-quality sources. Transfeminine Representation in Anime - The Artifice
: This capstone project from CSU Monterey Bay uses Queer Theory to analyze how diverse identities are depicted in both Japanese and American animation. In-Depth Critical Analysis she male anime
Here are several reputable papers and articles covering these themes: Academic & Scholarly Papers In academic and respectful fan discourse, the term
: Found on Medium, this article discusses how shows like Hourou Musuko (Wandering Son) provide sensitive, nuanced looks at transitioning and gender expression. Transfeminine Representation in Anime - The Artifice :
: A detailed piece from The Artifice that breaks down characters who identify as women despite being misgendered by others, such as Lily Hoshikawa from Zombieland Saga .
: This paper, available on ResearchGate, examines gender transitioning in anime and argues that some subgenres may reinforce binary gender concepts rather than being purely progressive.
While the specific phrasing you used is often associated with adult or derogatory slang, there are several high-quality academic and analytical papers that explore the representation of characters in anime from a scholarly perspective.