From fantastic gay movies like Doukyuusei to manga like The Bride Was A Boy, Japan is no stranger to amazing LGBTQ+ representation in media and stories. This extends to anime series as well with shows like Yuri on Ice and Revolutionary Girl Utena being extremely popular among fans.
During Pride or any other time of the year, it can be meaningful to connect with characters and stories for those in the LGBTQ+ community. While there are many shows out there that qualify, some stand out above the rest for their impressive representation of gender and sexual minorities.
Updated on September 21, 2024, by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2024 season seems to be kind of lacking in LGBTQ+ anime. A new Ranma 1/2 anime will be airing, but that seems mostly to be it in terms of relevant content. Fortunately, this year has already produced quite a few good shows.
24 Senpai is an Otokonoko
MyAnimeList: 7
A Summer 2024 anime, Senpai is an Otokonoko defies classification, which echoes the protagonist’s defiance of gender stereotypes. Ever since they were young, Makoto has felt more comfortable in girls’ clothes than boys’, a desire they suppress at home due to their mother. At school, Makoto feels free enough to embrace his true self, and he is supported by two close friends, Saki and Ryuuji. Although supportive, both of them are dealing with feelings for their schoolmate, and they are not quite sure how to process them.
Senpai is an Otokonoko tells a unique story that tackles themes rarely touched upon by the industry, at least not to the point of being the main focus. Makoto’s ever-growing confidence is uplifting and captivating, all the while the anime maintains a fairly grounded tone that adds weight to the protagonist’s journey.
23 Twilight Out Of Focus
MyAnimeList: 7.27
Another Summer 2024 Boys Love show, Twilight Out of Focus is essentially an anthology series, in the sense that the season is split evenly among three male couples. Initially, Mao and Hisashi take center stage, but they eventually slip into the background so that Giichi and Jin can assume the spotlight. After that, the anime shifts to Rei and Shion. Now, all the characters are linked through a high school club, so there is a sense of continuity between the arcs; however, they are still fairly self-contained and depict different dynamics that are not all equally positive (although, they are not toxic either).
While containing a few over-the-top moments, Twilight Out of Focus is relatively grounded and does a great job exploring characters who are at unique stages in their sexual exploration and discovery. Out of all three relationships, Mao and Hisashi are probably the most endearing, as they go from roommates with strict rules to partners who trust and support each other. The anime also dives into Hisashi’s former relationship, which was anything but positive.
22 Yuri Is My Job!
MyAnimeList: 6.69
A (relatively) new addition to the Yuri genre comes in the form of a school-themed maid cafe that idolizes Shojo storylines. These girls do their best to give customers the full Liebe Girls Academy experience, which is easier said than done once Hime Shiraki joins the team! This inexperienced waitress and her intense kawaii factor has everyone wrapped around her finger; however, Mitsuki seems immune to Hime’s charm. Except for those moments of weakness where her anger is replaced with blushing bashfulness.
Hime, on the other hand, is determined to find a rich man and live a happy life, although she can’t seem to shake Mitsuki from her mind. Are her people-pleasing instincts simply going into overdrive, or could this be the beginning of a budding romance with a complex origin story? Or perhaps Kanoko will suddenly swoop in to claim Hime as her paramore!
21 Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
MyAnimeList: 7.65
Slightly off-putting title aside, this anime should not be judged by its name or even premise. Celebrating thirty years of virginity, Adachi suddenly develops the power to read minds, which allows him to learn that he is the target of affection for his coworker, Kurosawa. Unsurprisingly, the protagonist has no idea how to process this information at first, and he tries to avoid Kurosawa as much as possible. However, the more Adachi listens to his coworker’s thought process, the more he comes to appreciate him. Eventually, love blooms.
Cherry Magic! feels like a deconstruction of old Boys Love stories. Without the context of his thoughts, Kurosawa’s actions could come across as pushy, all the while seemingly like an overly perfect character who is loved by everyone. Adachi learns that this perception is not founded in reality, and he grows fond of the version of Kurosawa who is mostly ignored by the world.
20 Heavenly Delusion
MyAnimeList: 8.22
Heavenly Delusion plays around with the concept of gender quite extensively, to the point where viewers are never quite sure about any characters’ biological sex. But more importantly, these distinctions don’t seem to matter, and those who experience a big “gender-reveal” moment don’t suddenly change their personality types to better align with stereotypical expectations.
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Kiruko and Tokio are the first to drop bombshells, proving that nobody should judge a book by its cover! Meanwhile, Maru’s reaction to the fact that he is actually crushing on a boy is wholesome and heartwarming (albeit, a bit pervy at times.) He continues to cling to his affections, regardless of Kiruko’s gender identity. Meanwhile, the Nursery is on its own mission to hide the truth. It’s interesting to see how the children’s ambiguity impacts their sexual orientations once their hormones kick in, as evaluating individual personalities is more important than looking for a “gender-appropriate” partner.
19 Yuri!!! on Ice
MyAnimeList: 7.90
One of the most popular BL anime of all time, Yuri!!! on Ice can be slightly disappointing depending on somebody’s expectations. While Yuri and Victor’s budding relationship is a constant presence throughout the show, it is somewhat subtle and does not become overt until the climax. Consequently, the anime can sometimes seem like it is not fully committed to this dynamic. That said, this is still an entertaining series.
Yuri!!! on Ice is first and foremost a sports anime, and it follows that genre’s structure fairly closely. The romance element might be the main draw for a lot of viewers, but they will need to enjoy Yuri’s journey to regain his confidence as a figure skater as well. Ultimately, Yuri!!! on Ice‘s quality is high enough to warrant a recommendation to BL and sports anime fans, although an appreciation for both would be ideal.
18 Welcome Home
MyAnimeList: 7.78
Airing as part of the Spring 2024 season, Welcome Home will likely be most people’s introduction to the Omegaverse, a manga-driven collective set in a universe that introduces gender classes. Some humans are classified as either Alphas or Omegas; the former can impregnate men and women, while the latter can become pregnant regardless of their gender. The concept pushes gender fluidity, all the while setting the stage to explore themes of discrimination, prejudice, and acceptance.
Although most Omegaverse stories are adult-oriented and seem unlikely candidates for adaptation, Welcome Home is an exception. The manga and anime primarily focus on a married couple, Masaki and Hiromu, as they raise their two children. Wholesome, cute, and uplifting, this series is a well-written slice of life that also touches upon socially relevant themes.
17 Carole & Tuesday
MyAnimeList: 7.85
This music-orientated Netflix-original anime provides a bitter-sweet milestone for the LGBTQ+ anime community. While the series showcases one of the widest ranges of LGBTQ characters in a singular anime narrative, many antagonistic roles are claimed by non-heterosexuals. Some may find this offensive; however, a few bad eggs shouldn’t spoil the pot! Desmond, Flora, and Dahlia (to a certain degree) are more respectable additions to the line-up and are each celebrated for their contribution to Carole & Tuesday’s success.
Desmond is a particularly admirable representation of gender fluidity. Even if his experience is a result of the atmospheric radiation on Mars affecting their hormone levels, the acclaimed singer-songwriter accepts themselves completely and is beloved by all. Desmond eloquently states:
“Did you know that embryos don’t have a gender? That’s why I feel like I’ve returned to my original form.”
16 Nekopara’s Cat Girls
MyAnimeList: 6.73
If lighthearted, ecchi LGBTQ+ anime content is on the table, then Nekopara is the perfect fit, without advancing too far into the R-Rated zone. These cute cat girls are only interested in some heavy petting (wink wink!) The overall narrative is innocent enough, whereby Kashou enlists some wayward Nekos to help in his bakery; however, he can’t seem to tame their sultry urges. (Side note: the term “Neko” can mean cat, although it has homosexual connotations, too.)
Originally a visual novel series, Nekopara is all about cat girls doing cute things, and although fanservice is a key component, it doesn’t carry the weight of the story. Overall, viewers either love or hate Nekopara depending on personal preferences, so potential fans should decide for themselves after visiting “La Soleil” themselves!
15 Antique Bakery (Seiyou Kottou Yougashiten: Antique)
MyAnimeList: 7.01
Just how good is Antique Bakery? Not only does it have an amazing anime adaption, but it has been adapted as a live-action television series (once in Japan and another time in Thailand), an audio drama, and a live-action film.
Its creator Fumi Yoshinaga has said he wanted to make a shonen story with gay characters over just a boys love manga, and thus created a story with an extremely different vibe than most other similar media, let alone anime.
14 Paradise Kiss
MyAnimeList: 7.86
Paradise Kiss features several openly LGBTQ+ characters ranging from the openly bisexual George to Isabella who is transgender. This show dives deep into themes of self-discovery and transformation of appearances through fashion and has some of the most believable characters in all of anime.
Paradise Kiss doesn’t pull punches on the drama either allowing audiences to experience some intensely emotional moments.
13 Patalliro! & Princess Knight – Anime Classics
MyAnimeList: 7.28 (Patalliro!)
The earliest Shonen Ai to ever appear on Japanese television, Patalliro! paved the way for many shows with gay characters that came after. It’s hard to define this series as one about espionage or slapstick because of how seamlessly comedy and drama are intertwined. It may have been released back in the 80s, but it’s still an incredible anime to this day.
Those wanting to go back to something even older might also enjoy Princess Knight. Known as Ribbon no Kishi in Japan, this anime is based on a manga produced in the 50s and featured a girl “born with the blue heart of a boy and the pink heart of a girl.” Yes, the transgender vibes are real in that story. It’s fascinating to watch these old shows to see how the representation of LGBTQ+ people has changed over time.
12 Stars Align (Hoshiai No Sora)
MyAnimeList: 7.59
Stars Align is about far more than just another sports anime. It tackles some of the harder parts of growing up in middle school and figuring out one’s identity with tennis as a backdrop. One character directly discusses being nonbinary while another discusses transgender experiences in that same episode.
Anime fans looking for a sports anime with fantastic representation need to look no further — Stars Align is a perfect choice.
11 Adachi And Shimamura
MyAnimeList: 7.09
This show is built upon the budding relationship of its titular protagonists, Adachi and Shinamura. They slowly go from being decent friends who enjoy playing table tennis together to pass the hours to realizing their relationship might be far more complex than they could have ever imagined. One of the best pieces of modern Shojo Ai to be released in some time, Adachi and Shimamura is a must-watch for those who want a lesbian love story.
10 Wandering Son
MyAnimeList: 7.69
Wandering Son is the best anime in terms of transgender representation in existence. Shuuichi and Yoshino’s adventures discovering their identity will hit home with many viewers as one is trans-masculine and the other trans-feminine. The struggles of entering puberty, approaching romance, and more all are shown in a gorgeous watercolor art style that viewers are sure to love.
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*It’s quite rare for an anime storyline to feature multiple transgender experiences within a single storyline without falling into stereotypical pitfalls. However, Wandering Son provides a well-executed rendition of Nitori and Takatsuki’s journey toward self-acceptance as they take the leap of faith to cross the gender spectrum.
Nitori normally hides his feminine side, but the urge to present as a female is becoming greater by the day. Meanwhile, Takatsuki finds encouragement in Anna Suehiro’s blatant approach to gender fluidity and decides to embrace this lifestyle wholeheartedly. This coming-of-age tale discusses the growing pains of transitioning delivered by a lovable cast of colorful LGBTQ+ friendly teenager characters.
9 Beryl And Sapphire (Xiao Lu He Xiao Lan)
MyAnimeList: 7.49 (Season 1)
Beryl and Sapphire proves Chinese anime has just as much to offer LGBTQ+ viewers as shows out of Japan. This series is an ONA, an original net animation, with episodes only eight minutes long.
These short snippets allow the show to show the two actors in various movies they play in while still presenting an amazing overarching story. With multiple overlapping stories crossing various genres, the presentation of Beryl and Sapphire is like nothing else out there.
8 Ranma ½
MyAnimeList: 7.76
Ranma ½ is a story that teaches about genderfluidity, and it’s easy to see why. Being able to transform between a man and a woman at will would be an attractive possibility to many people.
While the show does have its rougher moments due to how long ago it was produced, it’s hard to deny just how many people learned a lot about themselves from watching Ranma ½. Ranma even canonically eventually accepts their “curse” saying it may not have been a curse at all and the girl side of him was always a part of him.
7 Revolutionary Girl Utena
MyAnimeList: 8.21
When the system at Ohtori Academy is rigged to objectify women as helpless Rose Brides, Utena Tenjou’s good conscience cannot allow her to sit idly by. Instead, she takes up the role of a prince and fights to free the other girls from their undesirable fate. With a sword and signet ring in tow, Utena evolves into the Prince Charming of every girl’s dreams and becomes the cog in the well-oiled machine of women’s oppression.
Anyone with Utena alongside them would consider themselves blessed. However, Anthy Himemiya receives the bulk of the esteemed prince’s affection, and their blossoming courtship is explored extensively in the film “Adolescence of Utena.” Overall, Revolutionary Girl Utena takes great care in prioritizing shojo themes over ecchi fan service and is considered by many to be the best LGBTQ+ anime of its time.
6 Land of the Lustrous
MyAnimeList: 8.39
Land of the Lustrous is often mentioned in terms of non-binary representation as it has genderless gem people similar to those seen in Steven Universe. While this kind of representation does have its flaws, a show where a majority of its main characters use they as their pronouns in both the sub and the dub is incredibly rare.
While the manga did receive an adaptation as an ONA back in 2013, the full TV series explores the story far further and is certainly the superior choice to watch.
5 Flip Flappers
MyAnimeList: 7.63
While not as overt as some other shows, Flip Flappers certainly has LGBTQ+ themes fans have picked up on. Cocona and Papika’s budding relationship feels like something deeper than just friendship as they have to go so far as to synchronize their feelings to use their powers.
These vibes of this show are especially apparent in episode 7, “Pure Component.” Papika ends up changing between multiple personalities, including being a boy at times, and Cocona still cares about them deeply no matter their presentation. It’s the kind of acceptance any LGBT+ person longs for in their relationships.
