It is officially Pride Month, and what better to do than indulge yourself in queer media? LGBTQ animes have been around for a very long time, and we are here to suggest you some of the best ones and save you some time. Queer characters and plotlines have become increasingly more prevalent in anime throughout time. In addition to offering engaging stories, these shows also support diversity and stereotype-busting.
Apart from offering unique stories and a diverse range of LGBTQ+ representation, they explore themes of love, self-acceptance, and overcoming societal expectations. These shows/movies push boundaries and celebrate the seven colours on the rainbow; without further ado, let us check out the list below!
LGBTQ Animes That Embrace Diversity
Yuri on Ice
Yuuri Katsuki, a Japanese figure skater, and his Russian coach Victor Nikiforov are the central characters of this sports anime. Their romantic relationship is expertly portrayed in the series as they navigate the competitive world of figure skating. This beautiful story will surely leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
Doukyuusei
Based on the manga of the same name, the anime depicts the sweet love affair that develops between two high school students, Rihito Sajou and Hikaru Kusakabe. The film tackles the challenges of first love with exquisite animation and heartwarming moments. The movie’s extremely relatable story will definitely transport one to their own school days and reminisce the wonderful memories.
Bloom Into You
This anime is for the confused, still inside the closet and who need a relatable story that adequately expresses their emotions. It follows the story of Yuu Koito and Touko Nanami, who explores the concepts of self-discovery and compassion. Besides a well-structured plot, it explores the concepts of self-discovery and compassion. Moreover, the show also helps people to understand the thought process of the queer community and become more sensitive towards them.
Wandering Son
Despite the show releasing in 2011, it was well ahead of its time. The story of the anime centres on the relationships between Yoshino Takatsuki and Shuichi Nitori, two transgender middle schoolers. These characters’ struggles with puberty and self-acceptance are explored in this delicate representation of gender identification. Queer audiences will find the plot extremely similar to their own experiences, which makes it worth watching.
Given
The focus of the anime is music as it follows the lives of four high school kids who start a band. Mafuyu and Ritsuka, two band members, have a budding romance that the show deftly tackles while tackling themes of loss and recovery. The adorable love story between the characters will make you fall in love with them!
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No. 6
Set in a dystopian future drama, the anime focuses on Shion and Nezumi’s developing romance. The series delicately explores an intimate relationship involving the two male heroes while largely focusing on their friendship, questioning expectations in their society. Apart from an inclusive plot, the anime consists of exciting action-packed sequences that will leave you asking for more.
Revolutionary Girl Utena
The classic anime series from 1997 is more diverse than you thought! Combining the elements of a magical girl and psychological drama, the plot of the series is one of a kind. The show features complex characters with diverse sexual orientations, including Utena and Anthy, who share a deep bond throughout the series. The anime deserves its due credit for starting the conversation and normalising it among the masses.
Princess Jellyfish
The story of the anime focuses on a community of oddball otaku women. One of them is Kuranosuke, a transgender guy who befriends Tsukimi, a shy young woman. The show explores gender identity and the role that friendship plays in self-acceptance. Apart from offering a relatable story, it is also quite entertaining and fun to watch.
Banana Fish
Even though the series is not explicitly labelled as queer, it is heavily implied and is extremely popular within the anime community. The compelling film surrounds a young gang leader named Ash Lynx and a photojournalist named Eiji Okumura and is set in New York City. The two lead protagonists share a deep emotional connection that is shown throughout the film.
Cardcaptor Sakura
Although the anime is largely a magical girl series, it quietly covers LGBTQ+ topics. The love and camaraderie between same-sex people are beautiful and comforting. The character Tomoyo has romantic feelings for Sakura, exhibiting the beauty of same-sex love and friendship. The magnificent animation is another aspect of the show that makes it a must-watch.
Did you watch the shows mentioned above? What are your favourite queer anime? Let us know in the comments below!