Best LGBTQ+ Anime

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. Let’s highlight some great LGBTQ+ anime.

Updated on March 12, 2025 by Mark Sammut: A few more recommendations have been added: Doukyusei and Tiger & Bunny.

29

Moyashimon

A Character Transitions

Set in an agricultural university, Moyashimon is a school-based comedy that features a protagonist who can see microbes, a skill that is used to dive fairly deep into fermentation. While incorporating some coming-of-age elements, this series might not seem like an obvious candidate for themes related to gender or sexuality. However, Moyashimon has a character, Kei, who comes out as transgender.

Kei is first introduced as a close friend to the protagonist, Sawaki, only for them to disappear halfway through season 1. Kei eventually returned a few episodes later, only dressed like a Gothic Lolita. While not every aspect of this story is fantastic, Moyashimon treats Kei’s journey with respect, which is hardly something that was guaranteed during the mid-2000s.

28

Tiger & Bunny (Fire Emblem)

A Transgender Superhero

Tiger & Bunny is an all-around great anime that is an easy recommendation for anyone craving a different take on the superhero genre. In this universe, heroes are basically professionals and celebrities, and they take part in a yearly competition to earn points through their heroic deeds. They have sponsors they must keep impressed, and the veterans are constantly at risk of being overtaken by the new generation. The eponymous heroes, Kotetsu and Barnaby, are forced to work together, starting a professional relationship that eventually leads to a proper friendship.

Putting aside any subtext that could read into Kotetsu and Barnaby’s dynamic, Tiger & Bunny has a full transgender hero, Nathan Seymour (aka, Fire Emblem). While initially coming across as fairly stereotypical, Nathan gradually breaks away from those binds, becoming a three-dimensional character and an example of positive representation. The movie, The Rising, expands on Nathan’s backstory, giving him way more depth that is then expanded on further by season 2.

27

Senpai is an Otokonoko

Gender Fluidity And Complex Family Situations

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.

26

Twilight Out Of Focus

Three Boys Love Stories That Show Different Dynamics

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.

25

Yuri Is My Job!

A Café Dedicated To Yuri

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!

24

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!

More Than Meets The Eye

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.

23

Heavenly Delusion

Breaking Gender Stereotypes

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.

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.

22

Yuri!!! on Ice

One Of The Most Popular And Accessible Anime That Touches Upon LGBTQ+ Romance

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.

21

Welcome Home

A Welcoming Entry Point Into A Niche Universe

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.

20

Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister!

A Gender Swap Story About Self-Growth

Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister! can be polarizing, but it is among the better gender-bender anime of the last few years. That said, the show has its share of ecchi-style moments, although they are not extremely frequent and are overshadowed by wholesome slice of life moments. A hikikomori who never leaves his room, Mahiro has seemingly given up on his life, entering what could be a depressive state. Hoping to push him out of his comfort zone, his sister, Mihari secretly conducts an experiment that changes Mahiro’s gender, turning the protagonist into a girl who looks pretty young.

Obviously, Mahiro is not particularly excited by the fact they have to learn to live as a girl, all the while not knowing if they will ever turn back. Despite a premise that can be a bit off-putting and does not present Mihari in the nicest light, Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister! is a surprisingly nuanced exploration of transitioning and personal growth. Mahiro gradually becomes more comfortable in their new form, gaining confidence that they did not previously have.

19

Kase-san and Morning Glories

One-Episode OVA About Two Girls Who Have Started A Relationship

• Japanese Title: Asagao to Kase-san
• Release Date: June 9, 2018
• Studio: Zexcs
• Based On: Manga by Hiromi Takashima

A companion piece to the source material that expects viewers to have at least read a bit of the manga, Kase-san and Morning Glories is a charming one-hour OVA about two girls, Tomoka and Yui, who have just started dating. Naturally, they are quite awkward around each other, but it is all endearing and pleasant.

Girls Love anime are quite rare, and the few that do exist tend to lean fairly heavily into melodrama. There is nothing wrong with that, but a more subdued take can be a refreshing alternative at times. Kase-san and Morning Glories works well as that type of show.

18

Carole & Tuesday

Width And Depth

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.”

17

Nekopara’s Cat Girls

Cute Girls Doing Cute Things

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!

16

Antique Bakery (Seiyou Kottou Yougashiten: Antique)

A Tasty Slice Of Life

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.

15

Land of the Lustrous

Smartly Written Epic

Land of the Lustrous is often mentioned in terms of non-binary representation as it has genderless gems 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. Beyond this element, Land of the Lustrous is just an all-around great show filled with strong characters, gorgeous visuals, and consistent world-building.

14

Paradise Kiss

A Fashion Industry Classic With Ambitious Characterization

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.

Paradis Kiss is quite old by this point, but a lot of its themes are still relevant today. While mainly known for being arguably the definitive anime about the fashion industry, the series’ handling of LGBTQ+ relationships is also incredible.

13

Patalliro! & Princess Knight

Anime Classics

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. The sports aspect is handled well enough to warrant a recommendation to people just craving an entry in that genre, but Star Align‘s brilliance lies in its character-driven content.

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 passing 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 of the 2020s, Adachi and Shimamura is a must-watch for those who want a lesbian love story. It is cute, charming, and well-written, all the while avoiding some of the more polarizing aspects of girls love stories.

10

Wandering Son

A Powerful Depiction Of A Transgender Protagonist

Wandering Son is the best anime in terms of transgender representation in existence. Shuuichi and Yoshino’s adventures in 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.

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.