Anime has included LGBTQIA+ characters for decades. Queer anime and manga characters give LGBTQIA+ readers a chance to see themselves as heroes, lovers, and complex people. These queer stories in comics aren’t new. Japan and the West just developed them differently. In Japan, creators introduced these relationships through yuri, a genre centered on women’s relationships, according to ToFuGu. Manga artist Osamu Tezuka brought gender play to “Princess Knight” in the 1950s, and shojo classics like “The Rose of Versailles” in the 1970s explicitly tackled same-sex connections between girls.
In the United States, underground comix and indie publishers in the 1970s and 1980s released the first explicit queer stories. Titles like “Gay Comix” gave LGBTQIA+ creators space to tell their own stories. In the 1990s, and especially from the 2000s into the 2020s, queer narratives broke into the mainstream. Marvel’s “Northstar” came out in 1992, DC reintroduced Batwoman as a lesbian in 2006. During that same stretch, anime also broadened its reach. And while yuri previously defined queer genres, shows like “Sailor Moon” and “Revolutionary Girl Utena” in the 1990s carried LGBTQIA+ anime characters into the forefront.
Since then, the anime world has openly welcomed queer stories. Here are four of the best series featuring LGBTQIA+ characters.
“Sailor Moon”
Haruka Tenoh debuted in Naoko Takeuchi’s “Sailor Moon” manga and anime as the cool, androgynous protector who lives with Michiru Kaioh. They appear across the manga, the original 1990s anime run, and the “Sailor Moon” movies.
Michiru Kaioh, Haruka’s partner, is a classically trained violinist and painter. In Naoko Takeuchi’s manga, her relationship with Haruka is openly romantic. The two live together, make life choices side by side, and are always depicted as lovers rather than “just friends.” The 1990s English-language dub, however, censored their romance. U.S. distributors presented them as “cousins,” even though their romantic relationship was apparent to viewers.
“Revolutionary Girl Utena”
Utena Tenjou’s queer exploration began as the teenage girl who insists on wearing a prince’s uniform. The story interrogates gender roles and same-sex romance. It exists as both manga and the landmark 1997 TV anime, and it later inspired the movie “Adolescence of Utena.” The show became one of the first popular anime to openly experiment with gender roles and romance. Utena’s love interest is Anthy Himemiya, the mysterious “Rose Bride.” Her arc differs between the manga, TV series and movie versions, but in every form the queer vibes between her and Utena are a key part of the story.
“Yuri!!! on ICE”
“Yuri!!! on ICE” follows Yuuri Katsuki, a Japanese figure skater, who starts a relationship with his coach Viktor Nikiforov. The anime depicted public affection — a partially obscured kiss, exchanged rings and other romantic gestures. Viktor’s chemistry with Yuuri anchors the series. The episodes show their devotion as mutual and romantic. The show made no secret of its queer storyline, making it popular with LGBTQIA+ anime fans.
“Bloom Into You”
“Bloom Into You” follows two girls as they explore their romantic identities. Yuu is a first-year high school student who builds a romantic connection with her classmate, Touko. By the story’s conclusion, Yuu and Touko affirm their relationship in one of the more definitive happy endings in queer anime history.
Which LGBTQIA+ anime character had the biggest impact on you, and why? Comment below!
