From fantastic gay movies like Doukyuusei like manga The bride was a boyJapan is no stranger to amazing LGBTQ+ representation in media and stories. This also applies to anime series such as shows Yuri on ice and Revolutionary girl Utena is very popular among fans.
During Pride or any other time of year, it can be meaningful for members of the LGBTQ+ community to connect with characters and stories. While there are many shows that qualify, some stand out above the rest for their impressive representation of gender and sexual minorities. Let's highlight some great ones LGBTQ+ anime.
Updated November 16, 2025 by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2025 season has one fairly unique LGBTQ+ anime, and it even leans into horror territory. It's kind of similar to The Summer That Hikaru Died, although This Monster Wants to Eat Me is a bit more direct with a Girls Love element.
This Monster Wants to Eat Me (Added Fall 2025)
Girls love anime from 2025 with a unique premise
This monster wants to eat me is a bit of a strange case. On the one hand, the anime has unashamedly LGBTQ+ subtext and revolves entirely around the relationship of two girls. On the contrary, the obvious content of Girls Love is minimal and one of the participants, Shiori, is a mermaid monster who wants to eat Hinako, the other protagonist. Hinako is also depressed and suicidal, so she welcomes Shiori's promise to eventually kill her as a way to escape her grief. Shiori wants to make Hinako as delicious as possible, which means helping her rediscover her reason for living. Look, what I'm trying to say is that their situation is complicated.
We don't have a lot of Girls Love anime in general, so This monster wants to eat me's existence is remarkable for this simple fact. It's also a completely unique story for any genre, let alone one that spawns a new show every other year. Although I would recommend it to people who are looking LGBTQ+ animeyou should be aware that the show leans into horror territory and deals with heavy subjects.
Sasaki and Miyano
Boys with a good mood love anime that is just cute
Sasaki and Miyano In 2022, he took the boy love genre by storm. Not only does the show focus on a blossoming gay relationship, but it also prominently features a love for boys who love manga – pretty meta, huh? It is widely considered a perfectly executed romance. Get ready for some serious chemistry while watching this one.
Sasaki and Miyano's relationship grows naturally throughout the season and movie, starting as a friendship born out of a somewhat shared interest and then taking on a romantic edge. The anime is also pretty wholesome, which isn't always the case with BL stories.
Bloom into you
Top Girls Love Anime in terms of exploring the beginning of a relationship
What happens when a girl who adores romantic stories and love songs is finally told by a boy, but she doesn't feel anything? Bloom into you It focuses on high school student Yuu as she comes to terms with the fact that she may have more feelings for her classmate Touk than any man could muster.
It's a fantastic coming-of-age lesbian romance that's sure to stir the hearts of viewers. Bloom into you it builds an interesting dynamic between Yuu and Touko, with the former still unsure of how she feels about the latter and her own sexuality. Unfortunately, the anime ends just as the relationship is really starting to take off; luckily the manga is quite accessible.
Since a sequel seems unlikely at this point, fans should read the manga.
Moyashimon
A rare anime that has character crossover
It takes place at an agricultural university, Moyashimon is a school comedy that features a protagonist who can see microbes, a skill that is used to delve quite deep into fermentation. Although this series contains some coming-of-age elements, it may not seem like an obvious candidate for themes related to gender or sexuality. However, Moyashimon has a character Kei who comes out as transgender.
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Kei is first introduced as a close friend of the main character Sawaki, only to disappear midway through season 1. Kei eventually returned a few episodes later, only dressed as 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 warranted in the mid-2000s.
Revolutionary girl Utena
A complex anime masterpiece rich in subtext and thought-provoking motifs
When the system at Ohtori Academy is rigged to objectify women as powerless Rose Brides, Utena Tenjou's good conscience won't let her stand idly by. Instead, he takes on the role of a prince and fights to free the other girls from their unwanted fate. With sword and signet ring in tow, Utena evolves into the prince charming of every girl's dreams and becomes a cog in the well-oiled machine of female oppression.
Anyone who had Utena by their side would consider themselves blessed. However, Anthy Himemiya receives most of the esteemed prince's affections, and their blossoming courtship is explored extensively in the film.Adolescence of Utena.“Overall Revolutionary girl Utena takes great care to favor shojo themes over ecchi fan service and is considered by many to be the best LGBTQ+ anime of his time.
Flip flaps
Seeking and finding acceptance
Although not as obvious as some other shows, Flip flaps it certainly has LGBTQ+ themes that 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 in order to use their powers.
These vibes of this show are especially evident in episode 7, “Clean folder.” Papika ends up switching between multiple personalities, including being a boy at times, and Cocona still cares deeply for them regardless of their presentation. It's the kind of acceptance that every LGBTQ+ person craves in their relationships.
Given and given movies
Demanding and unforgettable boys love anime
Given
- Release date
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2019-2019
- Network
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Fuji TV
- directors
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Akiyo Ohashi
Given was arguably responsible for transforming the boy-love genre and healing its somewhat negative reputation by delivering strong reality-based drama. Although it is probably the best BL anime of all time, Given it's not easy to watch, so it can be overwhelming for viewers who crave a primarily warm and relaxing series. Still, the show and its film sequel are a must-watch for anyone interested in not only LGBTQ+ stories, but romance in general.
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Revolving around the band, Given features several different couples, all of whom face unique challenges. Mafuyu and Ritsuka are the main duo of the show, but the movies shift their focus to supporting couples. The anime deals with grief and self-destructive behavior while providing powerful displays of love and growth.
Princess Medusa
Even after more than ten years, Kuranosuke is still a fantastic character
Princess Medusa
- Release date
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2010 – 2010-00-00
- Network
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Fuji TV
- directors
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Katsumi Terahigashi, Masahisa Koyata, Nanako Shimazaki
Princess Medusa is a fascinating josei anime that follows what happens when the androgynous cross-dressing Kuranosuke meets Tsukimi and helps her save a jellyfish at a pet store. Tsukimi lives in Amamizukan, an older building filled with introverted women who prefer to focus on their special interests rather than interact with the outside world.
Bringing home an extrovert like Kuranosuke not only provides some silly antics, but also provides moments for deep self-reflection between the characters. Studies have shown that non-neurotypical people are more likely to be LGBTQ+ because they are less influenced by societal norms, which has taken this show to a whole new level for many viewers.
Tiger and Bunny (Fire Emblem)
Transgender superhero
The tiger and the bunny
- Release date
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2011–2022
- directors
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Keiichi Sato, Kunihiro Mori
- Writers
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Masafumi Nishida
The tiger and the bunny is an all-around great anime that can easily be recommended to anyone looking for a different take on the superhero genre. In this universe, the heroes are basically professionals and celebrities and participate in an annual competition to earn points for their heroic deeds. They have sponsors to impress and the veterans are constantly in danger of being overtaken by the new generation. The eponymous heroes, Kotetsu and Barnaby, are forced to work together and form a professional relationship that eventually leads to a proper friendship.
Leaving aside any subtext that might read into Kotetsu and Barnaby's dynamic, The tiger and the bunny has a full transgender hero, Nathan Seymour (aka, Fire Emblem). Although Nathan initially seems rather stereotypical, he gradually breaks away from these bonds and becomes a three-dimensional character and an example of positive representation. film, The Risingit expands Nathan's story and gives him much more depth, which is then further expanded in Season 2.
Dear brother
A classic Shojo anime set in an all-girls school
Dear brother
- Release date
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1991–1992
- Network
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NHK BS1
- directors
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Osamu Dezaki, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Hideki Hiroshima, Takuo Suzuki, Shinichi Matsumi, Yutaka Satoh, Kazuo Nogami, Kazuya Miyazaki, Toshiya Shinohara, Yusaku Saotome
Compared to boys who love anime, yuri shows are extremely rare, at least when it comes to stories that follow the relationship of two girls rather than hinting at the possibility of one through subtext. Unfortunately, the girl-love genre has struggled to gain steam in the past few years, and fans who specifically crave shows that delve deep into female relationships are better off watching girl-band anime than waiting for the elusive GL series.
Alternatively, they could try to track it down Dear brotheran ambitious early 90s anime based on a manga by Riyoko Ikeda, who also wrote The Rose of Versailles. Now to set the right expectations, Dear brother is a drama that pulls no punches and portrays characters that are very human and at times very gruesome. Set in an all-girls school, the anime deals with themes of bullying and manipulation and doesn't offer many easy or satisfying answers. When examining several same-sex relationships, they are neither idealized nor healthy, but rather grounded.
