Inclusive anime
Anime
Anime for a common audience that includes representation of marginalized communities without being narrowly focused queer or quuerbaiting content. The purpose of the list is to try and neutrally compile a list of shows with a diverse cast that isn't subject to the heavy fascination with ships and other wishful thinking. Therefore, you will not see any "heavily hinted" and other typical speculation for such stocks here.
Warning, for some of the included shows, this topic, as well as its image, may be a spoiler. Also, English is not my native language, so if my vocabulary in describing a particular topic may sound problematic, feel free to let me know. I will correct the text as soon as possible.
Warning, for some of the included shows, this topic, as well as its image, may be a spoiler. Also, English is not my native language, so if my vocabulary in describing a particular topic may sound problematic, feel free to let me know. I will correct the text as soon as possible.
TV, 2011,
11 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Exploring gender dysphoria and transgender experiences from different perspectives.
TV, 1998,
70 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Demonstration of all kinds of love is one of the show's official themes, and significant side characters include a positively depicted lesbian and male bisexual representation.
TV, 2019,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The main cast includes a non-binary biological male character who is in love with one of the male leads.
TV, 2022,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Neutral lesbian representation among the main cast.
TV, 2013,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
A sympathetic representation of a important person with severe memory loss. Study of the psychological consequences that may accompany this.
TV, 2006,
47 eps
Me:-
Author:8
One main lead openly explores her sexuality through a close friendship with another. Although it doesn't get further developed, that it doesn't turn into queerbaiting is unusual even for a shoujo show about female friendship.
TV, 2012,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
A representation of the so-called "haffu", Japanese of mixed Asian and non-Asian ancestry, and the discrimination associated with them.
TV, 2004,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
An attempt at a serious depiction of voluntary incestuous relationships and their impact on the characters themselves and the people around them.
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Sympathetic depiction of a polyamorous relationship.
TV, 2017,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Sympathetic representation of lesbian affection among main cast
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Positive portrayal of transsexuality, lesbian and bisexual affection, and POC people.
TV, 2019,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
A very different progressive representation + a fantastic metaphor for the migrant crisis.
TV, 2017,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The MC's best friend is bisexual and breaks gender stereotypes.
TV Special, 2022,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Positive portrayal of lesbian (bisexual?) affection.
ONA, 2014,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Various lesbian and transgender representations, a positive portrayal (albeit old-fashioned) of a lesbian couple.
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The main character's best friend is non-binary and bisexual.
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Hugely positive depiction of female bisexuality, although in the original LN the romance is moving in the straight route.
TV, 2011,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:9
A positive albeit old-fashioned representation of transsexuality and male homosexuality.
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
A positive homosexual representation, although somewhat stereotypical.
TV, 2006,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:9
A sympathetic representation of people with various mental problems ranging from depression to suicidality.
Movie, 2019,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Positive portrayal of lesbian relationships. The main twist of the show is based on this and this, according to some of the audience, somewhat breaks the plot, so I warned you.
TV, 2018,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Pretty subtle positive lesbian representation in the anime (until that character reveals herself at the end of her arc), although the original game adds some more overtly queer characters.
TV, 2017,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Unusual for this genre, positive male homosexual representation
TV, 2022,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Representation of intersex and non-binary experiences against the backdrop of heavily altered English history.
TV, 2018,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
A show about male bromance that is not afraid to touch on the topics of bisexuality and asexual relationships.
TV, 2019,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
One of the main cast is lesbian and explores her sexuality
Movie, 2020,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Representation of people with disabilities.
TV, 2015,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Representation of polyamorous relationships, gay and bisexuality, as well as research into the experience of war's orphans. Also, gay marriage.
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
50/50. Although Najimi can be interpreted as non-binary due to the constant jokes about their "real gender", the show's lesbian representation is just awful.
TV, 2017,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:9
As in the previous show, the gender of one of the important characters is deliberately hidden. However, in Nanachi's case, they is completely androgynous and the plot never raises questions about their gender.
TV, 2018,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Positive lesbian and ... to put it mildly, controversial bisexual and non-binary representation
TV, 2019,
21 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Positive pansexual and non-binary representation.
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
The main character's aunt is a neutrally portrayed transgender woman.
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
This show does not have queer content in the truest sense of the word (the writers deliberately avoided any opportunity for straight or gay romance), but with some nuances, it can be seen as a positive representation of same-sex parents raising a child.
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
In addition to the already mentioned Tsubaki, this season's lesbian (bisexual?) representation has expanded with Muni and Haruna. Also a brief cameo by the franchise's first canonical lesbian couple, Hayate and Kokoa.
TV, 2008,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
A neutral trans male representation that is portrayed as a common character trait. Also, you can consider some major characters as bisexual or pansexual if you like, based on their seductive behavior.
TV, 2012,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:9
I don't remember exactly which season it was confirmed in, but the main antagonist is canonical bisexual and it was never denounced by anyone. Also, with each part, an increasingly positive depiction of androgynous looking men and women.
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
One could argue at length about how well this show portrays queer relationships, especially by the standards of our time (the overuse of tropes and the unwarranted subtlety and ambiguity included), but at least it's shown as something common and perfectly socially acceptable.
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Yes, it was probably more about gender norms than any identity or genders in the modern Western sense, but the way the show deals with androgyny, gender discomfort and makes lines like "did you think I was a boy? Who cares!" (given the romantic tension between the characters and the popularity of this phrase in bisexual romance, this seems to have a double meaning), can be quite relatable for genderqueer people.
TV, 2024,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Wholesome romantic shoujo anime with a deaf protagonist. A deaf girl falls in love with a linguist guy and helps him learn sign language to communicate with her. Many nuances of the life of hearing impaired people and their loved ones in modern Japan are demonstrated. Unlike the subsequent show, this one explores the daily lives of deaf people more than the sensitive topics of socialization issues or bullying.
Movie, 2016,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:10
Another show about the life of deaf people in modern Japan, but from a different perspective. The main character initially participates in the bullying of a deaf girl, but later he himself becomes an outcast and, years later, realizes his guilt and devotes his life to the girl whom he previously bullied. It's also a romance, but the anime tones it down considerably compared to the manga.
TV, 2024,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
One of the important male side characters openly talks about his homosexuality and everyone around him is okay with it.
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Good positive queergender and lesbian representation, anti-homophobic message.
