Healthy LGBTQ+ Representation (recommended by a member of the LBGTQ+ community)
AnimeSpoiler
Anime with healthy, non-fetishized LGBTQ+ representation, hand-curated by myself, who openly identifies as a lesbian. Mostly comprised of yuri, as that's what I've mainly watched, but there is some yaoi in here as well. Spoilers included to comment on whether couples are canonical by the end of the anime or not so users can decide whether or not they'd like to be queerbaited.
Popular "LGBTQ" Anime I Deliberately Excluded:
-Citrus (unhealthy wlw representation that relies on incest and non-con tropes)
-Ouran High School Host Club (outdated/offensive trans and LGBTQ+ representation)
-Steins Gate (trans character treated as a joke, repeatedly teased for their identity)
-Komi-San Can't Communicate (atrocious wlw representation, falls into "predatory lesbian" trope. Nonbinary character not treated with respect and characters often are investigative into their "real gender").
-Fruits Basket (Sprinkles of bisexual representation that are never explored in depth. Trans/nonbinary characters are treated as a joke or are revealed to be cis all along)
-Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night (I'm still bitter about this one and think it is one of the worst examples of queerbaiting I've seen in an anime as of late)
Popular "LGBTQ" Anime I Deliberately Excluded:
-Citrus (unhealthy wlw representation that relies on incest and non-con tropes)
-Ouran High School Host Club (outdated/offensive trans and LGBTQ+ representation)
-Steins Gate (trans character treated as a joke, repeatedly teased for their identity)
-Komi-San Can't Communicate (atrocious wlw representation, falls into "predatory lesbian" trope. Nonbinary character not treated with respect and characters often are investigative into their "real gender").
-Fruits Basket (Sprinkles of bisexual representation that are never explored in depth. Trans/nonbinary characters are treated as a joke or are revealed to be cis all along)
-Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night (I'm still bitter about this one and think it is one of the worst examples of queerbaiting I've seen in an anime as of late)
TV, 2018,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:10
||WLW (Lesbian, Bisexual), Aromantic, Asexual, Demisexual Representation||
Hands down the best yuri anime I can recommend. Main character and a supporting character are on the ace/aro spectrum. Several canon LGBTQ+ relationships, including an adult sapphic couple. Healthy lesbian and bisexual representation. Tackles queer themes such as accepting yourself, tackling internalized homophobia, and figuring out what it means to be loved and to love. Anime only covers half the story, so I recommend reading the manga and accompanying light novels about Saeki Sayaka to get the whole Bloom Into You experience. Cannot sing enough praises about this franchise.
Hands down the best yuri anime I can recommend. Main character and a supporting character are on the ace/aro spectrum. Several canon LGBTQ+ relationships, including an adult sapphic couple. Healthy lesbian and bisexual representation. Tackles queer themes such as accepting yourself, tackling internalized homophobia, and figuring out what it means to be loved and to love. Anime only covers half the story, so I recommend reading the manga and accompanying light novels about Saeki Sayaka to get the whole Bloom Into You experience. Cannot sing enough praises about this franchise.
OVA, 2018,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
||WLW Representation||
Healthy, non-sexualized depiction of a canon sapphic couple. OVA is short, fluffy, and downright adorable. Recommend reading accompanying manga for a better introspection into Kase and Yamada's relationship.
Healthy, non-sexualized depiction of a canon sapphic couple. OVA is short, fluffy, and downright adorable. Recommend reading accompanying manga for a better introspection into Kase and Yamada's relationship.
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
||WLW Representation||
Fluffy and healthy wlw representation. Very accurately portrays feelings of discovering sexuality. Recommend reading the accompanying light novels for a more complete introspection into Adachi and Shimamura's relationship as they are not canonically a couple by the end of the anime.
Fluffy and healthy wlw representation. Very accurately portrays feelings of discovering sexuality. Recommend reading the accompanying light novels for a more complete introspection into Adachi and Shimamura's relationship as they are not canonically a couple by the end of the anime.
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:5
||WLW Representation||
Healthy wlw depiction. Queer themes never explored in too much depth, but main characters clearly have feelings for each other. Read the accompanying light novels for a better dive into Sorawo and Toriko's relationship as they are not canon by the end of the anime.
Healthy wlw depiction. Queer themes never explored in too much depth, but main characters clearly have feelings for each other. Read the accompanying light novels for a better dive into Sorawo and Toriko's relationship as they are not canon by the end of the anime.
TV, 2013,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:10
||WLW Representation||
This series includes a "as canon as you can get" sapphic couple through Ymir and Krista. Though their relationship is never explicitly defined, they constantly make known their affection for each other, and Ymir repeatedly mentions wanting to marry Krista if that wasn't a clear enough hint toward the nature of their relationship. Comments are made by other characters about Ymir only being interested in women as well.
SPOILER:
Unfortunately does fall into the "bury your gays" trope. But it's also Attack on Titan where 90% of the characters die, so I'll cut it some slack.
This series includes a "as canon as you can get" sapphic couple through Ymir and Krista. Though their relationship is never explicitly defined, they constantly make known their affection for each other, and Ymir repeatedly mentions wanting to marry Krista if that wasn't a clear enough hint toward the nature of their relationship. Comments are made by other characters about Ymir only being interested in women as well.
SPOILER:
Unfortunately does fall into the "bury your gays" trope. But it's also Attack on Titan where 90% of the characters die, so I'll cut it some slack.
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
||WLW Representation||
Healthy depiction of a canon wlw couple. The main character, Anisphia, is openly established as a lesbian very early on into the series. Series wraps up very nicely with no open ends.
Healthy depiction of a canon wlw couple. The main character, Anisphia, is openly established as a lesbian very early on into the series. Series wraps up very nicely with no open ends.
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
||WLW Representation||
Canonical wlw relationship between the two main characters. Suletta and Miorine become engaged in the first episode. The show at one point appears to shift to a heterosexual romance, but don't be too worried. Your classic arranged marriage trope with lesbians ;)
Canonical wlw relationship between the two main characters. Suletta and Miorine become engaged in the first episode. The show at one point appears to shift to a heterosexual romance, but don't be too worried. Your classic arranged marriage trope with lesbians ;)
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
||WLW Representation||
Main character and a supporting character are canonical lesbians. One of the few anime I've seen that really tackles sexuality on a realistic level. Characters have open discussions about sexual orientation, gender, and labels. The anime does not cover the entire series, so be sure to read the light novels afterwards for a more complete look into Rae and Claire's relationship as they are strongly hinted at heading towards, but aren't in, a canonical relationship by the end of the anime.
TW: Incest. Please note there is a SIDE CHARACTER who is revealed to be in an incestuous relationship in one of the episodes. While the relationship isn't celebrated, it's not really disapproved of enough either.
Main character and a supporting character are canonical lesbians. One of the few anime I've seen that really tackles sexuality on a realistic level. Characters have open discussions about sexual orientation, gender, and labels. The anime does not cover the entire series, so be sure to read the light novels afterwards for a more complete look into Rae and Claire's relationship as they are strongly hinted at heading towards, but aren't in, a canonical relationship by the end of the anime.
TW: Incest. Please note there is a SIDE CHARACTER who is revealed to be in an incestuous relationship in one of the episodes. While the relationship isn't celebrated, it's not really disapproved of enough either.
TV, 2024,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
||WLW Representation||
Healthy, non-sexualized wlw representation that is downright fluffy and adorable. The main duo, Himari and Yori, have healthy conversations about boundaries and consent when it comes to their romantic relationship. Multiple characters are canonically interested in women.
Healthy, non-sexualized wlw representation that is downright fluffy and adorable. The main duo, Himari and Yori, have healthy conversations about boundaries and consent when it comes to their romantic relationship. Multiple characters are canonically interested in women.
TV, 2018,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:9
||WLW Representation, Hinted MLM (Bisexual) Representation||
Healthy lesbian representation, and one could argue even bisexual representation through the character of Mitsuru (although never really explored beyond one flashback episode). Queer themes are limited to only a few episodes, but well-hinted at throughout the series and explored to a good extent at certain points. Though never explicitly stated, the lesbian character is clearly in a relationship with another woman by the end of the anime.
Healthy lesbian representation, and one could argue even bisexual representation through the character of Mitsuru (although never really explored beyond one flashback episode). Queer themes are limited to only a few episodes, but well-hinted at throughout the series and explored to a good extent at certain points. Though never explicitly stated, the lesbian character is clearly in a relationship with another woman by the end of the anime.
TV, 2022,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:9
||Strongly hinted WLW and MLM Representation||
While no couples are officially canon, I personally don't find this anime to fall into the queerbaiting trope. Both mlm and wlw representation. Heavy HEAVY insinuation toward the existence of a mlm couple. Crushes between female Lycoris agents are confirmed on multiple occasions, Takina and Chisato's interactions are often flirtatious, and the relationship Takina and Chisato share goes much deeper than a typical friendship.
While no couples are officially canon, I personally don't find this anime to fall into the queerbaiting trope. Both mlm and wlw representation. Heavy HEAVY insinuation toward the existence of a mlm couple. Crushes between female Lycoris agents are confirmed on multiple occasions, Takina and Chisato's interactions are often flirtatious, and the relationship Takina and Chisato share goes much deeper than a typical friendship.
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
||MLM Representation||
Excellent mlm representation that is cute and non-fetishized. Tackles internalized homophobia and other common queer themes. Anime wraps up well in 12 episodes without the audience needing to consult an accompanying piece of media for the rest of the story.
Excellent mlm representation that is cute and non-fetishized. Tackles internalized homophobia and other common queer themes. Anime wraps up well in 12 episodes without the audience needing to consult an accompanying piece of media for the rest of the story.
TV, 2016,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
||MLM Representation||
As canonical mlm representation you can get without being explicitly canon. Canon kiss (albeit censored) and multiple scenes that heavily insinuate toward the true nature of Victor and Yuri's relationship.
As canonical mlm representation you can get without being explicitly canon. Canon kiss (albeit censored) and multiple scenes that heavily insinuate toward the true nature of Victor and Yuri's relationship.
TV, 2011,
11 eps
Me:-
Author:8
||Trans Representation||
LGBTQ+ representation for several identities, the most notable being transgender representation. A wonderful exploration into the gender spectrum without being offensive. Explores several queer themes that will resonate will all members of the LGBTQ+ community beyond those under the trans umbrella.
Note: Anime uses some outdated trans terminology but representation is otherwise healthy. Reading the manga provides a more complete story but is personally more offensive and a poorer representation of the trans community compared to the anime.
LGBTQ+ representation for several identities, the most notable being transgender representation. A wonderful exploration into the gender spectrum without being offensive. Explores several queer themes that will resonate will all members of the LGBTQ+ community beyond those under the trans umbrella.
Note: Anime uses some outdated trans terminology but representation is otherwise healthy. Reading the manga provides a more complete story but is personally more offensive and a poorer representation of the trans community compared to the anime.
TV, 2018,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
||Trans Representation, Hinted WLW Representation||
Canonical transgender representation through the character of Lily. Her queer identity could be explored in more depth, but the representation is mainly inoffensive. Also hints of wlw affection between some characters in Season 2, but this is entirely noncanonical and never strongly insinuated.
Canonical transgender representation through the character of Lily. Her queer identity could be explored in more depth, but the representation is mainly inoffensive. Also hints of wlw affection between some characters in Season 2, but this is entirely noncanonical and never strongly insinuated.
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
||Trans and WLW Representation||
Canonical transgender and wlw representation. Transgender themes are better represented and explored in a healthy manner. Wlw representation is mediocre at best and sometimes falls into the "predatory lesbian" trope, so be cautious.
Canonical transgender and wlw representation. Transgender themes are better represented and explored in a healthy manner. Wlw representation is mediocre at best and sometimes falls into the "predatory lesbian" trope, so be cautious.
TV, 2019,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:5
||Intersex Representation||
Positive intersex representation, which is rare to find in any form of media.
Positive intersex representation, which is rare to find in any form of media.
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