for the lgbt peeps
Manga
most have lgbt characters, some just have ~the vibes~
also recommended but isn’t on MAL:
Ame ga Shinai Koto: About an aroace woman and her relationships with the people around her.
also recommended but isn’t on MAL:
Ame ga Shinai Koto: About an aroace woman and her relationships with the people around her.
Manga, 4 vol, 2015
Me:-
Author:10
- a gay high school boy is outed to his classmates and finds refuge in an lgbt lounge
- pretty much everyone is queer/questioning, and there’s mlm, wlw, trans, agender and asexual characters
- i really like how this manga shows queer people at all ages and stages of life, rather than only teenagers/young adults
- the author is also asexual and x-gender (Japanese term roughly equivalent to nonbinary)
- highly recommended, especially if you're new to lgbt manga
- pretty much everyone is queer/questioning, and there’s mlm, wlw, trans, agender and asexual characters
- i really like how this manga shows queer people at all ages and stages of life, rather than only teenagers/young adults
- the author is also asexual and x-gender (Japanese term roughly equivalent to nonbinary)
- highly recommended, especially if you're new to lgbt manga
Manga, 3 vol, 2020
Me:-
Author:10
- a god, an immortal, and a girl grieving the loss of her friend travel together to the land of the dead in order to die
- the god is genderless, the immortal is (probably) pan
- a heavy and beautiful story focusing on the varying perspectives of life and death
- by the same author of 'Shimanami Tasogare'
- the god is genderless, the immortal is (probably) pan
- a heavy and beautiful story focusing on the varying perspectives of life and death
- by the same author of 'Shimanami Tasogare'
Manga, 5 vol, 2018
Me:-
Author:10
- a high school boy invites his ‘cross dressing’ classmate to work at his sister’s cross dressing cafe. however, his classmate is actually nonbinary, and although they are upset at being mistaken for a boy, their appearance at the cafe sparks a journey of self-discovery for themself and the other cafe workers.
- got the whole lgbt acronym up in here
- the plot is slightly predictable, but the portrayal of how gender, gender expression, and sexuality intersect is done very well
- overall has similar vibes to ‘Shimanami Tasogare’ but has a cuter artstyle and more lighthearted moments (although it still has many serious parts)
- got the whole lgbt acronym up in here
- the plot is slightly predictable, but the portrayal of how gender, gender expression, and sexuality intersect is done very well
- overall has similar vibes to ‘Shimanami Tasogare’ but has a cuter artstyle and more lighthearted moments (although it still has many serious parts)
Manga, 3 vol, 2019
Me:-
Author:10
- an aroace fujoshi and a gay man with a perpetual one-sided love get married to each other
- it’s about loneliness and feeling alienated due to societal norms and the fact that sometimes the people who love us still hurt us because they don’t know how to empathise with us. but it’s also about platonic love and solidarity and making an effort to understand one another despite your differences and coming home to someone who you may not love romantically but who accepts you for who you are.
- this manga perfectly encapsulated how i feel about a lot of things. i have felt so many emotions please read it
- it’s about loneliness and feeling alienated due to societal norms and the fact that sometimes the people who love us still hurt us because they don’t know how to empathise with us. but it’s also about platonic love and solidarity and making an effort to understand one another despite your differences and coming home to someone who you may not love romantically but who accepts you for who you are.
- this manga perfectly encapsulated how i feel about a lot of things. i have felt so many emotions please read it
Manga, 8 vol, 2017
Me:-
Author:10
- four high schoolers struggling with their identity and how they want to live in the future
- there is a love square between them, but it really serves to fuel the character growth
- quite deep and introspective, if you’re looking for a romcom this ain’t it
- the ending is fairly controversial and feels a little rushed, but as a whole it’s a great read
- there is a love square between them, but it really serves to fuel the character growth
- quite deep and introspective, if you’re looking for a romcom this ain’t it
- the ending is fairly controversial and feels a little rushed, but as a whole it’s a great read
Manga, 1 vol, 2017
Me:-
Author:10
- a series of oneshots about various forms of love
- the titular story is focused on a trans man
- the other stories aren’t lgbt-focused but are still super good
- the titular story is focused on a trans man
- the other stories aren’t lgbt-focused but are still super good
Manga, 4 vol, 2020
Me:-
Author:-
- a trans boy and his friend start a fashion brand together
- author is a transgender man
- i’ve only read the first few chapters and it was a long time ago, so i can’t say much more on it, but i liked it at the time and i’ve heard good things about it
- author is a transgender man
- i’ve only read the first few chapters and it was a long time ago, so i can’t say much more on it, but i liked it at the time and i’ve heard good things about it
Manga, ? vol, 2018
Me:-
Author:10
- collection of 4-panel comics about a girl and her friend, who is a trans boy
- no romance
- pretty short, funny, and sweet
- no romance
- pretty short, funny, and sweet
Doujinshi, 1 vol, 2019
Me:-
Author:10
- oneshot about a relationship between an asexual and non-asexual person
- author is also on the asexual spectrum
- as an ace person, I found this pretty relatable
- author is also on the asexual spectrum
- as an ace person, I found this pretty relatable
Manga, 1 vol, 2020
Me:-
Author:10
- a woman who believes she is abnormal because she doesn't experience romantic or sexual attraction goes on a journey of self-discovery
- focuses on asexuality but also has queer side characters of other sexualities
- super relatable as an ace person, highly recommended
- by the same author of 'Mine-kun wa Non-sexual'
- focuses on asexuality but also has queer side characters of other sexualities
- super relatable as an ace person, highly recommended
- by the same author of 'Mine-kun wa Non-sexual'
One-shot, ? vol, 2021
Me:-
Author:10
- a woman who’s never had a boyfriend but feels pressured to date meets realises she may be aromantic after meeting another woman at a bar
- oneshot
- a unique take on how aromanticism and asexuality intersect with dating culture and society’s prioritisation of romantic relationships
- oneshot
- a unique take on how aromanticism and asexuality intersect with dating culture and society’s prioritisation of romantic relationships
Manga, 1 vol, 2016
Me:-
Author:10
- autobiographical manga about the author’s struggle with her family, life situation, mental health, and sexuality, culminating in a visit to a lesbian prostitute
- very introspective, very brutal, but honestly pretty relatable
- includes discussion of depression, eating disorders, and other heavy topics
- as you would expect from the description, this has nsfw scenes
- has multiple sequels. the next in the series is ‘Solo Exchange Diary’
- very introspective, very brutal, but honestly pretty relatable
- includes discussion of depression, eating disorders, and other heavy topics
- as you would expect from the description, this has nsfw scenes
- has multiple sequels. the next in the series is ‘Solo Exchange Diary’
Manga, 1 vol, 2016
Me:-
Author:10
- autobiographical manga by a trans woman about her journey to marriage
- super interesting and informative about transgender rights in Japan
- also her and her husband are really wholesome
- super interesting and informative about transgender rights in Japan
- also her and her husband are really wholesome
Manga, ? vol, 2021
Me:-
Author:-
- haven’t read it myself yet but i’ve heard very good things about it!
- the author is very openly supportive of lgbt rights also
- the author is very openly supportive of lgbt rights also
Manga, 1 vol, 2020
Me:-
Author:10
- a manga based off an autobiographical essay by a Japanese gay activist
- tells of his life experiences and his relationships with his family, friends, and partners
- does have some explicit nsfw scenes
- tells of his life experiences and his relationships with his family, friends, and partners
- does have some explicit nsfw scenes
Manga, 9 vol, 2019
Me:-
Author:10
- basically a million misunderstandings piled on top of one another, but it’s funny as hell
- main couple is mlm
- the art is really great too, the character expressions are the best
- really wholesome. please read it
- also has a live action drama
- main couple is mlm
- the art is really great too, the character expressions are the best
- really wholesome. please read it
- also has a live action drama
Manga, 1 vol, 2017
Me:-
Author:10
- a high school boy who aims to become a hero like in the movies fall in love at first sight with the star actress of the drama club. however, after confessing, he finds out that the ‘actress’ is actually another boy.
- content warning for child sexual assault and generally heavy themes
- a beautiful story about trauma, gender, and identity
- content warning for child sexual assault and generally heavy themes
- a beautiful story about trauma, gender, and identity
Manga, 3 vol, 2015
Me:-
Author:10
- love triangle between two childhood friends and their mutual friend
- one of the side characters is also gay
- focuses more on the character growth than actual romance
- a really unique read
- one of the side characters is also gay
- focuses more on the character growth than actual romance
- a really unique read
Manga, 5 vol, 2010
Me:-
Author:10
- two girls kiss kiss fall in love
- not a lot of plot but really wholesome
- also surprisingly spicy at times (but nothing explicit)
- has a sequel: ‘Yamada to Kase-san’
- not a lot of plot but really wholesome
- also surprisingly spicy at times (but nothing explicit)
- has a sequel: ‘Yamada to Kase-san’
Manga, 2 vol, 2018
Me:-
Author:10
- taisho period (1920s) romantic drama between a waitress and a female author
- has a pretty unique art style
- fairly standard plot, but very sweet
- this author has also created a lot of other short yuri comics so check those out too
- has a pretty unique art style
- fairly standard plot, but very sweet
- this author has also created a lot of other short yuri comics so check those out too
Manga, 9 vol, 2011
Me:-
Author:10
- on the outskirts of a seemingly utopian city, two boys from vastly different upbringings work together to expose the corrupt government and reconstruct their classist society
- also has a non-binary/trans character (it’s a bit ambiguous)
- mlm, romance isn’t that prominent though
- also has an anime
- also has a non-binary/trans character (it’s a bit ambiguous)
- mlm, romance isn’t that prominent though
- also has an anime
Manga, ? vol, 2020
Me:-
Author:10
- an elderly woman meets a university student majoring in film and is inspired to dive into the world of filmmaking
- one of the characters is most likely aroace
- no romance
- a very unique read
- one of the characters is most likely aroace
- no romance
- a very unique read
Manga, 2 vol, 2020
Me:-
Author:-
- a college student is saved by another student and after searching for her to thank her, he finds that they're... a man? no, a woman? huh???
- focuses heavily on the social norms surrounding gender expression and sexuality
- focuses heavily on the social norms surrounding gender expression and sexuality
Manga, ? vol, 2011
Me:-
Author:10
- a high school girl confesses to her crush, who misunderstands and reveals he’s a shoujo manga author. hijinks ensue
- doesn’t have any explicitly queer characters but one character is gender non-conforming, and overall it definitely has the vibes
- also just generally hilarious
- has an anime
- doesn’t have any explicitly queer characters but one character is gender non-conforming, and overall it definitely has the vibes
- also just generally hilarious
- has an anime
Manga, ? vol, 2022
Me:-
Author:10
- an assassin is on a mission to get married, and is helped by a crossdressing marriage swindler
- assassin’s sister is in a sapphic relationship, although she’s a minor character
- ridiculous in the best way
- assassin’s sister is in a sapphic relationship, although she’s a minor character
- ridiculous in the best way
Manga, ? vol, 2017
Me:-
Author:10
- a high school boy finds passion in life through art and aims to get into an exclusive art university
- has a genderqueer character, and also a wlw couple
- really makes you think about what can be considered ‘art’ and what makes ‘good art’
- admittedly there’s not many queer characters and the queer vibes aren’t that strong, but the story is amazing and there is a decent amount of focus on other social issues
- has a genderqueer character, and also a wlw couple
- really makes you think about what can be considered ‘art’ and what makes ‘good art’
- admittedly there’s not many queer characters and the queer vibes aren’t that strong, but the story is amazing and there is a decent amount of focus on other social issues
Manga, ? vol, 2018
Me:-
Author:-
- a country bumpkin girl moves to Tokyo for high school and does her best to make new friends and deal with big-city life
- one of the side characters is a trans woman
- overall very refreshing and subverts a lot of societal norms and manga cliches
- one of the side characters is a trans woman
- overall very refreshing and subverts a lot of societal norms and manga cliches
Manga, ? vol, 2016
Me:-
Author:10
- a girl who dreams of becoming a witch fulfills her wish, but realises that things may not be as easy or simple as they seem
- mlm couple in recent chapters, and the author is very vocal about her support for lgbt rights
- overall has a very diverse cast, with lgbt, poc, and disabled characters
- one of the prettiest manga i’ve ever read, and one of my current favourites
- mlm couple in recent chapters, and the author is very vocal about her support for lgbt rights
- overall has a very diverse cast, with lgbt, poc, and disabled characters
- one of the prettiest manga i’ve ever read, and one of my current favourites
Manga, 17 vol, 2008
Me:-
Author:10
- a group of otaku live in a women-only, no-men-allowed apartment building, spurning the outside world in favour of their various interests. with the help of a male crossdresser, their lives are turned upside down as they learn how to live in society while staying true to themselves
- not explicitly lgbt but has a gender nonconforming character, and is generally about embracing your uniqueness
- a heartwarming and memorable story, highly recommended
- not explicitly lgbt but has a gender nonconforming character, and is generally about embracing your uniqueness
- a heartwarming and memorable story, highly recommended
Manga, ? vol, 2007
Me:-
Author:10
- slice of life following the life of a middle-aged gay couple
- established couple but not a lot of actual romance. it’s mostly about cooking, living together as a couple, and their relationships with friends, colleagues, and family
- established couple but not a lot of actual romance. it’s mostly about cooking, living together as a couple, and their relationships with friends, colleagues, and family
Manga, ? vol, 2021
Me:-
Author:10
- a boy’s best friend goes missing for a week, but when he returns, something else has taken over his body
- supernatural horror
- super intriguing and unique, everything from the art to the pacing maintains the eerie vibe of this manga
- supernatural horror
- super intriguing and unique, everything from the art to the pacing maintains the eerie vibe of this manga
Manga, ? vol, 2016
Me:-
Author:10
- be gay, do crimes: destroying classism, one murder at a time
- sherlock holmes inspired. also james bond is there
- trans guy james bond, what more do you need
- there's definitely uh. SOMETHING going on between the two main characters as well
- sherlock holmes inspired. also james bond is there
- trans guy james bond, what more do you need
- there's definitely uh. SOMETHING going on between the two main characters as well
Manga, ? vol, 2016
Me:-
Author:10
- a bl fanboy introduces bl to his upperclassman and their shared passion unexpectedly begins to evolve their relationship
- avoids the usual bl cliches while remaining super wholesome
- if you aren’t familiar with bl you might find it a little overwhelming, but bl fans will probably find it refreshing
- avoids the usual bl cliches while remaining super wholesome
- if you aren’t familiar with bl you might find it a little overwhelming, but bl fans will probably find it refreshing
Manga, ? vol, 2019
Me:-
Author:10
- a spin-off featuring side characters from ‘Sasaki and Miyano’
- has more romantic drama than its source manga, but it’s not needless drama
- has more romantic drama than its source manga, but it’s not needless drama
Manga, ? vol, 2020
Me:-
Author:10
- all-girls ballroom dancing!
- pretty art and pretty girls
- not a lot of romance yet, but it’s serialised in Comic Yuri Hime so it’s definitely gay
- not really a sports manga, focuses more on the characters’ relationships/feelings
- pretty art and pretty girls
- not a lot of romance yet, but it’s serialised in Comic Yuri Hime so it’s definitely gay
- not really a sports manga, focuses more on the characters’ relationships/feelings
Manga, 3 vol, 2021
Me:-
Author:8
- two women, having almost graduated university and in the process of job hunting, become disillusioned with ‘normal’ life and run away together to start a new life on an island
- the two main characters are in an already established relationship
- has nsfw scenes
- finished, but it’s pretty obvious that it got axed so the ending feels rushed unfortunately
- the two main characters are in an already established relationship
- has nsfw scenes
- finished, but it’s pretty obvious that it got axed so the ending feels rushed unfortunately
Manga, 1 vol, 2023
Me:-
Author:10
- a man realises his feelings for his high school friend on the way home from his friend’s wedding. a few years later, he reunites with said friend at his grandmother’s funeral, reigniting the feelings that he had hidden away.
- love triangle, all three characters are main characters
- the central character’s struggle with distinguishing romantic love from other types of love and coming to terms with his feelings felt really relatable to me
- briefly touches on catholic guilt too which is rather rare in a manga
- new and currently being translated, i read it in japanese. only one volume currently, but a sequel is releasing sometime this year
- love triangle, all three characters are main characters
- the central character’s struggle with distinguishing romantic love from other types of love and coming to terms with his feelings felt really relatable to me
- briefly touches on catholic guilt too which is rather rare in a manga
- new and currently being translated, i read it in japanese. only one volume currently, but a sequel is releasing sometime this year
Manhua, 1 vol, 2015
Me:-
Author:10
- two girls kiss kiss fall in love
- really cute slice of life. my crops are flourishing, my skin is clear, it’s so wholesome
- unfortunately the webcomic is on indefinite hiatus at the moment due to censorship. hopefully it’ll be able to continue censorship-free in the future
- really cute slice of life. my crops are flourishing, my skin is clear, it’s so wholesome
- unfortunately the webcomic is on indefinite hiatus at the moment due to censorship. hopefully it’ll be able to continue censorship-free in the future
Manhua, ? vol, 2018
Me:-
Author:10
- slice of life that follows four high school boys
- two mlm couples
- roughly has a plot, has more drama than SQ
- also affected by censorship so the relationship progression kind of comes to a standstill after a while
- two mlm couples
- roughly has a plot, has more drama than SQ
- also affected by censorship so the relationship progression kind of comes to a standstill after a while
Manhua, ? vol, 2017
Me:-
Author:10
- an outgoing, openly gay university student meets a serious and quiet underclassman, and although they have a rocky start to their relationship, they gradually grow closer to one another
- along with the main couple, also has mlm side couples
- great art, cute story, and the main character is a badass
- i’m fairly sure the author is a gay man? maybe don’t quote me on that though
- along with the main couple, also has mlm side couples
- great art, cute story, and the main character is a badass
- i’m fairly sure the author is a gay man? maybe don’t quote me on that though
Manga, 1 vol, 2013
Me:-
Author:10
- a gay novelist living on an island reunites with a man he briefly met three years ago
- main couple is mlm, has a side wlw couple
- the art style is *chef’s kiss*
- has some nsfw but nothing too explicit
- has a sequel ‘Harukaze no Étranger’. sequel has explicit nsfw
- main couple is mlm, has a side wlw couple
- the art style is *chef’s kiss*
- has some nsfw but nothing too explicit
- has a sequel ‘Harukaze no Étranger’. sequel has explicit nsfw
Manga, 1 vol, 2016
Me:-
Author:10
- follows several different characters and their intertwining lives as they try to follow (or find) their dreams
- lgbt couple
- by the same author as the ‘Étranger’ series
- lgbt couple
- by the same author as the ‘Étranger’ series
Manga, ? vol, 2023
Me:-
Author:10
- a high school girl with a secret love of rock music becomes interested in the good-looking guy at the record store, but the guy turns out to be her female classmate
- series of short comics published on twitter
- super pretty art and great characters
- really really cute. makes me feel things. please read it
- series of short comics published on twitter
- super pretty art and great characters
- really really cute. makes me feel things. please read it
Manga, ? vol, 2023
Me:-
Author:10
- based off of the vocaloid song ‘Villain’ by Teniwoha
- one of the protags is definitely trans, unsure about the other
- by the same mangaka who made Wotakoi
- the song is a banger also, i especially like Miyashita Yuu’s cover
- one of the protags is definitely trans, unsure about the other
- by the same mangaka who made Wotakoi
- the song is a banger also, i especially like Miyashita Yuu’s cover
Manga, ? vol, 2021
Me:-
Author:10
- set in 1930s Japan, a strong willed female detective and her charming assistant solve mysteries together
- several cases have lgbt characters
- as a whole has a strong focus on societal issues/norms
- very well researched with interesting historical notes at the end of many chapters
- several cases have lgbt characters
- as a whole has a strong focus on societal issues/norms
- very well researched with interesting historical notes at the end of many chapters
Manga, 17 vol, 2013
Me:-
Author:9
- based off of shakespeare’s plays ‘Henry VI, Part III’ and ‘Richard III’ with some… creative liberties
- intersex main character
- dark, angsty, gory, and has nsfw scenes
- has an addicting, well-paced plot, and the overall execution is very, very dramatic (in a good way)
- has an anime but the manga’s way better
- intersex main character
- dark, angsty, gory, and has nsfw scenes
- has an addicting, well-paced plot, and the overall execution is very, very dramatic (in a good way)
- has an anime but the manga’s way better
Manga, 19 vol, 1985
Me:-
Author:10
- in the underworld of 1980s New York, a teenage gang leader and a Japanese photographer aim to uncover the secrets of a mysterious new drug
- literally every trigger warning ever applies here, so proceed with caution
- mlm, romance is kind of up to interpretation but is more or less canon
- a classic with an intense, no-filler storyline
- literally every trigger warning ever applies here, so proceed with caution
- mlm, romance is kind of up to interpretation but is more or less canon
- a classic with an intense, no-filler storyline
Manga, 1 vol, 2013
Me:-
Author:10
- a manga focusing on hearing disability and the difference in experiences of hearing people and hard of hearing people
- the main characters are in an mlm relationship, but their relationship often takes a backseat to the main topic
- worth reading just for the discussion of hearing disability
- the main characters are in an mlm relationship, but their relationship often takes a backseat to the main topic
- worth reading just for the discussion of hearing disability
