GL/Yuri anime that isn’t bait
Anime
The yuri anime genre unfortunately has a reputation for creating relationships between female characters that are incredibly ambiguous. This is a list of anime in which the romantic/sexual relationship between the two girls is very clear (and not one-sided). The girls in question should be major characters and their relationship should be one of if not the biggest driving point(s) of the show. No hentai titles, as adding even one would get the whole list marked nsfw. Some representation on this list is better than others, and I have provided an opinion under each title.
I would like to continue growing this list, so if I am missing one that you think fits the above criteria, please message me! Thank you.
I would like to continue growing this list, so if I am missing one that you think fits the above criteria, please message me! Thank you.
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:10
Just came out last year. This is a must-watch. It is the most straightforward, in-your-face yuri anime that I have ever watched, and does not shy away from actually discussing queer issues. The main couple in this anime have amazing chemistry together. Pick up the light novels afterward. Available on Crunchyroll.
TV, 2018,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
When I first watched this one I was disappointed because there was a lot of hype surrounding it but it left off at an inconclusive point and didn’t really do much for me. However, I recently read the manga (which is completed) and I absolutely do not regret it. One of the best romance stories I’ve seen or read, ever. If you are into yuri (and even if you aren’t), definitely watch and more importantly read this one. Available on HiDive.
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Very strong and healthy representation, especially considering it’s an isekai, which tend to not be very good nowadays. There are some issues with the pacing in my personal opinion as 3 novels were condensed into 12 episodes, but I definitely recommend this one! Available on Crunchyroll.
OVA, 2018,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Cuteness and wholesomeness overload. Sadly just one OVA and a music video. Based on a yuri manga. Highly recommend. Available on HiDive.
TV, 2006,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:9
HIGHLY recommend this one if you’re into fantasy. It’s one of my favorites and I’m genuinely annoyed by how underrated it is. The art style is kinda bad but the world building, character development and character dynamics are beautiful. The first five or six episodes are a bit rough though.
TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
This one was a whole acid trip. Lots of symbolism, lots of surrealism and lots of crazy drama. The show addresses a lot of the issues that lesbians face in Japanese society in pretty unconventional ways. It’s not for everyone but it’s one of my personal favorites. Available on Funimation
TV, 2014,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Cuteness without much substance. However, it’s cute and wholesome and that’s what matters. Watch if you want a feel-good anime to turn your brain off to. Available on HiDive
TV, 2018,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
This one was pretty notorious in the larger anime community a few years ago. Lots of juicy drama, interesting characters and great art, but the way it handles themes of SA is not the best. Plus the two leads are step-siblings and that is a pretty controversial theme. Most people who watch this either love it or hate it. For me, it was just “ok”.
Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
Movie, 1999,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Watch the original anime first— the movie is hard to understand without doing so. The original only has yuri as a secondary focus and there are a lot of annoying male characters but it’s one of my all time favorite anime shows and is an amazing critique on gender/sexual norms and how they impact the lives of young people.
The movie itself is not as good (and twice as confusing) as the original show but the yuri takes the front seat in this one. TV show Available on Crunchyroll, movie on PlutoTV. Both on Funimation.
The movie itself is not as good (and twice as confusing) as the original show but the yuri takes the front seat in this one. TV show Available on Crunchyroll, movie on PlutoTV. Both on Funimation.
TV, 2009,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Cute, funny, painfully relatable but very slow burn and doesn’t really go anywhere in the adaptation. Check out the manga if you want the full story.
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Again, cute, funny and painfully relatable. Based on a light novel series that’s nearly finished. Things don’t go very far in the anime so I recommend checking out the light novels afterward. Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
TV, 2009,
11 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Great if you want a mature romance that deals with lesbian relationships in a realistic manner. For me, it was so slow-burn as to be aggravating during some parts. It felt like a whole 3 or 4 episodes were dedicated to one of the supporting characters’ unrequited crush on her male teacher. I’ve heard things actually go somewhere in the manga though, so there’s that at least. Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
TV, 2006,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:6
This one was… okay in my opinion. Lots of juicy schoolgirl drama and cute romance but I really wish the ending was different. The two main characters are kind of insufferable to me. Available on Crunchyroll and Tubi.
TV, 2006,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
This is TS yuri (Transsexual yuri). Usually I wouldn’t include this type of thing (most TS yuri caters to fetish rather than actual trans rep) but the transsexual character in question seems happier as a girl than she did as a boy, and fans think that she may have had gender dysphoria all along and is a trans lesbian. The writing isn’t that great and there are some characters who do questionable things but overall it’s pretty cute and worth giving a go.
TV, 2004,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
This one was weird but decent. There’s one r*pe scene so trigger warning— I swear it’s important to the plot though, even if not handled very well. Available on YouTube (for the time being).
Movie, 2021,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
This is the first part of an indie mecha yuri trilogy by animation student AsH, and essentially a one man project. The second and third parts are called Penetrate Blue and Wasure Hoshi no Volicia, and each 20-30 minute episode functions as its own separate story. While the second story is mainly subtext, the first and third and both pretty much explicitly romantic. The first is on YouTube English subbed for free but with the second and third episodes, viewing options are limited.
ONA, 2008,
7 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Incest warning: two sisters. However, it’s unexpectedly wholesome and sweet for being an incest anime. If you can look past the incest part, I recommend watching it. Available on YouTube (for the time being, at least)
TV, 2018,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:5
I don’t remember much about this one. I think it’s the only yuri harem anime that currently exists, though (Edit: Hidan no Aria AA exists too but I only skimmed through that one so as to not waste my time). 3 minutes per episode, you could probably watch the whole thing in half an hour. Available on Crunchyroll.
TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Boobs and seggs and moans and action. It’s a wonder that this escaped being labeled as a hentai. Recommend if you want to see ladies with big boobs fighting each other and turning each other into weapons by doing the deed. It’s an ecchi and very male-gaze oriented but still fun. Available on Crunchyroll and Tubi.
Movie, 2019,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
This was a whole mess, and I enjoyed it. Girl can stop time, other girl can move within stopped time. As a fan of a particular anime that shall not be named the mere premise made me look past its many faults. Messed up characters and mediocre writing but hey, we’ll take what we can get.
TV, 2009,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Two of the main cast are dating and their relationship is super adorable and wholesome. There is one other character who is a drunken p*dophile however, and her antics are a little uncomfortable to watch. Available on HiDive.
TV, 2017,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Two major characters are very obviously dating/into each other and everyone else is gay coded. Very cute, relaxing and heartwarming show. Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Nothing really big has happened yet in terms of yuri but it’s based on a yuri light novel. I’ve heard the LN is a lot better than the anime. Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Chock-full of drama that sometimes makes you want to pull your hair out. Most of the characters are interesting psychologically but not exactly likeable. It was a fun watch though even if a little bit problematic (LOTS of emotional manipulation going on). I still recommend it since the characters do grow and change as the story progresses but I know some people could find it uncomfortable to watch. Available on Crunchyroll.
TV, 2017,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
This one starts slowly and not much happens in the beginning but the last two episodes really pay off. The main couple just about gave me diabetes. Available on Crunchyroll.
TV, 2007,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:5
Melodramatic and sad sci-fi yuri. Not that memorable but worth a watch.
TV, 2012,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
This is a weird ecchi-ish anime without plot. Give it a go if you must.
TV, 2017,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:4
This one is kinda r*pey and not for everyone. A few scenes made me uncomfortable. Half of the characters are trash human beings and not likeable in the slightest. The one thing it does well, however, is its depiction of coming to terms with being a lesbian. Available on Crunchyroll.
OVA, 2010,
2 eps
Me:-
Author:3
This one is r*pey and just bad all around. Can’t recommend it unless you are on a quest to watch every yuri anime in existence like I was when I watched it. I think it’s available on YouTube for the time being.
TV, 2016,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:9
On the surface this one may seem like bait but this is the one “subtext” anime I decided to include purely because of how strong and obvious the subtext is. A couple of episodes deliberately subvert and critique “class S” tropes such as those in MariMite, and if that doesn’t mean Cocona and Papika are gay then the moon isn’t real either. Available on HiDive.
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The yuri starts out as being transactional, an arranged marriage, but it grows into true romance over time. There are some male “crushes” in there, but nothing actually happens with them and the yuri relationship is the main romance of the story. Available on Crunchyroll.
TV, 2012,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
This is another yuri anime where I wouldn’t usually include titles of its sort, as the feelings are mostly one-sided and the yuri is played almost entirely for comedic purposes. However, I am making an exception as the yuri is basically what defines the show. The characters are lovable, the shippings are everywhere and explicitly mentioned in canon (a couple of the characters are shippers themselves!) and the show itself is so cute and funny that I just have to recommend it. Another one of my favorites. Available on Crunchyroll.
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
I wish more of this would get adapted. Cute and funny take on idol and otaku culture. All of the relationships depicted in this show are adorable. However, the main relationship does not progress much as far as the anime adaptation goes. Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
TV, 2004,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:6
The most prominent example of a “class S” anime— a trope where girls in high school develop “romantic friendships” but are expected to “move on to the real world and get a man” once they get older. I’m still putting it here because it’s such an important piece in the history of yuri, and there’s no doubt that genuine romantic attraction exists between a few of the characters. Available on HiDive.
TV, 2014,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Cute and silly little show that relies heavily on stereotypes and tropes but is self-aware and still fun. There is definite romantic attraction between the two leads that (almost) goes somewhere at the end. The manga probably has more content. Episodes are 3 mins long. Available on Crunchyroll.
TV, 2014,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
Anime is gay. Manga is gayer. Yes, there are canon relationships. Unfortunately a lot of the more explicitly romantic content was cut from the show, but I can assure you that what you are watching is gay gay gay. Available on funimation.
TV, 2003,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:6
This was another acid trip. Don’t remember the details all that well as I watched it while recovering from a pretty bad concussion. It was definitely gay, though. Available on Crunchyroll and Tubi.
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:6
There haven’t been any explicit romantic implications as of yet in the adaptation, but it’s based on a yuri LN. Might take this off the list because according to what I know about the LNs their relationship is staying in the subtext area even though the series is about to end. Available on HiDive.
TV, 2024,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:-
According to netizens this is a dumpster fire adaptation of a beloved and well-praised yuri manga. 10 (poorly animated) episodes are out now and there have been not one but two recaps— the final two episodes are on hiatus indefinitely. This is probably due to deplorable working conditions in the studio and the entire animation staff walking out and being replaced midway through production. I have not watched this as I don’t like watching anime before they finish but the general opinion on this one is that you should just go read the manga. It’s like the berserk 2016 of yuri. Insert frowny face here
TV, 2024,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:-
I couldn’t get through it personally knowing these mofos are in middle school… why they couldn’t have made the characters like 5 years older is beyond me. Might take this off the list cause even though it’s not bait it’s straight up phild corn and I don’t feel comfortable recommending it to people
