Representation in anime has been growing. Japanese anime and manga have long engaged with themes that traditional media elsewhere were slower to touch, including gender ambuigutiy, queer identities and non-heteronormative romance. In that sense, the medium has always been ahead of the conversation, even when that conversation hadn’t fully formed yet.

But there have been voices calling for more, and over the past decade, you can see anime responding—and we’re not only talking about the now world-famous BL genre Japan gave the world. Alongside explicitly LGBTQ+-themed works, there’s also many queer-coded stories. That ambiguity isn’t a limitation but, in some ways, it’s more true to life. Anime is a site of ongoing, evolving conversation.

Here is our curated list of LGBTQ+ anime.

Check out our article on Recommended Anime Series.

Stars Align

A show that openly portrays darker problems many youth face, Stars Align follows an ensemble of teen boys in a failing tennis club under threat of disbandment. While sports animes often adopt an upbeat tone, Stars Align manages to add a level of depth most other shows in this genre lack. Themes of financial struggle, abuse, gender identity and more is explored with tact. Not only does the show treat each subject with care, its understanding of gender identity through the portrayal of the non-binary identity of Soft Tennis Club manager, Yuu Asuka, makes it so that Stars Align is a must watch on our list.

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Doukyusei (Classmates)

A critically acclaimed piece, it would be a disservice not to mention Doukyusei (Classmates).A sweet story of two odd boys who like each other from the outset, as opposed to a romantic realization as the only destination, the tale of these lovable characters learning to adjust to each other’s quirks and sore spots endears anyone who watches it. The celebrated original manga, which was run in a Boys Love anthology magazine, has since spawned several spin-offs yet to be released in English; showcasing the talent of Asumiko Nakamura, whose intoxicating art and graceful storytelling is beautifully rendered in full motion and color by A-1 Pictures.

Sasaki and Miyano

It may wear its BL label on its sleeve, but Sasaki and Miyano is far from the trope-heavy stories of old. With soft animation, endearing character design and a pace where feelings bloom organically, it’s a love story grounded in mutual respect and self-discovery. What starts as a senpai playfully teasing his kouhai turns into a genuine connection between two boys figuring out how to be themselves in how to express their feelings without shame. No forced drama, no over-sexualized twists—just sweet sincerity in a modern school setting.

Skip and Loafer

While not a story about queerness on the surface, Skip and Loafer earns its spot here through the quiet, confident inclusion of Yuzuki Murashige—a trans woman whose identity is never made into a spectacle. Her character isn’t defined by tragedy or conflict, but instead by her kindness, self-assuredness and the way she uplifts the people around her. The show doesn’t pat itself on the back for including her—it lets her exist, which in itself is refreshing. Skip and Loafer is an example of a small but meaningful step in the right direction for mainstream anime representation.

The Adolescence of Utena

Eclectic and artful, Revolutionary Girl Utena still reigns as the flagship LGBTQ+ anime. The story follows Utena, a newcomer to Ohtori Academy and her fight to defend Anthy, challenging gender expectations while exploring a blossoming relationship between the two characters. Revolutionary Girl Utena is readily available as a show and a movie. While the stories remain the same, we recommend watching the movie as it concentrates the series’ visually tastiest and most thought provoking concepts into a movie-quality rendition.

Antique Bakery

A sweet slice-of-life by critically acclaimed Fumi Yoshinaga, Antique Bakery follows four men working in a pâtisserie. While the anime is a workplace comedy, often centering its stories around the characters and dramatic and comedic encounters, it is also a tale of past traumas and muted realities. As audiences follows the story of these four, one may find that romance is intermingled with the creation and development of pastries. For a relaxed afternoon watch, Antique Bakery is one that will make you thoroughly entertained and intriqued with the life of its characters.

Wandering Son

To date, Wandering Son remains anime’s most explicit exploration of trans identity. The anime brings viewers along on Shuichi and Yoshino’s journeys, from when both of them start to slowly dabble with clothing not conventionally associated with their assigned sex all the way to the realization of being trans. A beautiful story of two youthful souls fumbling and figuring it out, Takako Shimura’s story was lauded for its exploration of gender identity and the emotional storytelling of its young characters. However, it’s worth keeping in mind due to the series’ age it doesn’t always achieve the same vocabulary we’ve since adopted regarding the gender spectrum. Regardless, Wandering Son remains a hard recommmendation for telling a story not often explored in anime.

Banana Fish

Mappa’s stellar and long-awaited anime adaptation. Only a few years old as an anime, Banana Fish made its manga debut in the 80s, quickly achieving insta-classic status and a cult fanbase, in part due to its blunt portrayal of homosexuality at a time not at all common. Explicitly not a boys love manga in spirit, Banana Fish centers around unraveling the mystery of a new, upcoming drug. Amidst the portrayals of gang warfare and drug addiction, a blossoming love takes form between the young gang leader, Ash, and an aspiring journalist, Eichi. On our list for good reason, the anime adaptation modernized a few aspects of the tale and remains lauded in its own right.

Umibe no Étranger (The Stranger by the Shore)

Umibe no Étranger (The Stranger by the Shore) is based on the beloved manga that captured hearts with its poetic atmosphere and raw, vulnerable exploration of identity. While it sits within the “boys love” genre, it transcends typical tropes by offering a deeply grounded look at the internal struggle of self-acceptance and the messy reality of queer anxiety. The story centers on the delicate reunion between Shun, a novelist haunted by the scars of family rejection, and Mio, who returns to the shores of Okinawa with an unwavering declaration of love. Amidst the sun-drenched scenery and the quiet ache of longing, the film captures the friction of Shun’s internalized shame against Mio’s persistence. Umibe no Étranger beautifully portrays the journey of healing from the past and finding the courage to exist authentically.

No.6

More than just a love story, No.6 prides itself on its dystopian story while exploring the deep bond developed by main characters, Shion and Nezumi. Set in the city called “No.6,” the story starts where Shion, raised in the upper echelons of society, aids a fugitive named Nezumi. This cataclysmic event spirals Shion into being relocated to the slums, reuniting with Nezumi to uncover the corrupt secrets behind the elite image of their city. While the anime is a tale that’s more than a love story, the romantic relationship between Shion and Nezumi acts as if a sanctuary amidst the chaos, making No.6 a necessary mention to our list.

The Summer Hikaru Died

Diverging from the romantic stories in this list, The Summer Hikaru Died is a twisted slice-of-life with supernatural elements, bound to send a chill down your spine. After the death of his best friend, Hikaru, Yoshiki finds himself dealing with a supernatural being inheriting his friends body. Having to confront his feelings with the new “Hikaru,” the anime is a slow spiral where Yoshiki deals with denial, a journey confronting his emotions in this spectacular story. The Summer Hikaru Died has an emotional depth alluding to queer issues that many with queer identities find themselves having to make, making it a must-watch on our list.