Anime and manga have come a long way when it comes to representation of diversity. In recent years, the anime industry has significantly improved in terms of LGBTQIA+ representation with the introduction of characters with non-heterosexual orientations and gender identities. As a result, we now have LGBT anime that audiences can relate to in different ways. In this blog post, we will be discussing LGBT anime and what it stands for.
What does LGBT stand for?
LGBT is an acronym used to refer to individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender. The term is used to describe peoples’ sexual orientations and gender identities. In recent years, this acronym has been expanded to be more inclusive of more identities and orientations, such as Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more.
What are LGBT anime?
LGBT anime is a type of anime that focuses on characters who identify as LGBTQIA+. This genre explores themes related to sexuality, gender identity, and romantic relationships. These themes are reflected in the different genres within LGBT anime such as yaoi, yuri, shoujo-ai, shonen-ai, and bara, each focusing on different types of characters.
Yaoi
Yaoi is a genre of LGBT anime that focuses on male-male romantic relationships. The term yaoi is derived from the Japanese words “Yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi,” which translate to “no climax, no point, no meaning.” This genre is aimed at females and explores themes such as emotional connection and romantic entanglements.
Yuri
Yuri is a genre of LGBT anime that focuses on female-female romantic relationships. This genre is similar to yaoi and explores similar themes of emotional connection and romantic entanglements. Yuri, like yaoi, is also aimed at a primarily female audience.
Shoujo-ai and shonen-ai
Shoujo-ai and shonen-ai are genres of LGBT anime that explore romantic themes between characters of the same gender. The difference between these two genres is that shoujo-ai is aimed at a female audience and focuses on female-female romantic relationships, while shonen-ai is aimed at a male audience and explores male-male romantic relationships.
Bara
Bara is a genre of LGBT anime that focuses on male-male relationships targeted to a gay audience. This genre is often characterized by the muscular appearance of the male characters and their sexual relationships. It explores themes of sexuality and romantic relationships.
Why is LGBT representation important in anime?
LGBT representation in anime is important because it helps to promote acceptance, tolerance, and understanding of different sexual orientations and gender identities. It can also help LGBTQIA+ individuals see themselves reflected in the media they consume. Representation can also help to reduce stigma and encourage more people to talk openly about their sexuality or gender identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, LGBT anime has become a significant aspect of the anime industry, exploring themes of gender identity, sexuality, and romantic relationships. The different genres within LGBT anime, including yaoi, yuri, shoujo-ai, shonen-ai, and bara, provide different perspectives on LGBTQIA+ representation. Representation is essential in promoting acceptance and understanding of the struggles and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. As society continues to push towards greater acceptance and inclusion of diverse populations, we can look forward to more LGBT representation in anime and other media.
FAQ
Is there any LGBT anime?
Yes, there are various anime that portray LGBT relationships and themes. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of anime with LGBT characters, reflecting the growing acceptance of diversity and inclusivity in society. From romantic comedies to serious dramas, these anime explore different aspects of queer identity, struggles, and relationships. Here are some popular examples of LGBT anime:
1. Yuri on Ice: This anime revolves around the story of a talented male ice skater who falls in love with his coach, a male former champion. The show depicts their journey to the Grand Prix as they navigate their feelings and societal expectations.
2. Banana Fish: This anime follows the story of Ash Lynx, a young gang leader, and Eiji Okumura, a Japanese photographer, as they try to uncover the conspiracy behind a drug called Banana Fish. The anime portrays their relationship as a complex mix of friendship, love, and trauma.
3. No.6: This sci-fi anime is set in a dystopian world where a utopian city called No.6 exists, but at a high cost. The story follows the protagonist, Shion, who grows up in the city and falls in love with a boy from the slums named Nezumi. The anime explores the political, social, and personal struggles that come with being queer in a rigid society.
4. Wandering Son: This anime depicts the story of two childhood friends who discover that they are transgender. The show explores their struggles with gender identity, bullying, and the different approaches of their families.
These are just a few examples of the many anime that portray LGBT themes. While some anime still perpetuate harmful stereotypes or tropes, many others provide nuanced and positive representations of queer characters and relationships. LGBT anime is a growing genre that offers diverse and authentic stories and experiences.
Is Kakegurui LGBT?
Kakegurui is a Japanese anime series based on Homura Kawamoto’s manga that follows the story of a prestigious school, Hyakkaou Private Academy, that educates the children of wealthy and influential individuals. The anime has gained significant popularity around the globe due to its unique storyline, attractive and detailed animation, and complex characters. However, many viewers have also questioned whether Kakegurui can be considered an LGBT anime due to its portrayal of certain relationships.
At first glance, Kakegurui does not seem to be an LGBT anime. However, as the story progresses, viewers begin to notice that the characters’ relationships are not always purely platonic. In fact, many of the characters develop romantic feelings for their same-sex peers. For example, in the second season of the anime, it is revealed that Yumeko Jabami, the main protagonist, has feelings for Mary Saotome, her former gambling rival, and eventually confesses her love to her. Additionally, some of the other characters, such as Sayaka Igarashi, also develop same-sex attractions throughout the series.
Furthermore, Kakegurui seems to subvert traditional gender roles and stereotypes through its portrayal of its characters. The anime features many strong female characters, who act as both the protagonists and antagonists of the story. The girls at Hyakkaou create their own rules and hierarchy, and their actions and decisions are portrayed as powerful and impactful rather than being influenced or controlled by male characters. This representation is significant for LGBT audiences as it challenges traditional gender norms and highlights female empowerment.
Conclusion
While Kakegurui may not be considered an LGBT anime, it certainly showcases themes and aspects that are relevant to the community. The anime portrays same-sex attractions and relationships, as well as strong female characters, who break traditional gender stereotypes. Therefore, Kakegurui can be seen as a positive representation of diversity and inclusivity in both the anime genre and beyond.
Are there any LGBT characters in Naruto?
Naruto is a popular anime and manga series that has been around since the late 1990s. It tells the story of a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki, who dreams of becoming Hokage, the leader of his village. While the series has a large and diverse cast of characters, it is surprising that there are basically no canonically LGBTQ+ characters in the original Naruto series. However, this changed with the sequel series, Boruto.
Boruto takes place after the events of Naruto and focuses on the next generation of ninja, including Naruto’s son, Boruto Uzumaki. While there are still no openly LGBTQ+ characters in the main cast, the series did confirm that the classic villain Orochimaru is actually genderfluid. Orochimaru is a notoriously enigmatic and powerful villain who has been in the series since the early days. While his genderfluidity may come as a surprise to some fans, it is not entirely out of character for him.
Orochimaru’s genderfluidity is not dwelled upon in the series, and it is not a major plot point. It is also worth noting that Orochimaru is not portrayed as a positive character or a role model in the series. He is a villain, and his actions and beliefs are often reprehensible. However, including a genderfluid character in a mainstream anime and manga series is an important step towards more representation in media.
It is important to note that while Orochimaru’s genderfluidity is a significant step towards representation, it is still the only example of LGBTQ+ representation in the Naruto universe to date. It is also worth noting that the Boruto anime and manga have faced criticism for their lack of diversity in other aspects, such as their treatment of female characters and representation of non-Japanese cultures.
While the original Naruto series has no canonically LGBTQ+ characters, the sequel series, Boruto, includes a genderfluid character in the form of Orochimaru. While this representation is a significant step toward more representation in media, it is important to continue pushing for more diversity in anime and manga, and to critique media that is not inclusive of diverse perspectives.
