Mirza Aaqib Beg
Same-sex relationships have been a part of anime stories for a long time. In most shows, we can find one or two characters of the same sex who are in love with each other. Sometimes their portrayal is quite realistic or interesting while other times they are usually used for comic purposes. Since we have already made a list of anime with lesbian characters, now we turn our attention towards anime with gay characters.
33. Banana Fish (2018)
Directed by Hiroko Utsumi, ‘Banana Fish’ is based on the manga series by Akimi Yoshida. It centers on Ash Lynx, who was picked up as a kid from the streets and brought up by mafia godfather Dino Golzin. Currently the leader of his own gang, Ash looks into the curious case of the Banana Fish, a mysterious drug. This makes him a target for Dino, who seems to be after the drug himself and doesn’t want any obstacles in his path.
Meanwhile, Ash develops a strong bond with Eiji, a photographer covering street gangs. When Eija is kidnapped by Dino, Ash searches for a way to rescue him. However, his past with Dino might serve as a hindrance—or will it? A show that treats being gay (Ash and Eiji) as a part of the narrative rather than a stressed element, ‘Banana Fish’ does a good job incorporating homosexuality into its crime genre. You can stream it here.
32. Vassalord (2013)
Production I.G’s ‘Vassalord’ is a Shoujo series that revolves around the theme of vampires and gore. Johnny Rayflo is a local playboy vampire who appears to have an interest in Charley, a cyborg vampire who is often preoccupied with doing the Vatican’s dirty work. When the duo cross paths, they eventually end up having a scuffle. Meanwhile, they also fight a battle with the Unitarian Church which is complicated by their desperate blood cravings. In their hostile circumstances, can the eccentric duo avoid each other?
31. Mirage of Blaze (2002)
Takaya Ougi is an average high schooler who is satisfied with his ordinary life and does not have ambitious goals for his future, except for protecting his best friend. But his life takes a dark turn when the reincarnation of Lord Kagetora, Nobutsuna Naoe, suddenly makes him realize that he is actually a possessor who is supposed to fight the Fuedal Underworld and exorcise evil spirits in the meantime.
Although Naoe awakens Ougi’s latent powers, the latter is still ignorant of his past with Lord Kagetora and appears to have no memories of him at all. But when Takaya’s memories start to return, his dynamics with Naoe take an unexpected turn. ‘Mirage of Blaze’ or ‘Honoo no Mirage’ is an exciting Boys Love anime with supernatural elements that fans of the genre will certainly enjoy.
30. Antidote (2020)
Although Cheng Ke comes from an influential family, he has lost everything and has been pushed to the point that he has to look for his missing possessions in the trash. In one such desperate attempt, he crosses paths with the gang leader, Jiang Yudou, who ends up punching him in the face. This incident may have been just a minor inconvenience, but it turned out to be a pivotal moment in Cheng’s life as the duo ended up forming a symbiotic relationship when they started living in close proximity. Dealing with the shadow of their dark past, the duo are forced to rely on each other. ‘Antidote’ follows Cheng and Jiang as they fall for each other and slowly form an indescribable bond.
29. Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! (2024)
Kiyoshi Adachi is an ordinary salaryman who has yet to lose his virginity despite being 30 years old. For some reason, he somehow gains the power to read people’s minds upon physical contact soon after his 30th birthday. This naturally makes it hard for him to stay in crowded places. One ordinary day, he comes across a handsome man named Yuuichi Kurosawa, who happens to have romantic feelings towards Kiyoshi. When Adachi reads his mind and comes to this realization, it leads to a life-changing experience that brings the duo closer. But are they meant for each other? Feel free to watch the anime here.
28. Given (2019)
Mafuyu Satou is an ordinary high schooler who falls asleep one day in a quiet spot on the gymnasium staircase. When he wakes up, he runs into fellow student Ritsuka Uenoyama, who notices the Gibson guitar in his hand and berates him for not looking after it. Realizing that Uenoyama knows a lot about the guitar, Satou asks for his help to repair it and later learns about the instrument. It marks the beginning of an unlikely friendship between the two. When Ritsuka later hears Mafuyu singing, he realizes that the young man is immensely talented and has the potential to lead his band as a vocalist. ‘Given’ follows Satou as he comes to terms with the demons of his past and slowly finds the purpose of his life. Feel free to watch the anime here.
27. The Stranger by the Shore (2020)
Shun Hashimoto is abandoned immediately by his parents after he reveals that he is gay, which forces him to live alone in Okinawa to fulfill his dream of becoming a novelist. He is captivated by the charms of an ordinary high schooler named Mio, who happens to visit the beach at the same time as him. The duo soon become quite close friends and develop an emotional bond in the following months. But when Mio has to move to the mainland, their relationship comes to an unexpected halt. Three years later, he returns to Okinawa again and confesses his feelings to Hashimoto, not realizing that Shun’s life has changed dramatically in the last few years. ‘The Stranger by the Shore’ revolves around the complicated relationship of these two men who fall for each other but face countless hurdles as they try to stick with one another. You can watch the film here.
26. Dakaichi (2018)
Takato Saijou is an accomplished actor with 20 years of experience under his belt, who has won the Sexiest Man of the Year title for five consecutive years. Naturally, he is quite proud of all his accomplishments and feels that he deserves his success. But when his stardom is suddenly challenged by a young actor named Junta Azumaya, Takato becomes quite envious and jealous. To make matters worse, Junta soon starts taking away lead roles that he feels belong just to him. One day, when Saijou is heavily drunk, Azumaya ends up catching him in his drunken state. Takato complicates things further by engaging in a heated argument full of abuses that are recorded by Junta. Taking advantage of the situation, Azumaya starts blackmailing Saijou in the worst manner imaginable. ‘DAKAICHI -I’m being harassed by the sexiest man of the year’ or simply ‘Dakaichi’ follows the eccentric duo as their hilarious rivalry unfolds in the most dramatic ways possible. Feel free to watch the show here.
25. Sasaki and Miyano (2022 -)
Studio Deen’s ‘Sasaki and Miyano’ is a romantic anime that follows the titular deuteragonist. Miyano’s love life has been pretty ordinary until the day an upperclassman named Sasaki saves his friend from a group of bullies. Although the heroic act generates admiration for Sasaki in Miyano’s heart, things quickly change when the delinquent constantly violates his personal space and continues to make him uncomfortable in myriad ways. This further leads to an encounter where Sasaki learns that Miyano hides the fact that he loves boys who love manga. Interestingly, Sasaki shows interest in reading one or two and ends up liking them a lot. The duo starts to bond with each other over this shared interest and slowly becomes inseparable. The show recounts a heartwarming story of love between its titular characters that fans of BL shows will definitely enjoy. You can watch the show here.
24. Gravitation (2020 – 2001)
Shuichi is a huge fan of the pop star and desperately wants to emulate his success. Therefore, he started his own band, Bad Luck, and even managed to sign a deal with a major recording label. But as the deadline for his album approaches, Shuichi is overcome by anxiety as he is unable to even complete one song. As he looks for inspiration, he runs into a novelist named Eiri Yuki, who tells him that he is not talented at all. Angered by her rude assessment of his skills, Shuichi finishes his songs in the following days, hoping to confront Eiri and prove to her that she is wrong. But he slowly starts to question his own intentions as he realizes that he is not motivated by anger but has instead fallen in love with the novelist following their first meeting. You can watch the show here.
23. Gakuen Heaven (2006)
Despite being an average student, Itou Keita somehow manages to get into the prestigious Bell Liberty Academy. As he arrives at his new school, he tries his best to fit in but is taken aback by the sea of talented students there. Slowly, he starts becoming friends with a lot of students at the school, but his bond with his mysterious classmate, Kazuki Endou, is different. ‘Gakuen Heaven’ follows Keita as he finds his own unique talents while learning to accept himself as he is. Feel free to watch the show here.
22. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi (2011)
‘Sekaiichi Hatsukoi’ is based on a light novel that first came out in 2006. There have been four anime adaptations of the manga. Two are anime series, one is a movie, and one is an Original Video Animation. The protagonists of the anime are Ritsu Onodera and Masamune Takano. Ritsu works as an editor in his father’s publishing company. He is quite good at his job, but still, people think that he has the job because his father is the owner. When he can no longer bear the jealous attitudes of his co-workers, he decides to quit his job and join another publishing company to prove his worth.
He applies for a job in the Marukawa publishing company and hopes to get a position in the literary section. He does get a job in the literary section, but it turns out he has been put in the shoujo manga department. Ritsu wants to resign, but when his boss, Masamune Takano, calls him useless, he stays to protect his pride. Later, Masamune finds out that Ritsu is his old schoolmate who had confessed to him. Now that they are reunited, Masamune vows to make Ritsu fall in love with him again since the latter has become reluctant towards love due to the heartbreak he received at school. You can watch the series on Funimation.
21. Kono Danshi, Mahou ga Oshigoto Desu (2016)
One of the main reasons why ‘Kono Danshi, Mahou ga Oshigoto Desu.’ is on this list is because the anime has potential. For the lovers of shounen-ai, the characters are pretty important, sometimes more than the plot. The manga version has a loyal fan base because of the story and the characters, but the anime adaptation could have done much better. It has only four episodes, everything seems to move too quickly, and it’s hard to get close to the characters. But it’s still a fun show if you are just looking to watch some shounen-ai on the fly. ‘Kono Danshi, Mahou ga Oshigoto Desu.’ has a fantasy theme.
The protagonist, Chiharu Kashima, is a wizard. He is pretty skilled at magic. Chiharu frequents a bar he likes. One day, a man named Toyohi Utsumi approaches him and tells him his love for magic. Later, he confesses to Chiharu that he has fallen in love with him. As time passes, they grow closer and start spending more time together. But Chiharu is afraid that Toyohi is only in love with him since he is a wizard. The anime is available on Crunchyroll.
20. Ling Qi (2016 – 2018)
‘Ling Qi’ follows a young adult named You Keika who dies tragically after his encounter with Tanmou Kei, the highest-ranking exorcist family in China. Eventually, Kei decides to make You his spirit shadow for protection and offers to keep him safe against humans. This marks the beginning of an unlikely alliance between the duo that slowly takes a romantic turn. You can watch the anime here.
19. Descendants of Darkness (2000)
After people die, the responsibility of making sure that people remain in their proper realms falls on the shoulders of Shinigami (God of Death). The 26-year-old Tsuzuki Asato has been working as one for the last seven decades but is not happy as he is stuck in the worst division possible. Although he has always worked alone, things take a dramatic change when defensive 16-year-old Kurosaki Hisoka joins him. As the duo investigates a dangerous serial killer case together, they start forming a deep bond with one another. But if they wish to stay together, then both of them will have to come to terms with Tsuzuki’s dark past. The anime is accessible for streaming here.
18. Yes, No, or Maybe? (2020)
As a newscaster, Kei Kunieda is expected to maintain an amiable personality while at work so that people like him and voluntarily listen to what he has to say. Although he does his job quite professionally, when he is alone, he also likes to curse at others to his heart’s content. Kunieda manages to juggle both sides of his personality quite well until he meets the stop-motion animator Ushio Tsuzuki. As the duo falls head over heels in love with each other, Kei starts to worry about whether or not his partner will be able to handle both sides of his personality. You can watch the anime here.
17. Sukisho (2005)
After falling from the 4th floor, Hashiba Sora loses all his memories. He later meets his new roommate, Fujimori Sunao, who also happens to struggle with a split personality disorder like him. Interestingly, their split personalities are in love with each other, which creeps Sora and Sunao. But because of their relationship, Hashiba gets a chance to look into the past and find some uncomfortable truths about his youth. You can watch the anime here.
16. Super Lovers (2016 – 2017)
Produced by Studio Deen, ‘Super Lovers’ recounts an incestuous relationship between two brothers. Haru Kaidou lives in Japan and is the eldest son of his family. When he receives the news that his mother is on the verge of death, he rushes to Canada, where his mother is staying. It turns out that his mother lied to him about her health just to get him to Canada. She wants Haru to meet his adoptive brother Ren, who is an anti-social kid. Haru’s mother wants him to take care of Ren and make him more social. Since Ren generally closes himself off in front of other people, Haru has a hard time getting to know his brother. But time heals all, and their relationship improves. Haru then promises Ren that they will stay in Japan together after the former has graduated from high school. But Haru gets involved in an accident and loses all his memory. Years later, when Ren arrives in Japan to take Haru up on his promise, Haru does not recognize him. As the story unfolds, the duo ends up forming a taboo relationship that often goes against societal norms. All the episodes are available for streaming on here.
15. Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru (2010)
Primarily focused on the theme of self-discovery, ‘Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru’ is a shounen-ai anime that recounts a heartwarming story of betrayal and friendship. The protagonist, Yuki Sakurai, has the unfortunate ability to see the most painful memory of a person just by touching them. He feels deeply disturbed and confused as to why he has this power. Some people want to harm him for his abilities, while there are others who want to protect him. One day, he is saved by a handsome black-haired man named Luka. Though they have met for the first time, Yuki feels a deeper connection with the man, which eventually helps him find the true purpose of his existence. You can watch the anime on Funimation.
14. Love Stage!! (2014)
Based on a popular shounen-ai manga of the same name, ‘Love Stage!!’ is a rom-com anime. The series has around ten episodes, each with a runtime of about 23 minutes long. Izumi Sena’s entire family is in the show business. His mother is an actress, his father is a producer, and his brother is a rock star. But the only time Izumi was ever in the spotlight was during his childhood when he was in a commercial for a wedding magazine. Though everyone expects him to enter into show business, given his family background, Izumi has no such goals. He instead wants to become a manga artist.
The magazine for which Izumi did the commercial requires the original child actors to be present, and thus he has to go. There, he meets Ryouma Ichijou, who starred alongside Izumi in the commercial. Ryouma is a famous actor now, but he tells Izumi that he has been harboring feelings for him since their first meeting. This is because Ryouma thinks Izumi is a girl due to his feminine appearance and unisex name. But even after finding out the truth, Ryouma can’t seem to stop himself from liking Izumi. ‘Love Stage!!’ is accessible for streaming here.
13. Junjou Romantica (2008 – 2015)
‘Junjou Romantica’ follows the story of three couples. The protagonist, Misaki Takahashi, is an ordinary high school student. He is studying hard for the university entrance exams, which will be held soon. Akihiko Usami, a famous author, happens to be Misaki’s brother’s best friend. So, when he asks Misaki to help him, the latter thinks that it will allow him to take some time off studying, but things turn out differently. Akihiko’s stories have naughty themes, which makes Misaki cringe at first, but later, he starts discovering his naughty side.
The other two couples include Professor Hiroki Kamijou, pediatrician Nowaki Kusama, and Shinobu Takatsuki, as well as Professor You Miyagi. Nowaki has fallen for Professor Hiroki and vows to make him happy at any cost. The latter relationship is a bit on the obsessive side since Shinobu falls for You Miyagi but realizes that he cannot have him. You can watch the show on Crunchyroll.
12. No. 6 (2011)
‘No. 6’ is set in the aftermath of a war. Mankind has now started to reside in the six peaceful city-states that, on the surface, appear to be a utopia. Shion is an elite resident of No. 6. His life changes when he meets a boy named Nezumi, who is from the wasteland outside of the city. Even after learning that the boy is a fugitive, Shion decides to protect him. After being found out, Shion and his mother lose their elite status and are relocated. Shion and Nezumi are reunited after a long time, and they embark on an adventure that is going to unearth many secrets of No. 6.
11. Cardcaptor Sakura (1,998 – 2000)
This anime belongs to the fantasy/magic genre, and it follows the life of a young girl named Sakura. One day, she finds a book filled with cards, and before she can understand anything, the cards are accidentally blown away and scattered all over the world. Later, a beast from the books tells her that the cards are magical and can pose a great threat to the world. She needs to get them back and seal them in the book. The series introduces viewers to a number of gay characters like Toya, Sakura’s older brother, and Yukito, his best friend. All the episodes are accessible for streaming here.
10. Hetalia Axis Powers (2010)
This is a unique anime. It is kind of like a parody of the entire world. The plot is set around World War I and World War II. The countries are personified and given certain characteristic features. For example, Italy loves eating pasta, while Germany is short-tempered and so on. The series is made for comic purposes only and is an attempt to make light of various political and historical events. The character of France is shown to be queer in the show, and the series briefly focuses on his flirtatious nature. You can watch all the episodes here.
9. Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure (2012-)
In 1868 Dario Brando saves Geroge Joestar, an English nobleman. In order to repay Dario for his actions, George decides to give Dario’s son, Dio, shelter after his father passes away. Unhappy with his current situation, Dio decides to destroy the Joestar household and claim everything for himself. He also wields a powerful stone mask. These events set off a rivalry that continues even after decades. Nearly five decades later, the story is continued with George’s great-grandson at the epicenter. The character of Dio is bisexual, and overall, the series has a homoerotic theme. The show is available on Netflix.
8. Hitorijime My Hero (2017)
The life of the hopeless teenager named Masahiro Setagawa changes in unexpected ways when he starts studying at his high school. There, he learns that his acquaintance Kousuke Ooshiba will be his Maths teacher. Interestingly, his former friend Kensuke Ooshiba will also be attending the same school. The protagonist sees his maths teacher as his hero, while Kousuke has the strange urge to protect him. But the dynamics of these three go for a toss when Kensuke’s childhood friend, Asaya Hasekura, starts showing a romantic interest in him. ‘Hitorijime My Hero’ focuses on the drama that unfolds as these high schoolers try to adjust to unexpected twists in their lives. You can stream the series on Amazon Prime.
7. The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window (2021)
Kousuke Mikado is cursed with the power to see spirits as long as he can recall and tries to suppress his ability by wearing glasses. But an eccentric medium named Rihito Hiyakawa has decided that the two of them are meant to be with each other. Because of Rihito’s strange actions, Mikado unfortunately gets dragged into the dark world of spirits and curses. As the duo work together to find solutions to their strange predicament, the circumstances continue to push them toward each other. ‘The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window’ revolves around the eccentric duo as they uncover paranormal mysteries and form a close bond with each other in the process. Feel free to watch the show here.
6. Steins; Gate (2011)
Fans of ‘Steins; Gate’ obviously know why this all-time great sci-fi anime is on this list. Ruka Urushibar, the slim and slender-looking boy, has fooled the entire anime fandom for some episodes because of his looks. Though Ruka is biologically a male, he likes to dress up as a girl and has more feminine characteristics than masculine ones. He shows an active interest in Okabe and constantly questions him whether he has romantic feelings for him as well. You can watch the show on Crunchyroll.
5. Devilman: Crybaby (2018)
Devils need a human host to take form, but a strong-willed human can control them using supernatural powers for themselves. Akira Fudou is timid but decides to help his friend, who asks him to accompany him to a Sabbath to uncover the truth about devils. The party turns violent as devils start decimating everyone. To save his friend, Akira merges with the devil Amon and defeats everyone, becoming a devilman in the process. While the primary theme of ‘Devilman: Crybaby’ is not same-sex relationships, but Ryou Asuka is queer, and he falls in love with Akira. You can watch the show here.
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4. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995 – 1996)
Like several other mecha science-fiction anime, humanity is very close to its downfalls in ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ as well. The only last hope people have is the giant humanoid robots dubbed “Evangelion,” which can be piloted by specific individuals only and are the only ones capable of defeating the angels. Shinji Ikari is pushed into this world of death and destruction, where he must shoulder the weight of saving humanity. While Shinji shows a romantic interest in Asuka and Rei, he also reciprocates Kaworu Nagisa’s feelings. The duo shows an active interest in each other and shares an interesting relationship. You can watch the anime here.
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3. Tiger and Bunny (2011)
Fans of the ‘Tiger and Bunny‘ must obviously know why this show anime is on this list. Yup, Nathan Seymour, the effeminate warrior whose alter-ego is the Hot Fire Emblem. On a number of occasions, he can be seen hitting on men and trying to start an amorous affair. So, the show is not only hilarious with some over-the-top action sequences, but it also focuses on a romantic gay man. ‘Tiger and Bunny’ is accessible for streaming on Hulu.
2. Yuri!!! On ICE (2016)
‘Yuri!!! On ICE’ is a sports anime and is rightly regarded as one of the best in its genre. The series follows the life of Japanese figure skater Yuuri Katsuki, who, after a disheartening defeat, returns to his family house and almost gives up on the sport. His window for bouncing back begins to narrow down, and to add to his woes, he has also put on some weight. But everything changes when a video of him perfectly executing a complicated move previously done by the veteran skater named Victor goes viral. This motivates Victor to reach out to him and become his mentor. The duo eventually has a romantic affair and falls for one another. The anime is accessible for watching Crunchyroll.
1. Doukyuusei (2016)
Unlike most other anime on this list, which has a few gay characters whose affairs don’t necessarily affect the storyline, ‘Doukyuusei’ is a romantic anime film based on the amorous affair between its male duetragonists. Rhito is an A-level student, while Hikaru is a guitarist in a band. Though they walk on completely different paths, fate pulls them together when Hikaru helps Rhito prepare for a chorus. From then onwards, the two regularly spend a lot of time together and eventually develop a romantic relationship. The anime is accessible for streaming here.
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