The streaming service is no stranger to LGBTQ content. Over the years, Netflix has made its platform one of the main centers of queer representation. Numerous shows and movies deal with very real and believable LGBTQ stories in various genres here.
Anime as a medium is a great way for teenagers and older generations to enjoy great content with gay characters and characters whose backstories, personalities, and actions inspire viewers. Whether you're interested in watching anime about a queer romantic relationship or want to watch a manga adaptation of your favorite story, Netflix will satiate your needs.
Do keep in mind that streaming availability may vary from country to country. Gay anime distribution is notorious for its region-locked content and you may have to use a VPN or an alternative streaming service to watch some of these queer shows.
That doesn't mean you should shy away from them, as the streaming giant Netflix has found a way to acquire the rights for content to suit everyone's needs, queer stories and characters included. Without further ado, here's what you should watch on Netflix when it comes to feature anime.
Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
Neon Genesis Evangelion is an animated series that shaped an entire generation of gay viewers back in 1995 when it first aired. The series falls into the mecha anime genre and follows Shinji Ikari, a young boy who is detached from his father. Evangelion is a philosophical anime with big ideas and ambitions which cemented its status as animated art among its fans even to this day.
When it comes to gay representation, Evangelion was quite revolutionary for its time because its LGBTQ characters are subtle, nuanced, and human before anything else. Kaworu Nagisa is a boy pursuing a gay romantic relationship with Shinji, our main protagonist.
A major plot point of Neon Genesis Evangelion revolves around the queer chemistry and connection between these two teenagers. Even though Kaworu makes his entrance into Evangelion proper fairly late in the show's first season, the latest films adaptation of NGE dubbed "Rebuild of Evangelion" upped his role to the main character status.
“The fact that you have a place where you can return home, will lead you to happiness. That is a good fact.” – Kaworu Nagisa
Kaworu isn't "in your face queer" nor is he pursuing romance for the sake of bodily connection. He genuinely loves Shinji and is one of the best queer characters to come out of the 90s anime.
Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Cowboy Bebop is a western sci-fi animated series that follows a ragtag crew of bounty hunters traveling the galaxy in the "Bebop", their trusty spaceship. Imagine walking down a rainy alleyway, following shady characters, while jazz music plays in the background, and you've got yourself the atmosphere of Cowboy Bebop.
While the show successfully follows the tropes of western and cowboy movies which inspired it, its true gem lies in Ed - a non-binary queer individual who joins the crew halfway through the first season. This marks a major plot point in the show, as the main characters meet Edward and are struck by their quirkiness, energy, and positivity.
Ed is a hacker who comes from Earth and they are especially fond of Ein, the crew's resident pet puppy. There has been quite a discussion surrounding Ed and their gender and identity over the years. They are an important part of the anime pop culture around the world and within the LGBTQ community. When asked about the gender of Radical Ed, Cowboy Bebop's creator Shinichiro Watanabe said in a 2017 interview: "I wanted to create a character that surpasses humanity."
In many ways, he was right, as the entire series deals with the idea of "being who you want to be" regardless of where you come from, or who you were before. Its characters are zany, nuanced, full of life, and most importantly - serve as a great source of positive inspiration for LGBTQ anime fans around the globe.
The 2021 live-action Cowboy Bebop adaptation went a step further with its LGBTQ representation as the production crew cast a non-binary actor, Mason Alexander Park to play the role of a non-binary, Gren, in the show's first season. You can watch both the original series and its 2021 live-action adaptation on Netflix right now.
Introducing Cowboy Bebop's Gren @MasonAPark ? Revolutionary as the original anime was, the vocabulary we have today for LGBTQ+ people didn't quite exist when it aired. For the upcoming live action adaptation, the character is being reimagined as nonbinary with a nonbinary actor. pic.twitter.com/D6E4qC2Sgj
— Most (@Most) November 19, 2020
Ouran High School Host Club (2006)
The Japanese anime industry is world-renown for the sheer volume of series which deal with students and their daily lives. Ouran High School Host Club is a 2006 production by Studio Bones which follows Haruhi Fujioka, a student in the Ouran Academy who, through a series of quirky events, joins a school's club.
High School Host Club is a deep anime series that deals with a lot of the phobia and stigma surrounding LGBTQ and queer culture in Japan, and it wears that fact on its sleeve. While it is a parody and high school students' comedy, it treats each of its high school students with care and respect. Haruhi Fujioka frequently cross-dresses into a male, considering herself equal parts male and female.
Contrary to many anime series, this one deals with queer romance in a very open way. One good example is Kyouya and Tamaki, a couple of friends who are "only friends" but their friendship extends beyond that in subtle gay ways.
While outwardly appearing as a straight man, Kyouya harbors queer feelings for Tamaki and vice-versa, however in very tasteful and nuanced ways. The interpretation of the relationship between the two characters is left to the fandom who can decide for themselves how to understand their comments, allusions, and hints toward one another.
“If you keep on hiding your true feelings, who is going to be happy? If you are sad you should say it out loud!”
— tachi? (@tachitheweeb) September 20, 2021
-Haruhi Fujioka
anime: Ouran High School Host Club#OHSHC #Anime #Haruhi
Haruhi's father Ryoji is likewise frequently dressed as a female and many viewers consider him a trans woman, although it is not clearly stated in the show itself whether and how queer he is. The reason for this is is that Host Club is a parody, not a drama or a thriller that would take its leads more seriously. Whether Ryoji is a trans woman or a cross-dresser is beside the point - what matters is how you and other fans perceive it as you watch.
As such, High School Host Club is a great time if you're looking for a gay anime series with lighthearted queer stories and queer characters, look no further than this one. It's a great entry for individuals exploring their queer sexualities and who enjoy doing so by watching great queer anime on Netflix.
Q Force (2021)
Q Force doesn't come from Japan and is an American series produced by NBC Universal. The series deals with queer characters who are international superspies. They operate as Q Force, which stands for "Queer Force", as they put their skillsets and traits front and center in each mission they undertake.
Q Force is a comedy animated show in the vein of Final Space and Disenchanted but places queer stories and representation front and center. The relationships between the main characters are put to the test when a straight man joins Q Force, disrupting the status quo.
Many would say that Q Force is far less tasteful and subtle than some of the series we've covered in the list so far. But, it does feature characters and relationships from all around the LGBTQ community and handles them courageously.
I highly recommend #QForce but only if you're looking for something light, LGBTQIA-friendly. It's packed with stereotypes and predictable plots but I don't think it's purpose was to be something profound. Anyways, more opinions on things to come. pic.twitter.com/S436zcQl61
— Cirũ wa Phase 13 (@BreeWanjiru) January 21, 2022
Its bite-sized 10 episodes season is a quick watch that will spark a few laughs and give you a good time on a weekend. Q Force however isn't finished yet so the story may leave you wanting more queer content. Regardless, check out Q Force on Netflix's website when you have some time to spare and see for yourself how the streaming giant managed to pull off a queer-centric spy comedy anime in 2021.
She Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
She Ra and the Princesses of Power is one of the best examples of a Western anime series with strong women and yuri elements that wears its lesbian relationships and stories as a badge of honor. She Ra and the Princess of Power is a reboot of a 1985 series of the same name.
The new series makes radical changes to its storytelling and interactions, making a lesbian relationship between two women a central plot element. While some would say that a relationship between the two main girl protagonists may not be important to the overall plot, the show's writers and producers begged to differ.
"This is She Ra! To have the culmination of her arc be this lesbian love plot is a big deal! And I understood that. But I also felt that it was really important." - Noelle Stevenson, showrunner of She Ra on Netflix
The story of She Ra focuses on Adora, one of the people living under the evil Lord Hordak on the planet Etheria. Throughout the show's five seasons, Adora goes through extensive growth both as a warrior princess and as a girl in love with her close friend. Her life is explored in very gentle and approachable ways, allowing everyone to fully enjoy her development.
She Ra is a very good anime for girls who are coming to terms with their own sexualities and may be confused about the world. It is a testament to the fact that Western animation is capable of producing great pop culture content without devolving it into queer stereotypes, memes, or larger-than-life caricatures. Make sure to check out both the new She Ra, as well as the She Ra of the same name from 1985 and compare the two for the best viewing experience.
