Utena Tenjou and Anthy Himemiya (Revolutionary Girl Utena)Īs Kunihiko Ikuhara’s flagship title after his time directing seasons of Sailor Moon, the award-winning Revolutionary Girl Utena is memorable for several reasons, one of which being the nuanced and mystifying lesbian relationship between the eponymous Utena Tenjou and the Rose Bride, Anthy Himemiya. Here’s our list of some standout lesbian and gay couples in anime and what they do to present positive and healthy portrayals of homosexual romance. Now, we’re shining a spotlight on canonical homosexual relationships in anime and how they signified progression in LGBTQ+ anime storylines. We’ve covered several iconic LGBTQ+ characters in the past, including thoughtful transgender representation in the form of Lily Hoshikawa from Zombie Land Saga and the cast of Hourou Musuko. Johnson, Harvey Milk, and Laverne Cox have been and continue to be pillars of inspiration in the LGBTQ+ community, but there are plenty of fictional heroes in our favorite anime who continue to inspire us as well. People of all identities and sexualities, whether they’re loudly out of the closet, reservedly in, or anywhere in the middle, are encouraged to honor the struggles that have been made, rise above prejudice and social injustice, and be proud of who they are. During the month of June, we celebrate LGBTQ+ pride.
