Here Are 18 Lesbian Anime That I Really Recommend You Start Watching ASAP

Forget queer-coded anime shows — we're going full-on lesbians here!

Anime can be confusing sometimes. Many shows are known to be queer-coded, but they don’t have explicit LGBTQ+ content; some tease a queer relationship, but it’s not that relevant to the story… It’s a hard life. But forget all that, because among the countless anime shows that we have, there are many that are a joy for queer eyes. And since I’m a lesbian and watching lesbian content is mainly what I do in my free time, I know a few of them. Here are the best ones I’ve come across.

1. Sweet Blue Flowers

https://J.C.Staff / Via crunchyroll.com

You know how they say that you never forget your first love and that friendship lasts forever? Well, both are true in Sweet Blue Flowers’ tender and beautiful story. They were best friends in elementary school, but life tore them apart. What happens when they find each other again in high school, both changed but deep down still the same? All about softness, first loves, and gentle emotions with this one.

You can stream it on Crunchyroll.

2. Revolutionary Girl Utena

https://J.C.Staff / Via crunchyroll.com

This one’s a real classic. A mix between Rose of Versailles and Neon Genesis Evangelion, with the add-on of a super badass female protagonist, Utena. I’m not gonna lie — this is a weird show. It’s full of strange settings, sexual innuendos, and a lot — really, a lot — of symbolism. But that’s only a small part of what makes it great! If we count the warrior girl who wants to be brave just like the prince who saved many years before and a somewhat defenseless schoolmate in need of her aid, it has everything we need.

You can stream it on Crunchyroll.

3. Strawberry Panic!

Madhouse / Via amazon.com

Yuri plain and simple. Not much to say about this one except the fact that if you love this genre, you’ll love the show. It’s still in a school, and it’s still about teenage girls, as most lesbian anime are. In addition, there is a mysterious and charming popular girl, the so-called "Etoile," who seems to take an unexpected interest on the new girl, Nagisa. Between new feelings, first relationships, and a bit of mystery, this is one of the best Yuri anime you’ll find.

You can digitally buy episodes on Amazon.

4. Bloom Into You

Troyca / Via amazon.com

Another day, another romance. But I’m sure you’ll find this one particularly enlightening. This is not a story about love — it is rather a story of a young girl obsessed with love stories and songs and trying to find that feeling she heard so much about. It’s a dulling realization, the one that gets ahold of her when one of her classmates declares his love for her. So she starts a new school afraid that she only knows the concept of love, not love itself. But the beautiful student council president might be there to change it.

You can stream it on Hidive.

5. Destiny of the Shrine Maiden

TNK / Via amazon.com

Tired of the same sappy and cute love stories? Then Destiny of the Shrine Maiden might be the right choice for you. Because together with the timeless bond that Himeko and Chikane share, some good fantasy tricks are here to revive the party. A village, two girls who share a birthday, and the powers of evil against the ones of the priestesses. And yes, you guessed it — they end up having to save the world.

You can stream it on Hidive.

6. Sakura Trick

Studio Deen / Via amazon.com

OK everyone, raise your hand if you don’t love the friends to lovers trope. No one? I thought so. Which is why Sakura Trick is a cult classic in its own little world. Reflecting on the subconscious, relationships, and friendships, it follows two high school best friends who slowly discover that their feelings toward one another may mean something more. One word of caution: Don’t like Yuri? Skip this like there’s no tomorrow. It may be a sweet story, but it’s still fan service plain and simple.

You can stream it on Hidive.

7. Canaan

P.A. Works / Via amazon.com

Guns, explosions, superpowers, and investigator girlfriends fighting some unknown masked man? Canaan is a real gem, and not just because it’s super aesthetically pleasing. Between the action, the settings, and the music, it’s a real pleasure to watch. But if you’re looking for one of those Hollywood-like cliché action stories, only with lesbians in it, then you can stop looking. And don’t mistake the title: While it references the Old Testament, there’s very little of a promised land in this fight.

You can stream it on Hidive.

8. Noir

ADV Films / Via crunchyroll.com

Two assassins, one who took it as a full-time job and one who doesn’t remember she has the skills to be one. They meet in Paris and team up when they start to sense that something from their past brought them together. Do I need to say more? While Noir, referring to the duo’s code name, starts off quite slowly, it will catch your attention until the very end. Do yourself a favor and give it a chance. You won’t regret it!

You can stream it on Crunchyroll.

9. Mysteria Friends

Cygames Pictures / Via crunchyroll.com

How about some magic? At Mysteria Academy, men, gods, and demons learn it while battling each other. Of course, Anne and Grea, two of the academy’s students, are the exception to the rule. Many people will tell you that this is a side story in the anime series’ Shingenki no Bahamut universe, and that as such, it’s actually not quite good. But if you have no interest for the grand scheme and are here to enjoy the relationship between Anne and Grea, an excellent adventure awaits.

You can stream it on Crunchyroll.

10. Riddle Story of Devil

Diomedéa / Via amazon.com

Boy, anime really love to go all out on assassins. Here’s another story that features yet another academy. But I’m never really getting tired of this, so it doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that out of 12 assassins on a task to kill their angel-like classmate Haru, Tokaku suddenly feels drawn to her and vows to protect her at all costs. We’ve heard it before, but I know you just might watch it regardless.

11. Kakegurui

MAPPA / Via netflix.com

I can’t be the only one who’s obsessed with this. Kakegurui made quite a reputation for itself since it recently gained a lot of popularity, even though it ended like five years ago. Anyway, just to put a twist on that academy trope I was mentioning before, the show features a school that teaches gambling alongside math and science. To prepare the students for the real world, of course. But what happens when Yumeko and her deranged gambling style join the games?

You can stream it on Netflix.

12. Adachi and Shimamura

Tezuka Productions / Via amazon.com

If we’re talking about love stories, Adachi and Shimamura is one of the most classic ones. Literally. Forget action and fantasy, drama or sexual innuendos. As the most known tales often go, the show is the slow discovery of love between two friends who spend all their time together. One of those that goes “Everyone knows they’re in love except those two”. And of course, the catch is always the same: Their feelings can either change their lives or tear them apart.

You can digitally buy episodes on Amazon.

13. Whispered Words

AIC / Via amazon.com

This particular show is going to hit right home if you’ve ever experienced one-sided love. It’s what happens to poor Murasame, first of her class and top of her school, who’s in love with her classmate Kazama. Joke’s on her, because Kazama actually likes girls but has never noticed the former’s feelings. It could be a very accurate description of that useless lesbianism thing that Tumblr’s always talking about. Anyway, if you have an afternoon to spare, this might be good to know.

14. Princess Principal

Actas / Via amazon.com

If you’ve gone through the last couple suggestions thinking, Can we go back to the action, please?, then I’ve got good news for you. Set in a 20th-century dystopian London, the show follows a group of agents, all very gay, on a secret mission for the Commonwealth of Albion. Don’t let the title mislead you: It might remind you of some school girl Yuri, but it’s actually a very good action piece full of women and lesbians. Everything in this is just…*chef’s kiss*.

You can stream it on Hidive.

15. El Cazador de la Bruja

Bee Train / Via amazon.com

OK, I know an anime with a Spanish title is not that common, but it might have to do with the fact that the show is mainly set in Mexico (again, not that common). The story? It could have well been a Nicolas Cage action movie had it been made in the States. Thank god we have lesbians here: Bounty hunter Nadie is on a mission to find murderer suspect Ellis, who also happens to be amnesiac. After a series of curious events, they embark on an adventure to find the mysterious eternal city of Wiñay Marka.

16. Ms. Vampire Who Lives in My Neighborhood

Studio Gokumi / Via crunchyroll.com

Honestly, this list wouldn’t have been complete without lesbian vampires, am I right? Ms. Vampire Who Lives in My Neighborhood is a really weird story, almost as much as the title sounds. For starters, Akari sets out on a mission to find a girl who is rumored to be a vampire living in the forest, then she is saved by the girl, who turns out to be a very modern vampire who orders blood online instead of attacking humans. And this is just the beginning. And yes, no need to say it, but it is a better love story than Twilight.

You can stream it on Crunchyroll.

17. Konohana Kitan

Lerche / Via crunchyroll.com

If I had to name a show that actually left me speechless, it would be Konohana Kitan. Still a love story, still between lesbians, but this time the surreal setting is the mysterious world of spirits. Yes, you heard that right. Yuzu is a fox girl who starts to works as an attendant at the Konohanatei Inn. While getting to know her new colleagues, Yuzu learns to love the magical world around her and also her uniqueness. A real fairy tale that you won’t be able to stop watching.

You can stream it on Crunchyroll.

18. Asagao to Kase-san

Zexcus / Via amazon.com

And allow me to end the same way we started: With two young girls in love, discovering the feelings they have for each other. Nothing new here, but the show is so well done that it actually got much higher ratings even by watchers who don’t usually like these stories. Like me, for example. Two girls, two opposite characters who meet and discover that their differences actually bring them closer together. Seriously, what’s not to love?