40 Anime Characters You Probably Didn't Know Were Queer (Or At Least Queer-Coded)

    A list of queer-coded anime characters that are actually really obvious when you think about it.

    Mychal Thompson
    by Mychal Thompson

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Questionably queer anime characters have graced my television screens since the beginning of time, immediately becoming my favorites. The flamboyant villains, sidekicks in drag, and suspiciously close best friendships always had me guessing to which letter on the rainbow alphabet these iconic characters subscribed.

    It doesn't matter if they're dangling out of the closet, victims of outdated censorship, or part of my unreliable speculation. I stan all these hand-drawn anime heroes for living in their queer-coded truths.

    Here are 40 of my favorite anime characters who are definitely, maybe queer:

    1. Motoko Kusanagi

    Major Makoto Kusanagi seductively staring
    Production I.G / Via adultswim.com

    Ghost in the Shell (1995)

    The full-body cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi is the epitome of badass girl energy. The squad leader of the elusive Section 9 is radiating with so much powerful lesbian energy that even the slightest sexual experience with a man, human, or cyborg is illegal and highly dangerous.

    2. Hange Zoë

    Hange Zoë laughing maniacally
    Wit Studio / Via hulu.com

    Attack on Titan (2013)

    The genderfluid commander is an outright genius, constantly placing themself in harm's way on the front lines of the battlefields, experimenting on monstrous Titans, and leading green soldiers into danger. Everyone in the ranks fears the ambiguity of Hange's diabolical intelligence.

    3. Tomoyo Daidouji

    Tomoyo passionately stares at Sakura
    Madhouse / Via netflix.com

    Cardcaptor Sakura (1998)

    The wealthy fashionista has an obvious crush on her best friend Sakura, providing her with an endless wardrobe of high-end looks that can take down any trifling card spirit. The dedication to Sakura's wardrobe is supposed to cover up the mad love for her best friend, but we see what else you're hiding in that closet, Tomoyo.

    4. Kaworu Nagisa

    Shinji wantonly glances at confident Kaworu
    Gainax / Via netflix.com

    Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

    Right off the bat, the infamous 17th angel of one of the most celebrated anime series was all over main character Shinji in a major way. Mystery, betrayal, and intrigue are at the center of their tumultuous relationship, a perfect recipe for young LGBT love.

    5. Leeron Littner

    Leeron goes full creep on Kamina
    Gainax / Via netflix.com

    Gurren Lagen (2007)

    Get past the campy stereotypes and live for the versatility of the world's best mechanic, pink eyeshadow and everything. They have all the tools for the trade and make it very clear there are no hidden fees when they're finished tuning up your neglected parts.

    6. Yoruichi Shihōin

    Yoruichi glares upon the battlefield
    Perriot/Viz Media / Via hulu.com

    Bleach (2004)

    Ignoring the fact she transforms into a deep-voiced, androgynous kitty cat, the sassy ninja is a fully formed sexual being with immeasurable fighting talent and speed. Every Soul Reaper, high school student, and monstrous hollow beast in this series wants a piece of this feline fantasy.

    7. Sailor Neptune & Sailor Uranus

    Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus join the battle alongside their fellow heroes
    Toei Animation / Via hulu.com

    Sailor Moon (1992)

    These "cousins" were not-so-secret lovers, but America wasn't in the '80s. Once the planets finally aligned, the canonical story behind their genuine relationship came to light, and now we can celebrate their celestial love officially.

    8. Light Yagami

    Light quietly ponders with his eyes and closed and legs crossed
    Madhouse / Via netflix.com

    Death Note (2006)

    Writing down all the names of bullies who wrong you in a cute, little diary with your gothic grim-reaping best friend is how most queer backstories begin. Death Note gave us death drops and a handful of clues with this brooding little bad boy and his deadly burn book.

    9. Utena Tenjou

    Utena embraces the beautiful Anthy Himemiya and stares into her eyes
    J.C. Staff / Via rightstufanime.com

    Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997)

    Every character in this anime is oozing a little taste of LGBTQ energy, but the pink-haired titular queen is a sword-fighting prince who can give any schoolboy a run for their money. In the end, she wins the hand of her Rose Bride and puts the competition to shame.

    10. Homura Akemi

    Madoka anxiously hovers over a pinned Homura
    Shaft / Via netflix.com

    Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)

    She's the definition of a ride or die. The little magic girl first appears in the series' hero Madoka's apocalyptic nightmare and eventually becomes a self-destructive obsession for her female counterpart. It sounds a lot like my first few queer relationships.  

    11. Alois Trancy

    Alois prepares to lick Ciel's earlobe
    A-1 Pictures / Via hulu.com

    Black Butler (2008)

    He's a crystal-blue-eyed beauty with a tragic past and complicated future but at one point goes as far as to join bodies with series protagonist Ciel Phantohive physically. Two little rich pretty boys with a grudge entering each other's bodies are peak queer energy.

    12. Zarbon

    Zarbon angrily flexes at his rival Vegeta
    Toei Animation / Via funimation.com

    Dragonball Z (1989)

    The fallen prince of a beautiful alien race lives to serve the evil warlord Freiza while serving the most laid green hair in the entire universe. Every element of Zarbon, from his designer thigh-high stockings, shimmering silver circlet, and final monster form, screams queen.

    13. Toya Kinomoto & Yukito Tsukihiro

    Yukito passionately stares at Toya holding a dessert treat
    Madhouse / Via netflix.com

    Cardcaptor Sakura (1998)

    Not even a watered-down English dub from the '90s could hide the true love between these high school heartthrobs. Rejecting all advances and attention from anybody else, especially the girlies of the Cardcaptor universe, these boys were always two of a kind and meant to be together.

    14. Suì-Fēng

    Suì Fēng victoriously prepares to wrap arms around Yoruichi's neck
    Perriot/Viz Media / Via hulu.com

    Bleach (2004)

    She's a prime example of a coded anime lesbian. The spicy swordfighter is grossly obsessed with anything and everything related to her female superior, Yoruichi. Sure, on the surface, it looks like the harmless idolization of a friend, but between the thinly drawn lines, we know what she wants, what she really, really wants.

    15. Near

    Near creepily stares into the distance with wide eyes
    Madhouse / Via netflix.com

    Death Note (2006)

    When one little twink fails, another twink prevails. When Near's barefoot successor couldn't cut it, this baby-faced silver fox takes the reins and shows everyone that he is not here to play games unless it involves lots of toys and wordplay.

    16. Whis

    Whis gushes over a delicious dinner spread
    Toei Animation / Via hulu.com

    Dragonball Super (2015)

    He's a member of a powerful race of "Angels" with the sole purpose of training the Gods of Destruction into mastering their destructive energy capable of destroying entire universes. Is this not the logline of the revolutionary hit FX show Pose (2018)? 

    17. Fried Justine

    Fried happily cries over the presence of his idol Laxus
    A-1 Pictures / Via hulu.com

    Fairytail (2009)

    The lightning-hot leader of the Thunder God Tribe is a wizard who will end anybody if they even look at his beloved idol Laxus the wrong way. His choice of magic is reading mages for filth and giving them death stares.

    18. Major Alex Louis Armstrong

    Armstrong poses shirtless in a shower of red roses
    Bones / Via netflix.com

    Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)

    Nothing impresses this muscle-bound daddy more than a nice firm pair of pectorals and biceps. He's a gentle giant who packs a mighty punch and sees stars when in the presence of brute strength.

    19. Schrödinger

    Schrodinger playfully holds his tail in front a shower of glass shards
    Gonzo / Via hulu.com

    Hellsing (2001)

    He's a mischievous, little werewolf, but it's not all his fault. He was made this way by an evil Nazi scientist. He's a favorite of the Major, treated like a can-do-no-wrong puppy. The little cub is a real kissass who's always looking for a moon to start howling.

    20. Jakotsu

    Jakotsu obsessively stares at Inuyasha
    Sunrise/Viz Media / Via hulu.com

    Inuyasha (2000)

    As the most fashionable member of the troublesome Band of Seven, Jakotsu puts all other baddies to shame in the demon-infested feudal Japan. His apparent obsession with getting rough with series hero Inuyasha clearly shows he knows his type and will do whatever it takes to snag the cute, demon doggy boy.

    21. Escargoon

    Escargoon pulls a bag of potato chips off his head
    Studio Sign/Studio Comet / Via 4Kids TV

    Kirby: Right Back at Ya!

    He's a grumpy snail who is loyal beyond reason for his robe-wearing boss, King Dedede. He might move slow, but he goes as far as dressing up in drag so Daddy Dedede can practice marriage proposals on him.

    22. Nonon Jakuzure

    Nonon pouts as her minions cower in fear behind her
    Trigger / Via netflix.com

    Kill la Kill (2013)

    She's a loyal member of the Student Council's ruthless Elite Four, walking around dressed as an adorable little drum major. We know what beat she's rocking to as she extremely hates everyone except her oldest friend, the big bad witch of the series, Satsuki.

    23. Haku

    Naruto meets a well dressed and smiling Haku
    Perriot / Via netflix.com

    Naruto (1999)

    With a relaxed perm, the icy shinobi follows his mentor Zabuza into battle without even a single blink. At one point, his androgynous beauty even spellbinds the unmovable Naruto, and I aspire to this level of ninjutsu magic.

    24. Kagura Mikazuchi

    Kagura pulls back with sword in hand ready to attack
    Perriot/Viz Media / Via hulu.com

    Fairytail (2009)

    The stone-faced femme fatale leads her all-female wizard guild as the master of badassery with her trusty katana "Archenemy" at her side. She plays for the girl team and scores a massive kiss on her rival Erza's lips.

    25. Kanji Tatsumi

    Kanji awkwardly straddles a version of his shadow self to the ground
    AIC A.S.T.A. / Via amazon.com

    Persona 4: The Animation (2012)

    The joke, the innuendo, and awkward moments between Kanji and all his friends are enough evidence for me to make a rash judgment and claim him for the community. He is a resident bad boy with many secrets and has experience with keeping one of his worlds a mystery.

    26. Syazel Aporro Granz

    Syazel viciously grins at his opponent's demise
    Perriot/Viz Media / Via hulu.com

    Bleach (2004)

    Homeboy can beat the breaks off any Soul Reaper that crossed his path in the weirdest ways, but he's truly known for keeping a beat face and an unmatched charm. It's never clearly stated, but based on his questionable fighting technique and fantastic sense of fashion — it's safe to say he's team queen.

    27. Asami Soto & Avatar Korra

    Korra and Asami prepare to enter a fight with a handful of  bandits
    Studio Mir/Perriot / Via netflix.com

    The Legend of Korra (2012)

    She's a brilliant girl boss heiress with an electric touch of the world's most advanced industrialist company. Not a person around could resist the CEO energy she was putting down, including Avatar Korra.

    28. Mr. Popo

    Mr. Popo joyfully smiles at his friends
    Toei Animation / Via funimation.com

    Dragon Ball Z (1989)

    If you ignore his unmistakable offensive character design, he wasn't all that bad in the early days of the Dragon Ball series. Mr. Popo serves as a clean freak and worrywart "assistant" of the gentle Guardian of Earth.

    29. Zoro

    Zoro screams while carrying Marine officer Tashigi across the room
    Toei Animation / Via hulu.com

    One Piece (1999)

    Zoro is a pirate-hunting daddy with an eyepatch and a whole boat full of swag. Throughout his endless quest for booty, he's constantly avoiding the female pirates' woos and whims, which makes him either really focused or fair game for the scallywags.

    30. Illia Amitola

    Illia is penned to the ground by her best friend turned enemy
    Rooster Teeth / Via roosterteeth.com

    RWBY (2013) 

    Initially tasked with capturing the woman she loves for the White Fang terrorist group, she joins forces with her unrequited girl crush, knowing that how she feels will never be reciprocated.

    31. Grell

    Grell coyly smiles at their unsuspecting enemies
    A-1 Pictures / Via hulu.com

    Black Butler (2008)

    The deadly scarlet-haired grim reaper hid in plain sight until it was time for their big reveal. Grell is constantly flirting and flaunting their customized scythe to intimidate everyone around them.

    32. Alluka Zoldyck

    Alluka blankly stares at brother while he's on the phone
    Madhouse / Via netflix.com

    Hunter x Hunter (2011)

    Alluka has a complicated relationship with her family as her father and brothers refer to her by different pronouns than what she prefers. Her identity and expression are her truth, and everything about her, including the mysterious creature possessing her body, is not to be messed with.

    33. Atsuko Jackson

    Atsuko trustingly leans closer as Michiko surrenders
    Manglobe / Via crunchyroll.com

    Michiko & Hatchin (2008)

    She's a brown sugar outlaw with a score to settle with fugitive and old rival Michiko while constantly battling complicated feelings that get in the way of achieving her ultimate goal. It's a long game of will-they-won't-they cat and mouse, and this natural-haired beauty is on the prowl.

    34. Jaken

    Cute little demon Shippo is disgusted by a pouting Jaken
    Sunrise/Viz Media / Via hulu.com

    Inuyasha (2000)

    Every dangerous demon swordsman needs a sassy green, pint-sized sidekick. He never leaves his master's side even after death, and it's obvious there's a little more of a demonic minimum wage paycheck keeping this gay Gazoo's loyalty close and personal.

    35. Ryuk

    Ryuk's emptily stares while Light Yagami plots beside him
    Madhouse / Via netflix.com

    Death Note (2006)

    I might be reaching on this one, but I think homeboy can catch what I'm putting down with that crazy arm length. He never leaves home without his The Crow (1994) makeup, constantly biting into fruit and getting pleasure from being an extra-dimensional entity whose lifeforce is sucking the energy of others.

    36. James

    James debuts his beauty ballerina disguise
    OLM, Inc. / Via pokemon.com

    Pokémon (1997)

    I'm not trying to label Jamesy Boy, but he walks around with a giant R on his chest, so would it hurt to apply another letter to this man like capital G? Either he's in the most confusing open relationship with his partner-in-crime Jesse, or the only feline James can tolerate is Meowth. Flaming Moltres.

    37. Chizuru Honshō

    Chizuru embraces her friend Orihime a little too closely
    Perriot/Viz Media / Via hulu.com

    Bleach (2004)

    Her open and flamboyant nature begs the question, what students at Karakura High School have Chizuru successfully courted in the past? There's no way she struck out with the entire senior class with her vibrant energy.

    38. Mako Mankanshoku

    Ryuko unsuspectingly carries a helpless Mako
    Trigger / Via netflix.com

    Kill la Kill (2013)

    She starts as best friends with heroine Ryūko, but experiencing enough dangerous situations can bring you closer together, as with most love stories. By the end of their adventures, they have their official first date.

    39. Orochimaru

    Orochimaru reveals his long reptilian tongue
    Perriot / Via netflix.com

    Naruto (1999)

    Not all representations can be loveable heroes. This dirty little snake queen is pure evil yet manages to never miss a day at the Hidden Leaf Village hair salon to get his hair and nails done before a showdown.

    40. And lastly, Frieza

    Frieza clenches his fist with rage
    Toei Animation / Via funimation.com

    Dragonball Z (1989)

    The evil emperor of Universe 7 spent most of his life destroying planets and conquering alien races. Still, when he meets Goku, he must use every secret lewk in his arsenal to go toe-to-toe with the Super Sayian monkey daddy hero of the series. 

    Do you agree with my favorite queer-coded anime characters list or did I bark up the wrong tree? Let's talk about it.