Drawn Together: Ten of the Best Representations of Queer People in an Animated Series

Seeing queer people represented in media is crucial for the LGBTQ community, and animation is no exception. We did the work for you and ranked animated series by representations of queer folks, perfect for your winter comfort binge.

Shows were rated using a five-point system (five being the most possible points) within three categories: representation, entertainment, and animation. Since this is a list covering queer representation, that category was weighted for half the overall score.

This is hardly a comprehensive list; there are a multitude of gay, lesbian, and genderqueer characters throughout animation, especially within Japanese anime. However, this is a list of what I consider the most exemplary representation of queer people in animated series.

Without further ado, I present to you the 10 best examples of LGBTQ representation in animated series, in descending order.

Adventure Time (2.1)

Representation: 1 Entertainment: 3.5 Animation: 3

Adventure Time earned its position at the bottom of the list due to the fact that the only queer characters seen throughout the show (Princess Bubblegum and Marceline) share a singular kiss during the show’s finale. Despite there being an implied, romantic relationship between the two throughout the series’ 10 seasons, showrunners and Cartoon Network chose not to confirm nor deny this until their program was already set to end.

The Legend of Korra (2.6)

Representation: 1 Entertainment: 3.5 Animation: 5

Much like the show above, Korra finds itself ranking lower for the same reasons. While there was never a deeper relationship hinted at between the show’s star and her female friend Asami, the show ended with the two walking into the sunset hand-in-hand, and the creators confirmed both were canonically queer after airing. What saved Legend of Korra from receiving the bottom spot? Its unique and absolutely breath-taking animation style, not to mention its gripping plot and exemplary character development.

Sailor Moon (3.3)

Representation: 3 Entertainment: 3.5 Animation: 4

I honestly expected Sailor Moon to be a lot gayer, considering everyone likes to point to it as an example of LGBTQ representation. Queer people, however, can be found in both the original and the remake titled Sailor Moon Crystal. It’s no secret that Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus are lovers, despite the English dub’s attempt to label the two as cousins. Not to mention the steamy romance between the Dark Kingdom’s Zoisite and Malachite, who are both male.

She-Ra and the Princess of Power (3.5)

Representation: 4 Entertainment: 2 Animation: 4

Unlike Sailor Moon, the original She-Ra: Princess of Power did not contain queer characters (to my knowledge). However, the recent Netflix adaptation of He-Man’s female counterpart is chock full of queerness. It scores so high in the representation category because main character Adora is queer herself. Not only is she queer, but her relationship to Catra is integral to the story. She-Ra and the Princess of Power has a cast of colorful and gender-nonconforming characters and is genuinely entertaining.

Attack on Titan (3.7)

Representation: 3.5 Entertainment: 4 Animation: 4

OK, stick with me for this one. I have never seen Attack on Titan make a listicle regarding LGBTQ representation, but I’m here to put a stop to that right now. In one of the latest seasons, the highly suggested relationship between Christa and Ymir was finally confirmed. Throughout the series, there are a multitude of casual intimacies between the two women, and Ymir often expressed a desire to marry Christa. While it’s unlikely that the two will see a happy ending during the show’s final season premiering this fall, that has less to do with the fact that they’re lesbians and more to do with the show’s dark and violent plot.

BoJack Horseman (4.0)

Representation: 2.5 Entertainment: 4 Animation: 3.5

What’s refreshing about this example is that it’s not another lesbian couple (which this list is almost completely comprised of). In fact, the character I’m talking about isn’t even in a same-gender relationship. Side character Todd Chavez is asexual, and not only that, he’s proud of it. This type of representation is so seldomly seen, I would be hard-pressed to find another asexual character in animation, besides Todd’s girlfriend, Yolanda, who is also ace.

Yuri!!! On Ice (4.7)

Representation: 5 Entertainment: 4 Animation: 5

This 12-episode anime follows Katsuki Yuri, a technically proficient men’s figure skater who lacks the confidence needed to score gold, that is, until he’s joined by his coach and world-record breaking skater Victor. But, what makes this story special is the intertwining of love for their sport, as well as each other. Unlike most other anime featuring a gay couple, at no point in this show do characters stress over their ‘atypical’ sexual orientation. Showrunners have said in the past that this show actually takes place in a parallel universe where sexual orientation just isn’t a big deal. Yuri!!! On Ice earns its number-one spot for its cast of queer characters, charming plot, and breath-taking animation which viewers will be surprised to find was not done with CGI.

Castlevania (4.4)

Representation: 4 Entertainment: 5 Animation: 4.5

Netflix’s adaptation of the popular video game series Castlevania scored massive points in all three categories. The show features some of the best voice acting I’ve heard in an animated series. In their latest season, we’re introduced to a vampire coven of powerful female characters, two of which are romantically involved. Also, in Season Three, main character Alucard gets a steamy sex scene with both a man and a woman. Confirming Alucard’s bisexuality shouldn’t have shocked anyone, as the show often hints at a possible throuple consisting of the three main characters, Sypha, Trevor, and, of course, Alucard himself.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Warren Ellis, original creator of Netflix’s Castlevania, has been accused of sexual harassment and abuse.

Revolutionary Girl Utena (4.3)

Representation: 5 Entertainment: 3.5 Animation: 4

Although the characters in this series are never explicitly outed as queer, nor do they directly express their feelings for one another, the romantic undertones and heavily gay-coded characters lands Utena the number-three spot. Most fans, myself included, count main characters Utena and Anthy as bisexual. Both girls engage in deeply romantic behaviors with each other as well as male characters. Beyond that, the series shatters gender norms with Utena acting as the literal knight in shining armor on more than one occasion.

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Steven Universe (4.1)

Representation: 4.5 Entertainment: 3.5 Animation: 4

Overall, many of the characters in Steven Universe can be categorized as LGBTQ because most of the characters are aliens who come from a world entirely made up of female-identifying beings of light. If that’s not enough to get you on board with this one, I don’t know what is. Besides an entire alien race of lesbians, Steven Universe features several gender-nonconforming human characters as well. Many people like to credit this show with the first animated, same-gender wedding, when that honor actually goes to ’90s kid’s show Arthur.

Images courtesy of press kits