From Umibe no Étranger to Wandering Son; 20 Best gay anime to celebrate Pride
Well, if you have still not heard of it, ‘Yaoi’ is a Japanese genre that encompasses storylines with fictional male characters in a romantic relationships with each other while Yuri is focused on female homosexual relationships. Yaoi can be translated as, boys’ love or BL and Yuri translates as girls’ love, both are subcategories of Hentai that feature anime and TV series showcasing the best gay anime of all time. So, if by any chance you have been looking for brilliant anime with a same-sex romantic plot, well what can we say; you have hit the jackpot. Because, we have created the perfect assortment of the best Yaoi, which is a popular subcategory of Hentai.
Before you dive into our list of brilliant best gay anime of all time, you must know Yoai is not the same as Bara which is focused on delivering erotic content for gay audiences. However, it can be considered a mild version of Bara. In this article, we have enlisted only the top 20 best gay anime for you which consists of Yaoi anime and Yuri anime. Trust us, each of them is LGBTQI+ friendly and has a meaningful plot that will definitely keep you hooked.
20 best gay anime or Yaoi of all time with their IMDb ratings
1. ‘Umibe no Étranger’ (2020)
- Also Known as: The Stranger by the Beach, Stranger by the Shore
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
- Running Time: 59 min
- Star Cast: Bryn Apprill, Justin Briner, Jessica Cavanagh
- Director: Akiyo Ôhashi
- Writer: Kanna Kii, Akiyo Ôhashi
- Year of release: 2020
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Crunchyroll and Funimation
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
One of the best gay anime of all time has to be Umibe no Étranger also known as The Stranger by the Beach, Stranger by the Shore. It features stars including Bryn Apprill, Justin Briner, and Jessica Cavanagh. The anime is directed by Akiyo Ôhashi and is written by Kanna Kii and Akiyo Ôhashi. When it comes to the plot, it revolves around the story of Shun Hashimoto who is a gay novelist residing in Okinawa. Watch the anime to witness how he meets Mio Chibana, and a love story begins.
2. ‘Liz and the Blue Bird’ (2018)
- Also Known as: Rizu to aoi tori
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy
- Running Time: 1 hour 30 min
- Star Cast: Atsumi Tanezaki, Nao Tôyama, Miyu Honda
- Director: Naoko Yamada
- Writer: Ayano Takeda, Reiko Yoshida
- Year of release: 2016
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Vudu
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Another gay anime or Yuri we highly recommend is Liz and the Blue Bird. The anime features the best of Atsumi Tanezaki, Nao Tôyama, and Miyu Honda. The 2018 anime series is directed by Naoko Yamada and written by Ayano Takeda, and Reiko Yoshida. When it comes to the plot, this spin-off/sequel of The Sound! Euphonium is based on the novel of the same name and revolves around two high school girls named Mizore played by Atsumi Tanezaki and Nozomi played by Nao Tôyama.
3. ‘Stars Align’ (2019)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama, Sport
- Running Time: 25 min
- Star Cast: Natsuki Hanae, Josh Grelle, Justin Briner
- Director: Kazuki Akane
- Writer: Kazuki Akane, Jessica Cavanagh, Jarrod Greene, Howard Wang
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
We highly recommend watching the 2017 animation drama titled Stars Align. With an IMDb rating of 7.4, it features the best of Natsuki Hanae, Josh Grelle, and Justin Briner. It is directed and written by Kazuki Akane along with other writers including Jessica Cavanagh, Jarrod Greene, and Howard Wang. When it comes to the plot revolves around the story of Toma who is a transfer student played by Josh Grelle. Watch the anime to witness important LGBTQ+-related topics in a sensitive manner.
4. ‘Wandering Son’ (2011)
- Also known as: Hourou Musuko
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama
- Running Time: 25 min
- Star Cast: Asami Seto, Yui Horie
- Director: Ei Aoki
- Writer: Mari Okada, Takako Shimura
- Year of release: 2015
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Another gay anime, we vouch for is Wandering Son also known asHourou Musuko. This 2011 animation drama is directed by Ei Aoki and written by Mari Okada and Takako Shimura. Featuring Asami Seto, and Yui Horie among several others, the anime’s plot revolves around issues and conflicts faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Right from gender identities and gender dysphoria to transgender representations, this show has everything.
5. Hana-Kimi (1996)
- Also known as: For You in Full Blossom
- Anime Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Running Time: 54 min
- Star Cast: Maki Horikita, Shun Oguri, Tôma Ikuta
- Director: Hidetomo Matsuda
- Writer: Shôgo Mutô, Hisaya Nakajô
- Year of release: 2017
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Apple TV
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Hana-Kimi also known as For You in Full Blossom, is another best gay anime we highly recommend watching. The 1996 comedy-drama animation was directed by Hidetomo Matsuda and written by Shôgo Mutô and Hisaya Nakajô. The anime features the best of Maki Horikita, Shun Oguri, and Tôma Ikuta. When it comes to the plot revolves around the tale of Mizuki who is an aspiring athlete. The show also features a number of other serious queer issues.
6. ‘Classmates’ (2016)
- Also Known as: Doukyuusei
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama, Music
- Running Time: 1 hour
- Star Cast: Hideo Ishikawa, Hiroshi Kamiya, Kenji Nojima
- Director: Shôko Nakamura
- Writer: Asumiko Nakamura
- Year of release: 2016
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Classmates, popularly known as Dokyuusei is another best gay anime we recommend watching. The anime is based on the manga called Asumiko Nakamura. Featuring the best of Hideo Ishikawa, Hiroshi Kamiya, and Kenji Nojima, it is directed by Shôko Nakamura and written by Asumiko Nakamura. The plot of the show revolves around the story of Rihito Sajou played by Kenji Nojima and Hikaru Kusakabe played by Hiroshi Kamiya who are classmates who fall in love.
7. ‘Junjou Romantica’ (2008)
- Also known as: Pure Romance
- Anime Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
- Running Time: 24 min
- Star Cast: Kenta Miyake, Mayumi Asano, Daisuke Kageura
- Director: Chiaki Kon
- Year of release: 2008
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Funimation
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Junjou Romantica also known as Pure Romance is another best gay anime. Directed by Chiaki Kon, the show features the best of Kenta Miyake, Mayumi Asano, and Daisuke Kageura. When it comes to the plot, it is a yaoi tale, it revolves around a fascinating relationship between an older man and a younger suitor. It even has a spin-off show called Sekaiichi Hatsukoi: The World’s Greatest First Love released in the year 2011.
8. Ai No Kusabi (1992)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
- Running Time: 52 min
- Star Cast: Hidenari Ugaki, Shigeru Chiba, Show Hayami
- Director: Katsuhito Akiyama, Akira Nishimori
- Writer: Naoko Hasegawa, Rieko Yoshihara
- Year of release: 1992
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Ai No Kusabi is another gay animation that features the best of drama and romance. The 1992 show showcases the best of Hidenari Ugaki, Shigeru Chiba, and Show Hayami. It is directed by Katsuhito Akiyama and Akira Nishimori while written by Naoko Hasegawa and Rieko Yoshihara. The plot revolves around magical realism. It is set on a planet called Amoi. The show features differences between castes and harsh realities.
9. ‘Carole & Tuesday’ (2019)
- Also Known as: Kyaroru & Chûzudei
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama, Music
- Running Time: 22 min
- Star Cast: Miyuri Shimabukuro, Kana Ichinose, Akio Ôtsuka
- Director: Motonobu Hori, Shin’ichirô Watanabe
- Writer: Shin’ichirô Watanabe, Hitomi Mieno, Yasuhiro Nakanishi, Kimiko Ueno, Yuuichi Nomura, Keiko Nobumoto, Aya Watanabe
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Another best anime that’s set in a futuristic reality is Carole & Tuesday also known as Kyaroru & Chûzudei. The 2019 musical animation is directed by Motonobu Hori and Shin’ichirô Watanabe and features the best of Miyuri Shimabukuro, Kana Ichinose, and Akio Ôtsuka. When it comes to the plot, it revolves around two young women named Shimabukuro and Kana Ichinose. Both belong to different backgrounds in the world of music while catering to LGBTQI+ issues. It is available on Netflix to stream.
10. ‘Tokyo Godfathers’ (2003)
- Also known as: Tôkyô goddofâzâzu
- Anime Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- Running Time: 1 hour 32 min
- Star Cast: Tôru Emori, Yoshiaki Umegaki, Aya Okamoto
- Director: Satoshi Kon
- Writer: Satoshi Kon, Keiko Nobumoto
- Year of release: 2003
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Tubi – Free Movies & TV, The Roku Channel, Manga Tv, Pluto TV
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Tokyo Godfathers also known as Tôkyô goddofâzâzu. The adventure animation features themes of LGBTQ+ themes. The 2003 animation is directed and written by Satoshi Kon along with Keiko Nobumoto. Watch the anime to witness the story of three homeless lads in Tokyo on Christmas Eve. The anime features intriguing characters and emotional depth.
11. ‘Bloom Into You’ (2018)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
- Running Time: 24 min
- Star Cast: Brittney Karbowski, Amber Lee Connors, Luci Christian
- Director: Makoto Katô, Shuu Watanabe, Geisei Morita, Masatoyo Takada, Kouhei Hatano, Kana Kawana, Hayato Sakai
- Writer: Jukki Hanada, Nio Nakatani
- Year of release: 2018
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: HiDive
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
For anyone who’s into Yuri or girls’ love, Bloom Into You. The 2018 animated drama features the best of romance. The anime follows a storyline where a high school student named Yuu Koito played by Tia Lynn Ballard. Watch the anime to witness how she meets Touko Nanami played by Luci Christian, the student council president.
12. ‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ (1997)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
- Running Time: 24 min
- Star Cast: Tomoko Kawakami, Yuriko Fuchizaki, Rachael Lillis
- Creators: Kunihiko Ikuhara, Chiho Saitô
- Year of release: 1997
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Funimation
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Released in the year 1997, this highly-rated anime is titled Revolutionary Girl Utena. The anime features the best of Tomoko Kawakami, Yuriko Fuchizaki, and Rachael Lillis. It is created by Kunihiko Ikuhara and Chiho Saitô and features a storyline that focuses on queer issues including bisexuality and feminism.
13. ‘Banana Fish’ (2018)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
- Running Time: 22 min
- Star Cast: Yuma Uchida, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Yoshimasa Hosoya
- Director: Hiroko Utsumi, Kaori Makita, Nobuyoshi Arai, Yuki Nishihata, Daisuke Tokudo, Yui Umemoto, Shinpei Ezaki, Yasunori Gotô, Junichiro Hashiguchi, Naoki Hishikawa, Kiyoshi Matsuda, Jun Shishido, Yasunori Gotô, Kônosuke Uda
- Writer: Hiroshi Seko, Akimi Yoshida
- Year of release: 2018
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
When it comes to the best gay anime, we highly recommend watching Banana Fish. The animation features the best of action and adventure. The plot is written by Hiroshi Seko and Akimi Yoshida, it is set in New York City and features the story of Ash Lynx played by Yuma Uchida, and Eiji Okumura played by Kenji Nojima. The show caters to several queer issues and is available on Amazon Prime Video to watch.
14. ‘Yuri!!! On Ice’ (2016)
- Anime Genre: Animation Comedy, Drama
- Running Time: 20 min
- Star Cast: Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Jun’ichi Suwabe, Josh Grelle
- Director: Sayo Yamamoto, Nobuyoshi Arai, Yasuhiro Geshi, Matsuo Asami Akitsugu Hisagi, Takashi Igari, Takashi Kobayashi, Kaori Makita, Kunihiro Mori, Kyohei Okazu, Yûsuke Onoda, Jun Shishido, Norihito Takahashi, Hirokazu Yamada, Mihiro Yamaguchi, Kyôhei Ôyabu
- Writer: Bonny Clinkenbeaed, Mitsurô Kubo, Sayo Yamamoto
- Year of release: 2016
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Crunchy Roll
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Another best gay anime of all time, that’s worth watching is Yuri!!! On Ice. The 2016 show features the best of Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Jun’ichi Suwabe, and Josh Grelle. It is a highly-rated show that’s written by Bonny Clinkenbeaed, Mitsurô Kubo, and Sayo Yamamoto. When it comes to the plot, the anime revolves around the tale of Yuuri Katsuki played by Toshiyuki Toyonaga, and Viktor Nikiforov played by Jun’ichi Suwabe. Watch the show for an excellent tale of same-sex relationships.
15. ‘Given’ (2019)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama, Music
- Running Time: 23 min
- Star Cast: Jonah Scott, Josh Grelle, Brandon McInnis
- Director:Hikaru Yamaguchi, Yu Kinome, Yûsuke Kamada, Shinichiro Kimura, Noriko Hashimoto, Hiromichi Matano, Yuki Nishihata
- Writer: Natsuki Kizu
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Crunchy Roll
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Given is a 2019 anime that features stars including Jonah Scott, Josh Grelle, and Brandon McInnis. The highly-rated show is written by Natsuki Kizu. The plot of the show revolves around two high school students. The musical will series will definitely keep you entertained with plenty of musical pieces and motivation while catering to emotional and complex LGBTQI+ issues.
16. Steins; Gate (2011)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
- Running Time: 24 min
- Star Cast: Mamoru Miyano, Asami Imai, Kana Hanazawa
- Director: Kazuhiro Ozawa, Kanji Wakabayashi, Tomoki KobayashiKôji Kobayashi, Tomoko Hiramuki, Shigetaka Ikeda, Hisato Shimoda, Hiroshi Hamasaki, Yoshihito Mikamo, Yuzuru Tachikawa, Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, Takuya Satô
- Writer: Jukki Hanada, Toshizo Nemoto, Chiyomaru Shikura, Masahiro Yokotani
- Year of release: 2011
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Hulu, Crunchyroll
- IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
Another anime that we highly recommend watching is Steins; Gate. It features the best of Mamoru Miyano, Asami Imai, and Kana Hanazawa. The 2011 show is an exceptional science fiction anime that features, Ruka Urushibar, who is biologically a male but likes to dress up as a girl and embrace his feminine characteristics than masculine ones. The show is available on Hulu and Crunchyroll.
17. Devilman: Crybaby (2018)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Action, Drama
- Running Time: 25 min
- Star Cast: Kôki Uchiyama, Ayumu Murase, Kyle McCarley
- Director: Masaaki Yuasa, Katsunori Shibata, Takashi Kojima, Kiyotaka Oshiyama, Tomohisa Shimoyama, Keisuke Shinohara, Ayataka Tanemura Tôru Yoshida
- Writer: Bob Buchholz, Ichirô Ôkouchi, Gô Nagai
- Year of release: 2018
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Another extraordinarily interesting anime that we recommend watching is Kôki Uchiyama, Ayumu Murase, and Kyle McCarley starrerDevilman: Crybaby. The 2018 show is one of the best gay anime of all time. The action drama features a plot where devils need human bodies as a host. However, the twist is humans with a strong will can control the devils. Trust us, the show is so much more than just another gay anime.
18. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995 – 1996)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Action, Drama
- Running Time: 24 min
- Star Cast: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi
- Creator: Hideaki Anno
- Year of release: 1995
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Created by Hideaki Anno, Neon Genesis Evangelion is an action drama that features the best of Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, and Kotono Mitsuishi. When it comes to the plot, the highly-rated show revolves around a science-fiction theme that features giant humanoid robots known as ‘Evangelion,’ The iconic anime is available on Netflix to stream.
19. Tiger and Bunny (2011)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
- Running Time: 25 min
- Star Cast: Hiroaki Hirata, Masakazu Morita, Wally Wingert
- Director: Keiichi Sato, Mitsuko Kase, Kouhei Hatano, Kiyotaka Suzuki, Hiroshi Takeuchi
- Writer: Masafumi Nishida, Satoko Okazaki, Tomohiro Suzuki, Yuuta Takahashi, Hajime Yatate, Erika Yoshida
- Year of release: 2011
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Tiger and Bunny is another gay anime with plenty of fans. The beloved show features the best of Hiroaki Hirata, Masakazu Morita, and Wally Wingert. When it comes to the plot, it revolves around Nathan Seymour. Watch the show on Netflix for its hilarious plotline that’s blended with iconic action sequences while serving a gay romance storyline in the most addictive way.
20. Hitorijime My Hero (2016)
- Anime Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
- Running Time: 24 min
- Star Cast: David Matranga, Alejandro Saab, Austin Tindle
- Director: Yukina Hiiro
- Writer: Memeco Arii, Yusei Naruse
- Year of release: 2017
- Where to watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video, HiDive
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Based on a light novel, Hitorijime My Hero features the best of David Matranga, Alejandro Saab, and Austin Tindle. The 2017 show is directed by Yukina Hiiro and written by Memeco Arii and Yusei Naruse. When it comes to the plot, it revolves around romance, success, school, and maths. The highly-rated show is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
The above list of shows caters to a number of LGBTQI+ issues that speak for the community. With a number of unique characters and distinct storylines, these shows are far more entertaining than conventional romantic dramas. So, if you are up for understanding LGBTQ+ issues from their point of view, or you’re a part of the community who is looking for a representative on screen, we highly recommend you to bookmark this page.
