LGBT characters in mainstream anime/manga

[EmanGr]

Hello Everyone!

So, I was watching some new western movie trailers, and I noticed an increased number of lgbt characters! That's great!
Then, I thought what if there were mainstream anime and manga (like Naruto), with sexually diverse characters. But, not strictly shounen-ai/yuri or romance/harem/etc, just that (serious) gay/bi characters exist. We watch an anime, and even though we ship homoerotic relationships, it's almost certain that all characters are straight. It's a shame though, because some characters could be gay... like Sasuke or Sai from Naruto, who never showed romantic interest in any girl. And, when they exist, most of the time, they're exceptionally feminine, comic-relief characters, like Emporio Ivankov from One Piece.

What do you think?

There are mainstream gay animes.
There's a few airing right now - isn't that swim club about gay characters?

Antique Bakery's about as gay as it gets without sex... plenty of gay-male mangas coming out of japan... I should probably go get some names but I'm not the current expert.

As I said in the last thread on the same topic, there aren't any as popular as naruto - but asking for that is wondering why there's no gay series as popular as Game of Thrones or the Avengers movie. They're some of the hottest products right now, comparing to them is always going to lead to disapointment.

As for full LGBT characters, I think there's plenty of traps in anime which the japanese consider much the same thing in their culture of cross-dressing. The whole 'its okay - when I'm wearing a skirt, I'm a girl' angle isn't quite as we see it in the west but give it time.

[EmanGr]

I'm not asking for mainstream gay animes, I know plenty of them already.

I'm just wondering if it's going to happen, what are the consequenses. The point being that Japan isn't as progressive as some think, but it's a different culture, with different taboos. Family is valued, so straight couples being the core of the society, are more important.

Now, in the west (Europe, Usa), two people of the game sender can create a family, it's geting more and more acceptable in many countries/states. That's why, in my opinion, media reflect this "change" and progress.

I'd like to see If other people are just as disapointed about that (because we love Japan), what do they think about current lgbt characters (most are "traps", and that's saying something, like in the west many lgbt characters are horrible stereotypes, no diversity).

I agree with you, and I'm aware of all that and I understand that time is required for something like this. Heck, even in the west things aren't much better in some countries! And don't get me started on mid-eastern countries and africa...

[kido]

Eh ... I can think of a handful in anime I seen.
Card Captor Sakura had like, one or two of them last I can recall ( The dub edited it out), in Tomoyo is a Lesbian. Sakura's brother is actually Bisexual, towards Yukito. Who ... I thinks is gay as well? According to others at least. -Shrugs-
Dragon Ball had the Villain General Blue.
Yu Yu Hakusho had Itsuki for Sensui If I'm correct ...

Hetalia had Sweden to Finland ... No, that is canon the last I heard and not in the anime, Spain did half assed propose to South Italy who just demanded 3 meals a day in return or something ( Not checking my source on this one as I just 'heard' about it a few years ago ). So if this is true, they are at least, Bi. I think EVERYONE is Bi in that series though.

Rurouni Kenshin had that Kamatari guy who is transgender ( A trap ) with feelings for Shishio.
Shingeji no Kyojin, Ymir is a Lesbian, will feelings for Krista ... especially in the manga.

Oh yeah, in Bleach there is Chiziru XD. Soi Fong to, although this is debatable.
Sailor Moon Sailors Uranus and Neptune are canon.

Now, what isn't Mainstream, there are A lot of other characters who are Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Transgender, or a Trap ... A lot ...

On another note, its not Mainstream but Wandering Son ... Just ... Wandering Son.

[EmanGr]

Wow! So many! Thank you kido, that's really interesting and enlightening. It's very nice to know that the presence of lgbt characters is not just for comic relief! <3

[kido]

No problem, I am always, or usually most of the time on the lookout for characters of this sort. Sadly, they usually do get played for comic relief most of the time at first.
If I find anymore, I'll post them here or such later on.

[Aeshiryzen]

The Varia Sun Guardian in Reborn is gay.

[Mazead]

I did not know varia was gay


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