Victor Nikiforov & Yuuri Katsuki - 'Yuri!!! On ICE'
[ranking: 1]
Yuri!!! on ICE is unique among anime with LGBTQ+ themes because there's no ambiguity whatsoever about the relationship between the two protagonists. After Yuuri Katsuki's figure skating career nearly tanks, his skating idol Victor Nikiforov offers to train him for the upcoming Grand Prix competition. As they prepare for the event, they start falling in love, and their relationship escalates to the point of an on-ice kiss and marriage proposal.
Their relationship is far from perfect, though. Victor can be unnecessarily rude, and Yuuri's anxiety can get in the way of his communication skills. Nevertheless, the two are clearly wild about each other, and committed to dealing with their issues. This makes their relationship feel real without detracting from the overall sense of romance.
Shion & Nezumi - 'No. 6'
[ranking: 2]
Nezumi and Shion come from very different worlds. Nezumi has experienced terrible suffering, watching his entire village burn to the ground and barely escaping with his own life. Meanwhile, Shion has lived a life of privilege and ignorance inside a protected city called No. 6 - the city responsible for Nezumi's tragic past.
When Shion helps Nezumi escape from a conflict, he's stripped of his position and nearly gets captured before Nezumi helps him in turn. From there, the two begin to develop a relationship, slowly falling in love despite their deeply dissimilar backgrounds. Ultimately, their differing views on how to handle the political strife that surrounds them separates them, but their deep love persists.
Michiru Kaiou & Haruka Tenoh - 'Sailor Moon'
[ranking: 3]
It's impossible to mention non-binary relationships in anime without including this couple: Michiru Kaiou and Haruka Tenoh, AKA Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus, respectively. The best thing about their relationship is how obviously in love they are. The two have no qualms about kissing, flirting, and embracing in public.
But Haruka and Michiru are more than just their physical relationship - they also work beautifully together as fellow Sailor Scouts, doing a great job raising the reborn Hotaru along with Setsuna.
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Yukito Tsukishiro & Touya Kinomoto - 'Cardcaptor Sakura'
[ranking: 4]
Yukito Tsukishiro and Touya Kinomoto share one of the most recognizable relationships in the CLAMP universe. The two boys start off as good friends before eventually progressing toward a romantic relationship. They've been attached at the hip from the moment they met, and each considers the other to be the most important person in the world to them. The anime iteration of their relationship can technically be interpreted as platonic, but the manga version is clearly romantic.
Given the manga is aimed at young children, this is especially heartening. No matter what their future orientation might be, kids need non-binary representation. It can help heterosexual kids grow up to be tolerant, while non-binary kids feel validated for their identities.
Hikaru Kusakabe & Rihito Sajou - 'Doukyusei - Classmates'
[ranking: 5]
Doukyusei -Classmates- is one of the few anime movies that actually features a real non-binary relationship, so that alone sets it apart. It follows Hikaru Kusakabe and Rihito Sajou, two boys who start getting to know each other when Sajou needs help practicing for their school's chorus festival.
Through the process of preparing for a musical performance, they begin to develop a relationship despite their very different personalities. Their growing connection allows them not only to learn about each other, but to better understand themselves as they try to figure out what they'll do after high school. This is a touching coming-of-age romance that's well worth the time.
Ymir & Krista Lenz - 'Attack On Titan'
[ranking: 6]
Ymir and Krista Lenz's relationship is one of the best things about Attack on Titan, which is saying a lot given the overall quality of the show. The two bond over their complex hidden histories, throw aside expectations that have been placed on them by others, and devote themselves completely to keeping each other safe and happy. It's a genuinely beautiful relationship that blooms in the midst of chaos and bloodshed.
Early in the Attack on Titan fandom, there was some debate as to whether or not Ymir and Krista were romantically involved, but their relationship was confirmed both by the manga author Hajime Isayama and Krista's voice actor, Shiori Mikami.
Tohru & Miss Kobayashi - 'Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid'
[ranking: 7]
When a nerdy computer programmer named Kobayashi makes a drunken agreement with a dragon, she doesn't expect to end up living with Tohru, a dragon maid who is head-over-heels in love with her. She also doesn't expect to find herself reciprocating that love.
That's exactly what happens in Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid. As the series progresses, the two learn more about each other's lives and grow so close that they act like a married couple. They even start making mutual decisions about the dragon child who has been living with them as if she's their daughter. It's nice to see two women live in domestic bliss, even if one of them is a dragon.
Shion Karanomori & Yayoi Kunizuka - 'Psycho-Pass'
[ranking: 8]
Shion Karanomori and Yayoi Kunizuka are both employees of the Public Safety Bureau, an organization in charge of monitoring whether or not citizens might break the law, and arresting or slaying them before they get to that point. Shion serves as a lab technician, which is a far more prestigious job than Yayoi's position as an Enforcer.
Nevertheless, both of them are stuck in a dystopian environment that neither of them truly feel fulfilled by. They find comfort in a physical relationship with each other. This relationship is never really commented on; instead, it's simply depicted as a small part of their dramatic lives.
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Utena Tenjou & Anthy Himemiya - 'Revolutionary Girl Utena'
[ranking: 9]
Utena Tenjou and Anthy Himemiya are probably the most recognizable lesbian couple in all of anime. Utena's princely behavior includes a strong sense of chivalry, which means that when she sees Anthy treated badly, she must step in and protect her. This leads to a deep friendship between the two girls, which is implied to be romantic in the anime. And it's explicitly romantic and intimate in the movie.
The relationship is a beautiful vehicle for both girls to develop their personalities, as well as for the anime's complex themes of identity and growing up to shine through.
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Shinji Ikari & Kaworu Nagisa - 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'
[ranking: 10]
Shinji Ikari is a depressed teenager tasked with protecting the world from Angel attacks. Unfortunately, Kaworu actually is an Angel, but he keeps that fact hidden from Shinji during their extremely brief relationship. Kaworu's true motives are never fully explored, but the night they spend together is of critical importance to Shinji.
Kaworu actually listens to Shinji discuss his loneliness and uncertainty, showing genuine understanding and concern for him in a way that no one else has ever done. As brief as it is, this relationship is wonderfully complex.
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Shun Aonuma & Saki Watanabe - 'From The New World'
[ranking: 11]
Shun Aonuma and Saki Watanabe's relationship is actually pretty tragic, but that's part of what makes it so interesting. The two boys are childhood friends whose friendship develops into something more, and they date for a while. Shun then abruptly dumps Saki, claiming the relationship is a waste of time.
Shun makes this decision after turning into a Karma Demon, which makes him risky to be around. He puts aside his own feelings for his loved one's safety, which is nothing if not commendable.
Mitsuyo Akechi & Michi Inukai - 'A Centaur's Life'
[ranking: 12]
Mitsuyo Akechi and Michi Inukai are supporting characters and classmates of the main cast of A Centaur's Life. They show up occasionally to either share a laugh with the leads or lightly tease them; they also just so happen to be dating each other.
What makes their relationship so great is actually how unremarkable it is. Nobody in the world of the anime cares that there's a lesbian relationship happening around them - it's just happening. This kind of low-key representation can really help normalize non-binary relationships, and that's a major step forward.
Shuichi Nitori & Anna Sueno - 'Wandering Son'
[ranking: 13]
Shuichi Nitori is a young trans girl who spends most of Wandering Son coming to terms with her identity. In the meantime, she also develops relationships with her classmates. Anna Sueno, her friend and eventual girlfriend, doesn't immediately understand Shuichi's gender identity, but ultimately decides she's prepared to have a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend, and will support Shuichi through her social and medical transitions.
Wandering Son is one of the few anime to actually address the realities of growing up trans, and Shuichi and Anna's relationship is just one of many diverse perspectives shown in this incredible program.
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