LGBTQ representation is rather complicated in anime and manga. Though the yaoi and yuri genres exist and have helped pave the way to normalizing LGBTQ identities, many series are considered fetishistic and written for the straight female or male gaze. Some people have reclaimed the genres somewhat, while others aren't big fans of them.
Fortunately, some manga artists have also done their parts to include this kind of representation in non-yaoi/yuri titles. The famous group CLAMP has never really cared about gender in love, and Sailor Moon notably has an out lesbian couple. In general, LGBTQ representation in anime and manga has slowly made strides and is now making its way further and further into the mainstream.
Obviously, an author also doesn't necessarily have to be a member of the community to include this kind of representation or tell a good story, but it's difficult to pinpoint specific stories that aren't just yuri or yaoi. Earlier this year, CBR offered recommendations for Pride month focussed on this kind of manga, but it's never a bad thing to continue to uplift LGBTQ stories throughout the year. With that in mind, here are some important LGBTQ manga you should take a look at.
Claudine
Claudine is a manga by the prolific Riyoko Ikeda, who also published The Rose of Versailles and Dear Brother. The Rose Of Versailles and Dear Brother are also manga that explore LGBTQ themes, with The Rose Of Versaille's Lady Oscar breaking gender roles and Dear Brother being a tragic drama with multiple gay women. However, Claudine is revolutionary for featuring one of the first transgender protagonists in manga. The manga follows the protagonist, Claude, as he comes to terms with his gender identity and falls in love with multiple women throughout his life.
Claudine, unfortunately, is a product of its times. It's not perfect -- it ends in tragedy and, well, the title of the manga is Claude's dead name. However, most of Claude's family tends to support his identity, and the manga doesn't treat Claude's circumstances and demise as an inevitability but rather, a fault of society. Though it's definitely an uncomfortable read, Claudine is still a part of manga's LGBTQ history. It can be read via Seven Seas Entertainment.
Our Dreams at Dusk
Our Dreams at Dusk was previously mentioned in CBR's pride month recommendations, but it's still an extremely important manga to talk about. The mangaka, Yuhki Kamatani, is openly asexual and X-gender. Yuhki Kamatani frequently explores LGBTQ themes (notably with Yoite in Nabari no Ou as well as their other work, Shonen Note), but Our Dreams at Dusk is heavily based on their personal experiences.
The protagonist, Tasuku Kaname, is about to take their own life after being forcibly outed -- until he is "saved" by a woman who calls herself "Anonymous." Anonymous then introduces Tasuku to a community with individuals similar to him, and Tasuku slowly learns to accept himself. Only four volumes long, Our Dreams at Dusk has both beautiful, metaphorical art and a heartfelt story leaving a lasting impact -- which is why it's one of the most recommended LGBTQ manga in the West. Our Dreams at Dusk was brought to the West by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Until I Meet My Husband
Until I Meet My Husband hasn't been translated into English just yet but it's absolutely a title to keep on a lookout for, which is why it's on this list. Until I Meet My Husband is a manga illustrated by Yoshio Tsuzuki that focuses on gay activist Ryosuke Nanasaki's life. Nanasaki wrote a variety of essays detailing his experiences with being a gay man, and the manga follows various events that shaped Nanasaki into who he is today.
The untranslated text can be read here for free from the official source, so flip through the pages while you're waiting for an official translation.
Love Me For Who I Am
Love Me For Who I Am's art makes it seem like a moe manga, but the manga actually delves into some serious subjects. Love Me For Who I Am, by Kata Konayama, starts with one of the main characters, Tetsu Iwaoka, inviting his loner classmate Mogumo to work for his family's maid cafe. The maid cafe caters to a specific niche, employing only "girly boys." However, Mogumo tells Tetsu that he shouldn't assume someone's gender because of their presentation. Mogumo is actually nonbinary and causes the cast to reflect on their assumptions about gender.
Though the manga mostly focuses on Mogumo, other supporting characters are LGBTQ -- including a trans girl, a lesbian and a gay couple. Don't let the cutesy art fool you; Love Me For Who I Am does have some humorous and lighter moments but ultimately has a serious storyline with various people attempting to understand what it means to be nonbinary and confronting their inner prejudices. Love Me For Who I Am is licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Sweet Blue Flowers
Sweet Blue Flowers is by Takako Shimura, who frequently explores LGBTQ themes in her work. Her most famous work is Wandering Son, but Wandering Son's ending is rather controversial due to the treatment of the character Yoshino. Wandering Son is still considered a popular LGBTQ manga nonetheless but Sweet Blue Flowers is another coming-of-age story that should be paid attention to.
Sweet Blue Flowers follows two protagonists, Fumi and Akira, who are recently reunited childhood friends. The two attend high school and build various relationships, but Fumi's first love has secretly always been Akira, though she comes out to Akira and dates a senior before Akira finds out. Sweet Blue Flowers is a sweet romance that many will enjoy. It is localized by Viz Media.
Blue Flag
Blue Flag, by mangaka KAITO, seems like a generic love triangle at first glance. Taichi has always felt inferior to his popular friend Touma, and thus keeps his distance as they approach their senior year. Then, a quiet girl named Futaba admits her love for Touma and asks Taichi for his help in winning Touma over. Taichi avoids Futaba at first, but the two soon become closer. However, a surprising twist threatens their blossoming romance, and Taichi realizes he definitely doesn't know Touma as much as he thought he did.
One criticism of Blue Flag is that the manga's conclusion ends up feeling rushed, but Blue Flag is still an extremely important manga. It's an LGBTQ manga that deals with being outed and homophobia -- and was published in Weekly Shonen Jump, one of the biggest, most popular manga magazines, catering mostly to young boys. For such a title not to be marketed as yaoi and make it into the pages of such a major magazine shows the strides that LGBTQ media is slowly making. Some of Blue Flag can be read on Jump's Manga Plus app, while Viz Media is localizing and releasing its printed volumes.
