Top 12 Best LGBTQ Manga
LGBTQ works in manga are classified as either yuri (a term for lesbian-related content) or yaoi (a term for gay-related content). This article will provide you ... read more...with a list of the ten best LGBTQ manga that you should read.
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Riyoko Ikeda, who also published The Rose of Versailles and Dear Brother, created the manga Claudine. The Rose of Versailles and Dear Brother are two other manga that deal with LGBTQ issues, with The Rose of Versailles' Lady Oscar breaking gender stereotypes and Dear Brother being a tragic drama featuring multiple gay women. Claudine, on the other hand, is groundbreaking for featuring one of the first transgender protagonists in manga. The manga follows the protagonist, Claude, as he struggles with his gender identity and falls in love with several women over the course of his life.
Unfortunately, Claudine is a product of her time. It's not perfect; it ends in tragedy, and, well, the manga's title is Claude's deceased name. Nonetheless, the majority of Claude's family supports his identity, and the manga treats Claude's circumstances and demise as a fault of society rather than an inevitability. Though it's an unsettling read, Claudine is still a part of manga's LGBTQ history. It is available for reading at Seven Seas Entertainment.
Author: Riyoko Ikeda
Original run: January 15, 1978 – January 29, 1978
Status: Completed
Volumes: 1
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Claudine-Riyoko-Ikeda/dp/1626928916
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Our Dreams at Dusk was previously mentioned in CBR's recommendations for Pride Month, but it is still an extremely important manga to discuss. Yuhki Kamatani, the mangaka, is openly asexual and X-gender. Yuhki Kamatani frequently explores LGBTQ themes (most notably with Yoite in Nabari no Ou and Shonen Note), but Our Dreams at Dusk is heavily based on their personal experiences.
Tasuku Kaname, the protagonist, is about to commit suicide after being forcibly outed – until he is "saved" by a woman who goes by the name "Anonymous." Tasuku is then introduced to a community of people who are similar to him, and he gradually learns to accept himself. Our Dreams at Dusk, which is only four volumes long, has both beautiful, symbolic art and a heartfelt story that leaves a lasting impression, which is why it's one of the most recommended LGBTQ manga in the West. Seven Seas Entertainment is selling Our Dreams at Dusk.
Author: Yuhki Kamatani
Original run: March 6, 2015 – May 23, 2018
Status: Completed
Volumes: 4
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Dreams-Dusk-Shimanami-Tasogare/dp/1642750603
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"Until I Meet My Husband" is a boys' love manga that explores the themes of loneliness, love, and self-discovery. The story follows the life of Sakuma, a young office worker who feels unfulfilled and disconnected from the world around him. One day, he meets a mysterious man named Kira, who is unlike anyone he has ever met before. Kira is charismatic, confident, and seems to have everything figured out.
As Sakuma and Kira grow closer, they begin to confront their own fears and insecurities. Sakuma struggles with his own self-worth and his inability to find fulfillment in his work and personal life. Kira, on the other hand, is hiding a dark and painful past that he has never shared with anyone. Through their relationship, Sakuma and Kira learn to accept themselves for who they are, and find the courage to face their past and embrace their future. The manga is known for its emotional storytelling, complex characters, and beautiful artwork.
"Until I Meet My Husband" has gained a following among LGBTQ+ readers and fans of boys' love manga, due to its positive representation of same-sex relationships and its exploration of themes that are relevant to many people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Author: Ryousuke Nanasaki
Original run: December 2016 - October 8, 2020.
Status: Completed
Volumes: 6
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Until-Meet-My-Husband-Manga/dp/1638581622
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The art in Love Me For Who I Am makes it appear to be a moe manga, but the manga actually delves into some serious subjects. Love Me For Who I Am begins with one of the main characters, Tetsu Iwaoka, inviting his loner classmate Mogumo to work at his family's maid cafe. The maid cafe caters to a specific demographic by hiring only "girly boys." Mogumo, on the other hand, tells Tetsu that he should not assume someone's gender based on their appearance. Mogumo is actually nonbinary, which causes the cast to reconsider their gender stereotypes.
The art in Love Me For Who I Am makes it appear to be a moe manga, but the manga actually delves into some serious subjects. Love Me For Who I Am begins with one of the main characters, Tetsu Iwaoka, inviting his loner classmate Mogumo to work at his family's maid cafe. The maid cafe caters to a specific demographic by hiring only "girly boys." Mogumo, on the other hand, tells Tetsu that he should not assume someone's gender based on their appearance. Mogumo is actually nonbinary, which causes the cast to reconsider their gender stereotypes.
Author: Kata Konayama
Original run: June 1, 2018 – March 5, 2021
Status: Completed
Volumes: 5
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Me-Who-Am-Vol/dp/1645054675
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Takako Shimura's yuri manga series "Sweet Blue Flowers" is written and illustrated by her. The plot revolves around two high school girls, Fumi and Akira, who were childhood best friends but have since grown apart. Fumi is dealing with the fallout from her recent breakup with her girlfriend, while Akira is grappling with her own feelings for a close friend.
As the two girls reconnect and explore their own emotions and desires, they become entangled in the complicated web of relationships and emotions that exists among their classmates and friends. The manga, which deals with themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery, has gained popularity among yuri and LGBTQ+ manga fans. Beginning with the November 2004 issue, "Sweet Blue Flowers" was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine Manga Erotics F, published by Ohta Publishing. The series had eight volumes in total, with the final volume released in Japan in December 2013.
The manga was also adapted into an anime series, which aired from July to September 2009 in Japan. The anime, directed by Kenichi Kasai and produced by J.C. Staff, closely follows the events of the manga.
Author: Takako Shimura
Original run: November 2004 – July 2013
Status: Completed
Volumes: 8
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Blue-Flowers-Vol-1/dp/1421592983
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At first glance, Blue Flag by mangaka KAITO appears to be a generic love triangle. Taichi has always felt inferior to his popular friend Touma, and as they approach their senior year, he keeps his distance. Then, a quiet girl named Futaba confesses her love for Touma and requests Taichi's assistance in winning Touma over. Taichi initially avoids Futaba, but the two quickly become friends. A surprising twist threatens their blossoming romance, and Taichi realizes he doesn't know Touma as well as he thought.
One common criticism leveled at Blue Flag is that the manga's ending feels rushed, but Blue Flag remains an extremely important manga. It's an LGBTQ manga about being outed and homophobia, and it was published in Weekly Shonen Jump, one of the biggest and most popular manga magazines for young boys. The fact that such a title was not marketed as Yaoi and made it into the pages of such a major magazine demonstrates the progress that LGBTQ media is slowly making. Blue Flag is available on Jump's Manga Plus app, and Viz Media is localizing and releasing printed volumes.
Author: KAITO
Original run: February 1, 2017 – April 8, 2020
Status: Completed
Volumes: 8
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Flag-Vol-1/dp/1974713016
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"I Think Our Son Is Gay" is a yaoi manga series that explores themes of acceptance, love, and family. The story follows a family of four: the parents, their teenage son, and his older brother. The parents begin to suspect that their younger son may be gay, and struggle with how to come to terms with his sexuality and support him.
As the story progresses, the family members each confront their own fears and prejudices. The father, who initially struggles to accept his son's sexuality, begins to see the importance of supporting his son and learning more about the LGBTQ+ community. The older brother, who initially worries about how his friends will react to his brother's sexuality, comes to accept and love his brother for who he is.
The manga is known for its positive representation of LGBTQ+ characters and its exploration of the complexities of family dynamics. It has gained a following among fans of yaoi manga and LGBTQ+ readers, who appreciate its emotional storytelling and its message of acceptance and love. "I Think Our Son Is Gay" was first serialized in the Japanese manga magazine Gush, published by Kaiohsha, starting from the April 2018 issue. The series ran for a total of 5 volumes, with the final volume released in Japan in August 2021.
Author: Okura
Original run: August 16, 2019 – February 21, 2023
Status: Completed
Volumes: 5
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Our-Son-Gay-01/dp/1646090926
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She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat is a food-oriented, slice-of-life manga created by Sakaomi Yuzaki and distributed in English by Yen Press about two adult neighbors whose friendship over sharing delicious food begins to blossom into something more. Nomoto has always found that the kitchen is the best place for her to unwind, but she frequently ends up making far more food than she can eat alone. An impromptu dinner invitation to her neighbor Kasuga sparks a friendship based on their shared love of food and flavor that blossoms into something much more over time.
While She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat is considered yuri in the mainstream, the characters' ages and the maturity of their relationship expand the boundaries. What develops between them is a romantic and emotional relationship that goes far beyond a physical and sexual connection. The manga creator has even used the characters and their likenesses in charity events to promote same-sex marriage legalization in Japan.
Author: Sakaomi Yuzaki
Original run: January 8, 2021 – present
Status: Ongoing
Volumes: 3
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/She-Loves-Cook-Eat-Vol/dp/1975348826
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"Boys Run the Riot" is a manga created by Keito Gaku that tells the story of Ryuuji, a high school student who is struggling to find his place in the world. After meeting Jin, an androgynous person, Ryuuji becomes interested in fashion and begins to explore his own gender identity. The manga deals with themes of acceptance, gender identity, and self-expression, and has gained a following among fans of LGBTQ+ manga and fashion.
The manga was first serialized in Monthly Shonen Jump, a Japanese manga magazine published by Shueisha, starting from May 2020. The series is ongoing and two tankobon volumes have been released in Japan as of September 2021. The manga has also been licensed for English release by Kodansha Comics, with the first volume released in North America on June 29, 2021. One English volume has been released as of September 2021, with the next one scheduled for December 2021.
Author: Keito Gaku
Original run: January 27, 2020 – October 14, 2020
Status: Completed
Volumes: 4
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Boys-Run-Riot-Keito-Gaku/dp/1646512480
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The story begins with the young Misaki Takahashi's mediocre school results. The latter aspires to attend Mitsuhashi, a prestigious university. That is why his older brother, Takahiro, assigns him to his friend, the famous writer Akihiko Usami, as a tutor. Misaki then discovers that Akihiko has secretly loved his brother for years and writes sulfurous Boy's Love novels, the main characters of which are none other than Usami himself and Misaki's brother. Misaki, who is initially scandalized and angry, will gradually get to know his tutor better.
Takahiro announced his marriage to Manami Kajiwara, his fiancée, on Takahiro's birthday. Misaki then becomes enraged at her brother, feeling sorry for the heartbroken Usami. Misaki then weeps for Akihiko, whom she sees in her heart. Usami's love changes as a result of Misaki's sensitivity.Author: Shungiku Nakamura
Original run: April 30, 2002 – present
Status: Ongoing
Volumes: 27
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/JUNJO-ROMANTICA-Yaoi-Shungiku-Nakamura/dp/1598167197
Image via https://www.amazon.com/ 
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Kou Yoneda's yaoi manga "No Touching At All" was written and illustrated by him. Shima, a young man who has recently started working at a new company, is the protagonist of the story. When he first meets his new boss, Togawa, he is smitten. He soon learns, however, that Togawa is openly gay, and he begins to doubt his own feelings and desires.
Shima and Togawa become closer as they face the difficulties that come with being in a same-sex relationship in a society that is not always accepting. The manga, which deals with themes of love, identity, and acceptance, has gained popularity among yaoi and LGBTQ+ manga fans.
"No Touching At All" was first serialized in the Japanese manga magazine Canna, published by Printemps Shuppan, starting from the May 2008 issue. The series was later released in tankobon format, with one volume released in Japan in June 2009. The manga has also been licensed for English release by Digital Manga Publishing, with the first volume published in North America on February 16, 2011. As of September 2021, the manga is out of print in English.
Author: Kou Yoneda
Original run: 2007 – 2008
Status: Completed
Volumes: 1
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/No-Touching-At-All-Yaoi/dp/1569701857
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"Bloom Into You" is a yuri manga series that explores the complexities of romantic relationships and personal identity. The story revolves around Yuu, a high school student who is pursued by Nanami, the confident and beautiful student council president. As Yuu and Nanami become closer, they both confront their own fears and insecurities about love, relationships, and their own identities.
The manga is known for its emotional depth, nuanced characters, and beautiful artwork. It has gained a following among fans of yuri and LGBTQ+ manga, who appreciate its positive representation of same-sex relationships and its exploration of themes that are relevant to many people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. "Bloom Into You" was first serialized in the Japanese manga magazine Dengeki Daioh, published by ASCII Media Works, starting from the April 2015 issue. The series ran for a total of 8 volumes, with the final volume released in Japan in September 2019.
Author: Nio Nakatani
Original run: April 27, 2015 – September 27, 2019
Status: Completed
Volumes: 8
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Bloom-into-You-Vol-1/dp/1626923531
Image via https://www.amazon.com/ Youtube Channel: Shibuya Café
