Netflix serves a vast global audience, including the LGBTQ+ community. However, mainstream media often misrepresents or stereotypes LGBTQ+ characters. Fortunately, Netflix offers a selection of anime that genuinely portrays LGBTQ+ stories with respect and depth.

In this article, we’ll introduce 10 of the best gay and lesbian anime on Netflix, along with a step-by-step guide on how to stream them online or download them for private offline viewing—no restrictions, no interruptions.

Part 1: Our Criteria for Selecting the Best Lesbian Anime.

We’ve always felt that mainstream films don’t do justice to the LGBTQ+ community. They often portray us in ways that feel more like caricatures than real people, leaving out the depth and authenticity we deserve. So, what makes an anime with lesbians truly great? For me, it goes far beyond just having characters from the community. A great LGBTQ+ anime is about genuine storytelling, emotional depth, and characters that feel real. Here’s what I look for in a standout anime:

Authentic & Well-Rounded LGBTQ+ Characters

LGBTQ+ people aren’t one-dimensional, and we definitely shouldn’t be portrayed as jokes or stereotypes. What I love most about an LGBTQ+ anime is when it shows characters that feel whole, with lives and identities that are fully realized. These characters shouldn’t just be defined by their sexuality—they’re complex, like anyone else. I want to see all kinds of identities, from gay to bisexual to transgender to non-binary, because we’re not all the same, and that diversity deserves to be shown.

Emotional Depth & Meaningful Storytelling

What sets the best LGBTQ+ anime apart is their ability to tell a respectful and nuanced story. They don’t use LGBTQ+ relationships as fan service or as something to look at—they treat them with the same emotional weight as any other relationship. I love how these shows acknowledge the struggles but also celebrate the joy, love, and resilience we experience.

Beyond Just Sexuality – A Well-Written Plot

A strong LGBTQ+ anime doesn’t force its themes—it tells a naturally engaging story where sexuality and identity feel organic, not tokenized. The best anime in this genre explore self-discovery, acceptance, and navigating societal expectations, all while maintaining a captivating storyline.

Respectful & Positive Representation

Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect and understanding, and that’s what I look for in LGBTQ+ anime. These stories shouldn’t romanticize toxic relationships but rather show the real, beautiful dynamics that can form when people truly care for each other. It’s important to me that the anime portrays the struggles we face—like discrimination and family acceptance—but also highlights moments of joy and community.

High-Quality Animation, Soundtrack, & Narrative Flow

Animation is more than just pretty pictures—it’s a tool to deepen the emotional impact of the story. A great LGBTQ+ anime pairs beautiful animation, a moving soundtrack, and strong narrative flow to draw you in completely. The visuals should enhance the emotions and make you feel the characters’ journey even more deeply.

Now that we’ve explored what makes a great LGBTQ+ anime, let’s dive into 10 must-watch titles—5 featuring gay love stories and 5 celebrating lesbian romance—that truly get it right.

Part 2: 5 Best Lesbian Anime to Watch Today

In the world of anime, lesbian love stories have captivated audiences with their heartfelt narratives, complex relationships, and emotional depth. Whether exploring first love, self-discovery, or enduring romance, these stories bring authentic and moving portrayals of women in love. Following our list of the best gay anime, it’s time to shine a spotlight on five must-watch lesbian anime that beautifully capture the essence of same-sex romance.

From tender coming-of-age tales to intense dramas, these titles offer something for every anime fan. Let’s dive in!

1. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Release Year: 2018 – 2020

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Episodes: 52

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Where to Watch: Netflix

Synopsis:

This all-time favorite lesbian anime is a reboot of the classic ‘80s series. This anime follows Adora, who transforms into the warrior She-Ra and joins the Rebellion to fight against the evil Horde. This 52-episode series features a slow-burn romance between Adora and Catra, her former best friend and rival.

2. Bloom Into You (Yagate Kimi ni Naru)

Release Year: 2018

Genre: Romance, Drama, Slice of Life

Episodes: 13

IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

Where to Watch: HiDive and Netflix

Synopsis

Yagate Kimi ni Naru is a one-season TV show that explores diverse themes of self-discovery, emotional vulnerability, and the complexities of love. It is a tender romance between Yuu, a girl who struggles to understand love, and Touko, the confident student council president who falls in love with her.

3. Sakura Trick

Release Year: 2014

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life

Episodes: 12

IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll and Netflix

Synopsis

Sakura Trick is a lighthearted romantic comedy about two high school girls. Haruka and Yuu share a secret relationship characterized by playful kisses and sweet moments. This aesthetically shot TV show focuses on their daily lives and growing bond.

4. Sweet Blue Flowers (Aoi Hana)

Release Year: 2009

Genre: Romance, Drama, Slice of Life

Episodes: 11

IMDb Rating: 7.1/10

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll (not currently on Netflix)

Synopsis

Aoi Hana is a heartfelt story about Fumi, a shy girl navigating her feelings for her childhood friend Akira and her complicated emotions for other girls. This beautiful series explores themes of love, friendship, and self-acceptance.

5. Revolutionary Girl Utena

Release Year: 1997

Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Psychological

Episodes: 39

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll (not currently on Netflix)

Synopsis

Revolutionary Girl Utena is a lesbian anime way ahead of its time. This surreal and symbolic anime is about Utena, a girl with a revolutionary mindset, who enters multiple duels to protect her friend Anthy and uncover the mysteries of their school. The series explores diverse themes of gender, identity, and power dynamics with a strong sapphic subtext. We recommend all the ten LGBTQ+ gay and lesbian anime content discussed above.

Part 3: 5 Popular Gay Anime to Watch Today

Gay romance in anime has evolved over the years, moving beyond stereotypes to deliver heartfelt, compelling stories that explore love, identity, and emotional connections between men. Whether it’s a touching coming-of-age journey, a dramatic love story, or a lighthearted romance, these anime showcase meaningful LGBTQ+ representation.

After highlighting the best lesbian anime, it’s time to shift our focus to five must-watch gay anime that capture the beauty and complexity of same-sex relationships. From classic fan favorites to hidden gems, these titles are essential viewing for any anime lover.

1. Yuri!!! on Ice

Release Year: 2016

Genre: Sports, Romance, Drama

Episodes: 12

 IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Where to Watch: Netflix (availability may vary by region), Crunchyroll

Synopsis:

After a crushing defeat, Japanese figure skater Yūri Katsuki is on the verge of retiring. However, his life takes a turn when Victor Nikiforov, a world-class skater, unexpectedly becomes his coach. Their strong mentor-student bond evolves into a beautifully developed romantic relationship, making Yuri!!! On Ice is a standout LGBTQ+ anime.

2. Sasaki and Miyano

Release Year: 2022

Genre: Romance, Slice of Life

Episodes: 12

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll and Netflix

Synopsis:

Miyano is a shy BL fan, whereas Sasaki is a charming senior who develops feelings for him. This anime is a sweet and slow-burn romance between these high-school students. It showcases their relationship beautifully, blossoming through shared moments and heartfelt conversations.

3. Given

Release Year: 2019

Genre: Romance, Music, Drama

Episodes: 11

IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll and Netflix

Synopsis:

Given is a poignant music-themed BL anime about two boys, Mafayu and Ritsuka. Mafayu has gone through a personal tragedy and finds solace in music, whereas Ritsuka is a guitarist who helps him rediscover his voice. This anime shows BL aesthetically without being vulgar or crass. The bond between the boys deepens as they navigate love and loss.  

4. Love Stage!!

Release Year: 2014

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Episodes: 10

IMDb Rating: 6.9/10

Where to Watch: Funimation (not currently on Netflix)

Synopsis:

Izumi is a shy college student from a family of entertainers, and Ryouma is a famous actor who falls for his charms. Love Stage is a romantic comedy about this beautiful relationship. It has challenges but is also interlaced with humor and heartfelt moments, making Love Stage one of the best anime romantics.

5. Junjo Romantica

Release Year: 2008

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama

Episodes: 24 (across multiple seasons)

IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

Where to Watch: Funimation (not currently on Netflix)

Synopsis:

Junjo Romantica is a classic BL anime that highlights the lives of three interconnected couples as they navigate the ups and downs of love, from misunderstandings to heartfelt confessions. If you love romance, you must not miss this anime, as each story beautifully explores different dynamics of romance.

Part 4: Ways to Watch Anime Lesbian & Gay Anime Offline

Lesbian and Gay anime content is available to Watch and Download on Netflix and Crunchyroll. Users can search for lesbian or Gay anime by typing LGBTQ+ anime "yuri" or "yaoi."

Method 1. Using StreamFox for Unrestricted LGBTQ+ Anime Viewing

While online streaming platforms often limit offline viewing and downloading, One-stop Streaming Video Downloader—StreamFox for Video offers the perfect solution for uninterrupted access to LGBTQ+ anime. This powerful video downloader lets you download your favorite content from popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, MAX, Hulu, and YouTube without any regional restrictions.

Why Choose StreamFox?

StreamFox works seamlessly on both Windows and MacOS, and is designed for fast, efficient downloads—boasting a 99% success rate and speeds 10 times faster than most other tools. Whether you're downloading a single episode or an entire season, the batch download feature makes it quick and easy to download multiple episodes at once. Plus, you can customize the video output in MP4, MKV, or MOV formats, and enhance your experience by adding subtitles.

With StreamFox, you can download and enjoy LGBTQ+ anime offline, anytime, and anywhere—without the hassle of platform restrictions.

How to Download and Watch LGBTQ+ Anime with StreamFox

Let’s discuss how to download and watch LGBTQ+ anime with StreamFox. However, before that, users must know the advantages of using this powerful solution.

• Smooth offline viewing: Another advantage of using StreamFox is that you can download your LGBTQ+ movies permanently on your device and watch them as many times as you want without any subscription or time limits.
• Transfer to external hard disk: StreamFox differs from other downloaders in that this tool enables users to transfer the downloaded LGBTQ+ content to an external hard disk or a USB drive. Users can then watch their downloaded movies anytime and anywhere, even without a network connection.
• Ensure user privacy: StreamFox offers an integrated browser that allows users to watch their LGBTQ+ movies incognito. No browsing history or traces are left in the browser, which helps protect user privacy.
• Overcome regional restrictions: Streaming platforms like Netflix have geographical restrictions, meaning that the content available in the US might be unavailable in the Asian subcontinent. StreamFox overcomes this limitation by allowing users to download and watch content by bypassing regional restrictions. Thus, StreamFox helps users overcome regional restrictions and watch LGBTQ+ anime regardless of whether the streaming platform offers its services in the region.

Step-by-step process:

Step 1: Download the appropriate version of StreamFox for your OS. Complete the registration formalities to enjoy the full benefits of the software.

Step 2: Select your respective online streaming service, depending on where the gay or lesbian anime content is aired. If the content is streamed on Netflix, select Netflix from the options provided on the screen.

Step 3: Use the StreamFox integrated browser to view your LGBTQ+ content to ensure privacy.

Step 4: Search for your favorite LGBTQ+ anime and drag the title into the red box "Add to Queue." Alternatively, if you know the URL, you can type it in the search bar and add it directly.

Step 5: StreamFox’s batch download facility allows you to select and download multiple episodes of your anime simultaneously. Check the respective boxes and click “Add to Queue.”

Step 6: Depending on your preferences and the storage space available on your device, customize the video resolution by choosing from 360p to 1080p.

Step 7: Use the dropdown menu to select your preferred video format, such as MP4, MKV, or MOV.

To download multiple videos simultaneously, check the boxes and click "Convert All."

Step 8: Your favorite anime is downloaded and stored in the “Finished” section. Click “View Output File” to start viewing your videos.

You can copy-paste your downloaded videos to a USB drive. The process is the same as transferring regular files to an external drive.

Method 2. Download Directly on Netflix & Crunchyroll

Users can download gay and lesbian anime content from Netflix and Crunchyroll directly on their compatible devices through the official Netflix and Crunchyroll app, respectively.

How to Download Anime Lesbian & Gay Anime on Netflix

Netflix allows downloading anime lesbian and gay content from its platform through the Netflix app.

Step-by-step process:

Step 1: Ensure you have the Netflix app on your device. If you don’t have one, visit your respective app store to download it.

Step 2: Install the Netflix app and open it. Log into it.

Step 3: Find your desired LGBTQ+ anime to download. Check for the download icon beside the movie title.

Step 4: Click the download icon (down arrow) to start the download.

Step 5: View your downloaded content offline by accessing "Downloads" in the Netflix app.

How to Download Anime Lesbian & Gay Anime on Crunchyroll.

You will need the official Crunchyroll app on your device to download lesbian and gay anime.

Step-by-step process:

Step 1: Download and install the official Crunchyroll app from the registered app store on your device.

Step 2: Open the app, search for your favorite gay or lesbian anime, and look for the download button beside the title.

Step 3: Navigate to your account and swipe to access the settings. Select your preferred quality and sync quality.

Step 4: Go to the show you want to download and press the down arrow to download your show episodes.

Step 5: Your downloaded videos are stored in “My Lists.” Click it to watch your videos offline.

Sum Up

Crunchyroll and Netflix have a lot of overlap in the anime library, so if you want to watch LGBTQ+ or other types of anime offline on your PC, Netflix is recommended. However, there are many restrictions on Netflix offline downloads. Therefore, the most convenient and quick solution is to use the powerful third-party software StreamFox for Video to help you watch anime content offline.

Part 5: Frequently Asked Questions About LGBTQ

Q1. Are there any Netflix-exclusive LGBTQ+ anime?

Netflix offers a reasonably good amount of LGBTQ+ anime content on the platform. The top LGBTQ+ anime series available in the US include "Yuri!!! On Ice," "Citrus," "No.6," "Sakura Trick," "Banana Fish," “Given,” and “Bloom Into You.”

Q2. Which anime has the most LGBTQ characters?

It is difficult to say which anime has the most LGBTQ characters. Some notable anime series include “Attack on Titan,” “Sailor Moon,” “Yuri!!! On Ice,” and “Given.”

Q3. What anime is about a boy who turns into a girl?

Ranma ½ is a popular anime series where Ranma Saotome is cursed to become a girl when splashed with cold water.

Conclusion

Netflix offers a reasonably good amount of LGBTQ+ content as part of its inclusiveness initiatives. However, if you love watching LGBTQ+ anime content, Crunchyroll is an excellent option. However, downloading content from Netflix and Crunchyroll has its limitations. StreamFox offers an excellent alternative. We have discussed all these aspects and recommended ten gay and lesbian anime content to our readers.