: Includes Tooru Mutsuki, a character who is biologically female but identifies and lives as a man due to significant gender discomfort. Gender Non-Conforming & Stylized Portrayals

These series are widely recognized for including canonically transgender characters or core narratives centered on gender transition:

: A classic 1980s rom-com featuring Hibari, a confident trans girl and heir to a Yakuza clan, who lives her life openly as a woman.

: Features Lily Hoshikawa, an idol who is explicitly confirmed to be a transgender girl.

: A highly acclaimed series that follows two middle school students—one a trans girl and the other a trans boy—as they navigate puberty and their gender identities.

If you're looking for anime featuring transgender characters or exploring themes of gender identity, several series stand out for their portrayals. Some shows offer thoughtful narratives on the trans experience, while others—like the long-running One Piece —feature a wide range of gender-nonconforming and trans characters.

Some anime utilize more stylized or fantasy elements to explore gender: The Trans One Piece Episode