Sure, we appreciate them out of desperation, but that doesn’t mean these stereotypes can’t affect the way LGBTQ people feel about themselves. When you’re growing up LGBTQ, this kind of representation can be damaging. It’s not as important to them to reach out to the LGBTQ audience outside of movies about AIDS. Ultimately, Hollywood is conservative when it comes to LGBTQ people. David Wald recalled the flamboyant “gay clown,” the suffering “gay martyr,” and the “serial killer/psychopath.” Each has their identity used to further their trope. Why Turn to Anime at all?Īmerican LGBTQ characters tend to follow the same few tropes.
![popular gay anime characters popular gay anime characters](https://honeysanime.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/hetalia5-225x350.png)
Both panels gave great summaries on the nature of LGBTQ characters in anime and what they mean to the people who watch it. Then the aforementioned “That’s Gay” panel was hosted by Gay Breakfast Studio and discussed forms of LGBTQ representation in anime.
![popular gay anime characters popular gay anime characters](https://i0.wp.com/recommendmeanime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tight-rope-anime.jpg)
The first, hosted by David Wald and HIDIVE, was called “HIDIVE Presents: LGBTQ+ Representation in Anime.” It covered tropes in Western media and Japanese media, and the work that dubs do for the LGBTQ community. If I learned something about myself from anime, and so did other people, current and future generations deserve the chance to do the same - under even better circumstances.Īnime NYC had two fantastic panels about LGBTQ people and anime. I sat there thinking, “That’s me that’s exactly what happened to me.” I shared that with plenty of other people in the room. On the morning of November 17 at Anime NYC, I attended the panel “That’s Gay! Anime and Manga for the LGBT Audience.” And what anime comes up as being part of attendees’ queer awakenings? RANMA 1/2.
![popular gay anime characters popular gay anime characters](https://animemotivation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/yaoi-characters.jpg)
What better way to realize you’re queer than over your confusing feelings about Ukyo from RANMA 1/2? And I’m not the only one. I realized that I liked girls back in middle school, and I can partially thank anime for that understanding.