For people who want more genre anime with LGBT+ characters like Yuri!!! On Ice
Samurai Flamenco. Please.
It’s got an adorably dorky, enthusiastic, and justice-loving main character named Masayoshi Hazama. He’s a gorgeous model, but he dreams of being a superhero. And he does it! Kinda.
He meets cynical cop Hidenori Gotoh, who chastises him for being a vigilante, but the two grow closer and closer. (And closer, and closer…)
There’s also an important side character, Mari Maya, who is an idol. She is bisexual, and is in a relationship with Moe Morita, who is a lesbian. (There’s a third member of their group, Mizuki Misawa, who I believe to be coded asexual, though anybody can headcanon otherwise.)
(this happens multiple times!!!!)
The show is incredibly silly in nature (up until a certain point), and both pays homage to and parodies the conventions of the superhero genre. From the western vigilante, to the Japanese sentai, it’s got it all. (Even magical girls!)
However, it also deals with toxic relationships, conflicting ideas of justice, and mental illness. It takes all of these ideas very seriously, and treats all of its characters with respect.
So anyways, if you love Yuri!!! On Ice, and want to watch more genre anime with respectfully treated LGBT+ characters and canon relationships, I HIGHLY recommend Samurai Flamenco. It’s a wild ride, but Samurai Flamenco is an incredible show that deals with justice, morality, relationships, mental illness, and love, and puts all of these issues in the limelight. The romance between Masayoshi and Gotoh isn’t even the main focus of the plot, but is still developed incredibly naturally as they become closer and closer.
So go watch Samurai Flamenco!
