14 Anime That Made the Tomboy Canonically Trans

Anime frequently explores gender roles and common character types, leading to nuanced characters who don’t fit neatly into traditional boxes. What used to be a simple “tomboy” character is now often used to explore genuine questions of gender identity. Many shows feature characters who first seem like masculine girls, but are later revealed to be transgender men or people who don’t identify strictly as male or female. These stories are important because they offer representation and encourage viewers to think differently about how characters are designed and how they understand identity. The following series showcase characters who go beyond the typical “tomboy” label to live openly as transgender or gender non-conforming individuals.

‘Wandering Son’ (2011)

Yoshino Takatsuki is a character who struggles with the expectations placed on girls, preferring traditionally masculine clothes and feeling uncomfortable with the changes of puberty. He actively wants to be seen as a boy, and eventually expresses this by cutting his hair and wearing the boys’ school uniform. The story, ‘Wandering Son,’ handles his experiences with care, portraying his feelings as gender dysphoria – a deep sense of discomfort with his assigned gender – rather than simply as a preference for a ‘tomboy’ style.

‘Stars Align’ (2019)

Yu Mashiro is a seemingly quiet and reserved player on the soft tennis team, facing pressure from their family. The show directly tackles the topic of gender identity when Yu gently corrects someone about using male or female pronouns. Yu explains they identify as X-gender and non-binary, meaning they don’t identify as either a boy or a girl. This important moment both educates viewers and clearly establishes Yu’s identity as transgender, rather than simply a girl who presents in a masculine way.

‘Wonder Egg Priority’ (2021)

Kaoru Kurita is introduced as someone trying to save a person they care about, and is connected to the story’s unique system for achieving this. He openly shares that he was assigned female at birth but identifies as male. The story shows his internal struggle with this – his gender dysphoria – through dreamlike sequences where he fights monsters that represent the pressures he feels from society and his own body. Kaoru is a prominent example of a transgender male character, and his identity is a key part of his story and the challenges he faces.

‘My Hero Academia’ (2016–Present)

Tiger is a strong and powerful member of the Wild Wild Pussycats rescue team. Though assigned female at birth, he identifies and lives fully as a man. The series creator, Kohei Horikoshi, has confirmed that Tiger had gender affirmation surgery, establishing him as a canonically transgender man who is fully accepted and respected by his teammates.

‘One Piece’ (1999–Present)

Okay, so Yamato is a really fascinating character. She’s revealed to be the daughter of the powerful Emperor Kaido, but immediately pushes back against that label. In fact, Yamato insists on being recognized as Kozuki Oden, and uses he/him pronouns – which Luffy and the crew completely respect, which is great to see. He even goes to the men’s side of the bathhouse and firmly corrects anyone who misgenders him. It’s not just a preference, though; the story really emphasizes that Yamato’s identity is rooted in a deep connection to Oden’s spirit and will, something that goes way beyond just being born a certain way. It’s a really compelling portrayal of someone forging their own identity.

‘Kino’s Journey’ (2003)

Kino is a traveler and skilled marksman who journeys around the world, observing different cultures. They deliberately avoid using traditional titles like ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.’ and prefer the gender-neutral pronoun ‘boku.’ This choice stems from a past experience where Kino rejected the limitations and expectations placed on them based on their gender. The story portrays Kino as someone who lives outside of conventional gender roles, defining themselves through their travels and experiences rather than societal labels.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Hange Zoë is a remarkably intelligent commander and scientist in the Survey Corps, driven by an intense fascination with Titans. While the anime often depicts Hange with a traditionally feminine appearance, the original manga intentionally avoids using gendered pronouns for the character. The series creator, Hajime Isayama, specifically asked publishers not to define Hange’s gender, leaving room for individual interpretation. This deliberate ambiguity has led many fans to see Hange as a non-binary character who challenges typical gender expectations, especially within a military context.

‘Sailor Moon Crystal’ (2014–Present)

Sailor Uranus, also known as Haruka Tenoh, is a powerful warrior who embodies both masculine and feminine qualities. She often wears men’s clothing, leading others to believe she is a boy. The ‘Sailor Moon Crystal’ anime stays true to the original manga by showing Haruka as someone who isn’t limited by traditional gender roles. This makes her a character who identifies outside of typical gender expectations, rather than just a girl with a particular style.

‘Soul Eater’ (2008–2009)

Crona is a shy weapon meister who is mistreated by their mother, Medusa. The original Japanese version of the story uses gender-neutral language for Crona, and their gender is intentionally left ambiguous. They dress in a way that doesn’t clearly identify them as male or female, often confusing those around them. The story focuses more on Crona’s emotional well-being and personal development than on defining their gender, which supports the idea that they are non-binary.

‘Dororo’ (2019)

Dororo is a young thief who travels with a wandering samurai named Hyakkimaru, and together they hunt demons. Raised as a boy, Dororo continues to live and present as male to get by in a difficult and dangerous world. Dororo becomes upset when Hyakkimaru points out their birth sex and wants to be seen as a boy. The story shows how Dororo’s gender presentation is a way to survive and is true to who they are.

‘Land of the Lustrous’ (2017)

Phosphophyllite, or Phos, is one of the gem-like beings living on a future Earth where humans are gone. These gems don’t have a gender and use he/him pronouns, with bodies that aren’t distinctly male or female. Throughout the story, Phos changes a lot physically, losing their original form and being replaced with different materials. This transformation represents how identities can change and the idea of not being tied to one fixed self.

‘Ouran High School Host Club’ (2006)

Haruhi Fujioka accidentally ends up in a host club where she breaks a valuable vase. To pay for it, she has to work as a male host. Haruhi makes it clear she doesn’t mind being seen as either a boy or a girl, and she quickly takes on the role. She even points out how strict other people are about traditional gender roles. This disregard for those norms makes Haruhi a character who doesn’t fit neatly into typical gender categories.

‘Fate/Apocrypha’ (2017)

Mordred is a clone of King Arthur, created with the intention of being his ideal successor. She strongly rejects being seen as female and insists on being recognized as the King’s son. When anyone tries to treat her according to traditional female expectations, she responds with anger or violence. Her armor and forceful demeanor are ways of proving she is a strong, masculine figure and a rightful heir to the throne.

‘Made in Abyss’ (2017–Present)

Nanachi is a unique character who survived a dangerous curse in the Abyss, which transformed their appearance to resemble a rabbit. They use a traditionally masculine pronoun in Japanese, but their gender is intentionally left unclear. Nanachi never confirms or denies their gender, allowing fans to see them as a non-binary character. Their identity is more strongly influenced by the trauma they experienced in the Abyss than by typical gender expectations.

Tell us which of these character arcs resonated with you the most by leaving a comment.

2025-12-08 23:16