14 Anime Worlds Where Queer Magic Users Hold Real Power

Anime is increasingly featuring LGBTQ+ characters with powerful magical abilities who play key roles in their worlds. These stories often connect a character’s identity to their magical strength, or create worlds where gender and sexuality affect how power works. These characters aren’t just side characters – they’re often the driving force of the plot, using their incredible powers to shape events. This list highlights anime series where these queer magic users are central to the action.

‘Sailor Moon’ (1992–1997)

Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune are among the strongest protectors in the series. Haruka Tenoh commands the elements of wind and space, and Michiru Kaio has power over the ocean’s depths. Their love for each other strengthens their ability to fight against enemies like the Death Busters. They’re often the ones willing to make tough choices that other guardians avoid, all to save the world.

‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ (1997)

Ohtori Academy’s strange and dreamlike arena is where Utena Tenjou and Anthy Himemiya’s story unfolds. Utena breaks with expectations by choosing to be a prince and uses the power of Dios to safeguard Anthy, known as the Rose Bride. Anthy has powerful, enigmatic magic that’s tied to a world-altering event called the World Revolution. Their complicated relationship eventually breaks down the rigid rules controlling both the academy and the world at large.

‘Cardcaptor Sakura’ (1998–2000)

Touya and Yukito have a strong bond that’s central to the story’s magic system. Touya can naturally see spirits and later gives up his own magical abilities to protect Yukito. Yukito actually holds the spirit of Yue, a powerful lunar guardian who decides who is worthy of the Clow Cards. Their relationship is portrayed as genuinely important while the main character goes on magical adventures.

‘One Piece’ (1999–Present)

Ivankov leads the Kamabakka Kingdom and is a commander in the Revolutionary Army. They have the power to control hormones thanks to the Horm-Horm Fruit, which lets them change a person’s gender or energy levels. This unique ability makes them a powerful fighter and is key to helping the main character escape from Impel Down. Ivankov is openly and proudly queer, and is a highly respected figure in the world of pirates.

‘Simoun’ (2006)

As a total film buff, I was completely captivated by the world-building in this series. Everyone is born female, but they don’t decide on their permanent gender until they visit this incredible, magical spring. The coolest part? These young priestesses fly these amazing ancient aircraft called Simouns, and to unlock their full power – these powerful magical glyphs – the pilots actually have to kiss each other. It’s a really unique system! The story follows them as they defend their nation from invaders, but it’s also about them grappling with who they are while existing in this temporary, fluid state. Honestly, the magic itself is so tied to intimacy and figuring out your identity – it’s a really thought-provoking concept.

‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’ (2011)

Homura Akemi can control time, and she uses this power in a relentless effort to prevent a terrible future for Madoka Kaname. Her magic comes from a deep and unwavering dedication that goes beyond normal limits. Eventually, Madoka discovers a hidden ability that lets her completely reshape the universe. Their bond is presented as the key to changing the fate of all magical girls.

‘Tiger & Bunny’ (2011)

Nathan Seymour, known as the hero Fire Emblem, has incredibly powerful fire-based abilities. He’s openly gay and often serves as the calm, rational voice of his team of corporate superheroes. Having overcome a difficult past and societal prejudice, Fire Emblem earns respect through his strength and skill. Fans love him for his exciting battles and his confident, expressive personality.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)

Alluka Zoldyck has an incredibly powerful and seemingly limitless ability thanks to a strange being called Nanika. Nanika can fulfill any wish, no matter how impossible or dangerous. Killua strongly protects Alluka and respects her identity, even though some of her family members don’t. Her immense power becomes a major source of conflict within the Hunter Association.

‘From the New World’ (2012–2013)

In the future, humans have developed a powerful ability called Cantus, which lets them manipulate matter with their minds. To help young people cope with stress and control their powers, society encourages open and flexible romantic relationships. Satoru Asahina and Shun Aonuma are two exceptionally gifted students who are exploring their feelings for each other while also uncovering a disturbing truth about their seemingly perfect world. The more powerful they become, the heavier the burden of the secrets they reveal.

‘Yurikuma Arashi’ (2015)

A magical wall separates humans from the world of bears, and a constant struggle keeps them apart. Kureha Tsubaki and Ginko Yurishiro perform spells that test the strength of their love for each other. Through fantastical transformations and dreamlike trials, the story examines feelings of being an outsider and explores lesbian relationships. Ultimately, the two must overcome a powerful force that tries to suppress individuality and make them disappear.

‘Flip Flappers’ (2016)

Cocona and Papika journey through a fantastical, dreamlike world called Pure Illusion, searching for pieces of powerful magic. As they explore, they transform into magical girls, with their abilities growing stronger as they better understand and connect with each other. Each new world they visit reflects their inner selves and how their relationship is changing. Ultimately, their combined power leads them to confront a group trying to dominate Pure Illusion.

‘Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid’ (2017)

Tohru is a powerful dragon who could destroy the world, but she prefers to work as a maid for the woman she loves, Kobayashi. Even while living a normal life, she still has incredible magical powers, which she often uses for everyday tasks or to protect her family. The story centers around her deep affection for Kobayashi as the reason she chooses to live in the human world. Despite her domestic life, Tohru consistently demonstrates that she’s one of the most powerful beings in existence.

‘Land of the Lustrous’ (2017)

I’m totally hooked on this series about these incredible beings called Gems! They’re basically immortal and spend their time fighting these moon creatures, the Lunarians. What’s really fascinating is that they don’t really have genders, and they look like they don’t age at all. They form these really intense connections with each other – sometimes it feels like romance, sometimes like just super-close friendship, and it’s often hard to tell the difference! One Gem, Phos, goes through a huge transformation, constantly replacing parts of their body with new materials to get stronger. It’s a really thought-provoking story about what makes someone them, especially when they’re constantly changing – it reminds me of that old puzzle about Theseus’s ship. Plus, it’s amazing how the show completely breaks down traditional ideas about gender!

‘Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury’ (2022–2023)

Suletta Mercury is a skilled Gundam pilot who uses a unique and controversial technology called GUND, which operates like a nervous system. As the top student at Asticassia School of Technology, she becomes engaged to Miorine Rembran. What starts as a politically motivated match develops into a real and meaningful connection between them, ultimately changing the power dynamics across the solar system. Some people, impressed and unnerved by her incredible piloting abilities, even compare her skills to magic.

Tell us which powerful magic user from this list is your favorite in the comments.

2025-12-02 22:46