15 Idol and Music Anime Where Half the Group Is Openly Queer

Idol and music anime have long been a haven for exploring intense interpersonal relationships, often blurring the lines between platonic camaraderie and romantic affection. While many series rely on subtext, a growing number of titles feature bands, idol units, and performance groups where queer identities are central to the narrative or character dynamics. This list highlights series where musical partners navigate the complexities of fame and feelings, offering significant representation within their respective groups.

‘Given’ (2019)

This series centers on a four-member rock band where the romantic relationships between the members are the driving force of the plot. The story follows Ritsuka Uenoyama, a guitarist who rediscovers his passion for music after meeting Mafuyu Sato, a novice singer with a traumatic past. As the band forms, the narrative splits focus between two distinct couples within the group, making the band intimately connected through romance. The anime explicitly addresses gay relationships, communication struggles, and the healing power of music.

‘Gravitation’ (2000–2001)

The narrative focuses on Shuichi Shindou, the energetic vocalist of the band Bad Luck, and his turbulent relationship with the stoic romance novelist Eiri Yuki. While the band strives for the top of the charts, Shuichi’s public declarations of love and his emotional dependency on Yuki frequently interfere with their professional schedule. The series is a staple of the boys’ love genre, placing the queer relationship front and center amidst the chaos of the music industry. The dynamic between the band members often revolves around managing Shuichi’s love-induced antics.

‘Whisper Me a Love Song’ (2024)

Himari Kino falls in love at first sight with Yori Asanagi’s singing during the school’s opening ceremony, leading to a complex misunderstanding about the nature of their “love.” Yori, the vocalist of the band SSGIRLS, eventually develops genuine romantic feelings for Himari, shifting the dynamic from fan-idol to a budding relationship. The series explores the tension between performing in a band and navigating a high school romance. Music serves as the primary medium for the characters to confess feelings they cannot easily speak.

‘Carole & Tuesday’ (2019)

Set on a terraformed Mars, this series follows two girls from vastly different backgrounds who form a musical duo to pursue their dreams in an AI-dominated industry. The show features a diverse cast and explores themes of identity, with several characters and industry figures portrayed as queer or gender-non-conforming. The bond between the two leads is deeply emotional, and the series is noted for its open portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships within the supporting cast. Their music becomes a symbol of human connection that transcends societal and technological barriers.

‘If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die’ (2020)

While the protagonist Eripiyo is a fan rather than a performer, her obsession with the underground idol Maina Ichii drives the narrative. Within the idol group ChamJam, members Reo and Sorane share a relationship that is heavily implied to be romantic, often prioritizing each other over their fanbase. The series deconstructs the parasocial relationships inherent in idol culture while showcasing genuine affection between the women involved. Eripiyo’s devotion breaks gender norms for idol fandoms, positioning her love as pure and all-encompassing.

‘Zombie Land SAGA’ (2018–2021)

The idol group Franchouchou consists of legendary girls from different eras resurrected as zombies to save the Saga prefecture. The series is notable for the character Lily Hoshikawa, a trans girl whose gender identity is accepted and celebrated by her group mates. While the show is a comedy, it handles Lily’s backstory and her place within the group with surprising emotional depth and sincerity. The group dynamics emphasize found family, with the members supporting each other’s diverse pasts and identities.

‘Revue Starlight’ (2018)

Students at the Seisho Music Academy compete in surreal underground duels to become the Top Star, fueled by their intense feelings for one another. The “Stage of Fate” binds the characters in pairs, with the relationship between Karen and Hikari serving as the central axis of the story. The theatrical performances serve as metaphors for their relationships, often blending rivalry with deep romantic devotion. The series is widely interpreted through a queer lens due to the exclusive focus on female intimacy and the breaking of traditional gender roles in theater.

‘Girls Band Cry’ (2024)

Nina Iseri, a high school dropout, moves to Tokyo and forms the band Togenashi Togeari with a former guitarist she idolizes, Momoka Kawaragi. The show is characterized by its raw emotional conflict and the intense, often volatile chemistry between Nina and Momoka. Their relationship anchors the band, with lyrics often reflecting their specific grievances and feelings toward society and each other. The narrative prioritizes the emotional connection between the women as the source of their musical aggression and creativity.

‘Aikatsu Friends!’ (2018–2019)

The premise of this entry in the Aikatsu! franchise focuses on “Friends” units, where idols pair up to reach the top of the industry together. The concept of the “Friends” partnership is treated with the gravity of marriage, involving vows and lifelong commitment ceremonies. The main duo, Aine and Mio, along with rival units like Love Me Tear, display levels of intimacy and devotion that blur the line between professional partners and romantic soulmates. The series emphasizes that the strength of their bond directly correlates to their success on stage.

‘Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night’ (2024)

A group of four young women form an anonymous artist collective in Shibuya to express their true selves outside of societal expectations. The relationship between the illustrator Mahiru and the former idol Kano forms the emotional core of the group, with Kano pushing Mahiru to embrace her art. The series explores themes of identity and self-acceptance, with strong romantic tension driving the creative process. The group acts as a sanctuary for the members, allowing them to exist outside the rigid norms of the mainstream music industry.

‘Symphogear XV’ (2019)

While technically a magical girl series, the characters fight by singing, effectively functioning as idol-warriors whose power is derived from their songs. The relationship between the protagonist Hibiki Tachibana and her partner Miku Kohinata is central to the plot, culminating in explicit declarations of love and commitment by the final season. Other wielders, such as Kirika and Shirabe, are also canonized as inseparable partners who draw strength from their romantic bond. The series equates the power of their music with the power of their love.

‘Show By Rock!! Mashumairesh!!’ (2020)

This season follows the band Mashumairesh!! as they travel to the city to pursue music, focusing on the guitarist Howan and the bassist Himeko. Himeko openly grapples with her crushing affection for Howan, which becomes a recurring motif in her character development and musical inspiration. The show uses the band setting to explore these feelings, with the music serving as an outlet for Himeko’s internal romantic struggles. The bright, energetic animation contrasts with the genuine anxiety of navigating a crush on a bandmate.

‘Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club’ (2020–2022)

Unlike previous entries in the franchise that focused on a cohesive group, this series focuses on solo idols who support each other, allowing for more individual relationship focus. The bond between Yuu Takasaki and Ayumu Uehara is framed through intense jealousy, devotion, and eventual reconciliation that mirrors romantic arcs. The song lyrics and performances are often directly addressed to specific other female characters, serving as confessions of affection. The anime leans heavily into the emotional co-dependence of its cast members.

‘IDOLiSH7’ (2018–2023)

The series follows the rise of a seven-member male idol group, digging into the hardships of the entertainment industry. While not explicitly romance-focused, the show is renowned for the intense emotional intimacy between specific pairs within the group, particularly Mezzo, a sub-unit consisting of Tamaki and Sogo. The narrative prioritizes the deep, often sacrificial bonds between the men, which many fans read as queer-coded due to the depth of their devotion. The drama emphasizes that the group cannot function without the specific emotional labor the members perform for one another.

‘Harmony’ (2015)

Though a film rather than a series, this sci-fi story revolves around Tuan and Cian, who were part of a suicide pact with a charismatic leader named Miach in their youth. In this dystopia, the characters’ past rebellion was driven by their intense connection to Miach, framing their resistance as an act of intimate devotion. The narrative explores the lingering trauma and love Tuan holds for Miach, which dictates her actions throughout the investigation. The story is a psychological examination of female intimacy and obsession set against a sterile, controlled world.

Share your favorite music anime pairings and thoughts on this list in the comments.