The 20 Best Gender Bender Anime

Gender bender anime are anime that feature characters who change their gender or disguise themselves as the opposite sex. This can happen due to magic, curses, technology, or simply cross-dressing. The genre is popular among fans who enjoy comedy, romance, and drama, as well as exploring the themes of identity, sexuality, and gender roles. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best gender-bender anime that you can watch, ranging from classic to modern, from hilarious to heartwarming, and from action-packed to slice-of-life. Whether you are looking for a laugh, a thrill, or a tearjerker, you will find something to suit your taste in this list of the 20 best gender-bender anime.

1. Ouran High School Host Club

Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at the prestigious Ouran High School, accidentally enters the Host Club’s music room and breaks an expensive vase. To repay the debt, she becomes a virtual servant for the wealthy members of the club. Due to her natural ability to attract attention, the club decides to make Haruhi a new member, with the goal of forgiving her entire debt if she’s chosen by a hundred clients. The catch is that the clients don’t realize Haruhi is a girl, leading to humorous situations in this entertaining and charming school setting.

2. Ranma ½

Ranma Saotome, a skilled martial artist, carries a unique curse from the Cursed Springs of Jusenkyo in China. He transforms into a girl when splashed with cold water, reverting with hot water. His father, Genma, turns into a panda. The Tendo sisters learn about an arranged marriage to Ranma for the dojo’s future. Akane, the youngest sister, becomes Ranma’s fiancée, discovering his secret. The chaotic romantic comedy unfolds with rivals, including the love-stricken Kuno siblings and Ryoga, Ranma’s direction-challenged rival who turns into a pig. The story revolves around Ranma’s transformations, complex relationships, and comedic attempts to break the curse.

3. Himegoto

In Himegoto, Hime Arikawa, a second-year high school student burdened by debts, is rescued by the student council girls from debt collectors. In return for settling his debts, Hime reluctantly agrees to their conditions, which involve him cross-dressing as a girl and serving as the “dog” of the student council throughout his high school life. The series explores the comedic and potentially challenging situations arising from this arrangement.

4. Aoharu × Machinegun

Aoharu × Machinegun follows the story of Hotaru Tachibana, a high school student who dresses as a boy. After standing up against a host to defend a friend, she is challenged to a survival game. Mistaken for a boy, she is invited to join a survival game team by its members, Masamune Matsuoka and Tohru Yukimura. Hotaru, determined to repay a debt, enters the world of survival games, where players use airsoft guns in intense battles. The series combines elements of action, comedy, and drama as Hotaru navigates the challenges of survival games and forms bonds with her teammates.

5. Maria†Holic

The story unfolds in Ame no Kisaki, a Catholic school for women, where Kanako Miyamae, who has a severe allergy to men, transfers. Inspired by her parents’ love story, Kanako aims to find a girlfriend at the school. She becomes infatuated with Mariya, a seemingly perfect and beautiful girl. However, Kanako soon discovers that Mariya is a transvestite boy who infiltrated the school. Mariya, motivated by her grandmother’s will, forces Kanako to keep her secret, leading to comical and embarrassing situations. As the story progresses, Kanako interacts with other girls at the school, each with her own story, and a unique relationship develops between her and Mariya. The series incorporates elements of comedy, romance, and Catholicism.

6. Minami-ke

Minami-ke revolves around the lives of three sisters from the Minami family – Haruka, Kana, and Chiaki. The anime explores their distinct personalities and daily activities at home, school, and college. Unlike having a specific goal, the series adopts a slice-of-life approach, similar to anime such as Lucky Star, Azumanga Daioh, and School Rumble. The narrative focuses on the sisters’ experiences in their respective Japanese educational institutions—Chiaki in elementary school, Kana in secondary elementary school, and Haruka in high school. Throughout the episodes, additional characters are introduced, and the series incorporates gender-bending elements, particularly with the character Makoto, who is a crossdresser playing a significant role in the story.

7. Kämpfer

Kämpfer follows the story of Natsuru Senō, an average high school student who wakes up one day to discover that he has turned into a girl. His stuffed tiger, Harakiri Tora, comes to life and informs him that he is now a “Kämpfer” under a contract, symbolized by a blue bracelet. Natsuru learns that he is part of a battle between different factions of Kämpfers, signified by red bracelets.

As Natsuru grapples with his new reality, he encounters other Kämpfers, including Akane Mishima. Their encounters involve battles between the red and blue factions. Complicating matters, Natsuru’s female form gains attention from Kaede Sakura, who develops strong feelings for her. The story unfolds as Natsuru navigates the challenges of his transformations, the conflicts between the factions, and the emergence of a mysterious “white faction,” leading to renewed battles among the Kämpfers.

8. Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches

The story revolves around Ryū Yamada, a disinterested and troublesome high school student who accidentally swaps bodies with his classmate Urara Shiraishi after a chance kiss. They discover that they can revert the exchange with another kiss and decide to use this ability for mutual benefit. With the support of student council president Toranosuke Miyamura, they revive a club for investigating supernatural phenomena and enlist the help of Miyabi Itō, an enthusiast of the supernatural.

As they encounter various challenges and mysteries, the group expands to include other students with magical abilities activated by kisses. In order to maintain their club and secure funding from the student council, they must persuade Shiraishi to attend university. The story also introduces an exchange student named Kentarō Tsubaki. Together, the group embarks on a journey of discovery, friendship, and navigating the complexities of their newfound magical abilities.

9. Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl

The story follows Hazumu Osaragi, a shy and self-conscious boy who confesses his love to Yasuna Kamiizumi but faces rejection. While seeking solace on Mount Kashima, he encounters an alien spaceship that crashes into him, resulting in Hazumu’s death. The aliens decide to rebuild his body but unintentionally change his gender, turning him into a woman.

Hazumu’s transformation sets the stage for a love triangle involving Yasuna, Tomari, and Hazumu. The narrative explores the complexities of relationships and the characters’ struggles with their changing feelings and the challenges of accepting love within the same gender. The story unfolds as Hazumu navigates the dynamics between Yasuna and Tomari, creating melodramatic situations and emotional conflicts within the trio.

10. Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru

Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru follows Mizuho Miyanokouji, an androgynous high school student who, after his grandfather’s death, is instructed to transfer to Seio Girls’ Academy, the school founded by his ancestors. To adhere to his grandfather’s will, Mizuho disguises himself as a girl to infiltrate the all-girls school. Initially, only a few individuals, including headmistress Hisako Kajiura and Mariya Mikado, are aware of Mizuho’s true identity.

Despite his initial reluctance, Mizuho becomes immensely popular among the high school girls, earning nominations for the student council presidency. This leads to a conflict with the current president, Takako Itsukushima. The school has a tradition where the elected student council president becomes the “eldest” or “Onee-sama,” with the requirement of securing at least 75% of the votes.

11. Birdy the Mighty: Decode

Birdy the Mighty: Decode revolves around Tsutomu Senkawa, a high school student focused on preparing for college entrance exams. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a strange man who turns out to be an interplanetary criminal fleeing from a Universe Federal Agent named Birdy Cephon Altera. In the pursuit, Tsutomu is mistakenly electrocuted, leading to a unique solution to preserve his life.

To save Tsutomu, he shares his body with Birdy, the interplanetary police agent who accidentally took his life. Now inhabiting the same body, Tsutomu and Birdy must navigate their shared existence. Tsutomu grapples with the challenges of hiding the situation from his family and pursuing his academic goals, while Birdy, an attractive, strong, and impulsive space police agent, continues her duties using Tsutomu’s body. The duo faces the task of thwarting a group of alien enemies planning experiments on the people of Tokyo. As they work together to combat the extraterrestrial threat, the series explores the dynamics between Tsutomu and Birdy, blending elements of science fiction, action, and comedy.

12. I My Me! Strawberry Eggs

The story follows Hibiki Amawa, an enterprising young teacher in search of money to pay rent for his new room, occupied by the irascible Ruru Sanjo. Hibiki applies for a teaching position at the Seitow Sannomiya private school, only to discover that the school has a policy of exclusively hiring female staff, considering men unfit for the task. Undeterred, with the help of Ruru, he disguises himself as a woman using a device to modify his voice and successfully secures a position as a physical education teacher.

13. Cheeky Angel

Megumi Amatsuka, originally a fighting and courageous boy, intervenes to defend an old man from some bullies. Grateful, the old man gives Megumi an unusual old book, from which a somewhat erratic demon emerges, promising to fulfill any desire. Megumi wishes to become the strongest and most courageous person, but due to the demon’s confusion, the wish is granted in the opposite way, transforming Megumi into the most feminine and attractive girl.

Upset with the unintended consequence, Megumi throws the book into a pond, only to realize that the demon has disappeared along with the book. Now living as an alluring girl, Megumi faces the challenge of fending off enamored guys at school and adapting to the unexpected change in identity.

14. Princess Princess

The story follows Tōru Kōno, a high school student who transfers to Fujimori Academy, an elite male-only high school with a unique tradition. Each year, certain students are chosen for their bishōnen appeal and appointed as “Princesses” to liven up the atmosphere. Tōru is offered the position upon arrival due to his feminine characteristics, joining two others: Mikoto Yutaka, who reluctantly accepts for the benefits, and Yūjirō Shihōdani, who takes his role seriously.

Princesses wear girls’ clothes during school sessions and events, cheering on other students and sports clubs. Despite the duties, they receive various perks, including free food, school supplies, and monetary benefits from the photography club. Princesses are chosen from first-year students with suitable appearance and popularity. Once selected, they cannot reject the position, leading to unique challenges and experiences for Tōru and his fellow princesses.

15. Kokoro Connect

Kokoro Connect revolves around five Yamaboshi Academy culture club members: Taichi Yaegashi, Iori Nagase, Himeko Inaba, Yoshifumi Aoki, and Yui Kiriyama. After a mysterious event, they start swapping bodies, leading to the revelation of hidden feelings and the strengthening of their bonds. The entity Fūsenkazura is identified as the cause, and the group works together to return to normal.

After resolving the body-swapping arc, Fūsenkazura presents new challenges, testing the group’s bonds. As the story unfolds, two new students, Chihiro Uwa and Shino Enjōji, join the original protagonists in navigating the complexities of their interconnected lives.

16. Maze the Megaburst Space

Maze wakes up with amnesia in a wrecked house and encounters a girl named Mill who thanks her for saving her life. They discover that Maze possesses magical powers and a legacy mecha, Dulgar. Maze, transforming into a lecherous man at sunset, joins forces with other travelers, including Demi-Armor hunters Aster and Solude, a guide and Exposition Fairy, and Rapier. Together, they embark on a journey to defeat Jaina, protect Mill, and restore her to the throne of Bartonia in this fantasy world.

17. Simoun

Simoun is set on the planet Daikūriku, where three countries, the Holy Land of Simulacrum, the Argentum Archipelago, and the High Lands of Plumbum, engage in war for various reasons. On this planet, all individuals are born female, and each country addresses reproduction differently, involving changing genders or religious rituals. The Holy Land possesses a powerful technology known as the Simoun, airships powered by a helical engine. These ships, flown by priestesses called ‘Simoun Sibyllae,’ serve as both a divine tool and a devastating weapon, drawing patterns in the sky known as Emerald Ri Mājon. The story unfolds as priestesses find themselves forced into the battlefield amidst the conflict between the nations.”

18. The Ambition of Oda Nobuna

In The Ambition of Oda Nobuna, high school student Yoshiharu Sagara is mysteriously transported to Japan’s Sengoku period. Finding himself in a life-threatening situation, he intervenes and inadvertently saves the life of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who was destined to die. Realizing the impact this could have on history, Yoshiharu decides to assume Hideyoshi’s role and leverages his knowledge from the video game ‘Nobunaga no Yabō.’ As he navigates this historical world, he encounters Nobuna Oda, the female daimyo of Owari, who aims to unify Japan. Yoshiharu becomes her vassal, determined to shape history and support her in fulfilling the role of the renowned Nobunaga Oda.”

19. Cinderella Boy

The story revolves around Ranma Hinamatsuri, a private detective in the fictional city of Arkham. However, there’s a unique twist to Ranma’s life – he has a split personality and transforms into a woman named Rella every night at midnight. As Ranma and Rella navigate their detective work, they become entangled in various cases, mysteries, and criminal activities in Arkham. The series combines elements of crime-solving, humor, and gender-bending as the protagonists deal with their dual identities and the challenges that arise from their peculiar situation. The overall tone is a mix of action and comedic elements with a central mystery plot.

20. Magical Girl Ore

Magical Girl Ore follows the story of Saki Uno, an aspiring but unsuccessful idol, who becomes a magical girl to save her crush, Mohiro Mikage, from demons. However, there’s a unique twist – when transformed, Saki takes on a muscular male form in a frilly dress. To her surprise, her friend Sakuyo also becomes a magical girl in a male form out of love for Saki.

As “Magical Twin,” the duo fights demons attacking Mohiro while balancing their idol careers. Their manager, an avid magical girl fan, markets their transformations as a new idol group, leading to unexpected success. Along the way, they encounter rival idol duos, Michiru and Ruka, and face challenges in both their personal and magical lives.

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