12 Anime That Turned Background Gay Couples Into Series Leads

Anime narratives often introduce compelling side characters who capture audience attention despite their limited screen time. These supporting figures sometimes share a chemistry that rivals or exceeds the dynamic of the main protagonists. Production studios occasionally respond to fan demand by creating spinoffs or sequels dedicated entirely to these background pairings. This shift allows creators to explore complex backstories and relationships that were previously left to the imagination.

‘Given’ (2020)

The original television anime focused primarily on the budding romance between the high school students Ritsuka and Mafuyu. This film shifts the perspective to the older band members Haruki and Akihiko. It explores their complicated history and the love triangle involving the genius violinist Ugetsu. Fans of the series finally see these supporting characters step into the main role to resolve their long-standing emotional turmoil.

‘Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie’ (2014)

Yokozawa originally served as a minor antagonist and bitter rival in the ‘Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi’ television series. This movie redeems the character by giving him his own romantic storyline with the charismatic editor Kirishima. The plot shifts focus away from the Emerald editorial department to explore a more mature relationship dynamic involving a single father. It transforms a character previously defined by his unrequited love into the sympathetic hero of his own story.

‘Hirano and Kagiura’ (2023)

These two characters started as the supportive roommate and upperclassman to the protagonists in ‘Sasaki and Miyano’. Their dynamic proved popular enough to spawn a spinoff manga and a short film adaptation. The story follows the disciplined Hirano and the energetic Kagiura as they navigate their daily life in the school dormitory. This spinoff allows the audience to explore their chemistry without the distraction of the main couple.

‘Hitorijime My Hero’ (2017)

The anime adapts two connected manga storylines but places the primary focus on the teacher Kousuke and his student Masahiro. Masahiro initially appeared as a side character and friend to the protagonist of the prequel manga ‘Hitorijime Boyfriend’. The television series elevates Masahiro to the main protagonist role while relegating the original couple to supporting status. This narrative choice highlights the bond between the former delinquent and the protector he admires.

‘Twittering Birds Never Fly: Don’t Stay Gold’ (2021)

This original video animation centers on Kageyama and Kuga who serve as supporting characters in the main film ‘The Clouds Gather’. The story explores how the awkward doctor Kageyama meets the streetwise Kuga and develops a relationship with him. It provides depth to characters who exist on the periphery of the heavy yakuza drama in the main series. Viewers get a lighter and more romantic contrast to the darker tone of the central storyline.

‘The Tyrant Falls in Love’ (2010)

Morinaga Tetsuhiro originally appeared as a supporting character in the manga series ‘Challengers’. He takes the lead role in this anime adaptation which follows his unrequited love for his homophobic senior Souichi. The story picks up years after his introduction and creates a new dynamic where he actively pursues his feelings. This transition allows a former side character to drive the comedic and dramatic tension of the series.

‘Winter Cicada’ (2007)

This series originated as a fictional movie acting role for the main characters of the anime ‘Haru wo Daiteita’. The concept was so compelling that it received its own standalone anime adaptation set in the Meiji era. The story features historical versions of the actors as a soldier and a diplomat caught on opposite sides of political change. It serves as a rare example of a story within a story becoming a fully realized independent production.

‘Junjo Romantica’ (2008–2015)

This series is famous for balancing three distinct storylines that intertwine loosely throughout the seasons. The main couple often takes the spotlight but the Egoist and Terrorist pairings receive their own fully developed arcs. Viewers watch these originally supporting characters navigate their own complex relationships independent of the main plot. The anime treats these side couples with the same narrative weight and screen time as the primary protagonists.

‘Liz and the Blue Bird’ (2018)

Mizore and Nozomi appeared as supporting band members in ‘Sound! Euphonium’ with a complicated and subtle friendship. This film promotes them to absolute protagonists and reimagines the art style to suit their delicate story. The narrative focuses entirely on their disjointed communication and codependency during their final year of high school. It stands as a distinct work that transforms background tension into a primary character study.

‘Hey, Class President!’ (2009)

Chiga and Kokusai are characters who exist within a shared universe of works by the author Monchi Kaori. They stepped out of the background of related stories to headline their own original video animation. The plot follows the vice president Chiga as he protects the naive president Kokusai from unwanted male attention. This adaptation gives the couple their own spotlight and develops their relationship beyond a simple cameo.

‘Hybrid Child’ (2014)

This series functions as an anthology where background lore characters take the stage in later episodes. The narrative spans different time periods and couples connected by the existence of the titular androids. The final arc focuses on the creator of the Hybrid Childs and his tragic romance which serves as the emotional core of the entire franchise. Each episode effectively turns a new couple into the temporary leads of the series.

‘Sex Pistols’ (2010)

The original manga features a wide ensemble cast of characters with various animal souls. The original video animation chooses to center specifically on the relationship between Yonekuni and Shiro. This decision creates a focused narrative arc for a couple that shares the stage with many others in the source material. It allows the anime to explore their specific dynamic of a class president and a bear spirit in depth.

Share which of these spinoff couples you enjoyed watching the most in the comments.