Anime That Featured Gay Characters But Never Made It Canon

Anime history is filled with relationships that blur the line between deep friendship and romance without ever crossing into official confirmation. Fans often flock to these series for the intense emotional connections and palpable chemistry between characters that drive the narrative forward. While the creators may tease affection or devotion, the stories frequently conclude without explicitly defining the couple as romantic partners. This list explores series where the subtext is so strong that many viewers interpret the bond as love regardless of the canonical status.

‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (1995–1996)

Shinji Ikari struggles with isolation and the weight of piloting a giant mecha to save humanity from mysterious entities known as Angels. He meets Kaworu Nagisa near the end of the series and immediately forms a profound connection with him. Kaworu expresses affection that many translations interpret as love and offers Shinji the acceptance he desperately craves. Their bond is tragic and fleeting yet remains one of the most discussed relationships in anime history due to its intense emotional intimacy.

‘Naruto’ (2002–2007)

Naruto Uzumaki spends a significant portion of his youth chasing after his rival and friend Sasuke Uchiha. The story frames their bond as a brotherhood but the lengths Naruto goes to save Sasuke often surpass typical friendship. They share an accidental kiss early in the series and their final battle is deeply emotional and symbolic of their unbreakable connection. Fans frequently interpret their obsession with one another as a form of repressed romantic tension despite their eventual marriages to women.

‘Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’ (2006–2008)

Lelouch Lamperouge and Suzaku Kururugi are childhood friends who find themselves on opposite sides of a global conflict. Their relationship is defined by betrayal and a complex mix of hatred and devotion as they navigate their differing ideologies. The series highlights their inability to kill each other despite their political stances and positions them as two halves of a whole. This tragic dynamic fuels speculation that their feelings run deeper than mere friendship or rivalry.

‘Black Butler’ (2008–2014)

Ciel Phantomhive forms a pact with a demon named Sebastian Michaelis who serves as his loyal butler until Ciel fulfills his revenge. Sebastian acts with extreme devotion and fulfills every order with supernatural grace while hinting at a hunger for Ciel’s soul. The power dynamic is steeped in aesthetic and emotional subtext that suggests a bond beyond master and servant. The series plays with these themes constantly and leaves the exact nature of their connection open to interpretation.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)

Gon Freecss and Killua Zoldyck travel the world together as best friends and face dangerous trials as Hunters. Killua displays a level of devotion to Gon that often borders on self-sacrifice and he places Gon above everyone else in his life. He struggles with feelings of inadequacy and a fear of losing the light that Gon brings into his dark world. The narrative treats them as soulmates who are essential to each other’s growth and survival.

‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’ (2011)

Madoka Kaname is an ordinary girl who becomes the center of a magical girl conflict involving time travel and entropy. Homura Akemi relives the same month countless times in a desperate bid to save Madoka from a tragic fate. Homura declares that her actions are driven by love and her entire existence revolves around protecting Madoka. The sequel movie expands on this obsession and transforms their bond into something that rewrites the laws of the universe.

‘No. 6’ (2011)

Shion is a privileged boy who gives shelter to a fugitive named Nezumi during a stormy night. They reunite years later and Shion abandons his comfortable life to survive in the dangerous slums with Nezumi. The two share a kiss that is pivotal to the plot and express a deep desire to stay together against all odds. Their relationship is central to the story but the ending leaves their future together ambiguous rather than settled.

‘Tiger & Bunny’ (2011)

Veteran hero Kotetsu Kaburagi is forced to partner with the younger and more charismatic Barnaby Brooks Jr. They initially clash over their differing views on heroism but eventually develop a partnership built on absolute trust. The series focuses heavily on their dynamic as they learn to rely on each other both in and out of battle. Fans adore the domestic vibe of their interactions and the way they essentially co-parent a superpowered team by the end.

‘Fate/Zero’ (2011–2012)

Waver Velvet summons the boisterous Iskandar as his servant for the Holy Grail War. The relationship between the timid master and the charismatic king evolves into one of the most heartfelt bonds in the franchise. Iskandar inspires Waver to find his confidence and Waver mourns him deeply long after the war concludes. Their chemistry is widely celebrated for its emotional depth and the profound impact they have on each other’s lives.

‘Kids on the Slope’ (2012)

Kaoru Nishimi is an introverted classical pianist who befriends the jazz-loving delinquent Sentaro Kawabuchi. Their shared passion for music creates a bond that allows them to communicate feelings they cannot express in words. The intimacy of their jam sessions and the way they prioritize each other creates a strong romantic undercurrent. While the story involves female love interests the connection between the two boys remains the emotional core.

‘K’ (2012)

Misaki Yata and Saruhiko Fushimi are former friends whose relationship is shattered when Fushimi betrays their clan. Their interactions are filled with intense anger and obsession as Fushimi constantly seeks Misaki’s attention through conflict. The narrative highlights their fixation on one another and suggests that their hatred is a mask for unresolved hurt. They eventually find a way to reconcile and fight side by side once more.

‘Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club’ (2013)

Haruka Nanase and his childhood friend Makoto Tachibana share a bond that requires few words to understand. Makoto can read Haruka’s emotions perfectly and often speaks for him when he withdraws into himself. The rival swimmer Rin Matsuoka also shares a passionate and turbulent history with Haruka that drives much of the drama. The show is famous for its emphasis on the emotional intimacy between the male swimmers.

‘Terror in Resonance’ (2014)

Nine and Twelve are two teenagers who carry out terrorist attacks in Tokyo to expose a dark secret from their past. They share a traumatic history as survivors of an experiment and rely solely on each other for survival. Their bond is portrayed as a lifeline in a world that has rejected them. The tragic conclusion of their story emphasizes that they were the only family the other ever had.

‘Sound! Euphonium’ (2015–2016)

Kumiko Oumae and Reina Kousaka share several scenes that are visually and emotionally charged with romantic tension. Reina confesses that her drive to be special connects her to Kumiko and they share intimate moments on a mountain summit. They touch and speak to each other in ways that suggest a blossoming first love. The series eventually steers them toward heterosexual relationships which surprised many fans who read the subtext differently.

‘Bungo Stray Dogs’ (2016–Present)

Osamu Dazai and Chuuya Nakahara are former partners known as Double Black who share a volatile history. They claim to hate each other yet they trust one another implicitly on the battlefield. Their banter suggests a deep knowledge of the other’s habits and weaknesses that only comes from close intimacy. The fandom latches onto the tension between their outward hostility and their synchronized fighting style.

‘Tanaka-kun is Always Listless’ (2016)

Tanaka is a high school student who dedicates his life to conserving energy and doing as little as possible. His best friend Ohta carries him around and tends to his needs with the patience of a devoted spouse. The show presents their codependency as wholesome and sweet rather than problematic. While framed as a comedy about friendship the domestic nature of their bond is undeniable.

‘Izetta: The Last Witch’ (2016)

Izetta is a powerful witch who pledges her life and magic to Princess Finé to save the fictional country of Eylstadt. The two women share a deep emotional connection and Izetta acts as Finé’s knight and protector. Scenes of them flying together and holding hands emphasize their closeness and mutual reliance. The story focuses heavily on their relationship as the driving force behind the war effort.

‘Little Witch Academia’ (2017)

Akko Kagari is a clumsy witch who admires a famous magician while Diana Cavendish is the top student who initially looks down on her. They eventually learn to respect each other and their rivalry transforms into a supportive partnership. Diana helps Akko unlock her potential and they work together to restore magic to the world. Their dynamic follows a classic enemies-to-lovers trajectory that many fans wish had been confirmed.

‘Princess Principal’ (2017)

Ange is a spy who replaces the real Princess Charlotte and assumes her identity while the princess acts as her double. They share a promise from childhood to destroy the walls that separate their country and be together. Their interactions are filled with longing and a desire to run away to a place where they can just be themselves. The show emphasizes that their loyalty to each other supersedes their loyalty to their respective factions.

‘Banana Fish’ (2018)

Ash Lynx is a gang leader in New York who meets a Japanese photographer named Eiji Okumura. Eiji becomes the only person Ash can trust and their relationship provides a sanctuary from the violence of Ash’s life. The story explicitly states that their souls are connected and they love each other deeply. While sexual romance is not the focus the emotional intimacy is the heart of the tragedy.

‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)

Ryo Asuka and Akira Fudo share a complex bond that transcends time and species. Ryo is an angel who falls in love with Akira but does not understand human emotion until it is too late. The story ends with a heartbreaking realization of loss as Ryo weeps for the only being he ever cared for. The romantic feelings are textually one-sided and tragic rather than a mutual relationship.

‘Run with the Wind’ (2018–2019)

Haiji Kiyose recruits Kakeru Kurahara to join his university track team for an impossible run at the Hakone Ekiden. Haiji is singularly focused on Kakeru and nurtures his talent with patience and intense admiration. Kakeru learns to trust others through Haiji’s guidance and eventually runs for Haiji’s sake. The way they look at each other and speak about running together is incredibly intimate.

‘Promare’ (2019)

Galo Thymos is a firefighter who clashes with Lio Fotia, the leader of a group of pyrokinetic mutants. They start as enemies but are forced to work together to uncover a conspiracy that threatens the planet. A pivotal scene involves Galo performing a life-saving technique on Lio that visually resembles a kiss. Their partnership bridges two warring species and becomes the key to saving the world.

‘Moriarty the Patriot’ (2020–2021)

William James Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes are intellectual rivals who find a kindred spirit in one another. William orchestrates crimes to fix society and views Sherlock as the only person who can truly understand him. Their final confrontation is framed as a tragic embrace between two equals who found solace in each other. The anime adaptation emphasizes their bond more heavily than the original stories.

‘Sk8 the Infinity’ (2021)

Langa Hasegawa moves to Okinawa and meets Reki Kyan who introduces him to the world of underground skateboarding. They quickly become inseparable and support each other through slumps and injuries. A major plot point involves them having a falling out that is treated with the emotional weight of a breakup. They resolve their issues with a promise to skate together infinitely.

‘The Case Study of Vanitas’ (2021–2022)

Vanitas is a human claiming to cure vampires and Noé Archiviste is a vampire tasked with observing him. Their relationship is flirtatious and physical from the start with Vanitas frequently invading Noé’s personal space. Noé is fascinated by Vanitas and declares that he likes him despite Vanitas’s abrasive personality. The show revels in the sensual tension between the two leads.

‘Lycoris Recoil’ (2022)

Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue are elite assassins who work together at a café while protecting Tokyo. Takina starts as cold and rigid but softens as she spends time with the bubbly and pacifist Chisato. They prioritize each other’s safety above orders and share moments that feel like dates. The show focuses entirely on their growing bond and mutual reliance.

‘Blue Lock’ (2022–Present)

Reo Mikage and Nagi Seishiro enter a soccer program together with a promise to win the World Cup. Reo is possessive of Nagi and treats him with a level of devotion that Nagi eventually finds suffocating. Their arc involves a painful separation and a complex reunion as they learn to play independently. The intensity of Reo’s feelings for Nagi is a major focal point of their character development.

‘Buddy Daddies’ (2023)

Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa are professional assassins who end up raising a young girl named Miri together. They fall into domestic roles where Kazuki handles the cooking and cleaning while Rei plays the video games. The show frames them as a family unit with Miri as their daughter. While their relationship is platonic coparenting the domestic bliss implies a partnership that lasts a lifetime.

Tell us which anime couple you think should have been canon in the comments.