15 Dark Fantasy Anime Where the Queer Characters Survive the Bloodbath

Dark fantasy anime often puts its cast through grueling trials involving death and despair. Queer characters in this genre frequently fall victim to tragic tropes or sacrificial endings. Viewers seeking representation without the heartbreak of the “Bury Your Gays” trope can still find gripping stories where these characters endure. The following series feature LGBTQ+ protagonists or major characters who navigate dangerous supernatural worlds and live to tell the tale.

‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ (1997)

Utena Tenjou enters a surreal dueling game at Ohtori Academy to protect Anthy Himemiya. The series explores themes of breaking free from abusive cycles and patriarchal control through symbolic sword fights. Utena and Anthy form a deep bond that transcends the manipulated roles forced upon them by the Ends of the World. They both escape the toxic environment of the academy by the conclusion of the film and series. Their survival represents a metaphorical triumph over the systems that sought to confine them.

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

Noe Archiviste travels to Paris and meets a human doctor named Vanitas who claims to cure vampires. Their partnership is filled with tension and undeniable chemistry as they fight against the curse bearing down on vampire kind. The series features other queer characters like Dominique de Sade who also survives the violent supernatural encounters. Noe and Vanitas constantly save each other from physical and psychological threats. They remain alive to continue their complex relationship despite the ominous foreshadowing.

‘No. 6’ (2011)

Shion and Nezumi meet as children and reunite years later to expose the corruption within the utopian city of No. 6. They navigate a deadly conspiracy involving parasitic bees and government oppression while relying on each other for survival. The story focuses heavily on their developing relationship and the sacrifices they make. Nezumi helps Shion escape the city and they fight together to bring down the walls separating the elite from the poor. Both characters survive the collapse of the city although they part ways with a promise to meet again.

‘Otherside Picnic’ (2021)

Sorawo Kamikoshi and Toriko Nishina explore a dangerous alternate dimension filled with urban legends brought to life. They rely on their combined wits and firearms to survive encounters with eldritch horrors that warp reality. The two women develop a close bond as they navigate the terrifying landscape of the Otherside. Their relationship deepens with every near-death experience they share. They successfully endure the horrors of this dimension and continue their investigations together.

‘High-Rise Invasion’ (2021)

Yuri Honjo finds herself trapped in a realm of skyscrapers connected by suspension bridges and hunted by masked killers. She teams up with Mayuko Nise and the two quickly become inseparable in their fight for survival. Mayuko is explicitly attracted to Yuri and dedicates herself to protecting her from the various threats. They face psychotic murderers and corrupt angels while trying to find a way to end the death game. Both girls survive the first season and remain determined to conquer the realm.

‘Izetta: The Last Witch’ (2016)

Izetta is the last surviving witch who pledges her magic to protect Princess Fine and the country of Eylstadt. The two women share a deep connection that drives Izetta to push her powers to the limit in war. They face overwhelming military forces and magical rivals that threaten to destroy their nation. Izetta survives a sacrificial play at the end of the war but loses the ability to use magic. She lives peacefully alongside Fine after the conflict concludes.

‘Simoun’ (2006)

Aer and Neviril are pilots in a theocratic society where everyone is born female and chooses their sex later in life. They pilot ancient flying machines called Simoun that require a pair of priestesses to exchange a kiss to operate. The war forces them to confront questions of duty and love as they navigate the skies. They eventually reject the societal pressure to choose a permanent gender and leave their civilization behind. They survive the war and travel to a new world together.

‘Princess Principal’ (2017)

Ange and Princess Charlotte are spies working in a steampunk version of London divided by a massive wall. They share a hidden past and switch identities while navigating a web of political intrigue and espionage. The team faces constant danger from enemy agents and internal betrayals within the Kingdom and Commonwealth. Ange prioritizes Charlotte’s safety above her mission and the two remain devoted to each other. They survive the first season and the subsequent movies while continuing their covert operations.

‘Flip Flappers’ (2016)

Cocona and Papika adventure through the surreal dimension of Pure Illusion to collect mysterious fragments. Their journey forces them to confront psychological traumas and the dark secrets of an organization seeking to control the dimension. The bond between the two girls serves as the source of their power and resilience against reality-warping enemies. They reject the control of their manipulative parents and choose their own path. Both girls survive the destruction of the organization and remain together in the real world.

‘Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka’ (2019)

Asuka Otori tries to leave her violent past as a magical girl behind until new threats force her back into battle. She is joined by Kurumi Mugen who harbors intense romantic feelings for her and fights with sadistic efficiency. The series depicts a gritty world where magical girls act as soldiers and face gruesome torture or death. Kurumi and Asuka survive the bloody conflicts against the Babel Brigade and the Disas beasts. They continue to serve in the magical special forces unit to protect humanity.

‘The Betrayal Knows My Name’ (2010)

Yuki Sakurai discovers he is the reincarnation of a woman who was the partner of a powerful opast named Luka Crosszeria. Luka has waited centuries for Yuki to return and pledges his eternal loyalty and love to him. They fight against demons known as Duras that threaten the human world and Yuki’s found family. The series focuses on their deepening bond and the protection Luka provides against relentless supernatural attacks. Both characters survive the battles and remain together to face future threats.

‘Black Butler’ (2008)

Ciel Phantomhive forms a pact with the demon Sebastian Michaelis to exact revenge on those who destroyed his family. Sebastian serves as his butler and protector while consuming the souls of their enemies. The series is filled with dark occult themes and violent confrontations with angels and reapers. Despite the terms of their contract implying Ciel’s eventual death, the anime adaptation’s second season ends with Ciel becoming a demon. They survive as an immortal pair bound together for eternity.

‘K’ (2012)

Saruhiko Fushimi and Misaki Yata are former friends whose relationship was fractured when Fushimi betrayed their clan. They find themselves on opposing sides of a conflict between the Red and Blue Kings. The series explores their unresolved tension and the lingering care they have for one another during battles. They eventually reconcile their differences and fight side by side against the Green Clan. Both men survive the clan wars and rebuild their partnership.

‘Loveless’ (2005)

Ritsuka Aoyagi meets a man named Soubi Agatsuma who claims to have been the fighter partner for Ritsuka’s deceased brother. Soubi becomes Ritsuka’s fighter and initiates him into a world of spell battles governed by verbal commands. The relationship is complex and fraught with danger as they uncover the truth behind the brother’s death. They face numerous enemy pairs sent by the organization Septimal Moon. Ritsuka and Soubi survive the series and continue their search for answers together.

‘Assault Lily: Bouquet’ (2020)

Riri Hitotsuyanagi enters a military academy to train as a Lily and fight against mysterious monsters called Huge. She becomes the partner of Yuyu Shirai who is traumatized by the death of her previous partner. Riri’s persistence helps Yuyu heal from her past wounds as they fight on the front lines. The girls use large weaponry to battle giant creatures in high-stakes combat scenarios. Both Riri and Yuyu survive the war and strengthen their pact as partners.

Have you watched any of these series or do you have other favorites where the couple makes it out alive? Share your recommendations in the comments.