Anime regularly ventures into a number of fantastical situations. As almost anyone knows, these can include pirates eating magical fruits, alien martial artists, and even being able to overcome anxiety. One trope that is surprsingly common in anime is that of gender swapping, where one or more characters in the show, through one means or another, shifts their gender entirely.
We should note that this is distinct from any of the characters being transgender. While transgender characters have been portrayed in anime for decades (to varying degrees of sympahty), the “gender bender” trope is one in which the characters instantly or near instantly change from man to woman and/or vice-versa. So, here are a few examples of anime with characters who swap genders quickly.
Woke Up As A Girl Syndrome
Part of the 17-26 short film compilation by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man, this 13-minute piece explores main character Toshihide’s reaction to waking up one day to discover that he has tranformed overnight, Gregor Samsa-like, into a girl. Toshihide must now navigate the world and his existing relationships in what is his new perceived gender.
He is told that there is no “cure” for the “disease” that he has, and the teacher announces to his class that he is to be treated as a girl for all intents and purposes. The girls in his class think him a pervert, because he is being made to change with them for PE (something that horrifies Toshihide); the boys in his class immediately begin to sexually harass him; and his girlfriend’s brother, Akira, stands up for him in a way that makes his heart beat faster.
His girlfriend, Rie, is very understanding, and accepts his transformation with patience and understanding, until she suspects that Toshihide has feelings for Akira, and then begins to become very sexually aggressive. Toshihide is ultimately faced with the choice between giving in and accepting that he “is” a girl, or resolving to be a boy, no matter what his body looks like.
Equal parts moving, funny, and occasionally frightening, in under a quarter of an hour this short takes the viewer through a range of emotions, as well as giving insight into gender dysphoria, as Toshihide struggles with the person he knows himself to be on the inside not matching his physical form. Essential viewing.
- Streaming: Amazon Prime
Ranma 1/2
Originally a manga by Rumiko Takahashi, Ranma 1/2 tells the tale of Ranma Saotome, a Japanese martial artist and heir to the “Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts.” He is in an arranged engagement to Akane Tendo, a skilled martial artist in her own right — though the betrothal vexes the pair of them.
Ranma, however, was cursed during a training journey to China: now, whenever he is splashed with cold water, he becomes a girl, and needs to be splashed with hot water to change back.
The manga was adapted into an anime back in 1989, lasting until 1994. However, following the success of the 2020s Urusei Yatsura remake, in 2024 the action-romance-comedy was itself given a remake, with new voice acting, a fresh paint of coat, and a slimmed-down narrative free of filler.
It is a fun, colorful romp — and while it is not an explicitly transgender show, many, many people online have reported having had their eggs cracked thanks to the original manga and anime. So, even if it is not explicitly for transgender people, it is known as being trans-friendly.
- Streaming: Netflix
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon
Another all-time classic, Sailor Moon is so iconic that it needs no introduction: so I’m not going to give it one. However, it is not just a beloved for its fun characters, surprisingly affective story beats, and iconic music, but it is also a stone-cold LGBTQ+ classic. What we’re focusing on today, however, are its gender-bending elements.
Now, one could (convincingly) argue that Haruka Tenou, aka Sailor Uranus, is bigender, or gender fluid. However, a more notable example of gender bending is in the Sailor Starlights. New arrivals during the manga and anime’s final story arc, Sailor Star Fighter, aka Seiya Kou, Sailor Star Healer, aka Yaten Kou, and Sailor Star Maker, aka Taiki Kou, are all members of the Starlights, a boyband. However, when they transform into their super-powered selves, they change into women.
The change in gender is never seen as a source of confusion or pain for any of the Starlights, and the other characters are also — after initial surprise — unbothered. Protagonist Usagi Tsukino (bisexual icon) is also attracted to Seiya in both of their genders.
- Streaming: Amazon Prime
Magical Girl Ore
Another magical girl show, and another dose of gender bending. Where Magical Girl Ore differs, however, is that it is an intentional parody and satire of the genre. Unpopular idol Saki Uno, after a disastrous concert with no attendees, is told by a gangster “mascot” that her mother was once a magical girl. However, after her mother suffered a back injury, Saki becomes her replacement, and transforms into… an insanely buff magical “girl.”
This parody, which draws laughs from its various absurdist gags (like running to Anime School without toast, but a whole plate of French Toast), not least of which is Saki’s transformation into an insanely buff guy — with a classic magical girl sailor outfit. The various characters, the silly situations, and the non-stop gags have made this a firm favorite among viewers. Worth a watch.
- Streaming: Amazon Prime
Your Name
Approaching its tenth anniversary, Your Name, directed by Makoto Shinkai, remains a critical and commercial smash. This universally adored movie tells the tale of Mitsuha Miyamizu and Taki Tachibana, who are linked through time and space to swap bodies after Mitsuha makes a wish to be reborn as a cool boy in Tokyo. However, they are cursed not remember their time in each other’s bodies, waking the day after and having to deal with their classmates’ confusion.
Through these body and gender swaps, the pair not only begin to understand and appreciate one another, but also (after some initial missteps) make one another’s lives a little easier: Taki uses his confidence to help Mitsuha be perceived as more outgoing in her town of Itomori. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Mitsuha’s softer side charms Taki’s crush.
Utterly unmissable, with a moving story that will stick with you long after the credits have finished rolling.
- Streaming: Netflix
With that, our transformation is complete. We hope that you’ve found some new anime that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even learn. Changing one’s gender may not be as simple in the real world, but it’s always important to imagine worlds where a new gender can be accepted and embraced.
