You might not know where to start when it comes to Japan’s lesbian films and TV shows. They’re pretty rare overall, and spread throughout various genres, making them even harder to find. While there’s a pretty big collection of yuri anime (lesbian anime), live action lesbian movies and TV shows are less common.
Below, we’ve gathered our top ten picks for lesbian movies and TV shows in Japan, and rated them based on audience reviews and our personal opinion of them. So, if you’re looking for some good Japanese lesbian movies and TV shows to watch, read on to find out more!
1. Transit Girls
Synopsis
Transit Girls claims the title of being the first Japanese lesbian TV drama to air, and was made by the creators of the popular reality TV show Terrace House. The story centers around Sayuri, a high school student whose father just remarried. Her new step-mother also has a daughter, Yui, who moves in with the family. Despite Sayuri and Yui initially not liking each other, they develop feelings for each other over the course of the show.
This show received generally positive reviews, both for being heartwarming and for being groundbreaking!
Our Rating
10/10
2. Manji
Synopsis
Manji is a Japanese lesbian drama film that’s been remade a number of times, with a 1964, 1983, 1998, 2006, and a 2023 version. The story centers around Sonoko, a bored housewife who is growing older, and Mitsuko, a young, pretty student at an art school.
The two become romantically involved, and the story examines how their tacit affair complicates their other relationships, including Sonoko’s relationship with her husband. It’s safe to say that this movie was good enough to be remade a number of times, so pick which version you want to watch first, and then get started!
Our Rating
9/10
3. Schoolgirl Complex
Synopsis
Manami is a senior at an all-girls high school and a member of her school’s radio broadcasting club. Chiyuki is a newbie to the club who often skips it, due to her being a delinquent with her own personal issues. Manami becomes infatuated with Chiyuki as the end of the school year approaches.
The film doesn’t just follow the growing relationship between Manami and Chiyuki, but portrays a whole web of crushes and romantic frustrations at this all-girls high school. According to reviewers, it’s a slower-paced movie, so be prepared for a drawn-out, meandering film.
Our Rating
6/10
4. White Lily
Synopsis
Tokiko, a well-known ceramic artist, takes on a female apprentice, Haruka. They begin a relationship after Tokiko’s husband dies. All is well in their relationship until Satoru, a male student, arrives, and Tokiko initiates a relationship with him too.
White Lily is a raunchy drama where emotions run high, with its fair share of violence as well. Reviews were mixed about this film, probably thinking it to be too melodramatic. However, if that’s the kind of film you like, definitely give White Lily a watch!
Our Rating
5/10
5. Ride or Die
Synopsis
Based on the manga series Gunjo, Ride or Die is a psychological thriller and lesbian drama film. The story centers around Rei, a successful plastic surgeon, who learns that her high school crush, Nanae, is suffering from domestic violence at the hands of her husband. Rei comes up with a plan to rescue Nanae, and the drama only increases from there.
Reviews of this film are mixed, but to me, it seems like an intriguing lesbian thriller that’s worth a watch – reminiscent of Thelma & Louise but not entirely the same.
Our Rating
7/10
6. Blue
Synopsis
Kayako is a third-year student at an all-girls high school in a small seaside town in Japan. She leads a pretty typical life with her friends, until Masami, another girl at school, shows up. Kayako and Masami’s friendship grows, until it crosses the boundary into romance. Meanwhile, Kayako grows farther and farther apart from her other friends, as she spends more and more time with Masami.
The movie is centered around the sea, which inspired the title of the movie, with many of the most pivotal moments in the film taking place near the ocean.
Our Rating
7/10
7. Yuridano Kandano
Synopsis
Yuri is a university student who’s being harassed by a stalker. Her boyfriend isn’t of much help to her about it, so she decides to move out of her current place, and, while moving, runs into Kaeri, an old classmate of hers. Kaeri seems to be pretty protective of Yuri, to the point of being overbearing. Kaeri helps investigate who Yuri’s stalker really is, and crosses some boundaries herself in the process.
Yuridano Kandano is a fast-paced drama with a lot of intrigue, with one reviewer saying, “Every single one of the eight episodes gripped my attention, made me squirm with discomfort, and occasionally shake my head in wonder.”
Our Rating
8/10
8. West North West
Synopsis
Kei and Ai are both lesbians living in a big city in Japan. Working jobs to make ends meet, they’re also each struggling with their own personal issues. Naima, an Iranian art student studying in Japan, becomes friends with Kei, and the three realize that they have a lot in common.
According to reviewers, this film is a slow-moving watch, with a muted color scheme throughout, despite it being set in a big city, which would usually offer a lot of light and entertainment. This is a stylistic choice that you’ll probably either love or hate – so get ready to have strong feelings about the cinematography!
Our Rating
8/10
9. Starting Over
Synopsis
Nana is a 19-year-old girl whose mother is sick and in the hospital. Nana is also in a relationship with Marin, another girl her age. Her mother and Marin are the only two people in the world who she really trusts, and Nana faces various struggles in life as a queer woman.
According to one reviewer, “This movie is like they put a list of sad things that could happen in an average, everyday life into a hat. And then they picked every single one of them to put in the movie.”
It’s safe to say that Nana runs into her fair share of tragedy in this movie, so be prepared for a difficult watch that doesn’t exactly leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
Our Rating
7/10
10. Matcha & Vanilla
Synopsis
Yuki and Ai are a closeted lesbian couple, living together long term. When Yuki is diagnosed with terminal cancer, the couple must confront Japan’s conservative attitudes towards homosexuality to navigate the medical system.
The movie is both a love story and a commentary on the special struggles that gay couples go through in Japan, especially during serious illness. This movie might make you cry, while also being heartwarming, so be prepared!
Our Rating
9/10
Conclusion
While this list doesn’t cover every lesbian film and TV show that Japan has to offer, it does give a good selection of films and shows of various themes, so you can explore further into each genre on your own. The films on this list will make you laugh, cry, and maybe occasionally feel angry at bad writing, but nevertheless, we hope that you’ll be entertained!
If you’re interested in learning more about LGBTQ+ media in Japan, such as this article about Japan’s best queer manga, take a look at JGG’s website!
