Because Japanese animators use a variety of genres and clichés, anime continues to be one of the most varied types of animation entertainment. For example, romance enthusiasts continue to enjoy the gender-bender anime genre quite a bit.
However, despite having the same fundamental premise, a person flipping genders, all gender-bender anime have different plots that are nearly never identical to one another.
Since so many gender-bender anime are accessible to watch, it might be challenging for anime lovers to select one worthwhile of their time and money.
Thankfully, some gender-bending anime succeed in standing out from the crowd. Which gender-bending anime is still essential viewing for any anime fan?
Here is the list of 32 Best Gender bender anime characters
1.) Tanya The Evil
Due to this peculiar circumstance, the salaryman is reborn as Tanya Degurechaff, an orphan in the 1920s in an alternate Germany known as Imperial Germany, turning the story into an isekai and a gender-bender.
Being X warns Tanya that if she doesn’t pass away naturally or keeps rejecting religion, Tanya’s soul will be damned to hell.
Tanya will therefore start her fight to work for the military as far away from combat as she can, even if doing so means killing others.
2.) Genshiken: The Second Generation
Genshiken: The Second Generation is a rather peculiar continuation of the Genshiken series, despite its age.
Genshiken and the Second Generation, which concentrate on the various aspects of the otaku lifestyle, center on a group of college students who demonstrate both their accomplishments and problems in leading lives centered around their interests.
Second Generation, in particular, aims to give the gender-bender formula a more realistic twist, especially since Hato, a fudanshi who cross-dresses to “fit in” with society more effectively than even his peers can tell, is one of the new members of the Genshiken otaku club.
Even though Second Generation focuses on various stories, Hato’s tale of self-discovery makes the anime so intriguing.
3.) Your Name
Your Name is a riveting tale of two star-crossed lovers and is arguably one of the most captivating anime movies of recent years.
The animation, which takes place in 2013, features Taki Tachibana from Tokyo, who wants a quieter life in the country, and rural girl Mitsuha Miyamizu, who wants to live as “a Tokyo boy” in her future life.
The following day, they unexpectedly trade bodies and are forced to live in each other’s bodies.
As the series proceeds, the two of them frequently write one another notes to interact with one another and quickly grow close.
Their fates become entangled with the approach of the comet Tiamat, even though their separation makes it possible that they will never be able to meet.
4.) Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl
Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl, a pretty original take on the gender-bending idea, chronicles the tale of Hazumu Osaragi after he confesses his love to his close friend Yasuna Kamiizumi, who promptly rejects him.
Hazumu, who has been shattered, is climbing Mt. Kashima when an alien spaceship falls on him, killing him.
Hazumu is mistakenly transformed into a lady due to his genetics by the alien Hitoshi Sora as he revives him.
As a result, Hazumu, now a female, is shocked by all the interactions she encounters returning to school.
This is made worse because two of Hazumu’s closest friends, tomboyish Tomari and Yasuna, who cannot see men, also begin to like her.
As a result, an odd love triangle develops between the female characters in the group, and Kashimashi offers a distinctive perspective on examining some of the many alluring facets of the feminine psyche.
5.) Working!!
Despite being more of a slice-of-life animation than a straightforward gender-bender, Working!! Relates the tales of a bunch of peculiar restaurant workers in Japan.
This is especially true for the main character Souta Takanashi, who can’t reasonably refuse Popura Taneshima’s invitation to work beside her in a Hokkaido restaurant, given her love of all things cute.
The Wagnaria employs a floor chief who wields a katana, a nasty sous chef, a sluggish boss, and a waitress who is afraid of men, all of whom have pretty peculiar characters.
Souta’s strange circumstances often require him to cross-dress, so parts of the humorous series’ escapades benefit from his effeminate appearance.
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6.) Secret Princess
Secret Princess, also known as Himegoto, is a manga series that follows the life of Hime Arikawa, a high school student with a significant debt he cannot repay.
Hime’s debt is paid off thanks to the Shimoshina High School student council. Hime must now put on a girl’s outfit and serve the student council for the remainder of his time in high school in return, though.
Secret Princess is still a good slice-of-life anime with fascinating stories that explore friendship, camaraderie, and even a little romance, despite the rather outlandish approach to the plot.
And in keeping with the gender-bending anime trend, Secret Princess includes a large cast of individuals with distinct characteristics who all eventually open up to Hime and give him a chance to help them develop into better people.
7.) Birdy The Mighty: Decode
Rarely makes a gender-bender anime move into the world of action, but Birdy the Mighty: Decode is an excellent example of how adaptable the genre can be.
The narrative delves into the lives of supersoldier Birdy Cephon Altera, who was developed to track down alien criminals who use Earth as a covert haven.
Unfortunately, one of her pursuits results in the unintentional death of high school student Tsutomu Senkawa.
Thankfully, the Federation’s cutting-edge technology makes it possible to “reconstruct” Tsutomu’s body, but to do so, and Birdy will now need to share a body with him.
As a result, Tsutomu and Birdy occasionally have to “switch” places, particularly when Birdy needs to pursue criminals.
8.) The Minami Family
The Minami Family’s freeform slice-of-life format has more than enough leeway to allow its gender-bender subgenre to become a part of the primary plot, even though the film itself doesn’t place much emphasis on the genre.
The Minami Family primarily examines the lives of the three Minami sisters—Haruka, Kana, and Chiaki—who lead independent lives with few family members.
As a result, visitors frequently stay at their typically unoccupied homes, all related to the sisters in some strange or amusing way.
Makoto, sometimes known as Mako-chan, is one of these classmates who has a crush on Kana Minami.
The two other sisters believe that having him constantly cross-dress is a good idea to get closer to her.
9.) Aoharu x Machinegun
Aoharu x Machinegun, yet another original take on the gender-bender anime action subgenre, is ideal for viewers who enjoy the current survival game craze.
More than enough action occurs for spectators to remain glued to the screen. The protagonist of Aoharu x Machinegun, Hotaru Tachibana, is a person with a strong sense of justice who also enjoys dressing as a man.
A local club’s owner, Masamune Matsuoka, challenges Hotaru to a survival game that involves shooting with toy weapons after Hotaru hears that her buddy was lured there.
Hotaru attempts to pursue justice. Masamune extends Hotaru an invitation to join the Toy Gun Gun team despite her defeat since they hope to become Japan’s top survival game team.
10.) Ouran HighSchool Host Club
Ouran High School Host Club is a thorough and lively interpretation of the love aspect of gender-bender anime, and it may be considered a classic example of the genre.
The anime focuses on Haruhi Fujioka, a student at the exclusive Ouran Academy.
Haruhi discovers an abandoned music room that the Host Club, a group of male students who provide tea and sweets to female “clients” as entertainment, utilized while looking for a quiet spot to study.
Haruhi is forced to repay the loan as the Host Club’s errand boy after she accidentally breaks an antique vase in the room. Unfortunately for them, despite Haruhi’s gender-neutral appearance, they are unaware that she is a female.
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11.) Yamada-Kun And The Seven Witches
Yamada-Kun and the Seven Witches continue Ryu Yamada’s exploits while delving deeper into the supernatural aspect of the genre.
A typical high school student, Ryu accidentally falls upon Urara Shiraishi, causing them to trade bodies.
Due to this strange event, the Supernatural Studies club is reactivated, and Yamada and its members learn that there are witches in the school, each of whom has unique skills and talents.
They soon learn that Yamada’s kiss performs additional magical functions in addition to triggering the witches’ powers. Unfortunately, several catastrophes occur near the school, and the club must find a way to halt or prevent them.
12.) Kokoro Connect
Kokoro Connect, also known as Heart Connect, examines the lives of five students who encounter strange supernatural issues that compel them to “connect” and form bonds with one another.
Fortunately for the five pupils, they are all participants in their high school’s Student Cultural Research Club.
They quickly discover that a force known as Heartseed is utilizing the paranormal occurrence to test them for unknown reasons.
These kids experience the gender bender element when a paranormal occurrence frequently causes them to trade bodies with one another.
It’s intriguing to watch how far they will go to maintain their connection and understanding of one another while possessing one another’s bodies, given that their friendship is continually tested.
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13.) Ranma ½
Ranma 12 chronicles the experiences of Ranma Saotome, who becomes cursed when he falls into Jusenkyo’s cursed springs while on a training journey, and is arguably the most iconic example of traditional gender-bending animation.
Legend has it that individuals cursed by the springs will assume the form of anything that drowned there long ago, and Ranma does just that.
Fortunately, exposure to hot or cold water will transform him into an alternate shape.
Given its unique blend of slice-of-life, light martial arts, and romance, Ranma 1&2 is still a delightful watch today despite its age.
14.) Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru
Mizuho Miyanokouji, an androgynous high school student, is the primary character in Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru, which narrates their story.
When his grandfather passed away, it was revealed from his will that he wanted his grandson to attend the Seio Girls’ Academy, a school founded by his forebears and where his mother had attended.
Mizuho respects this will and infiltrates it by disguising himself. Hisako Kajiura, the headteacher, Mariya Mikado, and the headmistress are initially the only ones aware of his secret; however, Shion Jujo and Ichiko Takashima also learn it.
Other high school girls like Mizuho frequently talk about how lovely, beautiful, and athletic she is. His runaway popularity grows to the point where he is unjustly nominated for the position of student council president.
15.) I My Me! Strawberry Eggs
A young, entrepreneurial teacher named Hibiki Amawa is currently searching for funding to rent the space occupied by the obnoxious Ruru Sanjo (who threatens to cook her dog if her rent is not paid).
He submits an official application to the private Seitow Sannomiya school.
After being mistreated by the headmistress, he learns that men are not welcome at the school and that the teaching team should only be made up of women because men are simply incapable of carrying out such sensitive work.
The scared child returns to his apartment, where he runs across old Ruru, who encourages him to keep trying.
16.) Maria†Holic
The goal of Kanako’s dream is to attend an all-girls school. That is natural. Sure, sure.
But not when you’re a lesbian in real life and have fantasies about having sex with other high school girls. She may join one, and she even identifies a target.
But what if the intended victim is instead a boy who is transgender? Given that Kanako detests boys so much that she even breaks out in hives when she comes in contact with them, how will she deal with Mariya, the boy in drag?
17.) Kämpfer
Natsuru, the boy who slept alone and awoke as a lady. He (or should I say she) is not your typical gal, which is a plus. Now she is a Kämpfer!
What is that, then? It’s a girl, a female fighter—a young woman who Kämpfe with other Kämpfer.
Okay, there isn’t an advantage after all. But I suppose everyone’s current adoration for her—male or female—makes it somewhat worthwhile.
18.) Cheeky Angel
It is undoubtedly a lovely experience to meet a genie. Not Megumi, though. He was a combative 9-year-old who frequently got into fights.
When he met the genie Pierre, he wanted to transform into a powerful guy in a man’s body because of this.
He transformed him into a feminine Megumi, as a good genie would. He throws the book Pierre had come from but subsequently decides to look for it.
After enrolling in high school six years later, the bully falls in love with her after beating her up.
19.) Princess Princess
The elite does the strangest things, I promise. Three boys are traditionally chosen to be their princes at a famous all-male school.
When Tooru enrols in the school, he is given a chance to fulfil his dream of becoming a princess.
He and the other two must constantly dress in feminine attire. Uncomfortable? Not.
They receive compensation for selling their likenesses in images, are given free lunches, and are expected to perform princess tasks in addition to their academic responsibilities.
20.) Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister
You can be an older brother who stays home alone one day, and the next day, after your little sister slipped you something, you can be a middle school girl.
Onimai wants the little girls’ NEET rehabilitation plan to include gender switching. The anime truly provides a credible look at the issues that women encounter and that men may not fully understand. Most notably, it stands out for being one of the few animes that acknowledge different time periods.
Despite the fact that the main character is a transgender adult, it still affects his young body in ways that, for lack of a better word, can be rather strange.
21.) Maze: The Mega-burst Space
Maze had no idea that waking up with amnesia and finding her room in shambles would not be the worst part of her day.
She had also been taken to a mystical world where she had unintentionally protected fugitive princess Mills from the Dark Lord’s minions, who had destroyed her kingdom.
Even though she can summon a large mecha that belonged to Mills’ family and has magical light abilities that can beam their enemies away, the situation isn’t much better because, at night, she changes into a man who is much more interested in having sex than in trying to find their way back home and their memories.
22.) Cinderella Boy
In the futuristic yet hazardous Kirin Town, Ranma Hinamatsuri and Rella “Cindy” Shirayuki run a private detective business.
Due to his propensity to take on cases even though they don’t pay since he is a gentleman and Rella is highly affluent and loves being in difficult circumstances, Ramna has a lot of problems.
However, since the collision, neither has seen the other and what’s even more concerning is that they both experience 24-hour comas during which they cannot recall anything they did yet end up waking up in extremely bizarre circumstances.
They don’t realize that the doctor who saved their lives after their accident ended up putting both of them in the same body so that when midnight strikes, they switch places with no memory of what the other did.
23.) Simoun
Every baby born in the Simulicram kingdom is a female. The girls can participate in a unique religious ceremony where they can enter a magical spring that transforms them into men if they choose when they are 17. Thus this does not imply that there are no men.
The kingdom is guarded by Simoun machines, which can only be operated by persons who haven’t decided their sex. As a result, their military is quite youthful.
But when war breaks out with a neighbouring kingdom, they allow the present Simoun pilots to stay away from the springs as long as they desire to continue defending the realm.
24.) Mahou Shoujo Ore
Saki Uno wasn’t sure what to anticipate when she was asked to take up her mother’s part-time job when she could not do it due to a back ailment.
But it wasn’t to be informed that she was now a Magical Girl and had to battle demons by a Yakuza with the odd name Kokoro (heart in Japanese).
She certainly didn’t anticipate becoming a muscular man dressed in a pretty pink frock, or the demons would have adorable bear faces and bodybuilder-like muscles.
But if she wants to save the kid she likes from the demons and her withering career as an idol singer, she must do so immediately.
25.) 11eyes
Satsuki Kakeru is at a loss for what to do when the sky turns red, the moon turns black, and creatures start prowling the streets.
He tries to figure out why they were sent to this strange world, which appears to be empty, aside from them, together with his best friend, Yuka.
Kakeru and Yuka, however, thought it was all a dream when the “Red Night” ended until it happened again and put them in danger.
They encounter four other people in the same situation: Kusakabe Misuzu, a skilled swordswoman; Tachibana Kukuri, a bizarre silent girl who eerily resembles Kakeru’s late sister; and Hirohara Yukiko, a bubbly young woman whose personality turns cold killer when her spectacles are taken off.
26.) Ambition of Oda Nobuna
Yoshiharu Sagara, a typical high school student, finds himself unexpectedly in the Sengoku era and is set to be slain on the battlefield.
None other than the man who would go on to become the renowned Toyotomi Hideyoshi saves him, but at the expense of his own life. Yoshiharu seeks to set things right again after these events change the path of history.
Yoshiharu is shocked to learn that the people he meets, the locations he visits, and the historical events he is forced to participate in are somewhat different from what he recalls from his favourite Sengoku-era video game, Nobunaga’s Ambition.
27.) Haiyore! Nyaruko-san
Manta Aisora and Koin are the authors and illustrators of the Japanese light novel series Nyaruko: Crawling With Love.
It took H as inspiration. Cthulhu mythology by H. P. Lovecraft. Soft Bank Creative has released ten volumes under the GA Bunko banner.
Haiyoru! is a flash-animated original video animation created by DLE. Between October 2009 and March 2010, Nyaruani was released, and after that came Haiyoru, a television series. The Japanese television series Nyaruani: Remember My Mr. Lovecraft ran from December 2010 to February 2011.
In Japan, a first season of an anime television series produced by Xebec ran from April to June 2012, and a second season ran from April to June 2013. There have been two manga adaptations made.
28.) To Love-Ru
Yuuki Rito, a high school student, unintentionally marries an escaped princess.
This princess is also an Alien, of course.
29.) Murder Princess
In the Cyndina Era, the year is 672. Alita is the Princess of the Forland realm, which has many sinister mysteries that friends and foes find intriguing.
Alita escapes from Forland after the terrible scientist Dr. Akamashi kills all of the aristocrats and runs into a bounty hunter named Falis, who will change her life forever.
Falis must assume the role of the Princess to defend the kingdom’s residents after Alita and Falis unintentionally switched bodies. Alita (the real Princess) will cede her body, soul, and throne to Falis in return.
30.) Inari Kon Kon
A quiet, average-performing middle school student named Fushimi Inari lives in Kyoto’s Fushimi district.
She has a crush on Tanbabashi, a classmate, but she cannot speak about it. She receives the ability to change her shape one day as a reward from the deity Ukanomitamanokami for saving a fox cub.
31.) She Professed Herself, Pupil of the Wise Man
She Professed Herself, Pupil of the Wise Man, an online game, asks the hypothetical question of what would happen if you changed your character to see what they’d look like as a girl and got locked on that character.
It is not the most inventive anime but contains all the usual gender-bending humour.
32.) Life With an Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated Into a Total Fantasy Knockout
Life With an Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated Into a Total Fantasy Knockout is more overtly gender-bending than Saga of Tanya the Evil, a series in the isekai anime subgenre that has become so overrun with clichés that it is frantically seeking originality.
By transforming a regular boy into a lady, sending her and his closest buddy to a magical world, and engaging in normal isekai adventure activities, this isekai anime aims to innovate.
His best buddy, who despises women yet finds it difficult to resist falling in love with him because he is the man he still admires on the inside, is a major source of humour.
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