12 LGBTQ+ Mangas to Celebrate Pride Month 

Yuta and Kyota are a gay couple living in Japan, where same-sex marriage is not yet legally recognized. However, the pair have identified a loophole—Kyota has decided to adopt Yuta, allowing the government to accept their union. This nonfiction manga is not only a heartwarming exploration of love but can also serve as a guide to those navigating their identity and independence within an evolving cultural landscape. 

At 30, Shou Arai accepted he had no gender. In this autobiographical manga, he explores what it is like to age as a queer person in Japanese society, which often segregates between two genders. Through identifying the challenges faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community and gender minorities, Arai manages to engage, as described by Anime News Network, in an “open, frank, and honest discussion that sticks with you.” 

Asahi and Mitsuki are polar opposites. With Asahi’s outgoing personality and Mitsuki’s reserved nature, they might seem like an odd match. But they decide to make a deal—after traveling the world together, not only learning about the countries they visit but themselves in the process, they will return home and get married. While journeying from place to place, meeting new people, and trying diverse cuisines, the couple will come together like they never have before. 

Christopher Chaos is a teenage mad scientist who processes the world around him differently than others. His brilliant mind sets him apart from his peers in a way that causes them to fear him. This leads Christopher to spend his time alone, in despair—until, one day, something changes. The cute boy at his high school is really a deadly creature. He pulls Christopher into a world of monsters, heroes, and hunters, where his differences are not only accepted but necessary to save others. 

Through uncovering the history of Monsterkind, Christopher learns that he’s not alone in his differences. He discovers that there are others like him who have gone through what he is now experiencing. Rather than continuing to hide, Christopher decides that he will use what makes him unique as fuel. He will fight back for not only himself but his friends and those who have carved the path he walks down today. 

Despite all odds, the Manhattan Mist has made it to the national championships for one of the most popular virtual reality games: Renegade Rule. A team of four queer female friends, they will have to face self-doubt, romantic diversions, and burgeoning disagreements to stack up against world-class talent if they want to take home first prize. In a celebration of queer identity, friendship, and gaming, the girls show that everything is better when shared with the people we love. 

The team members of the Manhattan Mist are ready to play stronger than ever after their near-miss at the VR gaming championship for Renegade Rule. So when a new tournament is announced, introducing a brawl mode to the game and a sponsored inaugural competition, the girls jump at the chance to once more show everyone what they are made of. But there’s a catch—only one player can be champion. In what Sfé R. Monster describes as the “punchiest queer gaming match of the millennia,” the team will have to balance new rivals and romances that test them like never before.

Film fanatic Mao Tsuchiya and his introverted roommate Hisashi Otomo lay down three ground rules in their shared dorm. Mao can never tell anyone Hisashi is gay and is seeing someone, Hisashi will never hit on Mao, and each of them is not to be disturbed during private time. If each of the rules are adhered to, living together should be smooth sailing—but life rarely goes as planned…

Although Ryo knows he’s transgender, he doesn’t feel comfortable telling anyone he knows about his feelings. Not his best friend, whom he privately harbors a crush on, or his mom, who is confused about his recent change in appearance. He feels safest wearing his favorite clothes that reflect his true self. While out shopping one day, Ryo sees someone he didn’t expect to see: the new kid he thought looked like any other bully. But it turns out they have the same taste in fashion—and not only that, Ryo may finally have someone he can be himself with, who could help him open up to the world. 

Kota is an Alpha. But still, he always avoids his neighbor, an intimidating stud with tattoos who he assumes is also an Alpha. It isn’t until one day a scent of Omega pheromones from next door overcomes him, and he realizes he is wrong. Now he must figure out how to escape the pull he feels towards him…if that’s possible. 

Hashimoto takes little to no risk in life. He works a repetitive 9-to-5 job, made worse by his boss, who expects nothing less than perfection from him. That’s why Hashimoto looks forward to coming home each day to log onto his favorite video game. Online, he unburdens himself by divulging secrets to his best friend, known only by the screenname “Uma.” The pair make plans to finally meet in person, but when they do, Hashimoto is horrified by who it turns out to be. 

It’s Himari’s first day of high school. She sees an older student singing in an all-girls band and immediately falls in love at first sight. To Himari’s surprise, when she tells Yori, she says she feels the same way. But Himari will learn that they are feeling different kinds of love and that maybe she doesn’t entirely know what love can be…