Densen Complex

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For all my bitches and bros and non-binary hoes. 🏳️‍⚧️

Focus here is on manga where either a main character is trans or a significant story arc focuses on trans characters and issues of trans identity. Otoko no ko and crossdressing series will be ignored unless there are explicit trans messaging in there. Likewise, gender-bending series that approach sex change on supernatural terms (Boku Girl) or through sci-fi mechanics (11-nin iru!) will likely be ignored unless there's some sort of grounding element that makes queer identity explicit. Finally, any series that's just like, blatantly transphobic (F. Compo) will be ignored. Some wording will be vague to avoid spoilers.

In order:
- Claudine! (1978) - Transman protagonist
- Stop! Hibari-kun (1981) - Transwoman love interest/deuteragonist
- Paros no Ken (1986) - Transman protagonist
- Double House (1998) - Transwoman protagonist
- Hourou Musuko (2002) - Everyone's trans
- Boku wa, Onnanoko (2003) - Transwoman protagonist in titular story
- Homunculus (2003) - Important transwoman character
- IS - Otoko Demo Onna Demo Nai Sei (2004) - Trans and intersex protagonists
- J no Subete (2004) - Transwoman protagonist
- Ai no Shintairiku (2004) - Transwoman protagonist
- Densen Complex (2006) - Transwoman love interest/deuteragonist in Love Horizon
- Mascara Blues (2007) - Transwoman protagonist in "So I Can Be Myself - A Long Dream"
- Yuureitou (2010) - Transman protagonist
- Smells Like Green Spirit (2011) - Transwomen protagonists
- Bokura no Hentai (2012) - Transwoman protagonist
- Kodomo wa Wakatte Agenai (2014) - Important transwoman character
- Shimanami Tasogare (2015) - Multiple trans characters
- Umareru Seibetsu wo Machigaeta! (2016) - Transwoman autobiography
- Kono Koi ni Mirai wa nai (2016) - Transwoman protagonist
- Hanayome wa Motodanshi. (2016) - Transwoman autobiography
- Boku ga Watashi ni Naru Tame ni (2016) - Transwoman autobiography
- Fukakai na Boku no Subete o (2018) - Non-binary protagonist, everyone's trans
- Kanojo ni Naritai Kimi to Boku (2018) - Transwoman protagonist
- Boys Run the Riot (2020) - Transman protagonist

A list of some manga and one-shots that focus on one's gender identity

As a disclaimer, it's important to understand that unfortunately, there are very few manga that actually comment on gender identity issues, and sadly, the manga that try to tackle these topics are not the greatest in terms of quality.

The manga are listed from best to worst, in my perspective, with Hanayome wa Motodanshi being the "line" at which I'd actually recommend the manga. I have also included my review of how well I felt the story and topics were handled as well as potential triggers as a warning.

Also, note that some series that I included are disconnected anthology manga that I have not read in their entirety.
Extra note, I would love to add more but after 18 different entries I'm all gendered out.

Non-Mal comics/manga:

Sakura-Chan to Amane-Kun| by Asazuki Norito |7|
(Very short read that seems to be discontinued? I'm not sure about the status of the manga, but what's there is really good and enjoyable. It's just sad that it's unfinished.)

Is It Strange To Feel Dysphoric After Coming Back From An Isekai?!| by squipkechi |7|
(Pretty short and not very deep, but was a very pleasant read)

The Story of a Girl Who Likes Girls, and a Girl Who Used to be a Guy| by Masada Yuu |7|
(Extremely short and not deep at all, but I still found it to be very cute)

Just a list of some pansexual characters in manga. Some are headcanons (or arguably bisexual, polysexual, omnisexual, or tiric)- those are indicated by question marks.


Not on MAL (yet):

Otto wa Jitsu wa Josei Deshita
Tsushima Tsushima (pan) (protagonist)

Quintet×Question
Mokuba Ao, Shirado Rie, Amano Aurum, Himari Mumei, Minayo Mana (pan and polyamorous) (main)

Renai ni Kyoumi Nai Otoko to Nyotaika Shita Shinyuu
Satoru (pan and demiromantic) (protagonist)

Manga with transgender girls/women. Some are headcanons- those are indicated by question marks.


Part 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/29603
Part 3: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/37567
Part 4: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/46068


Not on MAL (yet):

"Onna" toshite Idakaretai... Seitenkan Shite, Hatsukoi wo Mou Ichido.
Sanae Takahashi (trans woman) (protagonist)
Machiko (trans woman) (supporting)

Kamisama, Boku wo Koroshite Kudasai - Otoko no Karada de Umareta Jigoku
Subaru Kawase (trans girl) (protagonist)

Sakura-chan to Amane-kun
Sakura (trans girl) (main)

Sayonara Chinchin Welcome Manman ~OL ni naritakute Seibetsu Tekigou Shujutsu shita~
Yoriko Kamikawa (trans woman) (protagonist)

Watashi, Danshikou Shusshin Desu. Comic
Ayana Tsubaki (trans woman) (protagonist)

Umanbo!
Manko Ushida (trans woman) (protagonist)

Otomeza no Jun
Jun (trans woman) (main)

Mirai kara kita Jibun ni Onna ni naru you Settaku Sarersu Hanashi
Yuuka (trans woman) (main)

Danshi Jidai no mtf no Manga/Koukousei Hen
Natsuki (trans girl) (protagonist)

Josei ga Suki na Josei to Otoko datta Josei no Hanashi
Makoto (trans woman) (main)

Natsu no Ane
Orie (trans woman) (main)

Itsuka Shinu Shoujo
Yuuki Akai (trans girl) (main)

Majo ni Naritai Otoko no Ko
Koto (trans girl) (protagonist)

Massugu Aoide
Aoi (trans girl) (main)

Oppai wo Totta Kareshi.
Aoi Ishikawa (trans girl) (main)

Barcode Fighter
Sakura Arisugawa (trans girl) (main)

Chiguhagu
Yuki (trans woman) (main)

Doumo, Newhalf desu.
Tsukasa Andou (trans woman) (protagonist)
Maria (trans woman) (main)
Reiko (trans woman) (main)

Online Game de Dekita Kareshi ni Real de Aitai to Iwareta Nekama no Otoko no Ko
Miyoto (trans girl) (protagonist)

Woman with Flowers
Jae-Hee (trans woman) (main)

Girlfriend
Kaoru Shirasaki (trans woman) (main)

Otto wa Jitsu wa Josei Deshita
Wafuko (trans woman) (main)

Onnanoko ni Naritai Otokonoko no Hanashi
Girl (trans girl) (protagonist)

Hana Ningyou to Danna Sama
Hiromi (trans woman) (protagonist)

Yasashii Rival
Marika (trans woman) (main)

Haru to Yakyuu
Haru (trans girl) (protagonist)

Mukashi no Osanajimi, Otokonoko Janakatta Mitai
Yuuki (trans woman) (main)

Queer/gay/lesbian/queer/NBLW/NBLM/bisexual/pansexual/omnisexual/asexual/aromantic transgender characters in manga. Some are headcanons- those are indicated by question marks.

Part 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/63194


Not on MAL (yet):

Sayonara Chinchin Welcome Manman ~OL ni Naritakute Seibetsu Tekigo Shujutsu shimashita~
Yoriko Kamikawa (trans woman and lesbian) (protagonist)

Otto wa Jitsu wa Josei Deshita
Wafuko (trans woman and queer) (main)

Osanajimi Yuri(?)
College Girl (trans woman and lesbian) (main)

Itsuka Shinu Shoujo
Yuuki Akai (trans girl and lesbian?) (main)

Seishun Minority
Sera (trans boy and gay) (main)

Ore ga Ryousei Nante Mitomenai
Kiri (intersex boy and gay) (protagonist)

Me wo Tojite Daite
Hanafusa (intersex woman and bi) (main)

Murai-kun wa Mizuno-kun wo Dakitai
Shion Murai (trans boy and bi) (protagonist)

Quintet×Question
Mokuba Ao (x-gender, pan, and polyamorous) (main)

More manga featuring LGBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, binary transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, intersex, queer, pansexual, asexual, aromantic, etc.) characters in non-BL/non-GL manga. Some are headcanons- those are indicated by question marks.

Part 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/37019


Not on MAL (yet):

"Onna" to shite Idakaretai...Seitenkan shite, Hatsukoi wo Mou Ichido.
Sanae Takahashi (trans woman) (protagonist)
Machiko (trans woman) (supporting)

Akarui
Maki Sanada (trans boy) (protagonist)

Chiguharu
Tooru/Tohru (trans man) (protagonist)
Yuki (trans woman) (main)

Gay Fuuzoku no H Jijou
Kazuaki (gay) (protagonist)
Nori (gay) (main)

Itsuka Shinu Shoujo
Yuuki Akai (trans girl and lesbian?) (main)

Kamisama, Boku wo Koroshite Kudasai - Otoko no Karada de Umareta Jigoku
Subaru Kawase (trans girl) (protoagonist)

Ore no Karada wa Nande Onna Nanda?
Ryuutarou "Ryuu" Suzumiya (trans man) (protagonist)

Otto wa Jitsu wa Josei Deshita
Tsushima Tsushima (pan) (protagonist)
Wafuko Tsushima (trans woman and queer) (main)

Sayonara Chinchin Welcome Manman ~OL ni Naritakute Seibetsu Tekigo Shujutsu shimashita~
Yoriko "Yoripi" Kamikawa (trans woman and lesbian)

Transgender manga without official translations but have (at least partial) fan translations in English. Some of my trans labels are headcanons- those are indicated by question marks.
Organized roughly by release order in Japan.

(My definition of a trans manga is one that has a main trans character. Them being transgender may or may not be a big impact on the story.)

Part 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/55113


Not on MAL (yet):

Natsu no Ane/Summer Sister (2015)
Orie (trans woman) (main)

Chiguhagu/Mismatched (2016)
Tooru/Tohru (trans man) (protagonist)
Yuki (trans woman) (main)

Sakura-chan to Amane-kun/Sakura-chan and Amane-kun (2017)
Sakura (trans girl) (main)
Amane (trane boy) (main)

Hana Ningyou to Danna Sama/The Flower Doll Husband (2019)
Hiromi (trans woman) (protagonist)

Sayonara Chinchin Welcome Manman ~OL ni Naritakute Seibetsu Tekigo Shujutsu shimashita~/Goodbye Chinchin Welcome Manman (I Wanted to Be an Office Lady So I Had SRS) (2019)
Yoriko Kamikawa (trans woman) (protagonist)
*not fully translated

Danshi Jidai no mtf no Manga/Koukousei Hen/MTF Cartoons from the Boys' Era (2019)
Natsuki (trans girl) (protagonist)
*not fully translated

Josei ga Suki na Josei to Otoko datta Josei no Hanashi/The Story of a Girl Who Likes Girls, and a Girl Who Used to be a Guy (2019)
Makoto (trans woman) (main)

Mirai kara kita Jibun ni Onna ni naru you Settaku Sarersu Hanashi/My Future Self Is Persuading Me to Become a Woman (2020)
Yuuka (trans woman) (protagonist)

Otto wa Jitsu wa Josei Deshita/My Husband Who Actually Turned Out to Be My Wife (2020)
Wafuko (trans woman) (main)
*not fully translated

Doumo, Newhalf desu./Hi, I'm Trans (2020)
Tsukasa Andou (trans woman) (protagonist)
Maria (trans woman) (main)
Reiko (trans woman) (main)

Itsuka Shinu Shoujo/A Girl Who Will Die One Day (2020)
Yuuki Akai (trans girl) (main)

Onnanoko ni Naritai Otokonoko no Hanashi/The Story of a Boy Who Wants to Be a Girl (2020)
Girl (trans girl) (protagonist)

Ore no Karada wa Nande Onna Nanda?/Why is my Body Female? (2020)
Ryuutarou Suzumiya (trans man) (protagonist)
*not fully translated

Online Game de Dekita Kareshi ni Real de Aitai to Iwareta Nekama no Otoko no Ko/A G.I.R.L. Whose Boyfriend From an Online Game Wants to Meet Him Offline (2021)
Miyoto (trans girl) (protagonist)

Girlfriend (2021)
Kaoru Shirasaki (trans woman) (main)

Majo ni Naritai Otoko no Ko/The Boy Who Wants to be a Witch (2022)
Koto (trans girl) (protagonist)

Onna no Karada ga Iya nano de Mune o Torimashita/I Hated My Female Body, so I Cut Off My Breasts (2024)
Kazuki (non-binary) (protagonist)

One-shots (one chapter stories) with transgender themes. Some are headcanons- those are indicated by question marks. Also, some are parts of anthologies.
Organized roughly by year.


Not on MAL (yet):

Natsu no Ane (2015)
Orie (trans woman) (protagonist)
*included in Yesterday wo Utatte: afterword

Chiguhagu (2016)
Tooru/Tohru (trans man) (protagonist)
Yuki (trans woman) (main)

Osananajimi Yuri (?) (2017)
College Girl (trans woman) (main)

Josei ga Suki na Josei to Otoko datta Josei no Hanashi (2019)
Makoto (trans woman) (main)

Hana Ningyou to Danna sama (2019)
Hiromi (trans woman) (protagonist)

Murai-kun wa Mizuno-kun wo Dakitai (2019)
Shion Murai (trans boy) (protagonist)
*included in Hagure Idol Jigokuhen

Akarui (2020)
Miki Sanda (trans boy) (protagonist)
*included with Boys Run the Riot

Onnanoko ni Naritai Otokonoko no Hanashi (2020)
Girl (trans girl) (protagonist)

Bokura no VR (2020)
Miharu Akina (trans boy) (main)

Watashi Ki, Oriori to (2020)
Ran Adachi (trans woman) (main)
*included with Last Gender: Nanimono demo Nai Watashitachi

Online Game de Dekita Kareshi ni Real de Aitai to Iwareta Nekama no Otoko no Ko (2021)
Miyoto (trans girl) (protagonist)

Majo ni Naritai Otoko no Ko (2022)
Koto (trans girl) (protagonist)

Doumo, Newhalf desu. (2022)
Tsukasa Andou (trans woman) (protagonist)
Maria (trans woman) (main)
Reiko (trans woman) (main)

Haru to Yakyuu (2023)
Haru (trans girl) (protagonist)

Mukashi no Osanajimi, Otokonoko Janakatta Mitai (2023)
Yuuki (trans woman) (main)


(honorable mentions- trans characters are not the main characters)

Shoujo Bigaku (Kanojo no Yuuwaku) (2006)
Yuno's Brother (trans boy) (supporting)

Unmei no Tori: Takahashi Rumiko Kessakushuu (Unmei no Tori) (2007-2011)
Mai (trans woman) (supporting)

Watashi to Watashi (Watashi to Watashi) (2009-2017)
Miyahara (trans girl) (supporting)

Onnanoko no Sekkeizu (Shounen) (2010-2012)
Miyaji's mom (trans woman) (supporting)

Shindou-ke no Jijou (2014)
Tanaka (trans woman) (supporting)

Trans characters from Shounen and Seinen manga. Some are headcanons- those are indicated by question marks. Organized roughly by year.

Manga version part 2: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/64215
Manga version part 3: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/64216
Anime version: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/63974


Not on MAL (yet)

Otomeza no Jun (1982)
Jun (trans woman) (main)

Barcode Fighter (1992)
Sakura Arisugawa (trans girl) (main)