Animated series with LGBTQ characters: 1990s

The depiction of LGBTQ characters in animated series in the 1990s changed significantly from those in previous decades. Some of the most prominent series during this decade which featured LGBTQ characters were Sailor Moon, South Park, King of the Hill, Cardcaptor Sakura and Futurama. However, Revolutionary Girl Utena stood apart, with prominent LGBTQ characters, which some called one of the most important anime of the 1990s.[1] It heavily influenced the creator of Steven Universe, Rebecca Sugar, calling a series which "plays with the semiotics of gender" which really stuck with her.[2] Additionally, during this decade, Family Guy and SpongeBob SquarePants premiered, with LGBTQ protagonists in both shows, although it was only implied in the latter show.

For the list of 1960s–1980s series, see List of animated series with LGBTQ characters. For the list of 2000s series, see Animated series with LGBTQ characters: 2000s. For the list of 2010s series, see Animated series with LGBTQ characters: 2010s. For list of 2020s series, see Animated series with LGBTQ characters: 2020s.
Matt Stone speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International, for "South Park: Season 20", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California on July 22, 2016; Stone voiced Big Gay Al, a gay character in South Park

For a further understanding of how these LGBTQ characters fit into the overall history of animation, please read the History of LGBTQ characters in animated series: 1990s page.

1990–94
Main article: List of animated series with LGBTQ characters: 1990–1994

From 1990–1994, more LGBTQ characters appeared in anime than in Western animation. This included series such as Dear Brother, RG Veda, Sailor Moon, Ai no Kusabi, and Yu Yu Hakusho. In contrast, Gargoyles featured an array of gay, bisexual, and asexual characters.[3][4] This trend would continue in the later 1990s, with more LGBTQ characters introduced in Western animation.

1995–99
Main article: List of animated series with LGBTQ characters: 1995–1999

From 1995 to 1999, the number of animated series with LGBTQ characters dramatically increased the number of series which featured such characters during the earlier part of the decade, from 1990 to 1994. While the majority of the animated series were anime such as Dirty Pair Flash: Mission II, El-Hazard: The Wanderers, Fushigi Yûgi, Gunsmith Cats, Cardcaptor Sakura they also appeared in Western animations. This included Crapston Villas, South Park, King of the Hill, Family Guy, and Hey Arnold!, the latter confirmed many years later. However, during this time period, one animated series would influential on LGBTQ characters for years to come: Revolutionary Girl Utena. It would impact a Marylander named Rebecca Sugar, then only a cartoonist, who would later create Steven Universe, with the series sticking with her over the years.[2] This queer anime,[5] was groundbreaking for its time, in part because of the lesbian relationship between two of the story's protagonists: Utena Tenjou and Anthy Himemiya.[6][7]

See also

References
  1. Toole, Mike (June 5, 2011). "Evangel-a-like - The Mike Toole Show". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  2. Kelley, Shamus (July 25, 2017). "Steven Universe Was Influenced by Revolutionary Girl Utena". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  3. goliathelisashippers (July 9, 2014). "CONvergance 2014 Schedule". Tumblr. Archived from the original on March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  4. Delatte, Thomas (August 6, 2019). "20 Cartoon Characters We Totally Forgot Were Gay". thethings.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  5. Bridges, Rose (November 25, 2013). ""Revolutionary Girl Utena" Transgresses Gender and Sexuality". Autostraddle. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  6. Pennington, Latonya (January 25, 2018). "7 Reasons 'Revolutionary Girl Utena' Was a Groundbreaking Queer Anime". Pride Magazine. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  7. Cadorniga, Carlos (June 18, 2019). "7 Great Gay and Lesbian Relationships In Anime". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
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