Anime is no stranger to characters who defy gender norms. In fact, there are plenty of series that depict characters who are either non-binary, like to cross-dress, or are transgender. Many of these characters choose not to fit into established gender norms, deciding to dress in what they feel is best.
Characters who defy gender norms represent a freedom that most other characters aren't privy to. These characters question the idea of gender and of putting people in boxes based on what they were assigned at birth. They are not beholden to the gender binary, instead forging their own path and style, and inspiring the audience to do the same.
10 Haruhi Doesn't Think Much About Gender
Ouran High School Host Club
Haruhi Fujioka from Ouran High School Host Club doesn't really care about gender. Though she is biologically a female, Haruhi wouldn't care if someone referred to her as a boy, a girl, or another gender entirely, arguably making her fit somewhere along the non-binary spectrum.
Haruhi's androgyny is reflected in her wardrobe choices as well. At school, Haruhi wears the male school uniform and is treated as a boy by her other classmates. Her personal wardrobe is also filled with a combination of masculine and feminine clothing. Haruhi's nonchalant attitude about gender makes her a unique and refreshing shojo protagonist.
9 Momiji Sohma Likes To Be Cutesy & Feminine
Fruits Basket
Momiji Sohma from Fruits Basket starts out as a cutesy, young boy who often dresses in more feminine-style clothing. Many people mistake him for a young child despite only being a year younger than Tohru and her classmates.
Momiji doesn't care about what others think of his wardrobe choices. He wears his more feminine clothing with pride and is even allowed to wear a more feminine school uniform. Even when he hits puberty and decides to wear more masculine clothing, he still retains some feminine aspects of his pre-pubescent self, and other characters in the story adore him for it.
8 Dominique De Sade Turned Her Trauma Into Confidence
The Case Study Of Vanitas
Dominique de Sade from The Case Study of Vanitas is Noé's childhood friend. After her brother died tragically, Dominique had a breakdown and began trying to dress like her brother because of her guilt.
Even though she was able to overcome the guilt of surviving, Dominique still regularly wears masculine clothing and occasionally feminine clothing. Dominique may have started dressing like her brother to cope with his loss, but she doesn't wear masculine clothing for him anymore. Now she wears it for herself because she likes it.
7 Sukuna Likes To Be Comfy In His Kimono
Jujutsu Kaisen
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Not a lot of attention is drawn to it, but Sukuna Ryomen, the King of Curses in Jujutsu Kaisen, actually wears a women's kimono. Viewers don't see Sukuna in his kimono often as he only wears it in his Domain or in Yuuji Itadori's mind.
The story doesn't draw attention to his choice of clothing, and Sukuna is no less intimidating for wearing a feminine kimono. Sukuna is a curse, uncaring about gender conformity or perceived social standing. He simply chooses to wear what is most comfortable for him.
6 Utena Wants To Be A Prince
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Utena Tenjou from Revolutionary Girl Utena desires to become a prince, and her way of dressing reflects that. Utena wears the men's uniform at school and often takes a more masculine role when competing in tournaments.
Utena is not beholden just to masculine clothing. She can also wear feminine clothing, though she still prefers masculine styles over feminine ones, and she keeps her hair long in a feminine style. Utena wants to be seen as a prince and will make sure everyone knows it. She is strong-willed, brave, and very self-assured. These traits help her sell the princely attitude.
5 Yuri Katsuki Embraces Androgyny
Yuri!!! On Ice
Yuri Katsuki from Yuri!!! On Ice has no problems embracing androgyny, especially on the ice. For his short program, he specifically chose an outfit that evoked both feminine and masculine traits. He even worked with his ballet coach to move like a woman would in order to get into character for his routine.
Yuri is not bothered by the idea of taking on a feminine role. He even enjoys the idea of it. The story he came up with would not have worked without Yuri fulfilling an androgynous role in his routine.
4 Kuranosuke Koibuchi Is Stylish
Princess Jellyfish
Kuranosuke Koibuchi from Princess Jellyfish has a very distinct high-femme style. He loves wearing feminine clothing, makeup, and wigs, despite what his family thinks of him. Kuranosuke got his love of fashion from his mother, and he continues to be fashion-forward in her absence.
Kuranosuke may be vain at times, but he is well-intentioned in his actions. His love for all things women's fashion makes him a stand-out character in the series. Kuranosuke embraces his feminine style and doesn't let anybody talk him down for wanting to wear women's clothing.
3 Tiger Is Intimidating In A Skirt
My Hero Academia
Yawara Chatora, or Tiger, is one of the members of the Wild, Wild Pussycats in My Hero Academia. Like the other members of the Wild, Wild Pussycats, Tiger's uniform is a crop-top and short skirt, despite being a man.
Tiger has no problem wearing the hyper-feminine costume, and he is still able to keep up an intimidating air even while in such cutesy attire. What makes Tiger stand out even more is that he is actually a trans man. Having a respectful depiction of transgender characters is rare in anime, so Tiger's character is a breath of fresh air.
2 Ritsu Sohma Finds Confidence In Women's Wear
Fruits Basket
Ritsu Sohma from Fruits Basket loves wearing women's clothing. In fact, many people mistake him for a woman, a fact he is completely comfortable with. His long hair and flowery kimono frame him beautifully and highlight his feminine features.
Ritsu initially started wearing feminine clothing because it helped calm his anxiety. It was easier for him to embrace femininity than masculinity. Ritsu's harshest critic with regard to his fashion choices is himself, as no one else in the series berates him for his choice to be more feminine.
1 Ryouji Fujioka Makes Cross-Dressing His Day Job
Ouran High School Host Club
Haruhi's father from Ouran High School Host Club, Ryouji Fujioka, dresses both masculinely and femininely and enjoys doing both. He is a professional cross-dresser at an okama bar and genuinely loves being able to cross-dress.
Ryouji is also openly bisexual, loving both men and women. Ryouji loves his daughter dearly and often dotes on her, and it is clear Haruhi has picked up her father's attitude towards gender as well. Both father and daughter like to play with gender and find a style that suits them. For Haruhi, it's androgyny, and for Ryouji it's both masculine and feminine.