Explore the captivating world of gender-bender anime, where characters embark on extraordinary journeys, defying societal norms and discovering their true selves. From hilarious comedies to heartwarming romances, these anime series will keep you entertained and captivated.
Delve into the realm of gender-bender anime, where characters transcend conventional boundaries and embark on transformative adventures.
These captivating stories challenge societal perceptions and explore the complexities of identity, offering unique perspectives on gender roles and self-discovery. Prepare to be entertained and enlightened as you immerse yourself in this captivating genre.
Which is the Best Gender-Bender Anime?
After having watched, reviewed, and rated 10+ gender-bender anime, we found that Ranma ½ is the best gender-bender anime that anime lovers should definitely not miss out on! stands out as a classic and highly influential choice in the genre. Ranma ½ blend of action, comedy, romance, and supernatural elements, along with its well-developed characters and compelling storyline, has earned it a place among the most beloved gender-bender anime of all time.
Top Gender Bender Anime: Quick Glance
| Best Gender Bender Anime | Genre | Editor’s Rating |
| Your Name | Drama, Romance, and Fantasy | 9/10 |
| Ouran High School Host Club | Drama, Romantic Comedy, Harem | 8/10 |
| Kokoro Connect | Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Supernatural | 7.5/10 |
| I My Me! Strawberry Eggs | Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Slice of Life | 7/10 |
| Ranma 1/2 | Adventure, Martial Arts, Romantic Comedy | 8/10 |
| Yamada Kun and the Seven Witches | Romantic Comedy, Harem, Supernatural | 7.5/10 |
Best Gender Bender Anime
Kämpfer (2009)
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Harem, Magic, Romance, School
- Studio: Studio Gokumi
- Director: Yasuhiro Kuroda
- Original Run: October 2, 2009 – December 25, 2009
- Number of Episodes: 12
Kämpfer is an anime series based on the light novel series of the same name by Toshihiko Tsukiji. The series follows the story of Natsuru Senou, an ordinary high school student who is suddenly transformed into a Kämpfer, a magical girl.
Natsuru must then fight against other Kämpfers in order to collect magical items and save the world.
- Score: 8/10
Pros:
- Unique and entertaining premise
- Likable and relatable characters
- Great sense of humor
- Good animation
Cons:
- Can be a bit fanservicey at times
- Storyline can be a bit confusing at times.
Related: Best Anime To Watch If You Like Hunter x Hunter
Princess Jellyfish
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
- Studio: Brain's Base
- Director: Toshiya Annō
- Original Run: October 15, 2010 – December 31, 2010
- Number of Episodes: 11
Princess Jellyfish tells the story of Tsukimi Kurashita, an introverted young woman who lives in Amamizukan, a boarding house for all-female otaku. Tsukimi's life is turned upside down when she meets Kuranosuke Kōsuke, a cross-dressing man who moves into Amamizukan.
Kuranosuke is determined to turn the otaku girls into fashionable ladies, and he begins by giving Tsukimi a makeover.
One of the things I liked most about Princess Jellyfish was its characters. Tsukimi is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, and her journey of self-discovery is inspiring.
The animation in Princess Jellyfish is also very good. The character designs are cute and stylish, and the backgrounds are detailed and evocative. The series also uses a lot of pastel colors, which gives it a soft and dreamy feel.
- Score: 9/10
Pros:
- Heartwarming and comedic story
- Quirky and lovable characters
- Good animation
- Inspirational themes
Cons:
- Can be a bit slow-paced at times
- Storyline can be a bit predictable at times
Aoharu X Machinegun
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Gender Bender, School
- Studio: Brain's Base
- Director: Masaomi Hata
- Original Run: July 1, 2015 – September 23, 2015
- Number of Episodes: 12
Aoharu X Machinegun is a unique and entertaining anime with a gender-bender concept and a focus on gunpla, or Gundam plastic models. The series follows the story of Hotaru Tachibana, a girl who is forced to dress up as a boy and join the all-boys' Gunpla club at her school.
The series is full of quirky and lovable characters, and it's sure to please fans of gender-bender anime and gunpla enthusiasts alike.
The series explores the challenges and triumphs of being a girl in a male-dominated world, and it does so in a way that is both humorous and heartwarming.
- Score: 8/10
Pros:
- Unique and entertaining gender-bender concept
- Quirky and lovable characters
- Focus on gunpla
- Good animation
Cons:
- Storyline can be a bit predictable at times
- Some characters may not be as well-developed as others
Related: Anime Like Tokyo Ghoul
Maria†Holic
- Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Gender Bender, Harem, School, Slice of Life
- Studio: Shaft
- Director: Akiyuki Shinbou
- Original Run: April 8, 2009 – June 24, 2009
- Number of Episodes: 12
Maria†Holic is a Japanese anime television series produced by the animation studio Shaft and directed by Akiyuki Shinbou. It is based on the light novel series of the same name by Himaruya Takayama.
The series follows the story of Kanako Kannagi, a boy who is forced to cross-dress and attend an all-girls' Catholic school after his father is transferred overseas.
At the school, Kanako meets Maria Shīrāto, a doll-like girl who is both innocent and mischievous. The two quickly become friends, and Kanako soon finds himself caught up in Maria's eccentric world.
Maria†Holic is a fun and lighthearted anime with a gender-bender concept. The series is full of humor, fan service, and cute girls, and it's sure to please fans of ecchi anime.
- Score: 7/10
Pros:
- Fun and lighthearted story
- Humorous and titillating fan service
- Good animation
Cons:
- Can be a bit too fanservicey at times
- Storyline can be a bit predictable at times
Gatchaman Crowds
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Superheroes
- Studio: Tatsunoko Production
- Director: Kenji Nakamura
- Original Run: July 12, 2013 – September 27, 2013
- Number of Episodes: 12
Gatchaman Crowds is a Japanese superhero anime television series produced by Tatsunoko Production and directed by Kenji Nakamura. It is a reimagining of the classic 1970s anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman.
The series follows the story of Hajime Ichikawa, a young woman who is chosen to become one of the Gatchaman, a group of superheroes who protect Earth from alien invaders.
Gatchaman Crowds is a fun and action-packed anime with a unique gender-bender concept. The series is full of humor, heart, and social commentary, and it's sure to please fans of superhero anime.
One of the things I liked most about Gatchaman Crowds was its gender-bender concept. The series features a diverse cast of characters, including several male characters who are traditionally portrayed as female and vice versa.
This gender-bending helps to challenge traditional gender roles and promotes a more inclusive view of society.
- Score: 8/10
Pros:
- Unique and thought-provoking gender-bender concept
- Diverse and well-developed characters
- Exciting action sequences
- Good animation
Cons:
- Storyline can be a bit slow-paced at times
- Some characters may not be as well-developed as others
Steins;Gate
- Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Drama, Comedy, Romance
- Studio: White Fox
- Director: Hiroshi Hamasaki
- Original Run: April 4, 2011 – September 23, 2011
- Number of Episodes: 24
Steins;Gate is a Japanese science fiction anime television series produced by the animation studio White Fox based on 5pb. and Nitroplus's 2009 visual novel of the same name.
The series follows the story of Rintaro Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist who runs a future gadget laboratory in Akihabara, Tokyo.
One day, Rintaro accidentally invents a time machine that allows him to send text messages to the past. As Rintaro and his friends begin to use the time machine to change the past, they soon find themselves caught up in a web of conspiracy and danger.
Early in the series, Rintaro's friend Kurisu Makise, a brilliant but eccentric scientist, creates a device that allows people to switch genders. This leads to a number of hilarious and heartwarming moments, as the characters adjust to their new bodies and identities.
- Score: 10/10
Pros:
- Mind-bending and emotionally resonant storyline
- Complex and well-developed characters
- Unique gender-bender concept
- Strong female characters
- Good animation
Cons:
- Can be a bit slow-paced at times
- Some may find the science to be a bit too complex
Saga Of Tanya The Evil
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Military, War
- Studio: NUT
- Director: Yutaka Uemura
- Original Run: July 6, 2019 – December 28, 2019
- Number of Episodes: 12
Saga of Tanya the Evil is a Japanese anime television series based on the light novel series of the same name by Carlo Zen. The series follows the story of Tanya Degurechaff, a salaryman who is reincarnated as a young girl in an alternate world where magic and warfare are commonplace.
Despite her new body, Tanya retains her ruthless and calculating mind, and she quickly rises through the ranks of the Imperial Army.
The gender-bender concept is used to great effect in Saga of Tanya the Evil. Tanya's reincarnation as a young girl forces her to confront the challenges of living in a world that is often hostile to women.
However, she refuses to be defined by her gender, and she uses her intelligence and determination to overcome the obstacles in her path.
- Score: 8/10
Pros:
- Dark and engrossing storyline
- Complex and fascinating characters
- Unique take on the gender-bender concept
- Good animation
Cons:
- Can be a bit too dark and cynical for some viewers
- Some may find the violence to be excessive
Your Name (君の名は。, Kimi no Na wa.)
- Genre: Romance, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Director: Makoto Shinkai
- Original Run: August 26, 2016 – October 3, 2016
- Number of Episodes: 1
Your Name is a Japanese animated film written, directed, and produced by Makoto Shinkai. The film tells the story of two high school students, Taki Tachibana, a boy from Tokyo, and Mitsuha Miyamizu, a girl from the countryside, who find themselves inexplicably switching bodies.
The film uses the gender-bender concept to challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Taki and Mitsuha are both well-rounded and complex characters who defy expectations. Taki is not afraid to show his feelings and vulnerability, while Mitsuha is strong and independent.
- Score: 10/10
Pros:
- Heartwarming and emotional story
- Unique and effective gender-bender concept
- Complex and well-developed characters
- Stunning animation
Cons:
- None
Ouran High School Host Club
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, School, Slice of Life
- Studio: Bones
- Director: Toshiya Anno
- Original Run: April 5, 2006 – September 26, 2006
- Number of Episodes: 26
Ouran High School Host Club is a Japanese anime television series adapted from Bisco Hatori's manga series of the same name.
The series follows the story of Haruhi Fujioka, a poor but determined student, who accidentally breaks an expensive vase at Ouran Academy, a prestigious school for the wealthy.
In order to repay the debt, Haruhi is forced to join the school's host club, where she must dress up as a boy and entertain the school's rich girls.
The gender-bender concept is central to Ouran High School Host Club's humor and romance. Haruhi's disguise as a boy allows her to experience the world from a different perspective and to learn more about herself and others.
- Score: 9/10
Pros:
- Hilarious and heartwarming story
- Unique gender-bender concept
- Cute and heartwarming couples
- Good animation
Cons:
- Can be a bit slow-paced at times
- Storyline can be a bit predictable at times
Kokoro Connect (ココロコネクト, Kokoro Konekuto)
- Genre: Drama, Psychological, School, Slice of Life, Supernatural
- Studio: Silver Link
- Director: Shin Oonuma
- Original Run: July 5, 2012 – September 27, 2012
- Number of Episodes: 13
Kokoro Connect is a Japanese anime television series produced by Silver Link based on the light novel series of the same name by Kadokawa Shoten. The series follows the story of five high school students who are members of the "Culinary Club."
One day, they begin to experience a strange phenomenon where their bodies and minds switch with each other. As they try to understand what is happening, they are forced to confront their own deepest secrets and fears.
The gender-bender concept is used to great effect in Kokoro Connect. The series' central conflict, the switching of bodies and minds, is a metaphor for the challenges of communication and understanding between people.
As the characters experience each other's lives, they are forced to confront their own prejudices and biases, and they begin to develop a deeper understanding of each other.
- Score: 9/10
Pros:
- Thought-provoking and emotionally resonant story
- Complex and relatable characters
- Unique and effective gender-bender concept
- Good animation
Cons:
- Can be a bit slow-paced at times
- Some may find the themes to be too dark or heavy
I My Me! Strawberry Eggs (僕と僕! Strawberry Eggs)
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, School, Slice of Life
- Studio: Shaft
- Director: Shin Oonuma
- Original Run: January 8, 2005 – March 25, 2005
- Number of Episodes: 13
I My Me! Strawberry Eggs is a Japanese anime television series produced by Shaft and directed by Shin Oonuma.
The series follows the story of Amawa Hibiki, a young man who is fresh out of college and ready to start his new job as a PE teacher. However, he soon discovers that his new job is at an all-girls' school. In order to keep his job, Hibiki is forced to dress up as a girl and disguise his true identity.
The gender-bender concept is central to the humor and drama of I My Me! Strawberry Eggs.
Hibiki's disguise as a girl allows him to experience the world from a different perspective and to learn more about himself and others.
The series also explores the challenges and joys of being a man in a society that often expects men to conform to certain stereotypes.
- Score: 8/10
Pros:
- Hilarious and heartwarming story
- Unique gender-bender concept
- Heartwarming moments
- Good animation
Cons:
- Can be a bit slow-paced at times
- Some may find the humor to be a bit too juvenile
Ranma ½ (らんま ½)
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Harem, Martial Arts, Romance, School, Supernatural
- Studio: Studio Deen (1989–1992), TMS Entertainment (1993–1998)
- Director: Toshihiro Hirano
- Original Run: April 12, 1989 – September 16, 1998
- Number of Episodes: 161
Ranma ½ is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga series of the same name by Rumiko Takahashi. The series follows the story of Ranma Saotome, a teenage martial artist who is cursed to transform into a girl when splashed with cold water.
The gender-bender concept is central to the humor and drama of Ranma ½. Ranma and Akane's transformations into different genders force them to confront their own prejudices and biases, and they also lead to a number of hilarious situations.
The series also explores the challenges of being a man in a society that often expects men to conform to certain stereotypes, and the challenges of being a woman in a society that often expects women to conform to certain stereotypes.
- Score: 9/10
Pros:
- Hilarious and action-packed story
- Unique gender-bender concept
- Complex and well-developed characters
- Good animation
Cons:
- Can be a bit slow-paced at times
- Some may find the ecchi content to be a bit too much
Yamada Kun and the Seven Witches
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Ecchi, Harem, Mystery, Romance, School, Supernatural
- Studio: Liden Films
- Director: Tomoyuki Takabayashi
- Original Run: July 12, 2015 – September 27, 2015
- Number of Episodes: 12
Yamada-kun and the 7 Witches is a Japanese anime television series produced by Liden Films based on the light novel series of the same name by Miki Yoshikawa.
The series follows the story of Ryū Yamada, a high school student who gains the ability to switch bodies with other people after kissing them.
He soon discovers that there are seven witches at his school who each possess a unique magical ability. As Yamada teams up with the witches to solve the mystery behind their powers, he also develops romantic feelings for one of them.
The gender-bender concept is central to the humor and romance of Yamada-kun and the 7 Witches.
Yamada's ability to switch bodies with other people forces him to confront his own prejudices and biases, and it also leads to a number of hilarious situations.
- Score: 8/10
Pros:
- Fun and entertaining story
- Unique gender-bender concept
- Humorous and heartwarming moments
- Good animation
Cons:
- Can be a bit slow-paced at times
- Some may find the ecchi content to be a bit too much
Conclusion
The gender-bender anime genre offers a unique and captivating blend of storytelling, exploring themes of identity, self-discovery, and societal norms.
Through the lens of gender-swapping characters, these anime series challenge conventional perceptions and provide fresh perspectives on gender roles and relationships.
Whether you're seeking hilarious comedies, heartwarming romances, or thought-provoking dramas, the gender-bender anime genre has something to offer every anime enthusiast. So, dive into this captivating world and embark on a journey of transformation, laughter, and self-exploration.
