As manga and anime continue to evolve, so too does the nuanced portrayal of LGBTQIA+ characters. Yoshihiro Togashi, the celebrated creator behind Hunter X Hunter, stands out for his long-standing attempt to incorporate queer representation in his works. Though Togashi's early depictions of trans and non-binary characters were often reflective of their times - sometimes falling into stereotypes - his later works show a more refined approach, highlighting his journey toward authentic and respectful representation of queer identities.

Yoshihiro Togashi is a celebrated manga artist known for creating groundbreaking shōnen series, praised for their complex characters and unique storytelling. His wife, Naoko Takeuchi, the creator of Sailor Moon, has been an influential figure in her own right, especially known for her progressive portrayal of queer relationships, such as the iconic couple Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune. Her approach to LGBTQIA+ themes may have influenced Togashi's evolving views on queer identities, inspiring him to portray gender and sexuality thoughtfully in his later works.

YuYu Hakusho's Representation of Queer Characters Is Outdated

Trans Visibility Is Key to Dispelling Prejudice, When Done Right

In YuYu Hakusho, Togashi introduced Itsuki, a demon with a deep romantic interest in another male character, Sensui. However, while this portrayal of queer love was groundbreaking in a 1990s shōnen series, the handling of queer characters and themes fell short by modern standards. Togashi’s representation often leaned on clichés, such as overtly effeminate male villains, which, while nuanced in parts, usually aligned with outdated tropes. These decisions were a result of Shōnen Jump’s editors mandating that queer representation not be portrayed in a positive, ive manner, for fear of alienating their young male audience.

Itsuki’s storyline, however, signaled Togashi’s intent to push past simple characterization. His depiction of Itsuki’s love for Sensui was sincere and complex, although it is unknown if that love was reciprocated. The character Miyuki, a trans woman who battles Yusuke, was another early attempt but was largely stereotyped, showcasing Togashi’s lack of familiarity with the experiences of trans individuals. Yusuke dismisses Miyuki, criticizes her transition journey, and makes disrespectful assumptions about her experience. Miyuki’s presence in the story feels more like an ill-conceived attempt at humor at the expense of a queer person rather than sincere inclusion.

Level E's Mikihisa Is A Step in the Right Direction

The Story's Running Theme of Alienation Resonates with Queer Audiences

In Level E, a sci-fi series known for its dark humor and unconventional storytelling, Togashi takes his exploration of queer identity further. The character Mikihisa, a trans man, introduces a complex blend of Togashi’s evolving perspectives on gender and identity, approaching the concept with respect and curiosity, not authority. The audience spends more time with Mikihisa than they did with Miyuki, and get to experience some of the casual homophobia and transphobia that queer people navigate daily. Mikihisa feels lonely and isolated when the women he desires reject him, claiming they can only see him as a woman.

When Princess Saki, an alien who causes the eventual extinction of her mates’ species, arrives on Earth searching for a new lover, she and Mikihisa fall for one another. Initially, the heroes conclude the threat as moot when they learn Mikihisa was assigned as female at birth but panic when alien technology allows him to transition fully. However, they develop a solution that permits Mikihisa to live in the body he’s most comfortable in, while still averting the end of the human race. This acknowledges that it’s not the end of the world to allow another human bodily autonomy.

Hunter x Hunter Handles Queer Identities With More Tact

Miyuki and Mikihisa Walked So That Alluka Could Run

When Hunter x Hunter entered serialization in 1998, Togashi’s approach to LGBTQ+ representation evolved significantly. Characters like Kurapika and Kalluto follow the tradition of Yu Yu Hakusho's Kurama, a boy with a hyper-feminine presentation, while others such as Pitou remain gender-ambiguous. Alluka Zoldyck is widely recognized by fans as one of manga’s most respectful portrayals of a transgender character, though it is not explicitly stated that she is trans. Her family does not regard her well-being, and views her as a tool through which they can achieve their desires, while keeping her locked in her room, alone.

Killua is the only member of the family to treat Alluka with dignity and provides a superb example of respect and understanding. Alluka’s imprisonment is representative of how some trans people are at the mercy of family or caretakers who demand conformity in exchange for safe living conditions. Killua, however, rejects this dehumanizing treatment and risks his life to free his sister, no matter the cost. When he tries to banish the Dark Continent creature that inhabits Alluka, he eventually realizes that rejecting a part of his loved one would be manipulation through conditional love. Togashi shows tremendous growth with this character arc.

Togashi's Unreleased Gay Baseball Romance

The Author Struggled to Find an Audience for the Unconventional Manga

Intriguingly, Togashi’s commitment to queer representation extends beyond his published work. There is an unpublished story Togashi once considered but never fully realized—a gay, cross-dressing baseball romance, Trouble Quartet. While details remain sparse, YuYu Hakusho Vol. 1 confirms Quartet’s existence and reveals the main character in supplementary sections. The main character, Gen Otoda, is yet another femme-presenting male, who looks like a prototype of Kurapika’s design. Togashi its that it was written with his personal interests in mind, and he couldn’t find a way to make it commercially viable considering the cultural climate in Japan in the early 90s.

Trouble Quartet is emblematic of Togashi’s willingness to take creative risks, as well as his desire to be part of the evolving conversations around queer representation. It suggests that for Togashi, LGBTQIA+ inclusion isn’t just an experimental motif but a facet of storytelling that allows him to provide queer visibility, and challenges negative stereotypes around atypical gender expression. Today’s sensitive portrayal of LGBTQIA+ characters is easily traced back to visionaries, like Yoshihiro Togashi, who aren’t afraid to speak up for a vulnerable population, even if they don’t get the message right the first time.