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–1990s and 2020s 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 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

The depiction of LGBTQ characters in animated series 1990-1994 improved from past years. While most of the LGBTQ characters were featured in anime such as Dear Brother, Sailor Moon, RG Veda and Ai no Kusabi, two American shows featured such characters: Gargoyles and The Simpsons. In the first of these shows, there was a bisexual character, Janine Renard / Fox, whose sexual orientation was later confirmed by Greg Weisman.[3][4] In the second had a semi-closed gay man named Waylon Smithers.[5]

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

The depiction of LGBTQ characters in animated series 1995-99 were dramatically bolstered during these five years. Apart from anime like Dirty Pair Flash, Variable Geo, El-Hazard, and Devil Lady, LGBTQ characters were featured prominently in South Park, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Crapston Villas and Cardcaptor Sakura, while also implied in SpongeBob SquarePants. However, the most influential on future LGBTQ animation was Revolutionary Girl Utena which influenced a Marylander named Rebecca Sugar, then only a cartoonist, who would later create Steven Universe, the series sticking with her over the years.[2] Commentators have since described that "everything" about it "is queer"[6] and that it was groundbreaking for its time.[7] Others the series memorable for the lesbian relationship between two of the protagonists: Utena Tenjou and Anthy Himemiya.[8]

See also

References
  1. Toole, Mike (June 5, 2011). "Evangel-a-like - The Mike Toole Show". Anime News Network. 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. Den of Geek World Ltd. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  3. goliathelisashippers (July 9, 2014). "CONvergance 2014 Schedule". Tumblr. Yahoo, Inc. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  4. Delatte, Thomas (August 6, 2019). "20 Cartoon Characters We Totally Forgot Were Gay". thethings.com. thethings.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  5. Johnson, Jo (2010). ""We'll Have a Gay Old Time!": Queer Representation in American Prime-Time Animation from the Cartoon Short to the Family Sitcom.". In Ellidge, Jim (ed.). Queers in American Popular Culture. Praeger, ©2010. pp. 255–280. ISBN 9780313354571.
  6. Bridges, Rose (November 25, 2013). ""Revolutionary Girl Utena" Transgresses Gender and Sexuality". Autostraddle. The Excitant Group, LLC. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  7. Pennington, Latonya (January 25, 2018). "7 Reasons 'Revolutionary Girl Utena' Was a Groundbreaking Queer Anime". Pride Magazine. Pride Media. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  8. Cadorniga, Carlos (June 18, 2019). "7 Great Gay and Lesbian Relationships In Anime". Crunchyroll. Otter Media. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.