What's up y'all? It's a new year, and we're off to a rough start. To cope, I started watching Inuyasha, an anime series that originally aired back in 2000. It got me thinking about the influence of anime on some modern LGBTQ+ video games, comic books, fantasy novels, and more. To have some fun with that, here are a few hidden gems:
Little Goody Two Shoes
Created by indie developer AstralShift and originally released in 2023, Little Goody Two Shoes is a horror-adventure visual novel that puts you in the shoes of Elise, a young girl from the village of Kieferburg who wants to escape from her provincial life and become wealthy. When she finds a pair of red shoes, a mysterious person tells her to explore the woods to find the one who can make her dreams come true.
From its opening cutscene, you can tell the game's developers were influenced by the wistful and sparkly aesthetics of ’90s shoujo anime such as Magic Knight Rayearth and Revolutionary Girl Utena. The character designs for Elise and her prospective female love interests look like they could step out from any of these series. The game's gorgeous graphics and sprite work evoke 90's JRPGs such as Secret of Mana.
While the game's puzzles can be very frustrating, those who have the patience for them will be well rewarded with a sapphic and terrifying adventure that embodies the saying "Be careful what you wish for."
Available on Nintendo Switch, Playstation 5, Steam, and Xbox.
The Postman Becomes a Bunny Goddess in Another World
A novel written by Autumn Wolff, The Postman Becomes a Bunny Goddess in Another World tells the story of Brandon June, a down-on-his-luck postman who finds himself between worlds after sacrificing himself to save a child. The fate goddess reincarnates the postman as a bunny goddess who delivers luck. As a bunny goddess, she can perceive strings of good and bad luck, and she meets a female traveling messenger. As they travel together, the bunny goddess falls in love with herself, her companion, and her new life.
This book is the transbian (trans lesbian) take on the isekai anime subgenre, usually involving a cis-guy being transported to another world. Its premise is more than refreshing and cute; it shows that sometimes finding your ideal self can give you a new lease on life.
Available on Bookshop.org.
Nova Hearts
Developed by French-Swedish studio Lightbulb Crew and released in 2025, Nova Hearts is a turn-based RPG with visual novel and dating sim elements. You play as Luce, who returns to her hometown to find that everyone has become superheroes and villains. After transforming into a superhero for the first time, Luce takes it upon herself to figure out why her town has changed.
It's clear that this game draws inspiration from the iconic ’90s anime series Sailor Moon; its transformation sequences ooze the same glittering magical aesthetic. Its turn-based battle system gives off satisfying Final Fantasy vibes. The ability to flirt with and date multiple genders is the queer icing on top.
Available on Nintendo Switch, Playstation 5, Steam, and Xbox.
Magica Riot (from the Maidensong Magica series)
Speaking of stuff inspired by Sailor Moon, Kara Buchanan's queer magical girl book series, Maidensong Magica, may just rock your socks off. Magica Riot (2024), the first book in the series, introduces protagonist Claire Ryland, a trans girl whose life is saved by the drummer of her favorite local band — who are also secretly magical girls. When Claire becomes the band's new keytarist and a magical girl herself, she finds herself juggling two lives as she protects her hometown from monsters.
The second book in the series, Magica Riot Full Bloom (2025) continues Claire's story as she starts adjusting to Magica Riot's popularity as a band. But, as two new villains appear, Claire and Magica Riot must change their approach and enlist some new allies to battle them.
Available digitally and physically at the Magica Riot Store and Bookshop.org.
Not So Shoujo Love Story
Originally published on Webtoon beginning in 2020, Cherryuku's Not So Shoujo Love Story received a print release as a manga from Viz Media in 2025. It tells the story of Rei, a delinquent girl who loves romance and shoujo manga. She aims to live out her ideal romance by winning the affections of Hansum Ochinchin. (Yes, that's his real name.) However, things get complicated when Rei's rival for Hansum's affections, Hannah Schulerin, confesses her feelings for Rei.
A hilarious parody of shoujo tropes like the romantic rival, Not So Shoujo Love Story is also a yuri take on the usual heterosexual love triangle you see in shoujo anime such as Fruits Basket and Ouran High School Host Club. This is one of the gayest and funniest Webtoons I have ever read and anyone who needs a laugh should read it.
Available online at Webtoon and in print at Bookshop.org and the Crunchyroll Store.
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