I’ve noticed gender-bending—where a character’s gender is changed—is a pretty common trope, and while it happens in all sorts of media, it really feels prominent in manga and anime. It’s pretty straightforward what it is, but you’ll often see a character switch genders, and most of the time it involves a male character becoming female. This usually leads to some funny reactions and, let’s be honest, a bit of fanservice. While a lot of gender-bender stories are comedies, I’ve seen it pop up in more serious genres too, like dramas, fantasy, and even those ‘isekai’ stories where characters are transported to another world.
For decades, anime has often featured stories about characters switching genders, and almost every year includes at least one show with this theme. However, these shows aren’t usually the most popular of the season – they tend to appeal to a smaller, more specific audience. So, are gender-bender anime worth your time? It’s complicated. A show isn’t good just because of a gender swap, but some truly excellent anime do include this element.
Here are a few criteria and notes:
- Body-swapping anime will be included as long as the characters are of opposite genders and the story focuses on that element.
- Reincarnation anime that involve characters reborn as the opposite gender will not be considered unless they are a unique situation.
- That said, some isekai anime will be included if the story does not use conventional reincarnation or if they warrant a mention for some other reason.
What Are Gender-Bender Anime?
Let’s quickly define what “gender-bender” stories are before we dive into the rankings. These stories explore what happens when a character experiences life as a different gender. While the idea of exploring different genders isn’t new and exists outside of anime – even relating to real-life gender identity and expression like cross-dressing – in anime, it usually means a character completely changes genders. This change often happens to the character, rather than being a choice they make, and forces them to see the world in a totally new way.
Gender-bender anime, while often seen in comedies like Ranma ½, can actually be quite dramatic and frequently explore themes of growing up. These transformations are usually caused by magic, though some shows use science as an explanation. Even with these fantastical elements, most of these series take place in worlds similar to our own, and the appeal lies in watching characters deal with their changed bodies and lives. However, you can also find gender-bending as a plot device in some purely fantasy anime.
The most popular anime featuring gender transformation usually focus on the change itself, but some shows only use it for a short time – often just for comedic effect.
Types of Gender-Bender Anime
As mentioned earlier, anime that play with gender roles – where characters switch or change genders – come in different styles, depending on the story. Some comedies use a gender switch to kick off a funny situation, but don’t really focus on what it means to be male or female. Other anime feature characters who permanently or frequently change genders, often to challenge traditional ideas about men and women, though not always with deep self-reflection. While less common, romance anime that explore gender-bending also exist.
While body swap stories are usually seen as distinct, they often explore similar themes to stories about characters changing genders. Anime doesn’t often feature characters who cross-dress, and those that do tend to be unique. The same goes for characters who are gender-fluid – they’re relatively rare and usually stand alone.
35. Ayakashi Triangle
A Fanservice-Driven Action-Comedy That Struggles To Pick Up Steam
The anime Ayakashi Triangle had a very difficult production. Although it first appeared in Winter 2023, it didn’t finish airing until the Summer season, resulting in a delayed, hour-long run. This long wait hurt the show’s initial momentum, and it ultimately faded into obscurity. Despite its flaws, the gender-bending series has a few redeeming qualities, though I’d suggest reading the manga instead.
Ayakashi are spirits that can be dangerous to people with strong energy. Both Kanade and Matsuri can see these spirits, and Matsuri tries to protect Kanade from them. One day, a cat-like spirit transforms Matsuri into a girl, but she accepts the change surprisingly well.
Should You Watch Ayakashi Triangle?
To be honest, there are many stronger action-comedy anime out there, so I wouldn’t highly recommend Ayakashi Triangle. However, if you’re specifically looking for a show with a gender-bending plot and plenty of fanservice, it delivers on that front.
34. High School Girl Nobunaga!!
Nobunaga Becomes A High School Girl… It Had To Happen Eventually
- Japanese Title: Joshikousei Nobunaga-chan!!
- Studios: WAO World, MooGoo, Studio Ranmaru
- Genre/s: Comedy, School
It’s always exciting to discover a forgotten anime! I stumbled upon High School Girl Nobunaga!! while searching for a unique gender-bender series, and honestly, it’s pretty obscure for a reason: it’s not very well made. It’s definitely a bottom-tier show, and that’s why you probably haven’t heard of Joshikousei Nobunaga-chan.
This anime is a fun twist: the famous warlord Oda Nobunaga mysteriously finds himself reborn as a modern-day high school girl. While that’s a unique premise, the rest of the show is a pretty standard school comedy that doesn’t quite hit the mark with its humor. Unfortunately, Nobunaga’s brilliant strategic thinking isn’t really showcased. On the bright side, each episode is only five minutes long – except for the first – meaning the whole series takes just about an hour to watch.
Should You Watch High School Girl Nobunaga!!?
I had to really dig to find this anime – it felt like searching the entire world – and honestly, it wasn’t worth all the trouble. It just didn’t live up to the effort it took to discover it.
While Ayakashi Triangle had a lot of promise, it ultimately doesn’t quite live up to its potential, which is why it’s ranked lower. As for gender-bender anime, Joshikousei Nobunaga-chan is generally considered the weakest.
33. Back Street Girls: Gokudols
Either Hilarious Or Awful, With No In-Between
Generally, anime that feature gender transformation don’t go very far with their concepts. However, Back Street Girls: Gokudols is a notable exception, deliberately shocking and outrageous. This makes it a divisive show – some will find it hilariously funny, while others might find it completely unwatchable.
The anime Back Street Girls centers around three members of the Yakuza who are magically transformed into female idols. They must navigate this new world to earn money for their boss. The show is most entertaining when it satirizes idol culture and draws connections between it and the Yakuza underworld. However, it often falls back on predictable jokes. Visually, the animation is quite stiff and lacks fluidity, resembling a still manga panel more than a moving picture.
Should You Watch Back Street Girls: Gokudols?
Just a heads-up: Back Street Girls is definitely not for everyone and often relies on crude humor. It can be amusing in a shocking way, but it’s not a show I’d recommend broadly. If you’re looking for a comedy that doesn’t hold back, though, you might find something to like.
32. One Piece
A Change In Hormone
Of course, One Piece features a Devil Fruit that can change a person’s gender, and Emperor Ivankov is the perfect character to utilize its power. Technically, the Horu Horu no Mi doesn’t simply switch genders; it manipulates hormones. This allows it to affect things like a person’s height, strength, and appearance, in addition to gender. However, for all intents and purposes, it’s a gender-bending Devil Fruit.
I’m absolutely fascinated by Ivankow! He’s such a champion of personal freedom – he truly believes everyone deserves to live authentically. And it’s not just talk with him; his Devil Fruit power actually shows that belief! His whole crew is made up of incredible fighters who’ve broken free from traditional gender roles, embracing who they truly are. It’s a powerful message and a really unique approach to building a team.
During the Punk Hazard arc, a strange event causes some of the Straw Hat crew and Smoker with Tashigi to switch bodies – Sanji ends up in Nami’s, and she ends up in his, for example. While this body swap lasts for several episodes and provides some comedic relief, the anime doesn’t really delve into the implications of it. It was an entertaining diversion, but ultimately a brief part of the larger story.
Should You Watch One Piece?
Honestly, everyone should give One Piece a try. Just be aware that it takes a while to get to the really good parts – there are a lot of episodes to get through!
31. Heaven’s Lost Property (Episodes 11 and 23)
Well, One Anime Had To Do It
Many anime with gender-bending themes involve characters suddenly finding themselves in a different body and learning to cope. However, Heaven’s Lost Property offers a particularly classic and comedic take on this idea. The main character, Tomoki, gains the power to switch genders – becoming a girl named Tomoko – and his reason is surprisingly simple: he wants to get into women’s bathhouses.
It was inevitable that an anime would feature a character who uses magical powers to change genders for inappropriate purposes, and Heaven’s Lost Property addresses this trope reasonably well. While the show’s humor feels dated, the main character, Tomoki, does face consequences for his actions. The character Tomoko briefly reappears later in a male form, but the transformation doesn’t last as long as before.
Should You Watch Heaven’s Lost Property?
I’ll be honest, you really need to be into harem comedies to appreciate Heaven’s Lost Property. The main character, Tomoki, isn’t for everyone, that’s for sure. But, if you’re looking for some simple laughs, the episodes where characters switch genders can be pretty funny, even if it’s just basic humor.
30. KonoSuba (Episode 25)
Kazuma Becomes A Princess For A Day
Like the anime Heaven’s Lost Property, KonoSuba uses a body swap—this time between the main character, Kazuma, and Princess Iris—as a way to explore some mischievous and questionable behavior. A magical spell causes the swap, letting both characters see the world through each other’s eyes.
I watched as Iris and Megumin went into town together, and let me tell you, it was a recipe for disaster. Neither of them are exactly skilled at calming things down, so sparks flew. Meanwhile, Kazuma, being Kazuma, immediately used the opportunity to enjoy a little luxury…and, predictably, tried to get into a bath with two girls. Honestly, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a typical isekai hero.
Although the show doesn’t portray Kazuma favorably, KonoSuba consistently avoids rewarding his foolish or negative actions, and the result is a straightforward but humorous storyline. I think KonoSuba is among the funniest anime out there, but this particular episode involving a gender swap shouldn’t be the only reason you watch it.
Should You Watch KonoSuba?
If you’re a fan of isekai and comedy, you’ll probably love KonoSuba. Many consider it the funniest isekai anime ever made, even better than The Eminence in Shadow.
29. Sailor Moon Sailor Stars
Sailor Starlights Are Magical Girls And Male Idols
The last season of the original Sailor Moon series, Sailor Stars, is often the most controversial among fans, largely due to the introduction of the Sailor Starlights. These three magical girls travel from outer space and come to Earth on a special mission. To stay undercover, they disguise themselves as male pop idols. Interestingly, the anime portrays them as being able to change between male and female forms – a trait not present in the original manga. While they primarily appear as males, they transform into their magical girl forms as females, but do so infrequently.
What makes the Starlights stand out most is their cross-dressing, as they’re otherwise a bit unremarkable (though Seiya has his moments). They don’t really connect with the Sailor Guardians, who are much more appealing, and they appear so late in the series that they feel like minor additions to the story. Fortunately, they did make a return appearance in Sailor Moon Cosmos.
Should You Watch Sailor Moon?
Sailor Moon is a beloved and influential anime that practically defined the magical girl genre, and it remains enjoyable to watch even now. Be warned, though – it’s a long series with over 150 episodes before you reach the final season, Sailor Stars.
28. She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man
A Gamer Becomes His OP RPG Character, Albeit In Little Girl Form
The anime She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man is a fantasy series with a fun twist – the main character is unexpectedly turned into a girl! While it’s not the strongest adaptation of the original story, it’s a perfectly enjoyable, lighthearted watch, especially if you’re looking for a story about a powerful character with a charming personality. Just don’t expect it to be particularly memorable.
Sakimori Kagami is the player behind Danblf, a hugely powerful mage in the game Ark Earth Online. He unexpectedly falls asleep and wakes up inside the game world as his character, but centuries have passed. There’s a slight change, though – Danblf now looks like a young girl. The anime, She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man, doesn’t dwell much on this gender swap, and Sakimori quickly adapts to his new form. Because of this, the story soon becomes a standard ‘overpowered character in another world’ (isekai) adventure.
Should You Watch She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man?
I really enjoy isekai anime and I often find myself liking even the less popular shows. However, She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man just didn’t grab me – it’s okay to watch, but there are many other isekai series that are much more engaging.
27. When I Woke Up I Became a Bagel Girl
An Otaku Becomes A Bagel Girl
The anime When I Woke Up I Became a Bagel Girl is based on a webtoon, but it didn’t make a big splash when it first came out. A big reason was the unusual release schedule – all episodes dropped at once instead of weekly, which made it hard to gain traction. Plus, it’s not easily accessible and has a bit of a negative reputation. Given all that, is it worth watching?
Honestly, yes and no.
When I Woke Up I Became a Bagel Girl centers around Bong Gi, a somewhat unremarkable and introverted otaku. His life takes an unexpected turn when he wakes up one day transformed into an attractive woman, giving him a fresh start. He quickly makes a new friend (and develops feelings for her), finds employment, and unexpectedly encounters someone from his past he dislikes. The story boasts an engaging relationship between the main character and his friend, and it avoids being a simple, everyday comedy by introducing some surprising twists, particularly in its second half. While not the central theme, the story also touches upon Bong’s internal struggles with his transformation.
Bong isn’t a very sympathetic character, and becomes increasingly difficult to root for as the story unfolds. While the show attempts to be dramatic, it doesn’t quite succeed in pulling it off effectively.
Should You Watch When I Woke Up I Became a Bagel Girl?
While When I Woke Up I Became a Bagel Girl has interesting concepts, the story doesn’t quite fully come together. It’s worth checking out, but the character Bong could be difficult for some readers to connect with.
26. Kämpfer
Forgettable Fluff That Is Mostly Passable But Struggles To Leave An Impression
Kämpfer is a perfectly enjoyable anime, but it’s unlikely to be particularly memorable. It doesn’t stand out in any one area – the action is decent, the humor is fine, and the characters are likable enough – resulting in an experience that’s easily forgotten. It’s worth watching if you’re looking for something lighthearted, though it’s far from the best gender-bender anime out there. It’s simply fun enough to recommend.
Natsuru unexpectedly transforms into a magical girl, but instead of battling monsters, she fights alongside other chosen girls. This leads to some exciting clashes, but mostly the story focuses on funny situations as Natsuru tries to navigate school life while hiding his true gender. The plot doesn’t really pick up speed and feels a bit rushed towards the end, but overall, Kämpfer is an enjoyable series.
Should You Watch Kämpfer?
Yeah, Kämpfer is just dumb fun, nothing more and nothing less.
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2026-03-30 02:39