Asexual anime and what it’s like in the real world.
I recently discussed this with a few close friends who weren’t sure what they identified as. Both were in relationships but one was considering they were asexual while the other thought they might be pansexual. We were at work while having this conversation during lunch, and a coworker commented that asexuals and others weren’t a real thing. That we were people who just wanted to be different and we’re looking for attention.
Um, okay…no. Being asexual or under the asexual tree is a real thing. It’s a sad thing but so many people are still convinced that heterosexuals are the only real and valid thing out there, when it’s simply not true. So I decided to make a list of the different types that people could be to get more information out there and to make it more fun, I’ve included anime characters that are possibly asexual or a type of it.
Note that this is by no means an exhaustive list; dozens of other identities fall under the a-spectrum. While this may seem excessive to some, for many people having these identities is extremely important. These are just FOUR of the most common ones that I’m familiar with and know the most people who identify as one of these. To clarify, I consider myself to fall under the asexual tree, so I’m speaking through experience here.
Asexual
Asexuality is probably the most well-known of the identities. Many people who identify with one of the subcategories of asexuality will use the term asexual when talking about their identity in public because it’s the easiest to explain. A simple definition that I use is Someone who does not experience sexual attraction towards anyone. It’s important to remember, however, that attraction and action are not always the same. Some asexuals may be repulsed by the idea of sexual contact and won’t engage in it, but others may be sex-neutral or sex-positive and will have sex. It’s also important to remember that love and attraction are not the same things. You can love someone and not be sexually attracted to them and vice versa. Everyone experiences their asexuality differently, so it’s important not to make assumptions about an asexual person or their experiences.
Anime character that I think is asexual?
Haruka Nanase from Free!
Many fans see Haruka Nanase, the protagonist of Free! as asexual. This is ironic given the amount of fan service present in the show, but there’s evidence for it.
While being emotionally disconnected from others doesn’t automatically imply asexuality, Haru never expresses any sexual desire for anyone. In a series where characters constantly connect through hugs, Haru hardly ever touches anyone. During a scene where he’s asked about his “first love,” he claims that it was a waterfall – a statement that is probably a combination of trolling and truth.
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Aromantic
Aromanticism is what could be described as the romantic-orientation counterpart to asexuality. Similar to asexuality, someone who identifies with a subcategory of aromanticism may simply call themselves aromantic because it’s simpler and easier to explain. The definition of aromanticism is, simply: Someone who does not experience romantic attraction to anyone. Like with asexuality, an aromantic person may still choose to engage in a romantic relationship, or not. The only real difference is that the relationship is platonic, rather than romantic.
Anime character that is asexual/aromantic?
Izaya Orihara from Durarara!!
Durarara!!‘s Izaya Orihara is one of the few anime characters who has declared himself to be asexual, making him an absolute must for any list on the subject.
Grey-Asexual/Greyromantic
Grey-asexuality and greyromanticism describe anyone who falls in some area between being asexual and sexual, or aromantic and romantic. This is what I, the nerdygirlnews, identify as. People who identify with either of these labels can include (but are in no way limited to), people who do not normally experience attraction but do sometimes, people who experience attraction but have a low sex drive, and people who can enjoy and desire sex or romantic relationships but under very limited and specific circumstances. For example, I LOVE love and the idea of being in relationships but for the majority of the population, anything sexual is repulsive to me. My husband is one of the rare few that I’m actually attracted to.
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Anime character that is grey ace?
Yuu Koito from Bloom Into You
From her lack of romantic relationships to confusion whenever her friends are gushing over boys and a disconnect from popular media that obsesses over romantic love and physical affection, Yuu describes her feelings surrounding the subject as those of isolation and emotional removal.
When Yuu later meets the person who will become her primary love interest, Touko, she initially doesn’t demonstrate sexual or romantic attraction, even after Touko confesses her attraction to her. Instead of being a “late-bloomer,” as many people tend to call asexual/aromantic people who haven’t experienced attraction (as well as demisexuals or graysexuals, who sometimes do so under certain circumstances), Yuu is shown to simply not demonstrate attraction to people in general, only later developing interest in Touko after an established emotional connection with her and further time spent bonding together.
Demisexual/Demiromantic
Demi is French for “half,” and was first coined to describe a person who does not experience attraction to an individual until a significant emotional bond has formed. The primary attraction is an attraction to people based on first impressions, such as appearance or how they smell. Secondary attraction is an attraction to people that develops over time, and forms out of the relationship one has with a person, and their emotional connection. This can be applied to both romantic attraction and sexual attraction. Demisexuals or demiromantics do not experience primary attraction but do experience secondary attraction. For a long time, I thought I was demisexual before I realized I was a gray ace.
Anime character that is demisexual?
Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist
Strangely enough, only after someone points out that Edward has feelings for Winry does he realize that he’s attracted to her himself. He experiences secondary attraction after bonding with her so much throughout the years.
So, there you have it. Four different types of the asexuality tree and possible anime characters that fall under them. Sexuality is a personal choice and what fits one person might not fit the other. I know in high school I went through a phase where I tried my hardest to prove I wasn’t asexual and someone thought I was bi. It was very awkward, to say the least, and not something I like to think about. Extremely cringe. Let’s just accept the fact that we’re all different and it takes time to realize who we are.
What do you think? What anime characters do you think also fit under this? Let us know in the comments below!
As always,
Keep Smiling!