I am super excited to tell you this month’s Webtoon feature is a Pride special! I have handpicked a list of amazing Webtoons featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists just for y’all! Whether your cup of tea is drama, fantasy, or if you just wanna laugh your head off, there’s something for all tastes *wink*!
I should say, these series are great across the board. We’re talking characterization, art, storylines, writing, the lot. So, yeah they are excellent Webtoons in general. These characters are not fetishized or overly sexualized, they’re not stereotypes, they’re not bait, and their existences are not limited to their sexuality. (I know, shocking).
Let’s dive in!
Fantasy People
Castle Swimmer by Wendy Lian Martin
Kappa is born as ‘the Beacon’ of all merfolk, destined to bring glory, riches, happiness or whatever each race’s prophecy says he will when he arrives. Siren is the prince of the Shark Castle, and according to his people’s prophecy, he’s the one that has to kill the Beacon. Instead he decides to save him, choosing to defy destiny and escape together with him.
Seriously, go read the first chapter, it’s been a long time since I read a first chapter that did such a good job of putting you in the story. The world is beautifully drawn, the art is immersive and emotive. Plus Siren and Kappa are so cute I just cannot. Go. Read. This.
The Croaking by echorise
In a world inhabited by various species of birdpeople (birdfolk?), The Roost is the most prestigious military academy there is. So why is a Crow suddenly accepted as a student there? The reasons behind Scra’s acceptance seem mysterious, and his new roommate Ky is too curious about him to not get involved. Dangerous rumours of ‘the croaking’ are surfacing, and Scra, Ky, and Ree must work together and reveal the truth about the ‘peaceful utopia’ they live in.
I got sucked into this one before you could say crow! The writing is just brilliant. It’s proof that worldbuilding is really in the details. Everytime they exclaim ‘Thank Icarus’ cause, heh, it’s people with wings, get it? It even discreetly addresses the whole how-do-shirts-go-on-with-the-wings-and-stuff. Not only the main characters that I’m already head over heels for, but it’s really small details like these that make this webtoon so exceptional. The story really transports you to this mysterious island of birdfolk, and I am not even questioning the whole ‘birdfolk’ thing anymore.
Supernatural Forces
Muted by Miranda Mundt
In an alternative version of New Orleans, magic families each have their own distinct kind of magic and traditions. On her 21st birthday, Camille Severin is supposed to summon a winged demon to aid her family in achieving wealth and status. But the ritual goes awry, and she must face certain terrifying truths about her family. Slowly she starts to unravel secrets about her past, and realises that what’s best for the family might not be what’s best for her.
This webtoon gets dark, and so I’m adding a TW here for mental abuse and childhood trauma, because while this story is absolutely worth reading, and Camille and her future girlfriend are *so kickass*. I don’t want anyone to go in expecting fluff and cute magic girls, because it’s not that kind of story. The art is stunning, and the way the writer depicts emotional states is so expressive and direct. A must read. Second season just launched!
Sci-fi
Always Human by walkingnorth
In the not-so-far-off future, people can use nano-technology to modify their appearance, among other things. That is except those with hypersensitive immune systems that reject these ‘mods’. Sunati is attracted to Austen the first time she sees her, and eventually musters the courage to ask her on a date. Together they grow and evolve, and remind us that underneath everything, we’re always human.
This story was adorable, pure, soft, and honestly, everything. Each chapter has its own music (always cool). It might be sci-fi, but it’s the elusive slice-of-life kind of sci-fi, where the characters and their lives are relatable and realistic (okay except the nanomods thingies). So if you were just looking for sugary sapphic love and genderfluid normality you’re so in the right place. And bonus!, it’s already completed and it’s going to be released as a graphic novel soon too!
Rainbow in the dark by Comfort and Adam
Living in a black-and-white world, Donna White is a normal teenager, feeling trapped in her daily life, wondering if this is how the world should be. Everything changes when a colorful band of rebels blasts through the middle of the city, but nobody else seems to be able to see them. Swept up in the moment, Donna comes to understand the reality of her world and gains purpose.
I had to include this gem from Webtoon Canvas. It’s relatively short, and it’s completed, so you can read it in one sitting. I’ll quote a comment “this story is equal parts sci-fi, fantasy, and rock concert”, because it’s 100% accurate. The art is unique and intense, the story sneaks up on you, slowly revealing further depths and plot threads, and it really takes you along for the ride.
Comedy
Mage and Demon Queen by Color_LES
Inside this real life RPG world, adventurers seek to defeat and kill the Demon Queen. Not this adventurer though, all love-struck Malori wants to do is take her hand!
This one is just hilarious. We’re all the demon guard shipping Malori x Demon Queen so hard she wrote fanfiction. The tropes and references will really have you in a laughing fit, especially if you’ve enjoyed playing RPG games before. The art is very anime-like which really fits the whole RPG concept spectacularly well, and the story is just so much fun to read!
My Dictator Boyfriend by Teo & Guy
Immanuel the First (Manny) just became the country’s supreme ruler, although he’s not quite sure he knows what he’s doing. To add to his problems, he’s finding his hot new bodyguard so *very* distracting – but Tauliga isn’t exactly a gay-friendly country.
This webtoon had me laughing out loud within the first few chapters. The chapters are not too long and the art is simple and reminds me of old newspaper cartoons. By the way, maybe you’re familiar with one of the creators’ more famous other work, ‘Adventures of God’. If you’re not, check that out as well, it’s deliriously funny.
Slice of life
The four of them by Mai Hirschfeld_
Johnny always had a rivalry with his sister Mica, but he didn’t expect her to be his rival in love as well! When she announces that she’s dating Mariel, the girl he has an unrequited crush on, he decides to find a girlfriend of his own with the help of his friends. But it’s not going to be smooth sailing from there.
This is your slice-of-life, coming of age, high school kind of story, and that’s exactly what makes it so good. The protagonist might seemingly be Johnny, but this is as much a story about Gaby, Mariel, and Martina, because surviving high school and teenage angst has always been easier with friends.
Short & Sweet : I want to be a cute anime girl by Azul Crescent
Charon’s sister once dressed him up as a girl, and he *really* liked it. Follow them as they learn who they are, what they want, and meet the people around them.
I really wanted to include this 4-panel series from Webtoon Canvas. Being as short as it is, there’s not exactly a lot of time to develop some long-winded plot, but this is just Charon’s journey to becoming Cheryl and finding herself. It’s so sweet that you want to be there cheering her on forever. I want that precious little baby to grow into the butterfly she was always supposed to be and I’m ready to pounce at anyone who would hurt her.
Honourable mention:
Gourmet Hound by Leehama
Lucy, a girl with an incredible sense of smell, recently lost her grandmother. Now her favorite restaurant changed their kitchen staff! Join her as she tries to track down all the chefs who used to work at Dimanche, and recreate the taste she loved so much.
Although the protagonist is Bi and her eventual romantic partner is non-binary, since the main couple is still considered het I wasn’t sure about including it in the list. However, I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t include it at all. Therefore, honourable mention!
This story manages to tell such a beautiful tale about acceptance and overcoming grief. At the same time, it features such a magnificently diverse cast- diverse in any possible definition of the word, LGBTQ+ and otherwise– and even the smallest character feels 3D, nobody is there simply to tick a box and say, cool I now have a so-and-so character in my story. It’s small things here and there, like the creator saying that a relationship doesn’t need to be romantic to be profound (PREACH), or the seamless way each character’s ethnic background is naturally referred to, not as an exotic or suspicious thing. Honestly, this is the wholesome food for the soul kind of story and I hope you’ll give it a try.
Every single one of these webtoons is one I’d recommend to anyone in a heartbeat! Hopefully you’ll give them a chance, and maybe among them there’s a series you will love! Happy Pride! 😀
