30/06/2022
In our latest blog post, Zen () showcases his favourite q***r animations for pride month đłď¸âđâ¤ď¸ Swipe away to read his top 3 picks! Or you can read it on our blog here: https://www.gencontrolz.com/all-that-jazz/q***r-representation-in-animation
Image Description:
Slide 1: The pride flag is spread across at the centre of a bright orange background, with "Pride Month Cartoons!" in big handwritten letters, "by Zen" in smaller font in the corner. Key q***r characters from The Owl House, Steven Universe, and She-ra and the Princesses of Power are featured under the pride flag.
Slide 2: Bordered by the pride flag, on a bright orange background is text: The fight for better representation in media has been waged for a long time and its victory for the LGBTQ+ community is long overdue. Luckily the last few years have felt like a turning point for the better towards accurate, uplifting, and nuanced depictions that are inclusive of LGBTQ+ folks in the media, especially for western animation and cartoons. Thus, I am recommending some of the best LGBTQ+ animated characters and animated shows (in my opinion), in no particular order and with minimum spoilers, in the hopes that the dear reader would also give them a try.
Slide 3: The top of the page is bordered by a glimpse of the pride flag. The slide features a still from the cartoon The Owl House featuring five of the key characters. In a big white font is the headline introducing the title of the cartoon analysed: "1. The Owl House, 2020". Below, is the text: Thereâs no shortage of praise for TOH. Created by a bisexual woman (Dana Terrace) and featuring the first bisexual POC main character (Luz Noceda), the whole fandom is as q***r as you can imagine. The show will likely be remembered as a trailblazer in childrenâs cartoon representation for a long time to come.
The story follows anime nerd and social-outcast Luz, and her story in the demon realm - a superbly designed universe of witchcraft - where she finds family, friendship, romance, and a whole lot of (sometimes traumatic) adventure. Set in a universe intentionally crafted to be without any q***rphobia, the show excels in the diversity of LGBTQ+ experience it represents and does so in the most natural and authentic way.
Slide 4: On a bright orange background, the headline featuring the title "The Owl House, 2020" opens the slide, followed by black text: The art and world-building are amazing, especially the background design. Characters actually feel and act like the âacne-encrusted hormone-bucketsâ that 13-16 years-old teenagers are in real life. Q***r characters feel like they were portrayed with the utmost care and love, without any of the annoying tropes and stereotypes. The Owl House also includes the first non-binary character in an animated Disney show, a personal and fan favorite: Raine Whisper!
At the time of writing, The Owl House has finished airing its 2 seasons (around 40 episodes in total), with the remaining 3 special episodes to come for the final season.
At the bottom of the page is a still from the cartoon featuring Luz & Amity in a library scene.
Slide 5: The top of the page is bordered by a glimpse of the pride flag. The slide features a still from the cartoon Steven Universe featuring the four ensemble. In a big white font is the headline introducing the title of the cartoon analysed: "2. Steven Universe, 2013-2020". Below, is the text: They said Steven Universe and Rebecca Sugar (the showâs creator) walked, so that shows like The Owl House could run. Certainly one of Cartoon Networkâs most popular shows, SU and its sequels made many milestones of q***r representation in animation (and certainly suffered censorship for it). It was such a classic that SU was associated with, and even became, an integral part of internet jokes and memes. Hating on SU and its fans used to be (and to some extent still is) a homophobe go-to insult. The show inspired and left its impression on the lives of many viewers growing up.
The show follows the life and adventure of the titular character Steven Universe (an early and rare instance of a positive role model of masculinity), his dad, and his family of genderless alien gems.
Slide 6: On a bright orange background, the headline featuring the title "Steven Universe 2013-2020" opens the slide, followed by black text: While very much including cartoony gigs and childish lessons, the show also tackles serious themes like abandonment, traumatic stress, and anxiety, along with other coming-of-age stories.
My favorite thing about SU is its music, and many friends who do not watch also love it. In fact, SUâs music is 30% of the reason I got a ukulele. Rebecca Sugar and the talented team of voice actors and composers absolutely nailed the sounds. Singing became a defining aspect of SU through which characters communicate and express themselves and their struggles, moving the story along in a beautiful and poetic manner.
SU has 5 main seasons, a movie, and a sequel set 2 years after, appropriately named âSteven Universe Future.â
At the bottom of the page is a still from the cartoon featuring the main four ensemble mid-embrace.
Slide 7: The top of the page is bordered by a glimpse of the pride flag. The slide features a still from the cartoon She-ra and the Princesses of Power featuring five of the key characters. In a big white font is the headline introducing the title of the cartoon analysed: "3. She-ra and the Princesses of Power, 2018-2020". Below, is the text: I have not watched She-Ra, simply because I have managed to exercise my self-restraint to the fullest. However, I see She-Ra as a chronological next step to q***r representation in Western animation, this time for adult animation, and it seems to have done so quite well.
A reboot of the old-school 1985 Filmation series, the 2018 version is quite different, probably for the better. It has a diverse cast of q***r characters, so much so that, from an outsider's view, it seems harder to find a main character that isnât under the LGBTQ+ umbrella than to find one that is.
Slide 8: On a bright orange background, the headline featuring the title "She-ra and the Princesses of Power 2018-2020" opens the slide, followed by black text: It boasts an impressive voice cast and includes creative spins on both the designs and portrayal of the classic She-Ra characters, plus a pretty color palette and an engrossing story.
She-Ra has an energetic fanbase that loves the show and its creators dearly, and the fact that they have been constantly asking for a movie speaks volumes. Whether youâre in for a wonderful show, the q***r (or not) shippings, or just to know what all the hype was about, those with Netflix should definitely check out this show.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power has 5 seasons, totalling about 52 episodes.
At the bottom of the page is a still from the cartoon featuring Adora and Catra in the foreground of an orange-purple skyscape.