List of fictional aromantic characters explained

This is a list of aromantic characters in fiction, i.e. fictional characters that either self-identify as aromantic or have been identified by outside parties to be aromantic. Listed characters may also be asexual or allosexual (not asexual). Some aromantic people are asexual but some are not.[1] The term aromantic can be used in relation to various sexual identities, such as aromantic bisexual, aromantic heterosexual, aromantic lesbian, aromantic gay man, or aromantic asexual, but it does not relate to sexual orientation, instead focusing on romantic orientation.[2] Aromanticism primarily deals with romantic attraction rather than with sexuality. Some publications have argued that there is an underrepresentation of aromantic people in media,[3] in research,[4] and that they are often misunderstood.[5] Aromantic people often face stigma and are stereotyped with labels such as being afraid of intimacy, heartless, or deluded.[6]

Animated series

CharactersTitleCharacter debut dateNotesCountry
Lilith ClawthorneThe Owl HouseEda's older sister and former leader of the Emperor's Coven. In a charity livestream hosted by Dana Terrace on March 13, 2022, a specially produced audio, written by Terrace and recorded by Cissy Jones in character as Lilith, was played. In this audio, Lilith claims to have never felt romantic attraction towards anyone before.[7] Later prompted by Jade King of TheGamer, Jones stated that her audio during the charity stream was "basically canon."[8] Jones would make further allusion to Lilith's aromantic orientation over Twitter, before giving direct affirmation of the character's asexuality on March 18, over Instagram.[9] [10] [11] United States
Seiji Maki Bloom Into YouA supporting character, he is an aromantic asexual with well established feelings on sex and romance, and is a "crucial sounding board" for Yuu as she tries to figure out her feelings. In the ninth episode, he says that he does not fall in love, but prefers to watch from the outside.[12] [13] He enjoys romance but does not wish to partake it in himself.Japan
PeridotSteven UniverseStoryboard artist Maya Petersen stated that Peridot is asexual and aromantic on her Twitter, even though she said her word is not "the ultimate authority" on the matter. This asexual identity was never expressed in the show directly,[14] with fans shipping Peridot with various other characters, specifically Lapis Lazuli and Amethyst, some reviewers even seeing Peridot and Lapis in a "close, loving relationship" in the past.[15] United States
Percival King (Percy)Epithet ErasedA police officer, she has a strict moral code and values order and safety. (The creator of the show, Brendan Blaber, confirmed that she is asexual and may also be aromantic.[16] ! Second off, for the characters, have you decided if any of them are LGBTQ+? How do you feel about the LGBT headcanons?....") He also said that while Percy is female and asexual, it was his "intention to leave everything beyond that point up to the viewer", adding that headcannons of fans that she is trans, non-binary, autistic, or anything else, is valid.)[17] United States
AlastorHazbin HotelOctober 28, 2019Alastor is a demon in the series who was a radio host in his past life. He is shown as charismatic and conniving. A live stream confirmed him as aromantic[18] and the creator of the show posted a drawing on Twitter of three of the show's characters with orientation flags, including an asexual flag with Alastor[19] United States
Alix Kubdel2015Alix is a friend of Marinette and the holder of the Rabbit Miraculous. She was confirmed as aromantic in a tweet by the creator of the show, Thomas Astruc, in 2020.[20] France

Literature

CharactersWorkAuthorYearsDescription
ClarielClarielGarth Nix2014She’s also quite comfortable with her (apparently aromantic) asexuality, a subject which comes up early on in the book; having experimented with sex out of sheer curiosity, she has no inclination to repeat the experience with either men or women, and consistently deflects the interest of potential romantic/sexual partners. Clariel's lack of experience of sexual or romantic attraction are described at multiple points, come up early in the book, and are treated as a core part of who she is as a person. [25]
Georgia WarrLovelessAlice Oseman2020Georgia is the main character of Loveless, coming to terms with her sexuality during the events of the book, realizing that she is an aromantic asexual. Georgia also has a conversation with another character, Sunil Jah, who is nonbinary, gay, asexual[26] and friends with Jess, an aromantic bisexual. Also, Georgia's cousin Ellis is an aromantic asexual character.
Ellis
Jess
Firuz-e JafariThe Bruising of QilwaNaseem Jamnia2022Firuz-e is aromantic and asexual, or "aroace", in addition to being non-binary.[27]

Live-action television

CharacterPortrayed byProgramYearswidth= Notes
Sakuko KodamaYukino KishiiKoisenu Futari2022This series revolves around Kodama and Takahashi's developing relationship, after Kodama realizes she is aromantic-asexual by reading Takahashi's blog, while Takahashi is also aromantic asexual as well.[28] [29] Co-director Yuta Oshida came up with the idea for the story after coming to the realization that Japanese television dramas often include romantic relationships and elements, and he later learned about asexuality, with his research including interviewing asexual people.[30]
Satoru TakahashiIssei Takahashi
Isaac HendersonTobie DonovanHeartstopper2022–PresentIsaac is a featured character of the show adaptation of the graphic novel Heartstopper. In season two of the show, released August 2023, Isaac is introduced to James; an openly gay student at his school. While James clearly expresses his crush on him, it is clear Isaac struggles to understand why he cannot reciprocate James' feelings. Isaac discovers the terminology 'aromantic asexual' at a queer art exhibition and after further personal reading and research.[31] [32] [33] He eventually comes to terms with being aro-ace as he enters his school library and proudly takes Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex, a book on asexuality by Angela Chen. Previous to season two's release, Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman confirmed on Twitter that Isaac is aromantic asexual.[34]

Comics, manga, and graphic novels

CharactersTitleYearsNotesCountry
AlixSex Criminals2013–PresentAlix is an asexual character introduced in issue #13. The story covers her experiences as a teenager feeling pressured to have sex, and how she feels alien without coming across as broken.[35] While other characters in the story are able to freeze time when they orgasm, Alix freezes time through the adrenaline rush of BASE jumping.[36] [37] United States
AmiruLast Gender: When We Are Nameless2022She has a sex drive but is not romantically attracted to anyone else, and pushes to make herself "the main character in her own life."[38] Japan
ChikaIs Love the Answer?2023She detests romance, having sex, or kissing other people, and her professor tells her she is on the asexual spectrum, resulting in her "intensely researching the subject of human sexuality and asexuality" in an effort to understand herself and what other people experience.[39] [40] She is also aromantic.[41]
KashikawaSex Ed 120%2020-2021She is a student who isn't interested in romance or sex, and loves animals.[42] [43] [44]
Su-wonAkatsuki No Yona2009-PresentSu-won is the King of Kouka. He is aromantic. In chapter 124 of the manga, he reveals that he does not feel romantic attraction towards people.
YurikoI Want to Be a Wall2019-2023She is an asexual woman married, to satisfy the desires of her parents, to a gay man who loves his childhood friend, resulting in a marriage of convenience.[45] [46] She is also aromantic.[47]
Gwendolyn "Gwen" PooleMarvel Comics2015–PresentIn 2023, it was confirmed that Gwenpool was asexual and aromantic during her story arc in the Love Unlimited series. During this arc, she is in a relationship with Julie Power and discovers what it means to be asexual after Julie suggests the possibility.[48] [49] United States

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. News: Josh . Salisbury . Meet the aromantics: 'I'm not cold – I just don't have any romantic feelings' | Life and style . The Guardian . April 15, 2018.
  2. Book: Miller SJ . Glossary of Terms: Defining a Common Queer language . Teaching, Affirming, and Recognizing Trans and Gender Creative Youth . 299–309 . London . Palgrave Macmillan . 2016 . 10.1057/978-1-137-56766-6 . 978-1-137-56766-6 . 156912799 . https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/bbm%3A978-1-137-56766-6%2F1.pdf . April 24, 2020.
  3. Web site: How Pop Culture Denies Aromantic Asexual Existence . The Mary Sue . February 19, 2016 . April 15, 2018.
  4. Web site: Nicola . Pardy . What Is Asexual – People Share Asexuality Experiences . Refinery29.uk . April 15, 2018.
  5. News: Yeow Kai . Chai . Singer-songwriter Moses Sumney does not mind flying the freak flag, Entertainment News & Top Stories . The Straits Times . October 4, 2017 . April 15, 2018.
  6. Nivea . Serrao . Tash Hearts Tolstoy author on depicting asexuality in YA fiction . Entertainment Weekly . July 10, 2017 . April 15, 2018.
  7. Web site: Be Gay Do Witchcraft Charity Drawathon!. Terrace, Dana [danaterrace]. Dana Terrace. March 13, 2022. Twitch. https://web.archive.org/web/20220314163428/https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1424856260. March 14, 2022. dead. April 4, 2022.
  8. Web site: King. Jade. Lilith Clawthorne's Potential Asexuality Is Perfect For Her Character. TheGamer. March 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220320200020/https://www.thegamer.com/lilith-clawthorne-asexual-aromantic-the-owl-house/. March 20, 2022. live.
  9. cissyspeaks. Jones. Cissy. Cissy Jones. 1503188885953605635. If you listened to the letter you have your answer . March 13, 2022 . March 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220314015922/https://twitter.com/cissyspeaks/status/1503188885953605635. March 14, 2022. live.
  10. Jones . Cissy . Cissy Jones. cissyspeaks . CbQxEx_rVEO . Our first Post-Hoot! . March 18, 2022 . March 18, 2022.
  11. Web site: Budgen. Rebecca. 10 Asexual Icons In Movies. Screen Rant. April 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220403064703/https://screenrant.com/asexual-icons-in-movies/. April 3, 2022. live.
  12. Web site: Rupnarine. Nerissa. Bloom Into You Is a Triumph For Asexual Representation. CBR. June 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210615182959/https://www.cbr.com/bloom-into-you-maki-asexual-representation/. June 15, 2021. live. October 15, 2023.
  13. Web site: Bridges. Rose. Bloom Into You Episode 9. Anime News Network. December 2, 2018. October 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230404115013/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bloom-into-you/episode-9/.140233. April 4, 2023. live.
  14. Web site: Baron . Reuben . Steven Universe: A Crystal Gem Is Confirmed As Asexual . . April 5, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200315141021/https://www.cbr.com/steven-universe-crystal-gem-confirmed-asexual-peridot/ . March 15, 2020 . March 14, 2020 . live.
  15. Web site: Alptraum . Lux . Steven Universe's message of love is emphatically queer . . April 5, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180731054616/https://www.polygon.com/tv/2018/7/9/17549458/steven-universe-wedding-queer-love-ruby-sapphire . July 31, 2018 . July 9, 2018 . live.
  16. Web site: December 24, 2019 . Zora is canonically bisexual and I write Percy as ace (maybe aro too? I'd have to talk to her original player about that). Because Percy is ace nothing sexual would ever happen between her and Zora. . https://archive.today/20200623182542/https://jelloapocalypse.tumblr.com/post/189848393812/hi-jello-first-off-i-adore-epithet-erased-so . June 23, 2020 . June 21, 2020 . Tumblr. (This Tumblr is the blog of Brendan Blaber. He is responding to the question "Hi jello! First off, I adore epithet erased, so thank you
  17. Web site: January 6, 2020 . Percy is asexual and she identifies as female, but it was always my intention to leave everything beyond that point up to the viewer. Is she trans? Is she a non-binary woman? Is she on the autism spectrum? I don't know! Sure! She's whatever you want her to be! . https://archive.today/20200623182743/https://jelloapocalypse.tumblr.com/post/190090771062/will-any-non-binary-characters-be-showing-up . June 23, 2020 . June 21, 2020 . Tumblr. (This Tumblr is the blog of Brendan Blaber. He is responding to the question "Will any non-binary characters be showing up?")
  18. Web site: 2020-04-17 . Inking the Hazbin Hotel ALASTOR Comic . https://web.archive.org/web/20200417110815/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcGHQmt0J9Q . 2024-03-21 . April 17, 2020 . Internet Archive.
  19. 1050498176019353601 . VivziePop . Angel and Alastor are old men who don't understand anything anymore I hope everyone on this #NationalComingOutDay2018 stays safe and stays proud . 2018-10-11 . 2024-03-20 . Vivienne . Medrano.
  20. https://x.com/Thomas_Astruc/status/1252964475411599363
  21. News: July 8, 2022 . 三浦透子、長編映画単独初主演！ 恋愛感情を抱かない主人公が幸せを探す「そばかす」12月16日公開 . eiga.com . . July 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708042453/https://eiga.com/news/20220708/9/ . July 8, 2022.
  22. News: July 8, 2022 . 三浦透子が長編映画単独初主演！『そばかす』で他人に恋愛感情を抱かない主人公に . Cinema Today . July 8, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708044953/https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0131142 . July 8, 2022.
  23. Web site: December 16, 2022 . 三浦透子がアセクシャルを演じた映画『そばかす』。「複雑な思いを複雑なまま、自分の中で育てていい」 . October 28, 2023 . ginzamag.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028093019/https://ginzamag.com/categories/interview/312234 . October 28, 2023.
  24. Web site: Schilling. Mark. 'I Am What I Am': Knights in shining armor need not apply. Japan Times. December 22, 2022. October 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20221222072238/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2022/12/22/films/film-reviews/i-am-what-i-am/. December 22, 2022. live.
  25. Web site: Rocket . Stubby the . 2016-04-11 . Five Books With Asexual Protagonists . 2024-04-07 . Reactor . en-US.
  26. Web site: Foley . Maddy . 3 YA Writers Share Why They Wrote Books With Asexual Protagonists . . June 21, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200621175124/https://www.bustle.com/p/3-ya-writers-share-why-they-wrote-books-with-asexual-protagonists-9546309 . June 21, 2020 . June 21, 2018 . live.
  27. Web site: Brittain. Rachel. 20 Must-Read Asexual Books For Ace Week. Book Riot. October 24, 2022. October 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230811135426/https://bookriot.com/must-read-asexual-books . August 11, 2023 . live.
  28. Web site: Galang . Jelou. An aromantic-asexual duo are leads in this J-drama . Scout Magazine . 2022 . October 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230326212423/https://www.scoutmag.ph/70924/koisenu-futari-japanese-drama/. March 26, 2023. live.
  29. Web site: Hawley. Kari. 'Koisenu Futari' reminds us love is more than just romance--You Had Me at 'It's Gay'. Daily Free Press. October 23, 2023. October 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231023223442/https://dailyfreepress.com/2023/10/23/koisenu-futari-reminds-us-love-is-more-than-just-romance-you-had-me-at-its-gay/. October 23, 2023. live.
  30. News: Ito . Hiroki . Iki . Midori . Honma . Honomi . NHK TV drama sheds light on lives of asexual, aromantic people . . The Asahi Shimbun Company . March 21, 2022 . en . October 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20221224051604/https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14571368. December 24, 2022. live.
  31. Web site: Bove. Kate. Is Isaac Asexual? What He Identifies As In Heartstopper Season 2. Screen Rant. August 8, 2023. October 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230811150536/https://screenrant.com/is-isaac-asexual-in-heartstopper-season-2/. August 11, 2023. live.
  32. Web site: Ford. Lucy. Asexuality is Heartstopper's first queer sticking point. GQ Magazine. August 3, 2023. October 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230902054503/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/heartstopper-season-2-asexuality. September 2, 2023. live.
  33. Web site: Sinclair. Chloe. 'Heartstopper' Season 2's Most Interesting Character Doesn't Need a Romance. Collider. August 11, 2023. October 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230920053725/https://collider.com/heartstopper-season-2-isaac-james-romance/. September 20, 2023. live.
  34. Oseman . Alice . Alice Oseman . AliceOseman . 1517808590597373952 . April 23, 2022 . @anniekslibrary this was intended! i'm very glad you got the vibes . en . December 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221009164432/https://twitter.com/AliceOseman/status/1517808590597373952 . October 9, 2022 . live.
  35. Web site: McElhatton . Greg . October 16, 2015 . Sex Criminals #13 . July 21, 2020 . . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20200721170414/https://www.cbr.com/sex-criminals-13/ . July 21, 2020 . live.
  36. Web site: Odgers. Jodi. Sex Criminals: The Characters' Powers, Explained. CBR. September 21, 2020 . October 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20200922145904/https://www.cbr.com/sex-criminals-characters-powers-explained/. September 22, 2020. live.
  37. Miller . Nicholas . 2017 . Asexuality and Its Discontents: Making the 'Invisible Orientation' Visible in Comics . The Journal of the Comics Studies Society . 1 . 3 . 356–357 . 10.1353/ink.2017.0024 . 191884959 . October 25, 2023.
  38. Web site: The Fall 2022 Manga Guide--Last Gender: When We Are Nameless. Silverman. Rebecca. September 22, 2022. October 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20231026015633/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2022-09-22/the-fall-2022-manga-guide/last-gender-when-we-are-nameless/.189780. October 26, 2023. live.
  39. Web site: Silverman. Rebecca. Review: Is Love the Answer? GN. Anime News Network. February 3, 2023. October 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230325072056/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/is-love-the-answer/gn/.194118. March 25, 2023. live.
  40. Web site: Pennington. Latonya. "Is Love The Answer?" Shows the Fluidity of Asexuality and Identity. Into. October 4, 2023. October 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230807154157/https://www.intomore.com/entertainment/books/love-answer-shows-fluidity-asexuality-identity/. August 7, 2023. live.
  41. Web site: Is Love The Answer?, Volume 1. Kodansha. October 25, 2023. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/lgLv9. October 26, 2023. live.
  42. Web site: Pennington. Latonya. Sex Ed 120% Lets Queer Folks Understand Their Bodies and Brains. March 23, 2023. October 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230807100308/https://www.intomore.com/impact/sex-ed-120-includes-queer-folks/. August 7, 2023. live.
  43. Web site: Dee. Kaiser. Vrai. Henderson. Alex. Chatty AF 174: Sex Ed 120% – Part 1 (WITH TRANSCRIPT). Anime Feminist. November 27, 2022. October 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230602004619/https://www.animefeminist.com/chatty-af-174-sex-ed-120-part-1/. June 2, 2023. live.
  44. Web site: Silverman. Rebecca. Review: Sex Ed 120% GN 2. Anime News Network. February 11, 2022. October 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20220417212621/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sex-ed-120-percent/gn-2/.181047. April 17, 2022. live.
  45. Web site: Silverman. Rebecca. MrAJCosplay. The Spring 2022 Manga Guide: I Want to Be a Wall. Anime News Network. May 18, 2022. October 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230303013824/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2022-05-18/the-spring-2022-manga-guide/i-want-to-be-a-wall/.185168. March 3, 2023. live.
  46. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Honami Shirono's I Want to Be a Wall Manga Ends. Anime News Network. March 4, 2023. October 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230311123049/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-04/honami-shirono-i-want-to-be-a-wall-manga-ends/.195586. March 11, 2023. live.
  47. Web site: Review: I Want to Be a Wall GN 2. Silverman. Rebecca. Anime News Network. February 23, 2023. October 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230320062946/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/i-want-to-be-a-wall/gn-2/.194554. March 20, 2023. live.
  48. Web site: Gwenpool Makes an Important Discovery in 'Love Unlimited: Gwenpool' #47 . 2023-12-01 . www.marvel.com.
  49. Web site: Schlesinger . Alex . 2023-05-05 . Gwenpool Officially Comes Out as Marvel's First Asexual Hero . 2023-12-01 . ScreenRant . en.

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