Wikipedia

List of fictional aromantic characters

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.[1][6]

Animated series

edit
Characters Title Character debut date Notes Country
Lilith Clawthorne The Owl House February 7, 2020 Eda'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
Deuce Gorgon Monster High May 5, 2010 Deuce is the laid-back and popular teenaged son of Medusa. Traditionally, he has romantic feelings for Cleo, a Cleopatra-inspired mummy.[12] In the 2022 TV series, he and Cleo have romantic history, but they decide to be friends instead after he realizes he has no desire for romance.[13] United States
Mayor Joy Sheriff Hayseed December 21, 2019 In the animated web series Sheriff Hayseed, Mayor Joy is an irritable and conscientious talking mare and the mayor of the wild west town of Troughwater. To commemorate pride month, animator PieMations confirmed that Mayor Joy is asexual and aromantic on Twitter.[14] United States
Seiji Maki Bloom Into You October 5, 2018 A 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.[15][16] He enjoys romance but does not wish to partake it in himself. Japan
Peridot Steven Universe January 8, 2015 Based on the gemstone peridot, Peridot is a member of an alien species known as gems. Gems are able to "fuse" with one another into singular, gestalt entities known as fusions. However, Peridot is actively disinterested in fusing. According to storyboard artist Maya Petersen, this story element is a metaphor for asexuality and aromanticism, even though she said her word is not "the ultimate authority" on the matter. This asexual identity was never expressed in the show directly,[17] 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.[18] United States
Percival King (Percy) Epithet Erased 2019 A 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.[19] 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.)[20] United States
Alastor Hazbin Hotel October 28, 2019 Alastor 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[21][failed verification] 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[22] United States
Alix Kubdel Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir 2015 Alix 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.[23] France

Film

edit
Characters Title / Franchise Actors Years Notes Country
Kasumi 'Sobakasu' Sobata I Am What I Am Toko Miura 2022 The film is about Sobata's life within amatonormativity.[24][25][26] She admits to her suitor that she is asexual and has no romantic feelings for anyone.[27] Japan

Literature

edit
Characters Work Author Years Description
Clariel Clariel Garth Nix 2014 She’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. [28]
Kylee Black Wings Beating Alex London 2018 Kylee is a teenager gifted in falconry who goes on a quest to hunt down a giant, monstrous black eagle. Throughout the book, she explicates multiple times that she's not romantically attracted to anyone at all.[29] [30]
Georgia Warr Loveless Alice Oseman 2020 Georgia 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[31] and friends with Jess, an aromantic bisexual. Also, Georgia's cousin Ellis is an aromantic asexual character.
Ellis
Jess
Firuz-e Jafari The Bruising of Qilwa Naseem Jamnia 2022 Firuz-e is aromantic and asexual, or "aroace", in addition to being non-binary.[32]

Live-action television

edit
Character Portrayed by Program Years Notes
Sakuko Kodama Yukino Kishii Koisenu Futari 2022 This 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.[33][34] 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.[35]
Satoru Takahashi Issei Takahashi
Isaac Henderson Tobie Donovan Heartstopper 2022–Present Isaac 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.[36][37][38] 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.[39]

Comics, manga, and graphic novels

edit
Characters Title Years Notes Country
Alix Sex Criminals 2013–Present Alix 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.[40] While other characters in the story are able to freeze time when they orgasm, Alix freezes time through the adrenaline rush of BASE jumping.[41][42] United States
Amiru Last Gender: When We Are Nameless 2022 She has a sex drive but is not romantically attracted to anyone else, and pushes to make herself "the main character in her own life."[43] Japan
Chika Is Love the Answer? 2023 She 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.[44][45] She is also aromantic.[46]
Kashikawa Sex Ed 120% 2020-2021 She is a student who isn't interested in romance or sex, and loves animals.[47][48][49]
Su-won Akatsuki No Yona 2009-Present Su-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.
Yuriko I Want to Be a Wall 2019-2023 She 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.[50][51] She is also aromantic.[52]
Gwendolyn "Gwen" Poole Marvel Comics 2015–Present In 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.[53][54] United States

Video games

edit
Character Title Year Notes Developer
Billie Billie Bust Up (yet to be released) The upcoming musical platformer Billie Bust Up focuses on the titular protagonist Billie the goat. [55] In an official Twitter post for pride month, Billie is illustrated wearing an aroace pride pin on their collar and waving a progress pride flag.[56] Giddy Goat Games
Dusa Hades 2020 Based on Medusa, Dusa is a disembodied gorgon head who works as a maid for the Greek god Hades. If the player character attempts to seduce her, she informs him that she's not interested in a romantic relationship with anyone at all.[57] Supergiant Games
Charlie Weasley Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Hogwarts Legacy 2018 & 2023 Charlie Weasley is the older brother of Ron Weasley. He is a biologist who studies dragons, and he is the only Weasley sibling not to marry at the end of the Harry Potter book series. When asked about his sexuality, J.K. Rowling described him as "more interested in dragons than women.” This description resonated with many asexual and aromantic Harry Potter fans. [58] In Hogwarts Mystery, characters are available for romantic storylines. However, if the player shows an interest in Charlie, he refuses, claiming he has no experience in love outside of his love for dragons. [59] In Hogwarts Legacy, Charlie overtly states that he has no desire for romance and only cares about dragons.[60] Jam City & Avalanche Software
Willow Angry Birds Stella 2014 Willow is a blue bird with a big orange hat. She has the ability to redirect herself midair, and she loves painting. In an official Twitter post for pride month, she's illustrated as a celebration of aromantic pride,[61] and on the cover of an Angry Birds Christmas comic, she's illustrated frowning at the sight of mistletoe.[62] In an official web page, male characters are described as trying to woo the female birds, which works on Stella, Dhalia, and Poppy, but not Willow. Nevertheless, she does flirtatiously call herself a dreamboat, and in The Angry Birds Movie 2, she attends a speed dating service, hinting at an allosexual aromantic identity.[63][64] Rovio Entertainment

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Salisbury, Josh. "Meet the aromantics: 'I'm not cold – I just don't have any romantic feelings' | Life and style". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  2. ^ Miller SJ, ed. (2016). "Glossary of Terms: Defining a Common Queer language" (PDF). Teaching, Affirming, and Recognizing Trans and Gender Creative Youth. London: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 299–309. doi:10.1057/978-1-137-56766-6. ISBN 978-1-137-56766-6. S2CID 156912799. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "How Pop Culture Denies Aromantic Asexual Existence". The Mary Sue. February 19, 2016. Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  4. ^ Pardy, Nicola. "What Is Asexual – People Share Asexuality Experiences". Refinery29.uk. Archived from the original on September 6, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  5. ^ Chai, Yeow Kai (October 4, 2017). "Singer-songwriter Moses Sumney does not mind flying the freak flag, Entertainment News & Top Stories". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  6. ^ Serrao, Nivea (July 10, 2017). "Tash Hearts Tolstoy author on depicting asexuality in YA fiction". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 1, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  7. ^ Terrace, Dana [danaterrace] (March 13, 2022). "Be Gay Do Witchcraft Charity Drawathon!". Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022 – via Twitch.
  8. ^ King, Jade (March 18, 2022). "Lilith Clawthorne's Potential Asexuality Is Perfect For Her Character". TheGamer. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022.
  9. ^ Jones, Cissy [@cissyspeaks] (March 13, 2022). "If you listened to the letter you have your answer 💜" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Jones, Cissy [@cissyspeaks] (March 18, 2022). "Our first Post-Hoot!". Retrieved March 18, 2022 – via Instagram.
  11. ^ Budgen, Rebecca (April 2, 2022). "10 Asexual Icons In Movies". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022.
  12. ^ Phillips, Rebecca. "Love Is In The Air: Draculaura And Clawd Wolf Howliday Love Monster High Dolls Up For Pre-Order". TheGamer.
  13. ^ Sim, Stephanie (2024). "The Deuce Date". Monster High. Season 2. Nickelodeon.
  14. ^ "we out here confirming most of my characters are LGBT+ for #Pride2021. I'll have to remember to make some trans and NB ones for next year, my bingo card is barely complete". Twitter.
  15. ^ Rupnarine, Nerissa (June 15, 2021). "Bloom Into You Is a Triumph For Asexual Representation". CBR. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  16. ^ Bridges, Rose (December 2, 2018). "Bloom Into You Episode 9". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  17. ^ Baron, Reuben (March 14, 2020). "Steven Universe: A Crystal Gem Is Confirmed As Asexual". CBR. Archived from the original on March 15, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  18. ^ Alptraum, Lux (July 9, 2018). "Steven Universe's message of love is emphatically queer". Polygon. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  19. ^ "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". Tumblr. December 24, 2019. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020. (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!!! Second off, for the characters, have you decided if any of them are LGBTQ+? How do you feel about the LGBT headcanons?....")
  20. ^ "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!". Tumblr. January 6, 2020. Archived from the original on June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020. (This Tumblr is the blog of Brendan Blaber. He is responding to the question "Will any non-binary characters be showing up?")
  21. ^ "💖 Inking the Hazbin Hotel ALASTOR Comic💖". April 17, 2020. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  22. ^ Medrano, Vivienne [@VivziePop] (October 11, 2018). "Angel and Alastor are old men who don't understand anything anymore 👍 I hope everyone on this #NationalComingOutDay2018 stays safe and stays proud 🥰" (Tweet). Retrieved March 20, 2024 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ Astruc, Thomas [@Thomas_Astruc] (April 22, 2020). "On va dire que Max est plutôt ace et Alix plutôt aro..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ "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. Kakaku.com. July 8, 2022. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  25. ^ "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. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  26. ^ "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」". ginzamag.com. December 16, 2022. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  27. ^ Schilling, Mark (December 22, 2022). "'I Am What I Am': Knights in shining armor need not apply". Japan Times. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  28. ^ Rocket, Stubby the (April 11, 2016). "Five Books With Asexual Protagonists". Reactor. Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  29. ^ London, Alex (September 25, 2018). Black Wings Beating. Macmillan. p. 432. ISBN 978-1250211484.
  30. ^ "Aromantic Reads". Halifax Public Libraries. February 15, 2024.
  31. ^ Foley, Maddy (June 21, 2018). "3 YA Writers Share Why They Wrote Books With Asexual Protagonists". Bustle. Archived from the original on June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  32. ^ Brittain, Rachel (October 24, 2022). "20 Must-Read Asexual Books For Ace Week". Book Riot. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  33. ^ Galang, Jelou (2022). "An aromantic-asexual duo are leads in this J-drama". Scout Magazine. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  34. ^ Hawley, Kari (October 23, 2023). "'Koisenu Futari' reminds us love is more than just romance--You Had Me at 'It's Gay'". Daily Free Press. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  35. ^ Ito, Hiroki; Iki, Midori; Honma, Honomi (March 21, 2022). "NHK TV drama sheds light on lives of asexual, aromantic people". The Asahi Shimbun. The Asahi Shimbun Company. Archived from the original on December 24, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  36. ^ Bove, Kate (August 8, 2023). "Is Isaac Asexual? What He Identifies As In Heartstopper Season 2". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  37. ^ Ford, Lucy (August 3, 2023). "Asexuality is Heartstopper's first queer sticking point". GQ Magazine. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  38. ^ Sinclair, Chloe (August 11, 2023). "'Heartstopper' Season 2's Most Interesting Character Doesn't Need a Romance". Collider. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  39. ^ Oseman, Alice [@AliceOseman] (April 23, 2022). "@anniekslibrary this was intended! i'm very glad you got the vibes 👀" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ McElhatton, Greg (October 16, 2015). "Sex Criminals #13". CBR. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  41. ^ Odgers, Jodi (September 21, 2020). "Sex Criminals: The Characters' Powers, Explained". CBR. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  42. ^ 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. doi:10.1353/ink.2017.0024. S2CID 191884959. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  43. ^ Silverman, Rebecca (September 22, 2022). "The Fall 2022 Manga Guide--Last Gender: When We Are Nameless". Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  44. ^ Silverman, Rebecca (February 3, 2023). "Review: Is Love the Answer? GN". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  45. ^ Pennington, Latonya (October 4, 2023). ""Is Love The Answer?" Shows the Fluidity of Asexuality and Identity". Into. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  46. ^ "Is Love The Answer?, Volume 1". Kodansha. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  47. ^ Pennington, Latonya (March 23, 2023). "Sex Ed 120% Lets Queer Folks Understand Their Bodies and Brains". Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  48. ^ Dee; Kaiser, Vrai; Henderson, Alex (November 27, 2022). "Chatty AF 174: Sex Ed 120% – Part 1 (WITH TRANSCRIPT)". Anime Feminist. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  49. ^ Silverman, Rebecca (February 11, 2022). "Review: Sex Ed 120% GN 2". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  50. ^ Silverman, Rebecca; MrAJCosplay (May 18, 2022). "The Spring 2022 Manga Guide: I Want to Be a Wall". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  51. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 4, 2023). "Honami Shirono's I Want to Be a Wall Manga Ends". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  52. ^ Silverman, Rebecca (February 23, 2023). "Review: I Want to Be a Wall GN 2". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  53. ^ "Gwenpool Makes an Important Discovery in 'Love Unlimited: Gwenpool' #47". www.marvel.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  54. ^ Schlesinger, Alex (May 5, 2023). "Gwenpool Officially Comes Out as Marvel's First Asexual Hero". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  55. ^ Romano, Sal (August 16, 2023). "Musical 3D platformer Billie Bust Up to be published by Humble Games". Gematsu. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  56. ^ "It's #PrideMonth🏳️‍🌈 💖 ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜". Twitter.
  57. ^ Weinreb, Adam. "It's Ace Week!: Here Are Our Favorite Asexual Characters in Modern Television and Video Games". GLAAD.
  58. ^ Michaelsen, Shannen (October 25, 2015). "Asexual Awareness: Protect Charlie Weasley at All Costs". MuggleNet.
  59. ^ Jam City (2018). Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. I'm just not that experienced in love. Other than my love for dragons, that is.
  60. ^ Avalanche Software (2023). Hogwarts Legacy. Dragons are all I care about. Who has time for dating when there are so many breeds of dragon to study?
  61. ^ "some people just don't experience romantic attraction! that doesn't make them any less capable of having meaningful relationships, just means they're not going to be romantic ones 😄 we belong together (just platonically) 💖". x.com.
  62. ^ "Angry Birds Monsters And Mistletoes: Angry birds Comic". Amazon.
  63. ^ "Stella and The New Pigs on the Block". Archived from the original on March 2, 2015.
  64. ^ Ackerman, Peter; Van Orman, Thurop (2019). The Angry Birds Movie 2 (Media notes).

Further reading

edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_fictional_aromantic_characters&oldid=1256388385"