Season 7 of Legends of tomorrow saw lead character Esperanza ‘Spooner’ Cruz become the Arrowverse’s first superhero to go genderless – a major leap forward for an already hugely LGBTQ+ positive TV show. Asexuality, for those unfamiliar with the terminology, is a lack of sexual attraction or desire for sexual activity – it can range from little to no attraction.
It’s sad to say that asexuality is an underrepresented orientation in fiction and media. However, the visibility of the ace spectrum is slowly increasing thanks to some iconic characters that have paved the way, whether genderless or simply ace-coded. Of characters who were stars like Hazbin Hotel‘s Alastor and those thoroughly explored like Todd Chavez.
Todd Chavez – BoJack Jumper
BoJack RiderTodd Chavez is by far the most well-known example of asexuality on television. The character is goofy, lovable, and is able to get more jobs than the average person. Todd’s whole personality is shown through the quote – “my whole life is just a series of wacky, loosely connected misadventures”.
In season 3, Todd came out as “nothing” when his high school ex-girlfriend Emily questioned his sexuality. From there, Todd embarked on a journey of self-discovery and found solace in the term ace. While the portrayal wasn’t perfect, it was still a canonical, positive portrayal of an asexual main character using the terminology for one of the first times in television history.
Penny Polendina – RWBY
Several characters from the anime-inspired feminist web series RWBY were perceived by many to appear on the asexual spectrum. Mainly because they’re too busy protecting the world from monsters to care about their relationships. Characters include Ruby, Blake and Penny. Penny, in particular, an android with a soul turned human, like many robotic/technodexter characters.
Penny is often shipped off with Ruby due to their close friendship and is also seen by some as a token transgender character – created from the soul of a man and wanting to be a “real” girl. Penny is often seen as homoromantic, panromantic, demiromantic, or aromantic asexual and appeals to various people in the community for her amiable curiosity and lack of social skills.
Toph – Avatar: The Last Airbender
Besides being one of the funniest ATL characters, Toph’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of the strongest female characters in any anime television show. She is tough, determined and confident. She also doesn’t have a confirmed love interest in the franchise, which is why many people in the asexual community have an affinity with the mighty Earthbender.
Although she has daughters in the continuation of the series Legend of Korra, their existence does not negate her potential asexuality – especially since she has not settled down with either of their fathers. Toph is too interested in focusing on her craft to have or want any romantic interest. She doesn’t need a relationship to define her and has helped swarms of people discover their own sexuality – as many see her as an asexual and/or aromantic icon.
Entrapta – She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Entrapta, the skillful and often reckless inventor of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, is more interested in technology than anything else, including people – something that many asexual characters have in common. She shows no signs of romantic or sexual attraction to anyone other than Starship Darla.
Written as autistic by ND Stevenson, as explained by Comic Resources, there is often a wonderful (uncaused) crossover between autism and asexual spectra that merits further exploration. She-Ra viewers see the progressively intersectional character appear at different levels of the ace spectrum, from biromantic asexual, to greysexual, to ace/aro as well as many interpretations of her relationship with Hordak. Regardless of Entrapta’s sexuality, she is truly an icon for the ace community.
Gaara-Naruto
Gaara, a villain turned friend of naruto, may not be canonically asexual, but members of the ace community certainly see it as such. As Naruto’s reverse mirror image, Gaara endured a deluge of trauma and abuse that made him a formidable and powerful naruto villainous but thanks to the titular character, he was able to turn his life around.
His friendship with Naruto is admirable and deep – some consider him in love with Naruto, others see Gaara as asexual and/or aromantic. Especially considering that in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations he is single with an adopted son, proving he doesn’t need a romantic partner to be whole – a lifestyle choice that society needs to become more tolerant of.
Monkey D. Luffy – One Piece
Luffy or Straw Hat from A play is considered one of television’s most iconic asexual characters. The lovable, carefree character is too focused on his next meal and becoming the Pirate King to get caught up in relationship drama. His true love is adventure.
Luffy has declared his disinterest in marriage and is canonically immune to the powers of Boa Hancock, Queen of the Amazons and the Most Beautiful Woman in the World. While some think he’s just pure of heart, others see him as aromantic asexual – an orientation underrepresented in fiction. As this is still an ongoing franchise, fans can only hope it becomes official and the iconic Luffy becomes the aro/ace hero the community deserves.
Peridot – Steven Universe
Peridot from LGBT+ positive kids animation Steven Universe is canonically asexual and aromantic. Another tech-savvy character whose only interaction, prior to their encounter with Jasper and Crystal Gems in Season 1, was likely with robots, Peridot is a hilarious fan favorite. Steven Universe character.
Ace/aro storyboard artist Maya Petersen said on Twitter that Peridot “is not about fusion” and that their only interest in romance is anthropologically speaking. Peridot’s character arc from villain to Crystal Gem is brilliant, their constant use of “clod” is iconic, and their close relationship with Lapis Lazuli is jaw-dropping – whether fans consider it platonic or romantic, it’s yet another win for the ace community.
Senku Ishigami – Dr. Stone
The post-apocalyptic and anachronistic world of stone Dr Stone really showcases the genius of its protagonist Senku Ishigami. He is a logical and outspoken character who is only interested in his passion for science – that’s all he thinks about. Unlike other characters in the anime series (like his best friend Taiju), Senku seems completely indifferent to romance, relationships, or any matters of sexual attraction.
This has led many fans to speculate that the brilliant genius is ace/aro. It focuses on family and platonic relationships and has strong bonds with multiple characters. Senku quickly became an icon in the asexual community for advancing the point that protagonists don’t need romantic relationships or histories to be engaging and interesting characters.
Saiki K – The disastrous life of Saiki K.
Being a high school student with various psychic abilities would bring a lot of trouble to anyone, hearing things you wouldn’t normally want. For someone who appears as/aro, it’s a nightmare. Saiki Kusuo avoids romance like the plague and actively avoids characters who are interested in him.
Kusuo specifically stated that after seeing him a lot, he doesn’t see the appeal of the naked form but feels an aesthetic attraction as he calls Teruhashi “pretty”. Some also see him as a transgender, intersex, or genderfluid character as Kusuo used his powers to transform into a male fetus in the womb. Although the writers haven’t made it official, fans of this anime certainly see the character as an aromantic asexual icon who has helped others understand and come to terms with their own sexuality and gender.
Spongebob SquarePants – Spongebob SquarePants
Everyone’s favorite cartoon character who lives in a pineapple under the sea is canonically asexual. Real sea sponges reproduce asexually, which is also the inspiration for the Nickelodeon star’s sexual orientation.
As explained by digital spythe creator of Sponge Bob SquarePants originally claimed the character as asexual in 2002. In 2020, Nickelodeon added the pants-wearing sponge alongside established queer characters Schwoz Schwartz from Henry Danger and Legend of Korrathe eponymous character. Having a long-established and beloved childhood cartoon character confirmed as an ace is a phenomenal step in the portrayal of asexuality on television.
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