Synopsis
Fifth grader Shuuichi Nitori is seen by most classmates as one of the cutest girls in school, but to her own dismay, she is biologically male. She has a childhood friend, the tall and tomboyish Yoshino Takatsuki, who likewise experiences gender dysphoria—though biologically female, Yoshino does not identify as a girl. The two share this secret and find comfort in each other, but life grows more complicated as they navigate the unfamiliar territory of a new school, try to make new friends, and struggle to keep old ones. Facing nearly overwhelming challenges, they must learn to cope with the harsh realities of growing up, gender identity, relationships, and acceptance. Praised as a serious exploration of gender identity and LGBT issues, Takako Shimura's Hourou Musuko follows Shuuichi and Yoshino's journey to discover their true selves as they enter puberty, form friendships, fall in love, and confront real and difficult decisions.
Background
Please note that this series was 11 episodes when aired on TV but 12 episodes when it was released on BD & DVD. See more info for further details. Hourou Musuko won the Best Animated Broadcast Release at the 65th Motion Picture and Television Engineering Society of Japan Awards in 2012.
