Asexuality is one of the least represented sexual orientations we see in entertainment. In 2023-2024, GLAAD conducted a study of LGBTQIA+ characters in 209 television series that aired that year. Of those shows, they found a total of three hundred and twenty-seven characters that identified as LGBTQIA+, but only four of them were asexual. To expand on that and inspire greater representation in the future, here are some of the best examples in entertainment media.
Previously, I published an article regarding the problems many films and television shows have with asexual representation. In it, I mentioned how asexual, or ace-coded, characters had a history of either being “fixed” or their disinterest in sex being played for laughs. Here, we are only going to display positive examples of asexual representation.
For this list, I will mainly mention characters that are explicitly confirmed to be asexual by either the story itself or the writers. We will also include characters that are heavily ace-coded.
8) Alastor from Hazbin Hotel
While the series itself does not directly say that he’s ace, nor is Alestor even aware that he is ace, Alestor’s sexuality was heavily implied by a side character. It was also revealed that his voice actor, Amir Talai, is ace. Alestor is one of the most entertaining characters in all of Hazbin Hotel and the fan favorite by far.
To be clear, Alestor is not a good person. However, bad people can make for good representation, too, if handled correctly, and Alestor is very much so. While being an unrelenting murderer, none of his negative traits are those stereotyped of asexuals. Plus, while the show is a comedy, his disinterest in sex is not played for laughs.
While he certainly should not be anyone’s role model, he should definitely count as an asexual icon regardless.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
7) Saiki Kusuo from The Disastrous Life of Saiki K and The Disastrous Life of Saiki K: Reawakened
Here, we have Saiki, the psychic main character, who desperately does not want to be the main character. While neither the show nor the creator ever states Saiki’s sexual orientation, he is very explicit about not having any interest in either sex or romantic relationships. With that in mind, it is safe to view him as someone on the aromantic and asexual spectrum.
While you could argue that Saiki may fit some asexual stereotypes as cold and distant to some, this does not prevent him from being a likable and hilarious main character to follow along. He highlights the ridiculousness of everyone around him who won’t leave him alone. While his disinterest in sex and relationships can be played for laughs, the show doesn’t make him the joke, nor is it used to make him seem abnormal. In fact, he is by far the only normal person in the cast.
Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Where to Watch ReAwakened: Netflix
6) Viktor from Arcane
Viktor’s sexual orientation is never revealed in the show. However, Christian Linke, the co-creator of Arcane, confirms that he is asexual. Viktor is one of the most interesting and complex characters within the show. As an aspiring scientist with a terminal illness, he has one of the best storylines throughout the show, and that’s saying a lot considering all the other characters of Arcane.
While his asexuality has nothing to do with his character arc or story, his role in the story makes him an asexual icon nonetheless.
Where to Watch: Netflix
5) Parvati Holcomb from Outer Worlds
Of the few video game characters mentioned on the list, Parvati is one of the best. Parvati is the first of six companions you may recruit in your game, who you may have in your party to fight alongside you. She will battle alongside you should you choose so.
You first learn about her asexuality during a side quest where you help her get a girlfriend, and she opens up to you about the difficulties of her past relationships. This prompts you to empathize with her; one of the dialogue options even allows you to say that you are asexual as well.
Parvati is a very sweet, happy-go-lucky mechanic who wants to make a difference and help the galaxy. Not only is she a good ace rep, but also a good character in general.
Where to Play: Steam, Epic Games, PlayStation Store, Xbox
4) Abbi Singh from The Imperfects
One of The Imperfects three main characters, Abbi, directly states in the first episode that she is asexual. Unfortunately, she transforms into a monstrous being known as a succubus. A being that can make others sexually attracted to her—basically a living hell for any sex-repulsed ace out there. We later learn that she is homoromantic.
While her being both a succubus and asexual creates comedic irony, it does not diminish her character at all. She still plays a significant role in the story, as she tries to use her genetic expertise to find a cure for her transformation.
Where to Watch: Netflix
3) Friren from Frieren Beyond Journey’s End
Yes, we may consider not only Saiki, but also Friren, to be ace icons. While the show does not directly say that Friren is ace, elves in the show do not experience either sexual or romantic attraction. While it is debatable whether she is aromantic, as the series implies, she might have had feelings for her friend Himmel; she can be interpreted as asexual.
Not once does the story take her disinterest in relationships or sex as a negative trait. She still manages to be a strong, hilarious, and wise character that many can look up to.
Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu
2) Seiji Maki from Bloom into You
While Maki mainly serves as a wingman in the main character’s relationship, he is a great aro ace rep in his own right. He explicitly states that he does not feel any romantic or sexual attraction.
Maki presents a great and introspective look at how someone who does not experience romantic or sexual attraction might see love without trying to dehumanize him. He plays a great supporting role, helping Yuu, the main character, with her feelings. While he may not be the center focus, he is definitely an ace icon, nonetheless.
Where to Watch: HiDive, Amazon Prime Video
Now, before we get to the last and debatably best asexual icon, here are some honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions
Florence Simmons from Sex Education
The scene in which she discovers that she is asexual is extremely powerful. Many asexuals struggle with feelings of being broken, as does Florence when she goes to Jean for sexual advice. The scene where Jean explains her asexuality and how she is not broken is something many aces out there should hear. However, Florence does not make the ranking because the character is not very present in the show itself. The episode was still great, though, and deserves a mention.
Where to Watch: Netflix
SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants
Yes, both SpongeBob and Patrick, two of the most iconic cartoon characters ever, are canonically asexual. The creator of the show confirmed it years ago, mostly because sea sponges and starfish reproduce asexually in real life. How fun to think that two of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time can also be considered asexual icons!
Where to Watch: Paramount +
Riz Gukgak from Dimension 20 (Fantasy High)
This is admittedly a very niche inclusion on the list, as they are a player’s character from a Dungeons & Dragons YouTube web series campaign. They are still worth mentioning nonetheless. Riz is an aspiring detective trying to find the truth behind the disappearance of his former babysitter. This event picks up the plot of the first season.
While his asexuality is not something that is ever directly stated in the campaign itself, Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan has confirmed it.
Keep in mind, however, that Brian Murphy, Riz’s player, does not identify as ace.
Where to Watch: YouTube
1) Todd Chavez from BoJack Horseman
As no one’s surprise, Todd remains number one. While the story did not initially reveal it, we learn that Todd is asexual during Season 4. While he starts as a slacker living in BoJack’s mansion, Todd’s character becomes much more pronounced as the show goes on.
As noted in my previous article, Todd is by far one of, if not the greatest, representations of asexuality. Not only does the show take time for him to discover his asexuality, but it also shows him going through multiple relationships, in which he figures out what he wants in a relationship, both as an ace and as a person. Through Todd, the show also establishes that aromantism and asexuality are not the same, and presents what an asexual romantic relationship is like, something rarely portrayed in media.
While being asexual is nowhere near his only character trait, the show manages to give a lot of explicit context regarding the problems asexuals deal with. The series focuses on his asexuality significantly more than it focuses on the asexuality of most ace characters in entertainment, at least by comparison.
Where to Watch: Netflix
