A Naruto character just came out as non-binary

A major villain in Naruto, one of the most popular manga series of all time, has come out as non-binary.

Orochimaru, an antagonist who inhabits different host forms in order to stretch their life into immortality, revealed their gender identity to their son in the anime TV show Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, which is a sequel of Naruto.

Non-binary representation is slowly increasing on TV – since the beginning of 2017, non-binary characters have been introduced on Showtime drama Billions and Netflix shows One Day at a Time and Degrassi: Next Class.

And this trend received a further boost this week, when Orochimaru was asked by their son Mitsuki – who they are training to be a ninja – whether to call them his mother or father.

“That’s a silly question,” Orochimaru responded.

“There have been times when I was a man, and times, a woman. Outside appearances don’t matter.

“The will to uncover all truth – that is the core of my being.”

Fans of the series – which has sold more than 230 million comic books since it was created in 1997 – were delighted.

One wrote: “Yo watched the new episode of Boruto, Orochimaru dead ass admitted he was once a man and occasionally a woman, and that outside appearances didn’t matter.

“BORUTO REALLY DID THAT .”

Yo watched the new episode of Boruto, Orochimaru dead ass admitted he was once a man and occasionally a woman, and that outside appearances didn’t matter. BORUTO REALLY DID THAT

— AnaLu (@que_ugly) August 3, 2018

Another said: “orochimaru is gender fluid and i’ve decided to stan.”

orochimaru is gender fluid and i’ve decided to stan pic.twitter.com/6OtnMN6Xsj

— promiscuous boy (@ddaaanniieeell) August 5, 2018

“Orochimaru gently explaining gender fluidity to Mitsuki is Good Parenting and I love itttt,” wrote one excited fan.

Orochimaru gently explaining gender fluidity to Mitsuki is Good Parenting and I love itttt

— Irene Koh (@kohquette) August 8, 2018

“Orochimaru, the most gender fuild anime character to ever exist. Mans been gay, bi, a man, a women, etc and will beat yo ass,” wrote one fan – correctly – before another viewer responded: “He’s literally everywhere.

“That’s what I love about him. He isn’t just this single thing and he isn’t just narrowed down to his sexuality. He is so much more.

He’s literally everywhere. That’s what I love about him. He isn’t just this single thing and he isn’t just narrowed down to his sexuality. He is so much more. I’m almost certain he’s a pansexual non-binary.

— Apollo (@BrandoVampire) August 6, 2018

“I’m almost certain he’s a pansexual non-binary.”

Another fan wrote: “This is the best character in Naruto.

“Non-binary, was a giant snake monster. A responsible parent. The baddest bitch that can be like f**k death.

This is the best character in Naruto. Non-binary, was a giant snake monster. A responsible parent. The baddest bitch that can be like fuck death. We stan a parent that’s also a mad scientist. pic.twitter.com/2kA1yU52Ji

— Boujee @ MFF (@Vritrite) August 8, 2018

“We stan a parent that’s also a mad scientist.”

Last month, Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar came out as non-binary.

The 31-year-old is the mind behind the popular American cartoon series, which has repeatedly earned praise for its portrayal of queer characters like lesbians Ruby and Sapphire, who got engaged earlier this month.

The Cartoon Network show’s groundbreaking depiction of the relationship has won praise from many – even as the programme has faced repeated censorship around the world over its LGBTQ content.