Kill la Kill - Our heroine, Ryuko, brings the fight to the powerful school government of Honnouji Academy in this over-the-top drama about anti-fascism. But can she solve the cold case of her father’s murder? Against all odds, Ryuko and her collaborators struggle to bring down the tyrannical government. The series draws a sharp contrast between the poor underbelly of society and the well-fed and -housed abettors of the fascist government. The show features themes of self-discovery and identity. Barely yuri.

Akiba Maid War - Our heroine, Nagomi, brings the fight to the roving maid gangs of Akihabara in this over-the-top drama about organized crime. Against all odds, the crew struggles to keep their maid cafe open and end the brutal cycle of violence in a world of cutthroat competition. The show features themes of self-discovery and identity. Not a yuri, but it should have been.

Black Lagoon - Our heroine, Revy, brings the fight to all sorts of mercenaries, thugs, and straight-up Nazis in this over-the-top drama about organized crime. Their smuggling ring performs episodic jobs that will have you on the edge of your seat. The series draws a sharp contrast between the criminal underbelly and the rest of society with the incipient romance between Revy and Rock, the salaryman she kidnapped. The show features themes of self-discovery and identity. This show is not yuri, although it would be better if it was.

Birdie Wing (season 1 ONLY) - Our heroine, Eve, fights for her fellow orphans’ livelihoods using her mystical golf powers in this over-the-top drama about organized crime. The series draws a sharp contrast between the criminal underbelly and the rest of society with the incipient romance between Eve and Aoi, Eve’s rich-girl rival. The show features themes of self-discovery and identity. Unfortunately, season 2 fell off hard.

Pop Team Epic - Our heroines, Pipimi and Popuko, take on rival Youtubers, the Bamboozle Gang, in this over-the-top drama about organized crime. There are some other things that happen in this anime too. In a rarity for this list, this show does not particularly feature themes of self-discovery and identity.

Migi & Dali - Our heroes, Migi and Dali, are twin orphan brothers and highly skilled infiltrators. But can they get revenge for their mother’s murder? And can they avoid being found out by their adoptive parents? Find out in this over-the-top drama about the secrets lurking in this small town. The show features themes of self-discovery and identity. This show is not yuri although it does feature moderate trans themes that are not handled too poorly, all things considered.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Our heroine, Motoko, is a highly skilled infiltrator. She’s also a semi-robotic cop who owes her body to the company store. Her elite unit of cybercops performs episodic jobs that will have you on the edge of your seat. The series explores how mass movements and beliefs can arise due to coincidence or a common exposure to the right information at the right time. While its science-fiction setting is fantastical, the series has become more relevant than ever in the post-truth, AI-enabled world of today, although it takes itself a bit more seriously than our own world seems to. Trans people and people with chronic illnesses in particular are likely to find the motif of being in debt and treated differently because of their body hits close to home. The show also features themes of self-discovery and identity. This show is mostly not yuri.

Flip Flappers - Our heroine, Cocona, is bamboozled by Papika into going on episodic adventures in the surreal parallel worlds of Pure Illusion to collect the seven wish-granting dragon balls against another shady organization that wants them too. The show is spectacular and full of perfectly chosen, luscious colors. Like Ghost in the Shell, this show explores the nature of reality in an increasingly unreal world. The show features themes of self-discovery and identity. Despite moderate pacing issues, this show is an All Time Fave.

Bloom Into You - The show is nothing but themes of self-discovery and identity and it is genuinely life-changing. Go watch it, even if you don’t usually like yuri.