: Early 2000s Western cartoons like Johnny Bravo or Jimmy Neutron used temporary gender-swapping as a narrative device to teach male characters a lesson or for "what if" humor. Trans-Feminine Icons in Modern Media

Today, many creators are moving toward grounded, respectful depictions where gender identity is a part of a character's journey rather than the punchline.

Historically, popular media frequently utilized trans-feminine traits for comedic effect.

The portrayal of transgender women and gender-nonconforming characters in animation, often categorized under broad terms like "ladyboy" (referencing the Thai kathoey culture), has evolved from a tool for "surprise" humor to complex, celebrated representation. The Evolution of Representation

: In older anime and some Western parodies, characters who appear feminine but are revealed to be assigned male at birth were often framed as a "joke" or a shock for the protagonist.