While still niche, boys love anime has become a relatively staple part of the industry, with most seasons featuring a love story with two (or more) guys. In days gone by, yaoi stories were associated with taboo themes that made them difficult to recommend to non-fans who were looking to take their first steps into the genre or simply wanted to watch a romance.
However, since roughly 2018, the genre has gone through something of a renaissance, promoting tales that emphasize wholesome relationships rather than ones built on uneven power dynamics. 2024 produced arguably the best BL anime lineup of all time, with most series and movies being good or even excellent. The future is bright, so let's take a look at the past and highlight the best boys love anime that represent the genre at its peak.
A few notes and criteria:
- Both movies and shows will be included.
- Only anime that have defined relationships will be considered. The romance has to be more than just subtext.
- The focus is on Japanese animation, not Donghua or South Korean shows. That said, Heaven Official's Blessing and Mignon are both fantastic.
8 Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
A Weird Premise Gives Way To A Wholesome Boys Love Romance
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024-00-00
- Network
- TV Tokyo
- Japanese Title
- 30-sai made Doutei dato Mahoutsukai ni Nareru Rashii
- Studio
- Satelight
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Yuu Toyota
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
OK, this anime's title can be off-putting. Cherry Magic follows Adachi, a 30-year-old virgin who celebrates his birthday by becoming a telepath, allowing him to read the minds of his coworkers. To his surprise, he learns that the popular Kurosawa is deeply infatuated with him, a confusing revelation that gradually challenges Adachi's own sexuality. Unsure whether to keep his distance or get closer to Kurosawa, Adachi goes through quite a journey of self-discovery, all the while learning that his coworker's confident facade hides insecurity and even hints of shame.
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While Adachi takes center stage during most of the episodes, Kurosawa is arguably the star of the show. At times, he comes across as a subversion of BL characters from yesterday, with his early aggressive pushes to get closer to Adachi being undercut by thoughts of regret and desperation. Once their relationship becomes official, these two form an endearing and pretty mature couple, with both of them acting their ages for the most part. Cherry Magic has a second couple, Tsuge and Wataya, with a fun dynamic that starts as a bit more antagonistic than the main duo.
7 Junjo Romantica (Mainly Junjo Egoist Episodes)
The Poster-Child Of BL Anime Of Yesteryear
Junjo Romantica
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 10, 2008
- Japanese Title
- Junjou Romantica
- Studio
- Studio Deen
- Number of Episodes
- 36
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Shungiku Nakamura
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, YouTube
Boys love anime has changed a lot over the last decade, to the point that most of the genre's older shows are not easy to watch without some nostalgia to help paper over the more questionable parts. Junjo Romantica is a 2000s anime classic that exemplifies and contributed to the BL genre's early trashy reputation, and that is not meant to be a criticism. Shows like Junjo Romantica, Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi, and Hitorijime My Hero earned their places in anime history and can be entertaining, but newcomers should be aware that their romances often feature age differences and non-consensual scenes.
Junjo Romantica works fairly well as a gateway for people who want to try old-school boys love anime, especially since its episodes are divided among different couples (each of whom has a fandom name). Consequently, viewers can just stick to the romances they enjoy. For example, Junjo Egoist episodes revolve around Nowaki and Hiroki, two adults who used to have a mentor-student dynamic. However, they are now well into their 20s, which makes their relationship more palpable through a modern gaze. Their relationship is by far the healthiest in Junjo Romantica, and the others are generally a lot more taboo and divisive (including the main couple, Misaki and Akihiko).
6 The Stranger by the Shore
A Grounded Boys Love Anime Movie
The Stranger by the Shore
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- September 11, 2020
- Runtime
- 59 Minutes
- Director
- Akiyo Ohashi
- Studio
- Studio Hibari
- Based On
- Manga
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Surprisingly, the last few years have produced quite a few great boys love anime movies, and most of them are only about an hour long. The Stranger by the Shore follows Mio and Shun, two guys who strike a quick rapport when they meet during the summer. Shun identifies as gay, while the younger Mio is still learning about his preferences and sexuality.
The two characters' interactions are cute but realistic, particularly in Shun's reluctance to encourage Mio's obvious feelings due to past trauma. While qualifying as a romance, The Stranger by the Shore is arguably better viewed as a coming-of-age narrative that also happens to touch upon BL themes.
5 Yuri!!! On Ice
The Most Iconic Anime With A Boys Love Relationship
Yuri on Ice
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2017-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Creator
- Sayo Yamamoto, Mitsurō Kubo
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Yuri!!! On Ice is a bit of a strange case. While undoubtedly one of the most popular LGBTQ+ anime of all time, Yuri!!! On Ice is, first and foremost, a sports series rather than a romance. That's not to say that the latter is given no attention or treated like an afterthought, but it does take a backseat to Yuuri's journey as a figure-skater.
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That said, Yuuri's budding relationship with his coach, Victor, produces splashes of heart-pumping romantic scenes, most of which represent the story's emotional highs. All the main characters are well-written, three-dimensional, and likable, and their interactions feel authentic.
4 Welcome Home
A Touching Story About Family And Prejudice
Welcome Home
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024-00-00
- Network
- Tokyo MX
- Japanese Title
- Tadaima, Okaeri
- Studio
- Studio Deen
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Ichi Ichikawa
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
If boys love anime are niche, then the Omegaverse can seem straight-up unapproachable. Putting aside the mechanics that govern this universe and the many manga stories that fall within it, Welcome Home can simply be enjoyed as a heartwarming slice of life story about two guys raising their young kids. Even though BL anime are somewhat more common than they used to be, shows centering around families are unheard of, which sets Welcome Home apart from the crowd in a big way.
While most episodes follow Masaki and Hiromu as they enjoy a fairly idealistic life, the series is not afraid to touch upon challenging themes like bigotry and generational guilt. Due to a traumatic past, Masaki is terrified that he might pass his insecurities and shame to his children, and Hiromu regularly steps up to support his partner.
3 Doukyusei -Classmates-
Great And Comforting Boys Love Anime
Doukyusei -Classmates-
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- February 20, 2016
- Runtime
- 1 Hour
- Studio
- A-1 Pictures
- Based On
- Manga
A short but sweet love story, Doukyusei is arguably the best BL anime for beginners, partially due to its one-hour length but mostly because of its general wholesomeness. Seeming to be opposites at a glance, Hikaru and Rihito come together over a shared interest in music, with the former stepping up to help the latter improve his singing.
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From there, a lovely romance blooms, one defined by quiet comfort rather than explosive bursts of passion. A-1 Pictures' soft art style gives the story a spring-like atmosphere, reflecting the blossoming core relationship as Rihito and Hikaru become more confident and secure in who they are and where they are going.
2 Sasaki and Miyano
Very Close To Being A Perfect Boys Love anime
Sasaki and Miyano
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2022-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Sasaki to Miyano
- Studio
- Studio Deen
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Shō Harusono
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Sasaki and Miyano is arguably flawless. Sure, in the grand world of high school romances, the 2022 anime tells a conventional tale about two students connecting over a topic, steadily growing closer, and eventually taking the plunge and starting a relationship. Along the way, they face very few direct hurdles, spend most of their time enjoying each other's company, and their romantic interactions are adorable rather than steamy.
This simplicity is Sasaki and Miyano's greatest strength. Considering there are well over a hundred BL anime, the genre has a staggering lack of traditional romance stories that just depict two likable characters as they fall in love without much in the way of drama. Sasaki and Miyano is warm, cozy, and safe.
1 Given
The Most Impactful Boys Love Anime Of The Modern Era
Given
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2019 - 2019
- Network
- Fuji TV
- Directors
- Akiyo Ohashi
- Studio
- Lerche
- Number of Episodes
- 11
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Natsuki Kizu
- Streaming Service(s)
- Cruncyroll
Most of the best boys love anime incorporate slice of life elements, emphasizing realistic but fairly fluffy relationships. While not devoid of carefree moments, Given packs a considerable emotional weight that puts it squarely in "drama" territory.
The anime not only deals with loss, trauma, and self-destructive behavior but also avoids providing easy answers or storybook resolutions. The road to acceptance and healing is long and exhausting. In the meantime, the story still manages to build multiple heartfelt relationships that, while not romanticized, are easy to root for and support. With one brilliant season and three generally great movies under its belt, Given is the most consistent and ambitious boys love anime of all time. The manga (and anime) also arguably sparked the BL genre's change in reputation.
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