Do you need Shounen Ai Manga recommendations?
Shounen Ai, also known as Boys Love or BL, is a genre of manga and anime that focuses on romantic and emotional relationships between male characters.
Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the genre, these mangas are sure to provide you with heartwarming, romantic, and sometimes dramatic stories about love between men.
From “Hikaru Ga Shinda Natsu”, “Yuki No Yousei”, to “Sasaki and Miyano”, Here are the 13 best shounen-ai manga.
So, let’s get started.
Karasugaoka Don’t Be Shy!!
- Author: Aki Yuukura
- Artist: Aki Yuukura
Izuhara Sou is the leader of the popular crime prevention club “VOICE”. However, his life takes a turn after realizing that he’s in love with the leader of the rival group, Shinba Tetsuji.
Karasugaoka Don’t Be Shy has some of the best art in the bl genre. The characters are absolutely hilarious and cute but the plot doesn’t offer much to readers.
Hikaru Ga Shinda Natsu
- Author: Len Mokmok
- Artist: Len Mokmok
Yoshiki and Hikaru did everything together in their village but everything changed when Hikaru was hit by a mysterious light. Yoshiki at the bottom of his heart wishes to stay by his side and Hikaru doesn’t feel like himself anymore.
Hikaru Ga Shinda Natsu is a horror shounen-ai manga that has some creepy scenes that may not be digestible to some. If you want to try something new, then try this manga.
Our Dining Table
- Author: Ori Mita
- Artist: Ori Mita
Yutaka has a natural talent for cooking but hates eating with other people. However, his life changes when he meets Minoru and Tane who ask him to teach them cooking, Now his heart races when as they share meals together.
Our Dining Table is a joyful ride from start to finish. It’s a heartwarming shounen-ai with a beautiful storyline and is sure to leave you smiling at the end.
I Hear The Sunspot
- Author: Yuki Fumino
- Artist: Yuki Fumino
Kohei has a hearing disability and is often misunderstood on campus. After meeting with Taichi who understands him as an open notebook and Kohei’s life changes forever as he opens his heart.
I Hear The Sunspot brings up some sensitive points in society and explains them perfectly. The manga has a fantastic storyline and focuses more on boys’ relationships in the real world.
Komatta Toki Ni Wa Hoshi Ni Kike!
- Author: Miyuki Abe
- Artist: Miyuki Abe
Takara and Kiyomine are polar opposites of each other. Takara moves into dorms, after the death of his grandmother and soon is shocked to discover that his roommate is none other than Kiyomine.
Komatta Toki Ni Wa Hoshi Ni Kike is one of the rare shounen-ai manga with 82 chapters. It has a brilliant storyline with intriguing characters and is packed with real emotions that will grab your attention.
Until I Meet My Husband
- Author: Ryousuke Nanasaki
- Artist: Yoshi Tsukizuki
Ryousuke is a young gay searching for his true love, from high school crushes to sketchy dating sites he has done it all, and his life full is about healing the wounds of the heart.
Until I Meet My Husband is based on the author’s real-life experience. The manga shows the struggles of a young gay man and his experience with differences in genders, You are sure to love this over time.
Yuki No Yousei
- Author: Tomo Serizawa
- Artist: Tomo Serizawa
Haruki’s life changed after meeting with wildlife photographer, Akihito. Despite being polar of each other, Akihito soon falls for him and wants to close the gap between them asap.
Yuki No Yousei is a cute shounen-ai manga with the right amount of romance. The manga is a quick read and the balance between the main is good, It sure will make you scroll through all chapters overnight.
RECOMMENDED: Best Action Romance Manga
One Room Angel
- Author: Harada
- Artist: Harada
Kouki doesn’t have anything in his life and no will to live. However, after getting stabbed by some kids but was mysteriously saved by a beautiful angel and ends up becoming the angel’s roommate.
One Room Angel is a quick read that tells about finding the will to live. The plot has a fair share of dark topics and gives a touching message at the end.
Boy Meets Maria
- Author: Peyo
- Artist: Peyo
Taiga dreams of becoming an actor and joins the drama club in high school. There he meets Maria and immediately falls in love but soon discovers Maria’s identity as a boy.
Boy Meets Maria has some extremely traumatic scenes that will creep out some readers. The manga does a fine job of showing the struggle between gender and sexuality. If you want an adrenaline dose of emotions, then definitely try this manga.
Welcome Home
- Author: Ichi Ichikawa
- Artist: Ichi Ichikawa
Hiromu Fujiyoshi fell in love with Masaki and eventually married him. He refuses anyone who doesn’t understand them and together they have built a loving family. They decide to move to another neighborhood to give their son a safe environment.
Welcome Home is a realistic portrayal of a married gay couple in modern society. The story has a lot of side characters that cause problems for the couple and the main selling point is the baby that is too cute to be ignored.
Classmates
- Author: Asumiko Nakamura
- Artist: Asumiko Nakamura
Hikaru didn’t even bother to notice his classmate, Rihito until he saw him practicing a song in an empty classroom. Hikaru decides to become his music tutor and they quickly become close to each other.
Classmates perfectly show the struggles of two young people in love entering adulthood. The story is quite mediocre with the usual developments but the characters are extremely well-written and are sure to find a place in your heart.
Sasaki And Miyano
- Author: Syou Harusono
- Artist: Syou Harusono
Miyano spends time reading boy’s love comics and an encounter leads him to meet senior Sasaki. Impressed by his junior, Sasaki uses every opportunity to impress him.
Sasaki And Miyano lens towards a slower pace compared to other manga in this list as it takes time to develop its characters. The story is executed as the supporting characters have love stories of their own and it gets better with each chapter.
Hirano To Kagiura
- Author: Harusono, Shou
- Artist: Harusono, Shou
Akira Kagiura and Taiga Hirano have been roommates for more than a year and Akira has always relied on him. With less than six months left, Akira is determined to make him fall in love.
Hirano To Kagiura is a true gem to shounen-ai manga lovers. Well if you are into heartwarming and slow-burn romance then you should read this manga as the storyline gives a comforting feeling.
