What is this genre all about? Shounen Ai means boys love, and thus explores what happens when two boys (or men) fall in love. This is not to be mistaken for Yaoi which is (or, at least, how this term is often used by the western audience) used in adult works. This is not; that means there is no graphical sex.
The female version is Shoujo Ai.
We present you the list of Shounen Ai anime you should watch right now.
Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game
Top 20 Shounen Ai anime you should watch right now. [2026 List]
- 20. Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
- 19. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 18. Yuri!!! on Ice
- 17. Given
- 16. No.6
- 15. 30-sai made Doutei da to Mahou Tsukai ni Nareru Rashii
- 14. Umibe no Étranger
- 13. Junjou Romantica
- 12. Suki na Mono wa Suki Dakara Shou ga Nai!!
- 11. Patalliro!
- 10. Mo Dao Zu Shi
- 9. Patalliro Saiyuuki!
- 8. Sasaki to Miyano
- 7. Sasaki to Miyano Movie: Sotsugyou-hen
- 6. Given: Hiiragi mix
- 5. Doukyuusei
- 4. Junjou Romantica 3
- 3. Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu.
- 2. Given: Umi e
- 1. Given: Uragawa no Sonzai
20. Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
Love at first sight is no myth—just ask Okuto Nakamura. Whenever his dreamy classmate Aiki Hirose enters the room, his heart skips a beat, despite the fact that they’ve never actually spoken. Not to mention, Nakamura is a complete klutz with zero friends. Will he ruin his chance at love before it even begins?
Note: The series streamed a week in advance on Hulu Japan, starting with episode 2 released alongside episode 1.
Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: ガンバレ！中村くん！！, Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
19. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
Two best friends living in a rural Japanese village: Yoshiki and Hikaru. Growing up together, they were inseparable… until the day Hikaru came back from the mountains, and was no longer himself. “Something” has taken over Hikaru’s body, memories, feelings… and everything they know begins to unravel.
The Summer Hikaru Died has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 光が死んだ夏, Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
18. Yuri!!! on Ice
Reeling from his crushing defeat at the Grand Prix Finale, Yuuri Katsuki, once Japan's most promising figure skater, returns to his family home to assess his options for the future. At age 23, Yuuri's window for success in skating is closing rapidly, and his love of pork cutlets and aptitude for gaining weight are not helping either.
However, Yuuri finds himself in the spotlight when a video of him performing a routine previously executed by five-time world champion, Victor Nikiforov, suddenly goes viral. In fact, Victor himself abruptly appears at Yuuri's house and offers to be his mentor. As one of his biggest fans, Yuuri eagerly accepts, kicking off his journey to make it back onto the world stage. But the competition is fierce, as the rising star from Russia, Yuri Plisetsky, is relentlessly determined to defeat Yuuri and win back Victor's tutelage.
Yuri!!! On ICE has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: ユーリ!!! on ICE, Yuri!!! on Ice
17. Given
Somehow, the guitar that he used to love to play and the basketball games that he found so fun just lost their appeal... That was until Ritsuka Uenoyama randomly met Mafuyu Sato. Ritsuka had started losing his passion for music in his everyday life, but then he hears Mafuyu sing for the first time. The song resonates with his heart and the distance between them starts to change.
given has finished airing and it has 11 Episodes. It is also Known as: ギヴン, Given
16. No.6
Many years ago, after the end of a bloody world war, mankind took shelter in six city-states that were peaceful and perfect... at least on the surface. However, Shion—an elite resident of the city-state No. 6—gained a new perspective on the world he lives in, thanks to a chance encounter with a mysterious boy, Nezumi. Nezumi turned out to be just one of many who lived in the desolate wasteland beyond the walls of the supposed utopia. But despite knowing that the other boy was a fugitive, Shion decided to take him in for the night and protect him, which resulted in drastic consequences: because of his actions, Shion and his mother lost their status as elites and were relocated elsewhere, and the darker side of the city began to make itself known.
Now, a long time after their life-altering first meeting, Shion and Nezumi are finally brought together once again—the former elite and the boy on the run are about to embark on an adventure that will, in time, reveal the shattering secrets of No. 6.
No. 6 has finished airing and it has 11 Episodes. It is also Known as: NO.6［ナンバー・シックス］, Number Six, Number 6, No. Six
15. 30-sai made Doutei da to Mahou Tsukai ni Nareru Rashii
Adachi's 30th birthday as a virgin came with the oddest gift—the ability to read the mind of anyone he touches. Pondering what to do with this mysterious power, he gets a lead when he accidentally reads his colleague Kurosawa's mind. Turns out the handsome hotshot of the sales team has got a thing for him! How will Adachi respond to overhearing these affectionate thoughts?
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 30歳まで童貞だと魔法使いになれるらしい, 30-sai made Doutei da to Mahou Tsukai ni Nareru Rashii
14. Umibe no Étranger
"There's nothing wrong with liking another guy."
To be in the arms of the person I love... I thought that was an unattainable dream...
On an island off the coast of Okinawa, two young men meet on a beach. Shun Hashimoto is gay and aspires to be a novelist. He is interested in Mio Chibana, a somber high school student, and starts to flirt with him. Day by day, the two of them grow closer, but then, suddenly, Mio decides to leave the island.
Three years later, Mio returns and approaches Shun with the words, "I've thought about it for the past three years. I like you, Shun, even if you're a guy." However, when faced with the prospect of finally becoming lovers with Mio, Shun cannot take the first step towards commitment. This is a tantalizing love story about a gay novelist and a younger part-time worker.
The Stranger by the Shore has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 海辺のエトランゼ, L' étranger du plage, The Stranger by the Beach, Umibe no Etranger, L'Étranger de la plage, Seaside Stranger
13. Junjou Romantica
Misaki Takahashi is a regular high school student who is preparing for his university entrance exams. In order to reduce the stress of studying, or so he hopes, he accepts the help of his older brother's best friend, and famous author, Akihiko Usami. However, Masaki is about to find out that Usami's books are of a very naughty genre, and that there may be something naughty waking up inside Masaki as well.Junjou Romantica also follows the story of two other couples loosely connected to Masaki and Usami's "Romantica."
Egoist shows the very passionate, but often complicated, relationship between university professor Hiroki Kamijou (whose life has reached an all time low) and paediatrician Nowaki Kusama, who falls for Hiroki at first sight and would do anything to make him happy.
The third story, "Terrorist," shows just how obsessive love can become when rich eighteen-year-old Shinobu Takatsuki finally discovers something that he cannot have so easily—the literature professor You Miyagi.
There is passion abound as these three couples try to achieve their goals in life while also falling into temptation and anguish with their partners.
Junjo Romantica has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 純情ロマンチカ, Junjyou Romantica, Junjou Romantica: Pure Romance
12. Suki na Mono wa Suki Dakara Shou ga Nai!!
Hashiba Sora has fallen from a 4th story window and has lost all of his memories. When Fujimori Sunao comes to his school as his new room mate, Fujimori tells Hashiba that he is called Ran. Fujimori and Hashiba both have a split personality which they developed in their youth. Their split personalities, Yoru and Ran, are deeply in love. Even though it creeps Fujimori and Hashiba out what their other selves do with each other at night, they also start to fall for each other. Because of their relationship, Hashiba Sora finds out a lot of shocking facts about their youth.
Sukisho has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 好きなものは好きだからしょうがない！！, Sukisyo, I like what I like, so there!
11. Patalliro!
Patarillo! is set in a society much like ours in most ways, with one decided twist. The manga on which it is based is one of the much-read works produced for adolescent Japanese girls that features a healthy proportion of gay men and beautiful teenagers aka bishounen (beautiful boys). Most of the action takes place in Marinera, the land of eternal spring, located somewhere in the South Seas. The country is a major producer of diamonds; they provide much of the basis of conflict in the anime series. They come from one of the most prolific mines in the world, owned by the king of Marinera, the vertically challenged but horizontally endowed boy-king Patarillo himself. The International Diamond Syndicate - a huge semi- criminal organization/ secret society dedicated to taking over the world`s entire diamond supply- wants that mine and will stop at nothing to get it. In the early episodes they send off a number of bishounen assassins to do in Patarillo, which necessitates his having a bodyguard, the English MI6 agent, Major Jack (`Bishounen-Killer`) Bancoran. Bancoran`s nickname doesn`t mean he shoots bishounen in cold blood. The soubriquet comes from the fact that no male under the age of 17 can resist his sexual fascination. This, to Bancoran`s eternal disgust, includes Patarillo himself. The action switches often from Marinera to MI6 headquarters in London (London seems to be an easy two hour`s flight from the South Seas) or Bancoran`s palatial condo in the suburbs of same. (MI6, be it noted, looks a lot like Fritz Lang`s Metropolis, while Jack`s `apartment` bears a passing resemblance to Randolph Hearst`s spread.) The action also goes into the past and future and out into space. Patarillo evidently gets around.
Patalliro! has finished airing and it has 49 Episodes. It is also Known as: パタリロ！, Boku Pataliro!, Boku, Patariro, I Pataliro!, Patarillo
10. Mo Dao Zu Shi
As the grandmaster who founded the Demonic Sect, Wei Wuxian roamed the world in his wanton ways, hated by millions for the chaos he created. In the end, he was backstabbed by his dearest shidi and killed by powerful clans that combined to overpower him. He incarnates into the body of a lunatic who was abandoned by his clan and is later, unwillingly, taken away by a famous cultivator among the clans—Lan Wangji, his archenemy. This marks the start of a thrilling yet hilarious journey of attacking monsters, solving mysteries, and raising children. From the mutual flirtation along the way, Wei Wuxian slowly realizes that Lan Wangji, a seemingly haughty and indifferent poker-face, holds more feelings for Wei Wuxian than he is letting on.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation has finished airing and it has 15 Episodes. It is also Known as: Modao Zushi, The Founder of Diabolism, The Founder of Evil Magic
9. Patalliro Saiyuuki!
Genjou Sanzou is a Buddhist monk who has been sent by the Emperor on a journey to find the sacred Buddhist scriptures. One day, Sanzou meets an Earth Deity who tells him that Buddha has sent him a disciple: the mischievous Monkey Deity Son Goku, who was sealed inside of a mountain for five hundred years after wreaking havoc in Heaven! Together with the alcohol-loving playboy Cho Hakkai; the heavenly army General Sagojyou; and their horse, the Dragon Crown Prince Ryuuba; there are plenty of adventures to be had from fighting off monsters to bishounen contests.
Patalliro Saiyuuki! has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: パタリロ西遊記！, Patalliro Saiyuki!
8. Sasaki to Miyano
Miyano spends his days peacefully reading Boys' Love comics and worrying about how girly his face is-until a chance encounter leads to a scuffle with his senior Sasaki. Intrigued by his feisty junior Miyano, delinquent Sasaki uses every opportunity he can to get closer...
Sasaki and Miyano has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 佐々木と宮野, Sasaki to Miyano
7. Sasaki to Miyano Movie: Sotsugyou-hen
Theatrical follow-up to Sasaki to Miyano, adapting the "Graduation Arc" of the manga.
Miyano’s world of Boys’ Love manga turns to reality when chance leads him to Sasaki. Now, Sasaki wants to spend every opportunity with him.
Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 映画 佐々木と宮野ー卒業編ー, Sasaki to Miyano Movie: Sotsugyou-hen
6. Given: Hiiragi mix
After Ritsuka Uenoyama hears Mafuyu Sato sing, he invites Mafuyu to join his band. Given auditions for a festival in Shibuya and falls short, though they continue to attract attention. At the same time, Mafuyu’s childhood friends, Shizusumi Yagi, and Hiiragi Kashima, prepare to make their debut as the band “syh.” When they lose a guitarist, Hiiragi asks Ritsuka to join them for their big show.
given The Movie: Hiiragi mix has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: ギヴン 柊mix, Given Movie 02
5. Doukyuusei
Rihito Sajou is an honor student who got perfect scores in every subject on his high school entrance exam. Hikaru Kusakabe plays guitar in his band that performs at live events and is popular among the girls. These boys would have never crossed paths. But one day Hikaru offers to help Rihito prepare for their upcoming chorus festival and the two begin to talk. As the two meet after school, they feel one another's sound, listen to each other's voice, and begin to harmonize as their hearts beat together.
It starts out slow but soon their feelings for one another grow and in just one moment they both realize that it is love. Hikaru's emotions are frivolous, pure, and direct causing Rihito to hesitate at first, but he gradually opens his heart. The boys are learning about each other as they also learn about themselves and support one another during this difficult time typical to youth. As the time to start thinking about their futures approaches, what do these young men find as they try to move forward...
Doukyusei -Classmates- has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 同級生, Doukyuusei
4. Junjou Romantica 3
After living together for three years, Misaki Takahashi and Akihiko "Usagi" Usami's relationship has been progressing smoothly. However, all great relationships have problems, and theirs is just beginning. With a new rival on the horizon, Usagi worries about Misaki's feelings towards him.
Meanwhile, Ryuuichirou Isaka has always loved to intrude on Misaki and Usagi's love life, but his own love life hasn't been all smooth sailing—Isaka and his secretary Kaoru Asahina have been dating for a few years; however, Asahina prefers to keep their professional and private lives separate, often leading to troubled waters between them.
As for Nowaki Kusama and Hiroki Kamijou, now that their careers are finally taking off, they hardly see each other anymore. With the time they spend together lessening, doubts and insecurities threaten to creep in between them. On the other hand, the 17-year age gap between Shinobu Takatsuki and You Miyagi has been a constant barrier in their relationship, but as they learn more about each other, their self-consciousness continues to fade.
The beloved couples of Junjou Romantica, Junjou Egoist, and Junjou Terrorist are back again, this time with a new addition: Junjou Mistake!
Junjo Romantica 3 has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 純情ロマンチカ 3, Junjou Romantica Third Season
3. Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu.
The veteran actor who has held the title of "Most Desirable Bachelor" for 5 years in a row, Takato Saijyo, and the up and coming actor who recently dethroned him, Junta Azumaya. Enter the cut throat world of the entertainment industry, where the two most desirable bachelors find themselves in a forbidden scandal. Based on Hashigo Sakurabi's "Dakaretai Otoko No.1 ni Odosareteimasu," first published and serialized in July of 2013 and one of the most talked about BL comic with over two million copies in print, gets a highly anticipated TV anime adaptation! The biggest scandal of 2018 is about to unfold!
DAKAICHI -I'm being harassed by the sexiest man of the year- has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: 抱かれたい男1位に脅されています。, Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu.
2. Given: Umi e
Sequel to Given: Hiiragi mix.
Given: Umi e has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: ギヴン 海へ, Given Movie 3, Given: To the Sea
1. Given: Uragawa no Sonzai
OVA bundled with the Given manga's seventh volume, as a limited edition bonus.
Given OVA has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: ギヴン うらがわの存在, Given OAD, [given] Can't Say Goodbye, I'm Still Drifting With Your Echoes.
