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.
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Top 20 Shounen Ai anime you should watch right now. [2025 List]
- 20. Babanbabanban Vampire
- 19. Tasogare Outfocus
- 18. Given: Hiiragi mix
- 17. Given
- 16. 30-sai made Doutei da to Mahou Tsukai ni Nareru Rashii
- 15. Mo Dao Zu Shi
- 14. Yuri!!! on Ice
- 13. No.6
- 12. Sasaki to Miyano
- 11. Tadaima, Okaeri
- 10. Given: The Movie
- 9. Sasaki to Miyano Movie: Sotsugyou-hen
- 8. Kuro Gal ni Natta kara Shinyuu to Yattemita.
- 7. Given: Umi e
- 6. Umibe no Étranger
- 5. Doukyuusei
- 4. Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu. Movie: Spain-hen
- 3. Sankaku Mado no Sotogawa wa Yoru
- 2. Papa datte, Shitai
- 1. Tight-rope
20. Babanbabanban Vampire
The story begins with a 450-year-old vampire named Ranmaru, working part-time at an old public bath. He desires the blood of an 18-year-old virgin, and so watches over the growth of 15-year-old Rihito, the son of the bathhouse owners.
Babanbabanban Vampire is currently airing and will have Episodes. It is also Known as: ババンババンバンバンパイア, Baban Baban Ban Vampire
19. Tasogare Outfocus
Second-years Mao Tsuchiya and Hisashi Ootomo make three promises: 1) That Mao will never tell anyone that Hisashi is gay and has a boyfriend, 2) That Hisashi will never think of Mao "in that way," and 3) That they'll always knock before entering, in case someone is having some "private time." The two's ground rules should ensure a peaceful life together in their dorm, but life is never as simple as it should be, and some things are not so easily promised...
Twilight Out of Focus has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 黄昏アウトフォーカス, Tasogare Outfocus
18. 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
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. 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
15. 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
14. 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
13. 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
12. 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
11. Tadaima, Okaeri
Masaki Fujiyoshi is a stay-at-home spouse and parent. He has fought long and hard with feelings of being a burden to his loving husband, Hiromu, due to his status as an omega—and the difficulty they faced to achieve this domesticity. When their son, Hikari, was born, the family moved to an area better suited for raising children.
Despite their newfound domestic bliss, the family's ties to their past are in tatters. There are people they left behind to pursue the creation of their happy family, and when they begin to return, Masaki and Hiromu aren't quite sure they have good intentions.
Welcome Back, I'm Home has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: ただいま、おかえり, Tadaima, Okaeri
10. Given: The Movie
While the TV anime focused on the band given's guitarist Ritsuka Uenoyama and his high school classmate Mafuyu Sato, the film centers on the love relationship among the band's bassist Haruki Nakayama, drummer Akihiko Kaji, and Akihiko's roommate and ex-boyfriend Ugetsu Murata.
Given: The Movie has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Eiga Given, 映画 ギヴン, Given: The Movie
9. 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
8. Kuro Gal ni Natta kara Shinyuu to Yattemita.
Shion and Rui are the dream team when it comes to hitting on women. Tonight was going to be another night of hooking up with girls for Shion, but he ended up taking a strange drug. When he woke up... he'd turned into a girl?! Rui came looking for Shion, but didn't recognize him, and started hitting on him...
Episode 1 of the standard TV version of the anime was streamed on February 11, 2021 via the ComicFesta Anime Zone website. Regular broadcast began on April 5 at 1:00 a.m. on Toyko MX, while the complete, uncensored version was streamed on the ComicFesta Anime Zone website.
Kuro Gal ni Natta kara Shinyuu to Yattemita. has finished airing and it has 8 Episodes. It is also Known as: 黒ギャルになったから親友としてみた。, I Became a Black Gal So I Fucked My Best Friend, Kuro Gal ni Natta kara Shinyuu to Yattemita.
7. 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
6. 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
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. Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu. Movie: Spain-hen
Covers the Spain arc of the manga.
DAKAICHI -I'm being harassed by the sexiest man of the year- The Movie: In Spain has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 劇場版 抱かれたい男1位に脅されています。～スペイン編～, DAKAICHI -I'm being harassed by the sexiest man of the year- Movie, Dakaretai Otoko Ichii ni Odosarete Imasu. Movie, Gekijouban Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu. Spain Hen
3. Sankaku Mado no Sotogawa wa Yoru
Shy bookstore clerk Kosuke Mikado has the ability to see ghosts and spirits, an ability he wishes he didn't have, since what he sees usually terrifies him. Rihito Hiyakawa, an exorcist whose supernatural powers are as strong as his social graces are weak, doesn't seem to fear anything, mortal or otherwise. When this odd couple gets together to solve the bizarre cases that come their way, their work methods may not be entirely safe for work!
The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: さんかく窓の外側は夜, Sankaku Mado no Sotogawa wa Yoru
2. Papa datte, Shitai
"There are Times I Cannot Hold It, Even If I'm a Father"
University student Asumi came to Naruse household to be a housekeeper for his part-time job. The family consists of a single-father and a son Ichika. Among them, the father Naruse is too sexy for Asumi!! Even if he is not gay, Asumi gets conscious of Keiichi, and when he noticed that Keiichi is sexually unsatisfied by noticing him watching adult video in his room, he would unconsciously get tempted to attack him…! "Naruse-san, you're too sexy for a father with a child...!"
Papa datte, Shitai has finished airing and it has 8 Episodes. It is also Known as: パパだって, したい, Papa datte, Shitai
1. Tight-rope
Tightrope tells the tale of the reluctant heir of a yakuza family and his childhood friend, and follows their love relationship that started budding in their school days and keeps developing slowly but surely.
Tight-rope has finished airing and it has 2 Episodes. It is also Known as: タイトロープ, Tight Rope, Tightrope
