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. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 19. Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
- 18. Given
- 17. Yuri!!! on Ice
- 16. No.6
- 15. Sasaki to Miyano
- 14. Mo Dao Zu Shi
- 13. 30-sai made Doutei da to Mahou Tsukai ni Nareru Rashii
- 12. Sasaki to Miyano Movie: Sotsugyou-hen
- 11. DRAMAtical Murder
- 10. Kuro Gal ni Natta kara Shinyuu to Yattemita.
- 9. Given: Umi e
- 8. Given: Uragawa no Sonzai
- 7. Godly Love: On Air
- 6. Suki na Mono wa Suki Dakara Shou ga Nai!!
- 5. Super Lovers 2
- 4. Hirano to Kagiura
- 3. Tasogare Outfocus
- 2. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 2
- 1. Given: Hiiragi mix
20. 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
19. 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!!
18. 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
17. 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
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. 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
14. 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
13. 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
12. 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
11. DRAMAtical Murder
Some time ago, the influential and powerful Toue Inc. bought the island of Midorijima, Japan, with the plans of building Platinum Jail—a luxurious utopian facility. Those who are lucky enough to call it home are the wealthiest citizens in the world. The original residents of the island, however, were forced to relocate to the Old Residential District; and after the completion of Platinum Jail, they were completely abandoned.
"Rib" and "Rhyme" are the most common games played on the island. Rib is an old school game in which gangs engage in turf wars against each other, while Rhyme is a technologically advanced game wherein participants fight in a virtual reality. To be able to play Rhyme, you must have an "All-Mate" (an AI that typically looks like a pet), and the match must be mediated by an "Usui."
Aoba Seragaki has no interest in playing either game; he prefers to live a peaceful life with his grandmother and All-Mate, Ren. However, after getting forcefully dragged into a dangerous Rhyme match and hearing rumors about disappearing Rib players, all of Aoba's hopes of living a normal life are completely abolished.
DRAMAtical Murder has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: ドラマティカル マーダー, DMMd
10. 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.
9. 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
8. 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.
7. Godly Love: On Air
Promotional video for the boys love game Godly Love: On Air
Godly Love: On Air has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Kamikoi: On Air
6. 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!
5. Super Lovers 2
Second season of Super Lovers.
Super Lovers 2 has finished airing and it has 10 Episodes. It is also Known as: SUPER LOVERS（スーパーラヴァーズ） 2, Super Lovers Second Season
4. Hirano to Kagiura
Hirano to Kagiura is being adapted as an accompanying animated short with the Sasaki to Miyano: Sotsugyou-hen movie.
Hirano, a second-year in high school, lives in a dormitory on his campus and has recently become roommates with Kagiura, a first-year. Kagiura is a hard-working student on the basketball team, though he does have difficulty getting up in the morning, leaving Hirano to be his support system in that regard. They get along great, and Hirano is very fond of his earnest, straight-forward roommate. What he doesn’t know? Kagiura is pretty much head over heels in love with him.
Hirano and Kagiura has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 平野と鍵浦, Hirano to Kagiura
3. 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
2. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 2
Second season of Sekaiichi Hatsukoi.
Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi - World's Greatest First Love 2 has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 世界一初恋 2, Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi 2, Sekai'ichi Hatsukoi 2
1. 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
