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. [2024 List]
- 20. 30-sai made Doutei da to Mahou Tsukai ni Nareru Rashii
- 19. Tadaima, Okaeri
- 18. Given
- 17. Yuri!!! on Ice
- 16. Sasaki to Miyano
- 15. Given Movie
- 14. Sasaki to Miyano Movie: Sotsugyou-hen
- 13. Kuro Gal ni Natta kara Shinyuu to Yattemita.
- 12. No.6
- 11. Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu.
- 10. Umibe no Étranger
- 9. Mo Dao Zu Shi
- 8. Doukyuusei
- 7. Orenchi no Furo Jijou
- 6. Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru
- 5. Tight-rope
- 4. Hitorijime My Hero
- 3. Given: Uragawa no Sonzai
- 2. Xiao Lu He Xiao Lan
- 1. Seikimatsu★Darling
20. 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
19. 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 is currently airing and will have 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: ただいま、おかえり, Tadaima, Okaeri
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. 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
15. Given 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 Movie has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Eiga Given, 映画 ギヴン, Given Movie
14. 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
13. 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.
12. 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
11. 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.
10. 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
9. 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
8. 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
7. Orenchi no Furo Jijou
On his way home from school, Tatsumi sees a man collapsed near a lake. When he approaches him, Tatsumi notices something strange: the person in need of help is actually a beautiful merman named Wakasa! Because Wakasa's home has become too polluted to live in, Tatsumi graciously offers his bathtub as a refuge.
With a boisterous merman as his new roommate, Tatsumi's normal life won't be returning anytime soon, not to mention Wakasa's aquatic friends—Takasu, Mikuni, and Maki—often show up uninvited, making them all quite a handful for the high school student. As he humors their curiosity for human life, Tatsumi sometimes finds himself enjoying their childish antics, but he will have to keep his cool if he intends to keep up with his daily life and newfound friendship.
Orenchi no Furo Jijou has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: オレん家のフロ事情, Orefuro, Merman in my Tub
6. Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru
Sakurai Yuki is an orphan with a mysterious ability. Found near the fence of his current home, the Asahi Orphanage, Yuki strives for independence. The last thing he wants is to be a burden to anybody. However, his ability makes this nearly impossible; whenever he touches someone, he feels their emotions and see the darkness within their hearts and what caused such darkness. Unable to control his ability, Yuki has often made insensitive blunders while trying to empathize with the person he feels pain for. Now, however, with death threats clouding his judgement and his ability increasing immensely, what will happen when a man claiming to be Yuki's older brother appears?
The Betrayal Knows My Name has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: 裏切りは僕の名前を知っている, Uraboku
5. 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
4. Hitorijime My Hero
Story involving Kensuke's brother, Ooshiba Kousuke and friend, Setagawa Masahiro from Hitorijime Boyfriend.
Hitorijime My Hero has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: ひとりじめマイヒーロー, My Very Own Hero
3. 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.
2. Xiao Lu He Xiao Lan
"I've been holding a few words back for a long time — I like you!"
"Beryl and Sapphire" is a popular manhua created by artist Ocarina. Here includes protagonists with the most random names in history — the mild-mannered Beryl (Green) and the easily-embarrassed Sapphire (Blue). At times the closest of friends, at others the worst of enemies… In this donghua where each episode is set in a different world, how would they encounter each other time and again?? Only angst? Too painful! Nothing but fluff? Too sugary! Come watch B&S, the show where you'll never guess the ending…
Beryl and Sapphire has finished airing and it has 72 Episodes. It is also Known as: Xiaolu He Xiaolan, Xiao Lv He Xiao Lan, Xiaolv He Xiaolan, Green and Blue, Lil' Green and Lil' Blue
1. Seikimatsu★Darling
Ogata, a nice and hardworking man, has only one problem... His love for Takasugi, another man. But by telling Takasugi about his feelings, the problem should be gone. Yet another problem arises: Takasugi believes their feelings are too alike and that they therefore can't be together. But who knows what can happen when two men in love go away on a vacation together—both determined to win the seducing game.
Seikimatsu★Darling has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 世紀末★ダーリン, Seikimatsu Darling, End of Century - Darling
