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 manga you should read right now.
Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game
Top 20 Shounen Ai manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 20. Kimi Dake ga Hontou
- 19. Matbol Su Eomneun Namja
- 18. Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai
- 17. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 16. Eren Xiang Yao Qiangjiu Yixia
- 15. Tian Guan Ci Fu
- 14. Iutjim Guild-won
- 13. Koisuru (Otome) no Tsukurikata
- 12. Killer-ga Sarange Ppajyeosseul Ttae
- 11. Shou Shou Bu Qin
- 10. Don’t Say You Love Me
- 9. Keullaudeu
- 8. Cherry Blossoms After Winter
- 7. Heartstopper
- 6. Vampire Library
- 5. Boyfriends.
- 4. Nae Yakonjaneun Kkonminam
- 3. Love Bites
- 2. Josou Shite Mendoukusai Koto ni Natteru Nekura to Yankee no Ryou Kataomoi
- 1. Monochrome Rumor
20. Kimi Dake ga Hontou
High school boy, Rikimaru, is unable to touch women due to childhood trauma. He has a pair of childhood friends who are siblings. The older sister, Kagami, and then the younger brother, Kyou. Between the two of them they share a similar height and appearance. Under these circumstances a unique twin love romance begins to bloom.
Kimi Dake ga Hontou has finished publishing and it has 13 Chapters. It is also Known as: きみだけがほんとう, Kimi Dake ga Hontou
19. Matbol Su Eomneun Namja
After food critic Jiho’s first meeting with novelist Inwoo ends in disappointment, he vows never to work with him. That is until Inwoo offers to buy him dinner. It’s then that he learns that Inwoo is unable to experience one of life’s basic joys – taste – and needs someone to describe flavors to him for his next novel. The more they meet, the more Jiho finds himself being drawn to Inwoo... but why? Is it because he too harbors a secret of his own?
Source: Tapas
The Insatiable Man has finished publishing and it has 91 Chapters. It is also Known as: The Man Who Can't Taste, A Man Who Can't Taste
18. Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai
When the efficiency freak corporate slave continued to work even in the other word—
He won the heart of the Knight Captain!?
Kondou Seiichirou was a salaryman who chased after work. When he was dragged into a saint summoning and transferred to another world, he still didn’t change and continued to work. But as he did so, he seemed to have unexpectedly raised a love flag with the “Ice Prince”...
The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 異世界の沙汰は社畜次第, The Affairs of the Other World Depend on the Corporate Slave, This World's Affairs Are up to the Corporate Slave
17. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
"So, Hikaru is no more... If that's true then..."
Yoshiki and Hikaru are two boys who live in a certain village. They're the same age and have always been together growing up. But one day, Yoshiki noticed that "something else" has taken Hikaru's place. Even after learning of this, Yoshiki still wants them to be together. And so, his life with the "something" that looks like his friend begins.
At the same time, strange incidents keep occurring in the village...
The Summer Hikaru Died is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 光が死んだ夏, Hikari ga Shinda Natsu, The Summer Hikaru is Dead, The Summer the Light is Dead
16. Eren Xiang Yao Qiangjiu Yixia
A true villain needs to be ruthless, evil, and self-destructive! After torturing the protagonist to hell and back, they will exit the scene fabulously with a bang as their work is done. Wang Yi was determined to act that kind of villain. Unfortunately… His male lead could read minds. (:з)∠*)“You mongrel!” Mr. Yi chuckled as he looked down on the novel’s male lead.Suddenly, a thought bubble filled with cute emojis (⁄ ⁄ ⁄ω⁄ ⁄ ⁄) with the words “You’re so cute…” appeared in front of Qin.Qin: ?
I Want to Be a Big Baddie is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Have To Be A Great Villain, 我要当个大坏蛋, Wo Yao Dang Ge Da Huai Dan, The Wicked Want to Rescue, I Am Going to Be a Bastard, I Want to Be a Scoundrel, I'm Going to Be a Great Villain, I'm Going to Be a Villain, The Wicked Want to Rescue, The Wicked Wants to Rescue
15. Tian Guan Ci Fu
Eight hundred years ago, Xie Lian was the Crown Prince of the Xian Le kingdom; one who was beloved by his citizens and the darling of the world. Unsurprisingly, he ascended to the Heavens at a very young age.
Now, eight hundred years later, Xie Lian ascends to the Heavens for the third time as the laughing stock of all three realms. On his first task as a god, he meets a mysterious demon who rules the ghosts and terrifies the Heavens… Yet unbeknownst to Xie Lian, this demon king has been paying attention to him for a very, very long time.
Heaven Official's Blessing is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Tiān Guān Cì Fú
14. Iutjim Guild-won
After a stalking incident, Yoon Ji-gu has become understandably wary of strangers. So when an odd man moves in next door, he immediately suspects the worst. Little does he know, Yeowoon is just a regular guy trying to land a job and enjoy his free time—until he finds himself dealing with a hostile neighbor. As their real-life misunderstandings escalate, the two unknowingly team up in their favorite online game, forming an unexpected duo. Get ready to log in to a new adventure full of hilarious mix-ups, a distrustful tsundere, and an unwitting flirt with a heart of gold.
Note: Season 2 is rated R19
Virtual Strangers is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Guild Member Next Door, My Guildmate Next Door, Neighbor BF, 鄰居是公會成員, 隣のギルメン, 求饶不成就求婚, Vecinos Virtuales
13. Koisuru (Otome) no Tsukurikata
A popular guy that's secretly interested in cosmetics asks to practice makeup on his dull childhood friend and he ends up looking cute?!
Koisuru (Otome) no Tsukurikata is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 恋する（おとめ）の作り方, How to Make a "Girl" Fall in Love, I turned my childhood friend (♂) into a girl, Osananajimi(♂) wo Onnanoko ni Shiteshimatta Hanashi, Transformei meu amigo de infância (♂) em uma garota, Gue Mengubah Teman Masa Kecil (♂) Gue Jadi Cewek, Convertí a my amigo de la infancia (♂) en una chica
12. Killer-ga Sarange Ppajyeosseul Ttae
Breaking News: Professional killer Ju Tae-Man fell in love with Korea’s favorite actor, Kang Da-Hyeok!
Ju Tae-Man has endured extreme physical training, mental education, and cruel torture– but somehow he easily falls apart to Kang Da-Hyeok's kindness…? Ju Tae-Man who has trained for many years as a professional killer thought “is this love? What should I do at times like this?”
When the Killer Falls in Love has finished publishing and it has 77 Chapters. It is also Known as: Killeoga salang-e ppajyeoss-eul tae
11. Shou Shou Bu Qin
Formerly a genius hunter, Bai Mu is now a third-rate celebrity. In a moment of carelessness, he was captured by his childhood playmate who turned out to be a vampire. From then on, he found it impossible to get away from his aggressively possessive childhood friend.
My Vampire My Hunter has finished publishing and it has 166 Chapters. It is also Known as: Zero Hunting, Intimate Hunter, 제로헌팅, 消えた約束のしがらみ
10. Don’t Say You Love Me
I treated you like a brother, so how could you confess to me?! I only wanted to avoid you but I ended up hurting you through an accident. I’m sorry. If I had another chance, I definitely won't run away again. However… That chance came so fast. I suddenly traveled back three years ago and met you again. The you who doesn’t yet know me.
Don’t Say You Love Me is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Bié duì wǒ biǎobái
9. Keullaudeu
Skylar has a secret hobby - taking photos of his crush, Chan-il. But when Cirrus stumbles upon Skylar's cloud storage with its impressive collection of Chan-il's photos, things escalate pretty quickly. At first confident his secret is safe with Cirrus, Skylar continuously finds himself in compromising situations, making him question Cirrus' true motives.
Source: Lezhin
Lost in the Cloud has finished publishing and it has 131 Chapters. It is also Known as: Keullaudeu
8. Cherry Blossoms After Winter
From living under the same roof to then being classmates?!
Ever since his parents passed away, Haebom has been living in Taesung’s house. And now, being a 12th grader, he enters the same class as Taesung, which makes the whole situation way more awkward. Living together 24/7, Taesung and Haebom's relationship is bound to change.
Note: Chapter count includes 19 epilogue and 10 bonus chapters
Cherry Blossoms After Winter has finished publishing and it has 156 Chapters. It is also Known as: 冬すぎて桜, 冬天之后的樱花, 冬日後的櫻花, Gyeoul Ji-na Beo-kkoch
7. Heartstopper
Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...?
Heartstopper is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Heartstopper
6. Vampire Library
Yu Mano wanted a job where he wouldn't have to deal with lots of people looking at him, and maybe where he could get some of his college homework done during breaks. Being an albino in South Korea, he always stands out. There's this creepy yet eye-catching mansion in his neighborhood that somehow is a library, so he decides to work there part-time for a while.
But his annoyance level soon shoots through the roof because every single one of the (admittedly gorgeous) librarians there are vampire otaku! They even dress and talk as if they are vampires—and as if they're certain he is one, too!
After an awkward first encounter with the head librarian (including being dragged into his elegant coffin), he is determined to never go back, but....
Vampire Library has finished publishing and it has 98 Chapters. It is also Known as: 뱀파이어 도서관, Vampire Library
5. Boyfriends.
A comic about getting yourself a boyfriend... or multiple boyfriends! Four college students begin a polyamorous relationship and navigate the adventure that is their dating life!
Boyfriends. is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Boyfriends.
4. Nae Yakonjaneun Kkonminam
Woojoo's parents have always been a little kooky, but this time they've clearly outdone themselves!
When Woojoo begrudgingly comes back home after running away for the Nth time, he finds out he has a fiance. Lucky for Woojoo, he now has to share his room with the guy - a fairytale prince, yes, but a straight one.
My Gorgeous Fiance has finished publishing and it has 58 Chapters. It is also Known as: My Fiance is a Handsome Boy, My Fiancé Is a Hottie, 俺の婚約者は超イケメン御曹司, 我的美男未婚夫
3. Love Bites
When Kieran meets his new classmate, Mason Kane, he bristles with an unexplainable disdain. Soon it becomes apparent why: Mason is a werewolf. But when a fight turns into a sudden kiss that neither expects, Kieran's feelings for Mason turn to attraction in an instant. None of it makes sense - vampires and werewolves are supposed to be mortal enemies, so why does Kieran find Mason so irresistible?
Source: Webtoon
Love Bites is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Love Bites
2. Josou Shite Mendoukusai Koto ni Natteru Nekura to Yankee no Ryou Kataomoi
Shuumei has a problem. He’s in love with a girl who works at a maid cafe, but he’s too cool to go into a place like that without being embarrassed. But girls can go to maid cafes without seeming creepy, right? When he dresses in feminine clothes and transforms himself into “Mei,” he can finally walk into the place to meet the girl of his dreams: the lovely blonde Hana. Meanwhile, Hanae is an introverted otaku who’s uncomfortable talking to people…unless he’s dressed in feminine clothes himself. While decked out in his best dresses, he works at a maid cafe, and finds himself crushing on a young woman who regularly comes to visit him: a cool beauty named Mei! In this delightful LGBT+ romcom, two young people in love are about to find out a lot about each other–and themselves.
Crossplay Love: Otaku x Punk is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 女装してめんどくさい事になってるネクラとヤンキーの両片想い, The Bothersome Emotions of the Emo and Yankee Crossdressers, Cross-dressing became troublesome - a pessimist and a delinquent's mutual unrequited love, รักวุ่นวายของนายมืดมนกับแยงกี้ตัวร้ายสายแต่งหญิง, Anziehend anders
1. Monochrome Rumor
After being involved in a car accident together, Hajin is asked by Sihyeon to take care of Sihyeon's younger sister after his death. Hajin never expected that to mean he would wake up in the hospital in Sihyeon's body instead of his own. Even worse, Sihyeon was an infamous idol who would do anything for money, had multiple sponsors, and was apparently about to abandon the boy band he was a part of to sign a new contract with a larger agency. At first, Hajin believes the public’s negative opinion about Sihyeon, but the more he learns about Sihyeon’s miserable circumstances, the more enraged he becomes. Determined to get revenge in Sihyeon’s stead, Hajin decides to reach out to an old acquaintance for help. However, the deeper he goes into his revenge plot, the more people he becomes entangled with...
Monochrome Rumor is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 单色谣言, Monochrome Rumors, 모노크롬 루머, 모노크롬루머
