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 18 Shounen Ai manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 18. Iutjim Guild-won
- 17. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 16. Kimi Dake ga Hontou
- 15. Koisuru (Otome) no Tsukurikata
- 14. Koori no Mamono no Monogatari
- 13. Yeongwonhan Gyeyak
- 12. Yeongung Ppopgineun Sinjunghage
- 11. 30-sai made Doutei dato Mahoutsukai ni Nareru Rashii
- 10. Nae Jasigui Sasaenghwal
- 9. Saye
- 8. Sweetie, Sweetie, Sweetie
- 7. Vampire Heart
- 6. Shota Oni
- 5. Prunus Girl
- 4. Zongcai de Bai Wan Juben
- 3. Zettai BL ni Naru Sekai vs Zettai BL ni Naritakunai Otoko
- 2. Tian Guan Ci Fu
- 1. Josou wo Yamerarenaku Naru Otokonoko no Hanashi
18. 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
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. 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
15. 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
14. Koori no Mamono no Monogatari
In the beginning, there was a demon in a cave: Blood, trapped in ice for many decades. In order to break the curse that bound him, he searched for the "tear jewel". One day, a youth called Ishuca appeared before him. He was suffering from an illness, and had come to the cave to die. Blood was touched by Ishuca's kindness, and began to feel drawn to him. However, death soon came to Ishuca, and, saddened by the death, Blood began to weep. His tear became the "tear jewel", and Ishuca's life was saved through its power. The two set off on a journey. On the way, Blood was reunited with some old companions, but - since the demons wanted him to return to his old self, and Blood wanted to continue to travels with Ishuca - his former companions became his enemies. Upon confessing his own past to Ishuca, Blood promised never to kill another human. Having completed their journey - and with the aim of finding the jewel that Wild, the jewel-dealer, had asked for - they find themselves at the Toei Cliffs . . . !?
The Ice-Cold Demon's Tale has finished publishing and it has 75 Chapters. It is also Known as: 氷の魔物の物語, KnMnM, The Ice-Cold Demon's Tale
13. Yeongwonhan Gyeyak
Since childhood, Ian Gloucester believed he was cursed to live as a destructive monster. He carried out his days in faithful servitude to the savior who plucked him from the depths of hell, Cardinal Brixton. But, one day, a mysterious man named Soleite Winkler, who shares the same "curse," tells him that this power is actually... magic. As a result, Ian begins to question everything he's ever known. The two reluctantly form an alliance to expose the corruption that lies within the Kingdom. Despite his loyalty to the strict and religious Cardinal, Ian is drawn to Sol and slowly begins to fall for him. For the first time in his life, he isn't alone. As Ian finally learns to embrace who he really is, will he also embrace the newfound lover who set him free?
Eternal Covenant is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Everlasting Contract, Eternal Contract
12. Yeongung Ppopgineun Sinjunghage
Lee Min-Jun, an ordinary office worker, becomes the first reviewer of a mobile game developed by his friend. He closes his eyes during the boring opening and reopens them in the game world.
Phantom Magician: "You have to take charge of leading and controlling the heroes."
The first hero is summoned at the beginning of the tutorial. Min-Jun is delighted with the handsome hero who looks quite strong, but it turns out he's a low-level character with no memories or proper weapons.
Choose Your Heroes Carefully has finished publishing and it has 78 Chapters. It is also Known as: 召唤美男英雄的代价, 英雄ガチャは慎重に
11. 30-sai made Doutei dato Mahoutsukai ni Nareru Rashii
Adachi, a thirty-year-old virgin, has developed the power to read people's minds by touching them. After a brush with his very handsome colleague, Adachi realizes the guy has a raging crush on none other than Adachi himself!
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! is currently publishing and has Chapters. 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 dato Mahoutsukai ni Nareru Rashii
10. Nae Jasigui Sasaenghwal
Jin and Rin are best friends, and they each have a secret - they are both gay. Life turns upside down when both of their households find out about their sexual orientation. How will they survive despite their parents knowing?
Source: Manta Comics
Mom, I'm Gay has finished publishing and it has 40 Chapters. It is also Known as: Nae Jasigui Sasaenghwal
9. Saye
I wish to have you by my left shoulder, with a smile by my right-- I wish to run freely in your eyes-- I wish for one look to last a lifetime. Jiang Cheng, an accomplished student, was "exiled" to the steel mill where his biological father worked. This strange, foreign environment, coupled with his rather vulgar biological father, caused Jiang Cheng to feel quite depressed... that is, until one day, he met Gu Fei, the "Delinquent of the Steel Mill", by chance. Thus begins the story of Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei, a story of salvation and hope...
Source: MU
Saye is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Act Wildly, Run Freely
8. Sweetie, Sweetie, Sweetie
The contract marriage partner of the supporting villain got possessed by me. The gods are raging to save the world, but their stamina, strength, and agility have no status window as 1. I followed the cliché of the possession and pretended to have lost my memory, but the supporting role of the villain started looking at me with strange eyes. “As you claim to have lost your memory, everything you have done so far is unwritten and unanswered.” I pretended to be close with the supporting role of the villain so that he wouldn’t go down the villain route, but this time as well, he started seeing me with those strange eyes. “I don’t know what’s going on in the baron’s little, round head.” At the end— “We’re holding hands, so I don’t have to save my face in front of you.” Grand Prince, we’re just in a relationship only to get married smoothly and then get divorced smoothly.
Sweetie, Sweetie, Sweetie has finished publishing and it has 100 Chapters. It is also Known as: Sweety, Sweety, Sweety, 스위티, 스위티, 스위티(Sweetie, Sweetie, Sweetie)
7. Vampire Heart
On the night of a full moon, Dokyung runs into a vampire with blood dripping from the corners of his mouth. Haunted by the encounter, he tries to dismiss it as a dream...but not only does the vampire go to the same school as him, he begins following him around everywhere! Dokyung is horrified of course, but as time passes, he discovers some peculiar quirks about the creature: he prefers his meat well done, flinches at the sight of cats, and loves to cuddle. Who is this mysterious vampire, and why is he so fixated on Dokyung?
Vampire Heart has finished publishing and it has 92 Chapters. It is also Known as: 悪戯なアイツは吸血鬼？, Bottomless Swamp, Neupui Nalag, Neup-ui Nalag
6. Shota Oni
After leaving a scar on his best friend's face years ago, Tsubaki feels responsible and is determined to grow up big and strong so he can protect Yuu. Yuu is already in high school and Tsubaki is only in elementary, but he is sure that his feelings will get through and Yuu will eventually come to rely on him.
Shota Oni is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ショタおに, Shota Oni
5. Prunus Girl
Maki-kun goes to look at the results of his high school entrance exam and meets a beautiful girl. Could this be a fated encounter? He's thrilled to find out that the same girl, Aikawa Kizuna, not only ends up going to his school, but is in his class. However, he's not so thrilled to find out that Aikawa is really a guy!
Prunus Girl has finished publishing and it has 43 Chapters. It is also Known as: プラナス・ガール, Prunus Girl
4. Zongcai de Bai Wan Juben
A silly story about two corporate presidents who have been married for seven years. The submissive one accidentally hit his head too hard, and suddenly became the dominant one in the relationship.
Mr. Dior is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Mr. Dior, 迪奥先生, Diao Xiansheng, Mr. Dior One Million, Dior Tiên Sinh, One Million Mr. Dior, The President's Million Screenplay, 迪奥先生
3. Zettai BL ni Naru Sekai vs Zettai BL ni Naritakunai Otoko
One day, the protagonist realizes that he lives inside a "world of BL."
As he likes girls, he fights back against any hot guys that might draw near, but this is a "world of BL"... he's still assailed with the sight of people in lovey-dovey situations one after another!
A World Where Everything Definitely Becomes BL vs. The Man Who Definitely Doesn't Want To Be In A BL is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 絶対BLになる世界VS絶対BLになりたくない男, Zettai BL ni Naru Sekai vs Zettai BL ni Naritakunai Otoko
2. 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
1. Josou wo Yamerarenaku Naru Otokonoko no Hanashi
Kazu likes to dress up as a girl. After a lot of training, he thinks he's perfect, and he just wanted someone to say that he is beautiful. Masaru, his childhood friend, sees him that way, thinking that he, indeed, had turned into a girl! Now Kazu must solve this misunderstanding.
A Boy That Can't Stop Crossdressing is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 女装をやめられなくなる男の子の話, Парень, который не может перестать переодеваться, 女装をやめられなくなる男の子の話
