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.
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Top 19 Shounen Ai manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 19. Kimi Dake ga Hontou
- 18. Koisuru (Otome) no Tsukurikata
- 17. Boy Girlfriend
- 16. Iutjim Guild-won
- 15. Semantic Error
- 14. Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
- 13. 30-sai made Doutei dato Mahoutsukai ni Nareru Rashii
- 12. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 11. Mo Dao Zu Shi
- 10. Murderous Lewellyn’s Candlelit Dinner
- 9. Iki Dekinai no wa Kimi no Sei
- 8. Yuutousei wa Unmei no Akai Ito Ni Sakaraitai
- 7. Mo Dao Zu Shi
- 6. Suki koso Momo no Jouzu Nare!
- 5. Tamaranai no wa Koi nano ka
- 4. Jing Jiu
- 3. Nae Chinguneun Jalsaenggyeotda
- 2. Love Bites
- 1. Whose Baby is it?
19. 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
18. 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
17. Boy Girlfriend
An idiot convinces his male childhood friend to dress up and act like his girlfriend so he’ll show his crush that he’s mature and cool
Boy Girlfriend is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Boy Girlfriend
16. 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
15. Semantic Error
You're an error in my perfect world.
Sang-U Chu is a stickler for rules. So when his classmates free-ride on a group project, he doesn't credit them. But this prevents one senior, Jae-Yeong Jang, from graduating. And like oil and water, Sang-U and Jae-Yeong don't mix. Can Sang-U debug Jae-Yeong — a semantic error in his perfect life?
Note: Chapter count includes a Christmas Special.
Semantic Error has finished publishing and it has 94 Chapters. It is also Known as: Semantic Error
14. Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
Nakamura is a shy boy who falls in love at first sight with one of his classmates–his dreamy high school classmate, Hirose. But there’s a problem: they haven’t met yet. And Nakamura is a total klutz who might bungle things before they even begin!
Go For It, Nakamura! has finished publishing and it has 11 Chapters. It is also Known as: ガンバレ！中村くん!!, Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
13. 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
12. 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
11. 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 publishing and it has 259 Chapters. It is also Known as: Modao Zushi, The Founder of Diabolism, The Founder of Evil Magic
10. Murderous Lewellyn’s Candlelit Dinner
Life on rough, rundown Ira Street isn’t easy at the best of times, but a recent string of murders has left the residents traumatized. Not Shavonne, though. He’s too busy trying to get by to worry about some murderer. However, that all changes when he meets his peculiar new neighbor. Lewellyn is young and handsome, yet eccentric. Why does he spend all day peeling onions on the apartment stairs until his eyes are red-raw? And what’s with those filthy black fingernails? Nevertheless, Shavonne reluctantly accepts a dinner invitation at his neighbor’s place. But after he makes a gruesome discovery during the candlelit meal, suddenly the murders feel a lot closer to home…
Murderous Lewellyn’s Candlelit Dinner has finished publishing and it has 90 Chapters. It is also Known as: Murderer Lewellyn's Enchanting Dinner Invitation
9. Iki Dekinai no wa Kimi no Sei
Shizuki is a hedonistic playboy who plays the baritone saxophone in the local council's brass band and he openly dislikes the band's popular and prince-like flutist, Yano. At a glance, it seems like they barely associate with each other during practice. However, due to a shared interest, they now have secret meetings in hotels afterwards...
Source: MU
Note: Chapter count includes 8 bonus chapters.
It's Your Fault I Can't Breathe is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 息できないのは君のせい, Iki Dekinai no wa Kimi no Sei
8. Yuutousei wa Unmei no Akai Ito Ni Sakaraitai
One day, Miyanari, a solid honor student, suddenly saw a red thread of fate connecting him to the delinquent Hashiba in the same class.
"There is no way that this guy is the one for me!" But the red thread seemed to cause mischief, as Hashiba helped to treat Miyanari's injury, or when they found themselves trapped together in a room. The more time they spent with each other, the more Miyanari recognized Hashiba's kindness, so different from his delinquent image...?
The Honor Student Wants to Go Against the Red Thread of Fate has finished publishing and it has 22 Chapters. It is also Known as: 優等生は運命の赤い糸に逆らいたい, Yuutousei wa Unmei no Akai Ito Ni Sakaraitai
7. Mo Dao Zu Shi
As the grandmaster who founded demonic cultivation, 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 sects—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...
The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation has finished publishing and it has 126 Chapters. It is also Known as: The Founder of Diabolism
6. Suki koso Momo no Jouzu Nare!
Momoi Sango has started living at Aono Sou's home. Upon looking, anyone would think they are a beautiful girl but in actuality, they are a boy (男の娘)... Sou's heart begins to waver as he makes sweets, competes in cosplay competitions, and with certain events occurring in the bath... A cute and unpredictable ♂ × ♂ romantic comedy!!!
Suki koso Momo no Jouzu Nare! has finished publishing and it has 25 Chapters. It is also Known as: 好きこそももの上手なれ!, Suki koso Momo no Jouzu Nare!
5. Tamaranai no wa Koi nano ka
A BL youth romance about a lonely delinquent who bonds with an honor student after he saves him.
Is It Because of Love That I Can't Resist? is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: たまらないのは恋なのか, Tamaranai no wa Koi nano ka
4. Jing Jiu
This is the story between a young innocent ballet boy and a passionate, determined boxing boy. The two met at the children's palace, and since then, they have grown up together supporting each other. May there be hardships, may there be obstacles, yet they never stopped pursuing their dreams. The beauty of the salad days is the sweat from the hard work and the bonding of friendship. Although they have completely different paths set up for them, what never changes is their beautiful friendship...
Salad Days has finished publishing and it has 74 Chapters. It is also Known as: Dias De Juventude, Días de Juventud, Youth Days, Salad Days (Tang LiuZang)
3. Nae Chinguneun Jalsaenggyeotda
When someone is aesthetically pleasing, people usually say things like... "She looks absolutely divine," "He looks like a million bucks," and "They're glowing." Of course, it doesn't mean that they're literally glowing... But I know someone who is like that! That's right. My friend is so stunning that his face literally shines.
My Hot Friend Is Glowing has finished publishing and it has 50 Chapters. It is also Known as: 僕の友達がイケメンすぎて無理
2. 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
1. Whose Baby is it?
A fortune teller says that I was born with bad luck... Who is she trying to fool? My son is a biracial baby with super powers, who can use dreams to predict the future! But then a tyrannical CEO comes out from god-knows-where and says he's my little treasure's dad?! What is this, a TV drama?
Whose Baby is it? is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Whose Baby is it?
