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 20 Shounen Ai manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 20. Boy Girlfriend
- 19. Heesu in Class 2
- 18. Star x Fanboy
- 17. Kimi Dake ga Hontou
- 16. Here U Are
- 15. Iutjim Guild-won
- 14. Semantic Error
- 13. Not So Silent
- 12. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 11. Koisuru (Otome) no Tsukurikata
- 10. Keullaudeu
- 9. Hold on, Crown Prince!
- 8. Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
- 7. Tadaima, Okaeri
- 6. Majo no Kekkon
- 5. Nae Yakonjaneun Kkonminam
- 4. Love Tractor
- 3. Yanjin Zaoyao
- 2. 30-sai made Doutei dato Mahoutsukai ni Nareru Rashii
- 1. Distance Between Us
20. 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
19. Heesu in Class 2
Heesu’s world revolves around Chanyoung, his best friend and secret crush. He doesn’t mind cheering Chanyoung from the sidelines or listening to all his girl problems. He doesn’t care if people only know him as “Chanyoung’s friend.” Then one day, Heesu starts hearing his name everywhere. On the bus, in the halls, during lunch… Turns out, there’s a rumor going around school (Got a love problem? Find Heesu in Class 2 and he’ll tell you what to do!) and with that, Heesu suddenly finds himself the center of attention. But how could he give anyone advice? He doesn’t even know what to do about his own crush!
Source: Lezhin)
Heesu in Class 2 has finished publishing and it has 89 Chapters. It is also Known as: Heesu in Class 2
18. Star x Fanboy
What if you could talk to your favorite fictional character every day? And what if they make you feel like the most special person in the world? “Good morning,” “I was thinking about you,” “Sweet dreams,” “See you tomorrow”... Some fans dive into their TV/movie/book obsessions on social media by interacting with accounts that take on the persona of their favorite characters. But what if the person behind that fictional account is actually...the very star who played that role?
Star x Fanboy has finished publishing and it has 171 Chapters. It is also Known as: Bak Bae U x Gim Nam Paen
17. 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
16. Here U Are
Receiving the newcomers is a task for Yu Yang, and he ends up helping the unsociable and towering Li Huan, the kind of person that does everything to be disliked. But after better knowing each other, he discovers that the giant isn't that bad of a person at all...
Note: Includes 20 extra chapters.
Here U Are has finished publishing and it has 157 Chapters. It is also Known as: You are here, You're here
15. 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
14. 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
13. Not So Silent
Lewis Walker is the perfect student: amazing grades, a clean school record, an extensive club itinerary- but absolutely no time for himself. His busy schedule suddenly clears once the new student, Fern Montalvo, affectionately captures his attention. High school is hard enough when you've spent your whole life pleasing your teachers, your unsupportive family, and disgruntled friends. But while navigating his new feelings for Fern, maybe Lewis can learn to love himself in the process?
Not So Silent is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Not So Silent
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. 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
10. 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
9. Hold on, Crown Prince!
Hold on, Crown Prince! Why are you doing this to me?! With a charming face and a not-quite-so attitude, not a day passes in the life of a beautiful boy Ray without some trouble. Seeing Ray get repeatedly fired from various jobs due to his fiery temper, Edward lets him in on a must-have item(!) for noble ladies that is sure to bring in a big sum of money. While searching through the forest for the material for the item, Ray is injured, though lightly, by an arrow out of nowhere. He runs away refusing any treatment. The arrow's owner is none other than Crown Prince Lucas of Luvecia. Having saved Ray from his troubles time and again, Lucas makes an offer Ray can't refuse--the terms of which dictate that his life will be spared, should he grant Lucas his wishes.
Hold on, Crown Prince! has finished publishing and it has 50 Chapters. It is also Known as: Hey, Prince!
8. 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!!
7. Tadaima, Okaeri
Fujiyoshi Masaki who is a stay-at-home spouse and his husband Hiromu who is an office worker, along with their son Hikari who is almost two years old will have to face little by little the everyday situations. Through sad and happy moments. Conveying, in turn, its sweet family atmosphere.
Tadaima, Okaeri has finished publishing and it has 7 Chapters. It is also Known as: ただいま、おかえり, I'm Home, Welcome Back, Tadaima, Okaeri: Kagayaku Hi, I'm Home, Welcome Back, Tadaima, Okaeri: Kagayaku Hi
6. Majo no Kekkon
A cool-headed witch and a pure air-headed witch get "married". Thus begins their complicated, lovey-dovey newlywed life!
Source: MU
The Witch's Marriage has finished publishing and it has 45 Chapters. It is also Known as: 魔女ノ結婚, Majo no Kekkon
5. 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
4. Love Tractor
When family obligations force Sun Yool, a stressed-out law school student, to the countryside, it seems like a great opportunity to escape the chaos of the city. After all, the great outdoors promises fresh air, sunshine… and a new romance?! Soon after arriving, Sun Yool is thrown into a series of strange encounters and misunderstandings with his 20-year-old neighbor, Yechan. But in spite of Yechan’s bumbling first impression and Sun Yool’s prickly exterior, the two find themselves drawn to each other… Will this tractor-driving stud's rustic charm be enough to melt this cold city boy's heart?
Love Tractor has finished publishing and it has 80 Chapters. It is also Known as: 愛を運ぶトラクター, Tractor Full of Love, 载满爱的拖拉机, 農情DoReMi
3. Yanjin Zaoyao
A crack ship that trended for half a year — and now the real people finally meet! One’s a famous movie star. The other? A chill, low-key idol. Two people with zero overlap, no connection whatsoever... yet thanks to a random crackship post on a fan forum, they suddenly blew up online as a pair?! Our socially anxious little idol just wants to stay far, far away — but fate has other plans, and the two unexpectedly cross paths! What kind of sparks will fly between this “CP born on the internet”?
Yanjin Zaoyao is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Spreading Rumors Is Strictly Prohibited, Yánjìn Zàoyáo, 严禁造谣, 嚴禁造謠
2. 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
1. Distance Between Us
“I wanna graduate so I don’t have to see him ever again..”. Under the blue sky, Hyunwoo’s youth spins in a circle. Same class, next seat in the bus, and his bright smile. The smallest things take quite a strain at Hyunwoo’s heart, seeking for jealousy and dictatorship. Wanting to get closer, but still keeping the distance. Why is love so complicated? As well as today, the distance between Hyunwoo and Chanhee stay the same as ever.
Distance Between Us has finished publishing and it has 68 Chapters. It is also Known as: Distance Between Us
