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. Kimi Dake ga Hontou
- 19. Murderous Lewellyn’s Candlelit Dinner
- 18. Mo Dao Zu Shi
- 17. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 16. Whose Baby is it?
- 15. Iutjim Guild-won
- 14. Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
- 13. After a Meal
- 12. The Third Ending
- 11. Love Bites
- 10. Au Nuo
- 9. My Darling Signed In
- 8. You Bei Nanshen Liao Shang Resou
- 7. Shimanami Tasogare
- 6. Motto Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
- 5. Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai
- 4. Asatte ni Kiss
- 3. Mismatch
- 2. Keullaudeu
- 1. Josou Shite Mendoukusai Koto ni Natteru Nekura to Yankee no Ryou Kataomoi
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. 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
18. 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
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. 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?
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. 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. After a Meal
One snowy winter day, Chang-deok finds a Jong-woo, a high school student squatting in front of his favourite gukbap restaurant in the snow. Convinced by his promise to cook up the exact same dish as his favourite restaurant, Chang-deok invites him into his home. Unable to resist Jong-woo's proposal to let him stay over for a month in exchange for a delicious dinner every day, the two begin a delicate cohabitation. But Jong-woo seems to be hiding something from Chang-deok...
After a Meal is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Después de comer, 식후경
12. The Third Ending
Seo Yoon Seul, who's lived a perfect life so far, becomes a wreck when he starts having nightmares of a boy whom he coldly rejected when he was a student. The nightmares get even worse when he reunites with Kang Joon. Following his advice on becoming a good person to avoid nightmares, Yoon Seul approaches him to win his favor.
Note: from season 2 (chapter 36) this becomes Mature (R19), Season 1 is All-Age (R15) Note: Chapter count includes a 3-chapter side story and 2 episodes that were a Christmas special
The Third Ending has finished publishing and it has 72 Chapters. It is also Known as: The Third Ending
11. 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
10. Au Nuo
An Nuo is known to have no superpowers, but in truth his power is to read minds. He wished to escape the research facility, but the top evolver, Jing Ye, hinders his plan. In a world where superpowers reign supreme, will An Nuo survive with the help of Jing Ye?
The Promise has finished publishing and it has 41 Chapters. It is also Known as: A Secure Promise, Annuo, The Promise (Heaney)
9. My Darling Signed In
Jaehyun may be the composed upperclassman on campus, but he secretly plays the hottest elven diva online with a love of pricey costumes. He meets Eunsung, a handsome first-year with deep pockets guarding his own secrets, at a school event. They connect instantly, but what begins as a sweet challenge becomes a risky game of affection on- and offline!
My Darling Signed In has finished publishing and it has 106 Chapters. It is also Known as: 我亲爱的上线了, Meu Amor Online
8. You Bei Nanshen Liao Shang Resou
The first time Yu Bei, a D-list actor made it to the trending topic was because of his McDreamy. He thought his eight years secret crush would go in vain in the end, but to his surprise, his crush began to pursue him! "People thought I was his sugar baby, but actually he's my lawful husband~"
Source: MangaToon
I’ve Gone Viral Thanks to My Crush has finished publishing and it has 274 Chapters. It is also Known as: Hottest Topics, Hot Search Again Because Of The Male God, I Got Teased By Mr. Wonderful On Hot Search Again, Mr. McDreamy Makes Me a Trending Topic Again
7. Shimanami Tasogare
After recently moving to Onomichi, Hiroshima, high school student Tasuku Kaname is thrown into despair at the possibility that he may have been outed for being gay. Convinced his life is over, his despair turns into shock when he sees a woman jump out of a window of a nearby house. Tasuku races to the house in a panic only to discover that it's a public meeting lounge owned by the woman he saw before. Tasuku comes face to face with the woman as she walks past him unharmed, but not before she implies that she had been watching him from afar. Confused, Tasuku follows her up to the top of a steep hill where she offers to briefly listen to what's on his mind. Although Tasuku doesn't go into too much detail, he later accepts her invitation to come to the lounge to meet others with similar troubles.
Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare has finished publishing and it has 23 Chapters. It is also Known as: しまなみ誰そ彼, Shimanami Tasogare
6. Motto Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
It was love-at-first-sight when Nakamura met his classmate, Hirose. The two became friends after the shy and awkward Nakamura finally worked up the nerve to speak to him, but being buddy-buddy with your crush is a whole new kind of torture! And as he watches some other guy cuddle up with Hirose like casual bros, Nakamura tries to keep his head from exploding. Why can’t that be him?! Enjoy the hilarious new misadventures of Nakamura desperately trying to keep it together and not scare Hirose off. Hang in there, Nakamura!
Go for It Again, Nakamura! has finished publishing and it has 9 Chapters. It is also Known as: もっとガンバレ！中村くん！！, Motto Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
5. 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
4. Asatte ni Kiss
Oblivious transfer student, Hase Akihisa, transferred from Tokyo and is ready to start anew by changing his appearance and making sure to cover up his otaku side. However, when he explores the school's rooftop known as a place for delinquents, he meets Oonozuka Yuu, he finds that Yuu is not aa bad guy...
Asatte ni Kiss has finished publishing and it has 6 Chapters. It is also Known as: あさってにキス, Asatte ni Kiss
3. Mismatch
Set around 1920, this is the story of the bond between two rivals who slowly discover they have more in common than they think.
Mismatch is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Mismatch
2. 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
1. 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
