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. [2024 List]
- 20. Cherry Blossoms After Winter
- 19. Eren Xiang Yao Qiangjiu Yixia
- 18. Zettai BL ni Naru Sekai vs Zettai BL ni Naritakunai Otoko
- 17. 30-sai made Doutei dato Mahoutsukai ni Nareru Rashii
- 16. Mo Dao Zu Shi
- 15. Qi Wei Shang
- 14. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 13. Kiss the Abyss
- 12. Koisuru (Otome) no Tsukurikata
- 11. Dream Away
- 10. The Secret Tales of a 30-Year-Old Gay Bachelor
- 9. The Best Smell
- 8. Back To School
- 7. Neighbor Guild Member
- 6. Josou Shite Mendoukusai Koto ni Natteru Nekura to Yankee no Ryou Kataomoi
- 5. Pakuriin Naega Eosireul?!
- 4. Keullaudeu
- 3. Don’t Say You Love Me
- 2. No Way, Vampires Don't Exist!
- 1. Bakemono to Kedamono
20. 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
19. 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
18. 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
17. 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
16. 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
15. Qi Wei Shang
Third Prince Jing Shao was victorious in war and always surrounded by countless beauties. However, he was wrongly framed and lost everything. Yet the only person who followed him was the unfavoured male concubine that he neglected for years...... After his reincarnation, Jing Shao decided to start afresh and chase after his male wife. Although it seems things will not go as planned, chasing a wife is harder than he thought!
You Own My All is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Qī Wéi Shàng, My Wife Is On Top, The Wife Is First
14. 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
13. Kiss the Abyss
As a rookie game designer, Wang Zixin never imagined that his life would depend entirely on a video game character, and that escaping death meant crossing into the game and raising Abyss, the game's protagonist by himself. "Not only do I have to go into the game, now I have to raise a child?? What even is this situation..."
Kiss the Abyss is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Kiss the Abyss
12. 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
11. Dream Away
Jihan is a college student with a special ability: he can see the future through psychic dreams. One day, he wakes up from a vivid dream about a guy who gets into a car accident. Jihan feels like it’s his responsibility to help this person, but he wasn’t able to see his face. Frustrated, he tries to brush it off with a coffee at the cafe near campus, only to realize that the barista is the guy from his dream. Will Jihan be able to save him?
Dream Away has finished publishing and it has 59 Chapters. It is also Known as: Dream Away
10. The Secret Tales of a 30-Year-Old Gay Bachelor
Charlie Wei is a single and handsome executive. He’s also a closeted gay guy who’s been on way too many bad blind dates with women. Charlie’s still hung up on his ex-boyfriend James and is… gasp, 30! Charlie’s family thinks he’s straight and too old to be without a wife! During another bad blind date, Charlie meets the flirty Ethan, who both annoys and intrigues him. Can Charlie finally come out and find true love with Ian or will he continue on his streak of bad blind dates?
Note: Includes 4 extra chapters.
The Secret Tales of a 30-Year-Old Gay Bachelor has finished publishing and it has 118 Chapters. It is also Known as: Thirty Years Old, 30歲男子物語
9. The Best Smell
Your kiss smelled of lemons.
When Ga-Min steals a kiss from his sleeping classmate, Kang-Go, he’s positive he’ll never get caught. But what he doesn’t know is that Kang-Go has a unique gift — he can smell emotions. Now, Kang-Go’s on the hunt for the identity of his secret admirer, whether Ga-Min likes it or not.
Note: The chapter count includes 7 side story chapters.
The Best Smell has finished publishing and it has 105 Chapters. It is also Known as: The Strongest Smell, Le Parfum de tes Sentiments
8. Back To School
Chiwoo’s got issues. Upon returning to school after the “incident” last year, he vows to keep to himself and stay out of trouble until graduation. Easier said than done: his bad boy reputation has made him the talk of the school, and Kyujin - class president and model student - won’t stop being friendly. Trouble arrives soon enough in the shape of Jihyun, a tattooed hunk from Chiwoo’s dark past. It’s gonna be a tough year…
Back To School has finished publishing and it has 45 Chapters. It is also Known as: 留年生〜1年間の空白〜, Boghagsaeng, Returning Student, 复读生 (Oryu), 복학 생, Bokaksaeng, Return Student
7. Neighbor Guild Member
After suffering from a stalker, Yoon Ji-gu becomes extremely wary of people. Just in time, a man with a strange sexual orientation moved into the neighbor's house...?
"Looks like there's a pervert living next door..."
In reality, Lee Yeo-woon and Yoon Ji-gu are suspicious neighbors who are full of misunderstandings.
In the game, the couple neutaaaa (Lee Yeo-woon) and ji9byeol.
How will the relationship between the two change in and out of the game and reality?
Neighbor Guild Member is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Guild Member Next Door, My Guildmate Next Door, Neighbor BF, 邻家公会成员
6. 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
5. Pakuriin Naega Eosireul?!
“I'm... I'm a pakuri to my super handsome crush...?!”
Liking Kanghyun's artwork so much, Jiun became his pakuri(someone who copies another's artwork). One day, Jiun is shocked to be told by a friend that he's just a mere pakuri. Over his distraught guilt, he decides to meet with Kanghyun to apologize. But instead... Jiun becomes Kanghyun's assistant?!
From Pakuri To Assistant?! has finished publishing and it has 61 Chapters. It is also Known as: Pakuliin Naega Eosileul?!, Mon Copycat, Pakutta-bi Kara Kimi no Dorei, パクった日から君の奴隷, 模仿者的我竟成为了作者助理
4. 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 is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Keullaudeu
3. 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
2. No Way, Vampires Don't Exist!
Four college housemates — Juwon, Eunho, Seongjae, and Gyumin — are in desperate need of a fifth person to fill a vacant room in their place. But their main concern isn’t about paying rent: they’re ravenous vampires, dying to sink their teeth into a fresh, live human! So they can’t believe their luck when Dongha, who grew up isolated from society, eagerly moves in with no idea of what awaits him. To the vampires’ dismay, however, Dongha doesn’t weigh enough for them to suck his blood! As they shower their unsuspecting new housemate with food and attention to fatten him up, have they gotten too attached to their would-be prey? And is there more to sweet, naive Dongha than meets the hungry vampires’ eyes?
Note: Chapter count includes 18 extra chapters.
No Way, Vampires Don't Exist! has finished publishing and it has 80 Chapters. It is also Known as: Roomshare shitara, Zen'in Kyuuketsuki datta, ルームシェアしたら、全員吸血鬼だった, When I Shared My Room, Everyone Was a Vampire, Liar, Where Are Vampires!
1. Bakemono to Kedamono
Cavo is a hideous monster with a pure heart. Liam, on the other hand, might look like the perfect gentleman, but he's a beast on the inside, and he has an eccentric personality to boot. When Cavo rescues Liam from an unfortunate situation in the forest, the paths of the monster and the beast cross for the first time. Will their meeting be a fleeting encounter or a timeless entanglement? And will Liam succeed in leading the innocent Cavo astray?
Monster and the Beast has finished publishing and it has 24 Chapters. It is also Known as: バケモノとケダモノ, Monster & the Beast, The Beast and the Monster
