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 19 Shounen Ai manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 19. Kimi Dake ga Hontou
- 18. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 17. Eren Xiang Yao Qiangjiu Yixia
- 16. Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai
- 15. Xiao Mogu
- 14. Iutjim Guild-won
- 13. Tian Guan Ci Fu
- 12. Matbol Su Eomneun Namja
- 11. Majo no Kekkon
- 10. Cherry Blossoms After Winter
- 9. Not So Silent
- 8. Love In The Underworld
- 7. Keullaudeu
- 6. Koisuru (Otome) no Tsukurikata
- 5. Killer-ga Sarange Ppajyeosseul Ttae
- 4. Gwansim Jom Kkeonae Jwo
- 3. Boyfriends.
- 2. Shou Shou Bu Qin
- 1. Don’t Say You Love Me
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. 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
17. 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
16. 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
15. Xiao Mogu
“Until the day humanity falls.”
In the year 2020, Earth’s magnetic poles disappeared and humankind was nearly wiped out by cosmic radiation. Within the span of a hundred years, living creatures began to mutate and devour each other while the remaining humans, numbering in the tens of thousands, struggled bitterly in their man-made bases.
In the Abyss, home to the mutated xenogenics, there lived a sentient little mushroom. Because it had been nourished by the blood and flesh of the deceased human An Ze, not only did it take on a similar-looking human form, but a similar name as well: An Zhe.
An Zhe is determined to go to the human base to search for his spore, which had been harvested by humans. Once there, however, he faces the omnipresent risk of discovery and certain death as he tries to keep his non-human nature hidden from the Judges, whose responsibility is to inspect for and eliminate xenogenics like himself. And of all the Judges, Colonel Lu Feng is the most perceptive and merciless—as soon as he determines that someone is a xenogenic, he will execute that person on the spot.
But An Zhe’s mutation goes undetected by Lu Feng’s eyes, and so a tale of humans and xenogenics unfolds…
Note: Silver Award winner at the 12th Chinese Nebula Awards for Chinese Science Fiction
Xiao Mogu is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Little Mushroom, Small Mushroom, Wrong But Still Right, Xiao Mo Gu, Xiǎo Mó Gū
14. 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
13. 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
12. Matbol Su Eomneun Namja
After food critic Jiho’s first meeting with novelist Inwoo ends in disappointment, he vows never to work with him. That is until Inwoo offers to buy him dinner. It’s then that he learns that Inwoo is unable to experience one of life’s basic joys – taste – and needs someone to describe flavors to him for his next novel. The more they meet, the more Jiho finds himself being drawn to Inwoo... but why? Is it because he too harbors a secret of his own?
Source: Tapas
The Insatiable Man has finished publishing and it has 91 Chapters. It is also Known as: The Man Who Can't Taste, A Man Who Can't Taste
11. 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
10. 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
9. 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
8. Love In The Underworld
The prince of hell and the son of Hades, Ha Ji-wook (Haderius) appears in front Song Si-hoo, a student from the music department and names him as his bride. A reckless love story of the prince of hell that fell in love with a mortal!
Love In The Underworld has finished publishing and it has 42 Chapters. It is also Known as: Love In The Hell, Love In The Hell (Yang Eunji), 他从地狱而来
7. 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
6. 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
5. Killer-ga Sarange Ppajyeosseul Ttae
Breaking News: Professional killer Ju Tae-Man fell in love with Korea’s favorite actor, Kang Da-Hyeok!
Ju Tae-Man has endured extreme physical training, mental education, and cruel torture– but somehow he easily falls apart to Kang Da-Hyeok's kindness…? Ju Tae-Man who has trained for many years as a professional killer thought “is this love? What should I do at times like this?”
When the Killer Falls in Love has finished publishing and it has 77 Chapters. It is also Known as: Killeoga salang-e ppajyeoss-eul tae
4. Gwansim Jom Kkeonae Jwo
A new school year is one where everyone is excited to make new friends. Meanwhile, self-appointed loner Nam Sumin plans to not talk to anyone and lie low. However, contrary to his earnest wishes, he ends up in the same class and roommates with Lee Jaeha, the epitome of a social butterfly…
Talk about a dreadful connection...!
Give Me Some Attention has finished publishing and it has 7 Chapters. It is also Known as: Attention, Give That to Me, Please Give Me Some Attention
3. Boyfriends.
A comic about getting yourself a boyfriend... or multiple boyfriends! Four college students begin a polyamorous relationship and navigate the adventure that is their dating life!
Boyfriends. is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Boyfriends.
2. Shou Shou Bu Qin
Formerly a genius hunter, Bai Mu is now a third-rate celebrity. In a moment of carelessness, he was captured by his childhood playmate who turned out to be a vampire. From then on, he found it impossible to get away from his aggressively possessive childhood friend.
My Vampire My Hunter has finished publishing and it has 166 Chapters. It is also Known as: Zero Hunting, Intimate Hunter, 제로헌팅, 消えた約束のしがらみ
1. 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
