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 18 Shounen Ai manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 18. Boy Girlfriend
- 17. Here U Are
- 16. Mo Dao Zu Shi
- 15. Global Examination
- 14. Newbie-wa Oldbie Gongsaenggwangye
- 13. Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu
- 12. Cherry Blossoms After Winter
- 11. Josou Shite Mendoukusai Koto ni Natteru Nekura to Yankee no Ryou Kataomoi
- 10. The Sweetest Snare
- 9. Inaka ni Kaeru to Yakeni Natsuita Kasshoku Ponytail-Shota ga Iru
- 8. Lifeless Man
- 7. Take Off
- 6. Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
- 5. Galge no Sekai de Shinyuu ♂ ga Ore wo Suki da to Iidashite!?
- 4. Starting With a Lie
- 3. Eren Xiang Yao Qiangjiu Yixia
- 2. Nitamono Doushi no
- 1. After a Meal
18. 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
17. 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
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. Global Examination
This is an examination that puts your life at stake. Answer a plethora of questions, pass the exam, and you may live. Two-faced examiner, Qin Jiu, meets the cold examinee, You Huo. In this inhumane system, both of them who have lost their memories go head to head against each other. Despite that, they have a strong mutual understanding. Alarms go off and the system collapses time and time again. During which, their memories gradually return. It turns out that even at the end of the world where there's only dust left, you're still the first person I met. What's so great about this system? We'll just destroy it. The world is brilliant and grand still, so welcome home.
Global Examination is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Global University Entrance Examination
14. Newbie-wa Oldbie Gongsaenggwangye
Jung-Woo is a Tamer in the MMORPG Karel's Hymn. While selling off items after deciding to quit, he meets a newbie, "Charongrong," who swears loyalty even if "she" becomes popular. He thought it was just a brief, passing connection—but he shouldn't have taken those words lightly.
Note: Includes five extra chapters.
Carrying My n00b Waifu has finished publishing and it has 65 Chapters. It is also Known as: The Symbiotic Relationship Between Newbie and Oldbie, 菜鳥與老鳥的共生法則
13. 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
12. 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
11. 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
10. The Sweetest Snare
Prince Myung Yiyoon of Hwan, burdened by a perilous royal lineage and a secret healing ability, encounters Emperor Ki Woohee in the palace gardens. Despite Woohee's apparent interest and courtship, Yiyoon must navigate the dangers of trusting a powerful figure with an ulterior motive. Will Yiyoon be able to discover the emperor’s true intentions, resisting the seductive trap he has set just for him?
The Sweetest Snare has finished publishing and it has 50 Chapters. It is also Known as: Trap Under the Imperial Palace, 皇宫的陷阱, 皇宮の罠
9. Inaka ni Kaeru to Yakeni Natsuita Kasshoku Ponytail-Shota ga Iru
Summer Vacation.
Every year Kouhei looks forward to the growth of his cousin, but the first meeting after a very long year he sees that his cousin had extended his hair into a ponytail.
Because of the ponytail and casual look his cousin begins to look like a girl...
Everyday life with a tanned pony-tailed shota!
A Vacation With the Ponytailed Tanning Boy has finished publishing and it has 40 Chapters. It is also Known as: 田舎に帰るとやけになついた褐色ポニテショタがいる, Inaka ni Kaeru to Yakeni Natsuita Kasshoku Ponytail-Shota ga Iru
8. Lifeless Man
A surgeon who can see lifespan of other people encounters a gangster who has no fear for death. Jun Ha is a genius surgeon with highest success rate in his operations. He has a special ability to see lifespan of a person he faces. Sekwang, a ruthless gangster, mistakes Jun for a hit man and digs his past. Strangely Jun can't see Sekwang's lifespan and becomes curious about him.
Source: Netcomics
Lifeless Man has finished publishing and it has 23 Chapters. It is also Known as: Lifeless Man
7. Take Off
Two men on a plane, what could possibly go wrong?
Take Off is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Take Off
6. 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!!
5. Galge no Sekai de Shinyuu ♂ ga Ore wo Suki da to Iidashite!?
Aoi, a hard-headed young man secretly yearning for love. When playing the harem game he secretly bought in his best friend Ritsuki’s house, he somehow gets sucked into the game’s world with Ritsuki! While understanding that if they don’t clear the game they can’t leave, Aoi decides to try his best in romancing one of the girls, but suddenly Ritsuki confesses to him…? The story between a whole hearted ikemen childhood friend x a hard headed young man who secretly yearns for love virtually unfolds!
Note: The chapter count includes one extra chapter.
Galge no Sekai de Shinyuu ♂ ga Ore wo Suki da to Iidashite!? has finished publishing and it has 6 Chapters. It is also Known as: ギャルゲの世界で親友♂が俺を好きだと言い出して！？, Gal Game no Sekai de Shin'yuu ♂ ga Ore o Suki da to Iidashite!?, GalSekai, Gyaruge no Sekai de Shinyuu ♂ ga Ore wo Suki da to Ii dashite!?, In the World of a Gal Game, My Best Friend ♂ Says He Likes Me!?, My Friend ♂ Says that He Loves Me in Gal Game World?!, Trong thế giới Game hẹn hò, bạn thân ♂ tỉnh tò với tôi?!, Trong thế giới Game hẹn hò, bạn thân ♂ tỏ tình với tôi?!, ギャルゲの世界で親友♂が俺を好きだと言い出して
4. Starting With a Lie
To avoid accepting two simultaneous confessions from Xia Yiyi and Qiu Mang, Tang Tang told them he wasn't into girls. Due to the two girls' unwillingness to back down, they told Tang Tang that he must show them evidence that this was true. To cover up his own lies, Tang Tang decided to seek help from his friend Chen Qingye so they could put on an act to help Tang Tang get away from the unwanted confessions. Though constantly showing restraint, Chen Qingye always ended up accepting Tang Tang's propositions.
Note: Counting includes the prologue and one special chapter.
Starting With a Lie has finished publishing and it has 65 Chapters. It is also Known as: Starting From a Lie
3. 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
2. Nitamono Doushi no
It began with a mistake. When Tanaka and Nakata are given each other’s papers back, they come to a horrible realization... They have almost identical names. And test results. And body types. And taste in fashion. And sports scores. And hobbies. The list goes on, and as annoying as it is, at least they know they always have each other. And maybe, just maybe, their similarities run even deeper.
Like Two Peas in a Pod has finished publishing and it has 5 Chapters. It is also Known as: 似た者どうしの, Nitamonodoushi no, Poddo-nai no 2tsu no endō mame no yō ni
1. 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
