Boys’ Love — also known as “BL” or “Yaoi” — is a unique genre of anime that focuses on romantic relationships between two male characters. Though it’s a niche part of anime as a whole, BL has always been popular among certain groups. With the normalization of LGBTQ+ representation in anime, the genre has become more popular than ever and has even hit the mainstream in some cases.

BL has a notorious reputation for many, due to its often problematic depiction of queer couples. Luckily, many modern titles portray much healthier relationship stories, such as titles like Given or Sasaki and Miyano. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any great old BL stories as well. Either way, the genre is full of wonderful titles that newcomers are sure to enjoy.

Updated on September 23, 2025, by Ajay Aravind: Shonen anime series still lag behind in terms of queer representation, although it’s been getting better in recent years. Meanwhile, there’s always a diverse array of anime BL for fans to sink their teeth into. As such, we have updated this article with some more relevant information.

Hikari Be My Light Uses Visuals to Convey Its Story

In what is an incredibly wonderful experience, Hikari Be My Light is a silent anime. Without any dialogue across its short episodes, the anime puts emphasis on emotional imagery to tell a tale of grief and love. Leaning into darker themes, Hikari Be My Light shares the story of two young men going through their own suffering. Akira feels he has nothing left to live for as he contemplates committing suicide. However, he finds the light of his life through Hikari, a university student.

With impactful scenes and gorgeous OSTs, Hikari Be My Light proves that words aren’t necessary to tell a story. Despite its lack of dialogue, Hikari Be My Light tells a relatable and easy-to-follow story of two people who learn how to live beside one another. It’s an uplifting BL anime that knows how to pull the right emotions out of its viewers and deliver a memorable and artistic narrative. It’s also very short, meaning that viewers can watch it all within one sitting.

Based on the manhua series by the same name, Beryl and Sapphire is probably one of the most unique BL series out there. The series is a sketch comedy starring two boys — Beryl and Sapphire — who are the best of friends. Each episode takes place in a completely new universe, where the dynamic between the duo takes on a new life. In some episodes they’re childhood friends, in others they’re lovers, and sometimes they’re even sworn enemies.

Every new scenario is as hilarious and imaginative as the last and gives the series a fun and unique twist that sets it apart from other series. With 5 seasons under its belt currently, Beryl and Sapphire is one of the longest BL series out there currently. Luckily for newcomers to the series, each episode is short and sweet, lasting about 12 minutes each. This makes the series far more digestible and easy to catch up with, making it a great starter series for new BL fans looking to get into the genre.

Twilight Out of Focus Follows Romance Between Roommates

Premiering during the Summer 2024 season, Twilight Out of Focus is one of the newest BL anime to hit the scene, gaining a great deal of popularity with fans and non-fans alike. The series follows a pair of young roommates — Otomo and Mao — attending an all-boys school. Though their relationship was rocky at the start, they come to an understanding after setting some ground rules. However, things get complicated when the two begin working together on a short film. Their dynamic slowly shifts as Mao starts to develop new feelings for Otomo.

Along with the budding relationship between Mao and Otomo, Twilight Out of Focus also features several other side romances between various students. Each relationship feels very realistic and surprisingly healthy, a much-needed change of pace from the usual problematic tropes and clichés the genre is infamous for. The romance is sweet and the cast is all well-written and likable. At only 12 episodes, this swoonworthy series is easy to get through and well worth the watch.

The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window Is a Thriller

Also known as Sankaku Mado no Sotogawa wa Yoru, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window follows Kosuke Mikado, a bookstore employee with the ability to see ghosts, and Rihito Hiyakawa, an exorcist who needs Mikado’s help. This uncommon pairing starts to grow closer as they investigate a series of supernatural incidents happening around high schooler Erika Hiura. The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window is both an exciting supernatural thriller and an uncommon love story.

While Mikado is a shy, mild-mannered, and somewhat bitter young man, Hiyakawa is an optimistic weirdo with terrible social manners, so they rarely agree on anything. Funnily enough, that’s what makes their dynamic interesting. While Mikado doesn’t understand why he finds Hiyakawa appealing, the latter is oblivious to the former’s emotions, although sometimes he surprises Mikado with his wisdom. This combines with their sexual tension — in order to use Mikado’s powers, Hiyakawa must touch him — to make for an interesting slow-burn full of exorcisms.

The Betrayal Knows My Name Is a Romantic Fantasy Adventure

The Betrayal Knows My Name is a fantasy adventure series starring Yuki Sakurai, a young man with the ability to see the memories of others. For most of his life, he’s unsure what this power means or why he possesses it. However, Yuki finally gets the answers he seeks after encountering a beautiful and mysterious man, Luka, who takes him on a harrowing journey he never expected.

Unlike most BL series, The Betrayal Knows My Name is a plot-centric story that focuses more on adventure and lore while the actual romance takes a backseat. The series’ main storyline is Yuki and Luka’s relationship and their connection that goes beyond this life. However, this is partly an excuse to explain the eternal fight between the demonic Duras and Zweilt Guardians. The Betrayal Knows My Name lore is complex, but since it is a well-written story with a very lovable cast, it’s a great BL anime recommendation for new fans.

Mignon Is a Vampire Romance Between a Boxer & a Doctor

Mignon is a 2023 ONA based on the BL manhwa of the same name. This dramatic series revolves around the titular protagonist, a young boxer trying to survive in a world of crime and violence. His only solace comes from Young-on, a beautiful vampire who works as a doctor at the illegal arena where Mignon fights. Though the two are from completely different worlds, they become entangled in each other’s lives in a dangerous yet irresistible love affair.

Though this series is relatively unknown to most fans, Mignon is easily one of the best new BL anime series to release in some time. It stands out from others due to its unique characters. Mignon is a smiley boxer who refuses a regular life and Young-on Oh is a vampire who also works as a doctor. They are two mysterious men falling in love with the night as their only witness. This, combined with the fresh South Korean animation and the series jazzy soundtrack, make for a great show. Since each episode is only around 5 minutes, it’s also a perfect watch for non-committal Boys’ Love followers.

Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi Follows a Complicated Romance

From the creator of the iconic series Junjo Romantica comes Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi: World’s Greatest First Love, a spin-off of the popular series that loosely ties to the former. This simple, sweet, and often hilarious love story follows the complicated relationship between Ritsu Onodera and his ex, Masamune Takano. This series also features two other couples whose romances intertwine with the main one.

Though Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi is far less popular than Junjo Romantica, many fans actually prefer this series and its more story-driven style. Although it’s a beloved show among more expert Boys’ Love fans — since it isn’t as famous — Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi works perfectly as a starter series for newcomers. The series has it all: a likable cast full of BL archetypes, a well-written arc that reunites every other storyline on the series, and tons of endearing romances that will have viewers swooning.

Cherry Magic! Has One of the Most Adorable Yaoi Romances

Any BL lover who wants to read a new series should check out Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!, which aired from January to March 2024. This series centers on Kiyoshi Adachi, a young virgin man who gains the ability to read people’s minds when he turns 30. With this newly found skill, Kiyoshi discovers that Yuichi Kurosawa, his handsome coworker, is in love with him. This pushes the two into a beautiful romance.

Cherry Magic! (as it is known in the fandom) adds a bit of literal magic to what is already an enchanting romance. The introverted/extroverted dynamic between Adachi and Kurosawa is adorable, but the fact that Adachi can read Kurosawa’s mind only adds to the chaos, making for funnily embarrassing moments for the latter. This makes Cherry Magic! quite a funny, but wholesome, ride.

Tadaima Okaeri Is a Domestic Fantasy Come to Life

Also known as Welcome Home or I’m Home, Welcome Back, Tadaima Okaeri follows a same-sex married couple: Hiromu and Masaki Fujiyoshi. The Fujiyoshis have a son, Hikari, and live in a universe where Omegaverse rules apply — which means Masaki gave birth to the kid himself. The series is a slice-of-life, so it focuses on their day-to-day lives, the dynamics of the Omegaverse, and how they affect the characters.

Welcome Home is one of the first Omegaverse series to get an anime adaptation, and it’s a fairly new BL anime, premiering in April 2024. Although not everyone likes Omegaverse for its steamy content, readers can be assured Welcome Home is far from that kind of story. Instead, the series focuses on the cute parts of a serious relationship, like daily struggles and domestic fluff. It just happens to take place in a world where some men can get pregnant too.

Sasaki & Miyano Tells a Sweet Story of Two Boys Bonding

Yoshikazu Miyano and Shuumei Sasaki’s first meeting in Sasaki And Miyano quickly develops into an awkward but sweet first love worthy of a shojo series. After a bullying incident, they start to see each other more often at school. Miyano, a closeted BL manga enthusiast, accidentally reveals his secret to Sasaki. But instead of repulsion towards his underclassman, he quickly becomes hooked.

Now with a shared interest, Sasaki and Miyano begin to hang out more frequently, and their relationship deepens. Miyano finds himself enticed by Sasaki’s straightforwardness and sudden interest in him, despite showing annoyance initially. As the series progresses, they become one of the sweetest BL couples of all time. Sasaki and Miyano doesn’t have a complex story, so first-timers will be able to relax and focus on the romance and the fluff.