14 Best Shounen-Ai Anime That You Should Watching Update 04/2024

Best Shounen-Ai Anime

These shounen-ai anime, which focus on romantic interactions between guys, are sure to warm the hearts of their audience members.

The term “boys’ love” (abbreviated “BL”) refers to romantic connections between males. BL is depicted in both Yaoi and shounen-ai, although to varying degrees of intimacy. Shounen-ai, on the other hand, emphasizes on the emotional side of the connection instead of the physical one, like with yaoi. If this genre goes all the way, it may even include titles that reflect the most fundamental characteristics of relationships, such as those found within families. Each character attempts to get to know and understand the other better, which results in an even stronger bond between them. With that in mind, here are some shounen-ai films sure to warm the hearts of moviegoers everywhere.

Brittanie Maldonado’s latest update was made on November 1st, 2021. It’s apparent that shounen-ai can still enthrall fans, as evidenced by series like Given, which came out in 2019 and will be followed by a movie in 2020. Checking back to see if there are any new fascinating shounen-ai series or hidden gems that you missed the first time around is worthwhile since more and more anime are published each year.

1. Banana Fish Is A Classic That Influenced The Future Of BL

Banana Fish

When it comes to the subject of males and love, Banana Fish has had a lasting effect. While investigating the mystery of “banana fish,” Japanese photojournalist Eiji Okumura teams up with 1980s-era manga artist Ash Lynx to bring the story to life. The series is set in the United States, which is notable. They have cited Banana Fish’s depiction of homosexual relationships and homoeroticism in the boys’ love genre. Several touching exchanges take place between Eiji and Ash.

2. Gravitation Was A Gateway Shounen-Ai In The Early 2000s

Gravitation, the narrative of amateur vocalist Shuichi Shindo and novelist Eiri Yuki, is a well-known example of shounen-ai, yaoi, or boys’ love in the early 2000s. Gravitation introduced many shounen-ai fans to the world of boy-on-boy romance. The relationship between Shuichi and Yuki can be turbulent, but Shuichi is committed to Yuki’s well-being, and Yuki wants to encourage Shuichi’s singing career by helping him improve his song lyrics.

3. Cardcaptor Sakura Has A Canonically Gay Couple In Its Cast

Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 1

Cardcaptor Sakura was one of the most heartwarming shojo series of the 1990s, and it set out to explore as many various sorts of love as it could. One of CLAMP’s favorite clichés in their works is analyzing and dissecting love, and Cardcaptor Sakura offers a wide variety of romances.

However, Touya Kinomoto and Yukito Tsukishiro, Touya’s best friend, are in a canonical gay relationship. Sakura’s older brother, Touya Kinomoto. The sweet shounen-ai qualities of this story are further enhanced by Syaoran Li’s crush on Yukito.

4. Kyo Kara Maoh! Is Essentially An Adventurous Shounen-Ai Harem Series

“Demon King from Today!” recounts Yuri Shibuya’s journey into an isekai realm, in which he takes on the role of the demon ruler of an alternate universe. Kyo Kara Maoh! is unique in that it focuses on the romantic connections between young men. It’s no surprise that Wolfram von Bielefeld, Yuri’s fiancé, is descended from nobility. Several masculine characters fall in love with Yuri as he explores the Demon Kingdom and inspires his new citizens.

5. Given Is An Especially Emotional Shonen-Ai Series

They got off to a bad start in Given, but Ristuka is now ready to appoint Mafuyu Sato the lead singer of his band after hearing his singing. Mafuyu’s bond with Ritsuka grows as he adjusts to learning to play guitar and singing with his new bandmates. Because of their ongoing support and understanding of each other, their emotions flow. As they work together to create music, two band members develop affections for one another.

6. Super Lovers Explores How Bonds Can Change

Super Lovers

It is true that in Super Lovers Ren and Haru Kaidou are adoptive brothers, yet it is not what ultimately binds the two of them. Once older brother Haru loses his memory of Ren, their reliance on one another transforms into something deeper, and they learn to see one another as more than just blood relatives.

This shounen-ai follows Ren’s emotional growth from admiration and infatuation to full-blown love for her. As these two attempt to overcome their differences and realize the depth of their affections, hearts are warmed everywhere they go.

7. Tanaka-Kun Is Always Listless Demonstrates The Thin Line That Separates Friends From Lovers

Nothing happens in Tanaka’s life, as implied by the title. Unless Ohta comes to Tanaka’s rescue, he may not be able to get through the day in Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless. Tanaka’s existence depends on Ohta’s generosity, kindness, and overall caring nature, which is why their relationship is one of dependency. A strong shounen-ai relationship between Tanaka and Ohta is evident in this slice-of-life anime. Every time Tanaka says that Ohta would be a fine wife, the hearts of the fans melt a little more.

8. The Morose Mononokean Is A Comedy With BL Undertones

As a result of their constant fighting, Ashiya and Abeno’s emotions come to the fore and shine brightest. Abeno rarely compliments Ashiya on his work, but when he does, Ashiya feels comfortable within. It’s impossible not to feel a deep connection between you and your loved one when you’re in these kinds of situations. Although the Morose Mononokean is more of a supernatural comedy, Abeno’s growing friendship with Ashiya should still appeal to fans of shounen-ai.

9. Hitorijime My Hero Features A Blossoming Romance Between Very Different People

Hitorijime My Hero

In Hitorijime My Hero, Kousuke Ohshiba rescued Masahiro Setagawa from a group of bullies (or, My Very Own Hero in English). Masahiro began to regard Kousuke as a hero as a result of this admiration. While this is going on, Kousuke has come to see Masahiro as a person in need of his care.

In the end, each of them succumbs to their feelings to the point of no return. There are beautiful moments between them as they discuss their relationship and how to move forward.

10. Shounen Maid Matches A Mature Student With His Childish Uncle

Madoka, Chihiro Komiya’s uncle, takes care of him after his mother’s death. They become closer as a family unit during the course of their time together. Shounen Maid, despite being a slice-of-life, has shounen-ai elements thanks to its male bonding time. When Chihiro adopts his uncle’s mannerisms and begins to act his age, it warms the hearts of everyone around him. Despite the fact that Madoka will continue to display his childlike side, it’s what makes this couple so beautiful.

11. Merman In My Tub Is An Odd But Heartwarming Comedy

When Tatsumi is walking home from school one day, he comes across the merman Wakasa, who is sitting on the bank of the river. Tatsumi offers to let Wakasa reside in his bathtub instead, because the water itself is uninhabitable for him owing to pollution. Tatsumi’s actions show that he cares about Wakasa, despite the fact that he isn’t particularly emotional. Tatsumi often follows Wakasa’s lead and goes along with his exuberant conduct because of Wakasa’s naive demeanor. Each of Merman In My Tub’s deeds shows how much the two of them are grown fond of one another.

12. Free! Iwatobi Swim Club Is A Sports Anime With BL Fanservice

Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club

When swimming freestyle at Free! Iwatobi Swim Club, Haruka Nanase prefers to wear jammies and goggles. Throughout his swimming career, Haru’s boyhood pal Makoto Tachibana has always been there to support and encourage him.

Because of their connection, Haru and Makato are able to grow emotionally as individuals. When Haru has the bravery to express his views to Makoto, these two are able to melt hearts by leaning on each other and experiencing wholesome moments.

13. The Case Files Of Jeweler Richard Is An Easygoing Narrative With Romantic Focus

The personalities of Richard Ranashinha de Vulpian and Seigi Nakata are a perfect match. Unlike Richard, Seigi is aloof but upright, pursuing his own idea of valor, whereas Richard is more concerned with practicality and sensibility. It’s surprising to see Seigi express his emotions so openly, although they are harmless. Throughout the film, Seigi stays by Richard’s side, trying to help him and learning more about him in the process. Jewels help the two learn to communicate on a deeper level.

14. Yuri!!! On Ice Is A Passionate Ice Skating Drama

Yuri!!! on Ice (2016)

Yuri!!! Yuri Katsuki and Victor Nikiforov’s relationship develops slowly in this shounen-ai. In the beginning, Victor was just curious about Yuri, but that interest quickly developed into a burning desire to see him succeed. In his role as Yuri’s coach, Victor demands that he know everything about him, which strengthens their relationship. Overcoming hurdles and becoming obsessed with ice skating, the characters’ feelings begin to change and spill forth. In this gripping shounen-ai about ice skating, their objectives and emotions coincide.