Top 30 Best Yaoi and Bl Anime [2024]

Yaoi or BL, one of the most popular romance genres in anime. Cute boys being cute with each other, from enemies to lovers, these are the best BL series!

Best Yaoi and Bl Anime

30. Semantic Error

In the Semantic Error anime, we saw a lot of potential in terms of both plot and character development.

The two main characters have a refreshing, natural chemistry together, making their relationship feel both believable and exciting to watch develop over time.

Semantic Error is an adaptation of a Korean novel. In a change of pace from the typical high school setting, our featured duo fall in love in university as they work on their video game project.

Unfortunately, we are currently left with only one season of four fifteen-minute episodes.

Still, hopefully, this will change depending on how popular it becomes so people can enjoy more from these unique boys full of potential.

29. The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window

The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window is a paranormal anime series with a strong focus on the developing romance between the two main characters.

They begin the series as friends who happen to have otherworldly abilities that come in handy when battling ghosts and spirits.

However, as the series continues, their relationship deepens, and they become true partners, both in fighting and in life.

The growing romance between them is exciting but subtle, making The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window a must-watch for yaoi fans that prefer emotional tension and slow burns.

While the plot can be overly complicated at times, it’s definitely worth sticking with to see this couple’s relationship blossom.

28. Fairy Ranmaru

If you’re looking for a fantasy anime with BL tones and plenty of gay romance scenes that also has a plot as its primary focus, Fairy Ranmaru is worth checking out.

Fairy Ranmaru follows five fallen fairies from a far-off kingdom. Now stuck on Earth, they use their fairy magic to help human girls with their troubles.

They’re as noble as they are gay. Romance is not the centerpiece of the show, but it is a prominent feature in the main characters’ lives.

This anime is a perfect treat with its costume designs and over-the-top vibes.

We think it’s one of the best yaoi anime because of its beautiful, shameless presentation of classic BL tropes and good-looking guys.

27. Twittering Birds Never Fly: The Clouds Gather

This is a yaoi anime movie, not a series, by Kou Yoneda that we think deserves mention.

Not for the faint of heart, Twittering Birds tells a darker, more adult story that some fans of the BL genre might not be accustomed to.

The story features heavy emotional themes, real-lifestruggles with abuse, self-identity, and more.

We highly recommend the riveting romantic and gritty tale of this sensitive yakuza member trying to make his way through a crime and hate-ridden world. It’s a roller-coaster of a love story.

26. AI No Kusabi

In the world of Ai no Kusabi, your hair color determines everything. This OVA is full of eye candy and tense dialogue, perfect for fans of yaoi and BL.

Amoi is a planet ruled by an AI named Jupiter. It has decided that blondes are society’s elite, and those with dark hair are the lowest class.

If that’s not an obvious metaphor, we don’t know what is.

The OVA follows Riki the Dark and Iason Mink, a dark-haired man and a blonde.

In one of the most BL turns of events ever, Riki ends up as Iason’s pet. As their bond deepens, Riki finds himself missing Iason even after his sentence ends.

25. Sasaki to Miyano

Sasaki to Miyano is a beautiful, archetypical classic in the BL anime genre.

Set in high school, the two leads are fans of yaoi themselves!

The pair develop a friendship over their shared love of fictional boys, which naturally leads to something more tangible.

Very relatable high school themes like bullying, shame, self-discovery, and relationship-building are presented in a compelling way.

Yoshikazu Miyano and Shuumei Sasaki share a tender, endearing romance that will pull on your heartstrings.

24. Beryl and Sapphire

Beryl and Sapphire is not your traditional anime, as it’s actually originally a Chinese manhua that follows two young men.

This anime is episodic, consisting of 72 episodes that are eight minutes in length. Beryl is the green-haired and mello-tempered one, while Sapphire is the blue-haired and easily flustered other half.

No two episodes are exactly the same, and the watcher is never quite sure how each episode will end, but this anime stretches across many genres.

If you’re looking for an unconventional BL anime, this might be your next favorite series!

23. No. 6

This 11-episode series is based on a novel series of the same name. No. 6 takes place in a dystopian sci-fi world in which Sion lives comfortably within its walls.

Until he meets Nezumi, who is an escaped convict, due to assisting Nezumi, Sion is forced out of his comfortable life and pushed into the lower town.

But when four more years pass, Sion is confronted with Nezumi’s presence again, but with a conspiracy looming.

This BL anime doesn’t have romance in the spotlight, making for a more realistic and subtle representation.

22. Yuri!!! On Ice

The well-known 2016 anime Yuri!!! On Ice follows YuuriKatsuki as he climbs back to the top as Japan’s top professional ice skater.

However, Yuuri doesn’t go through this journey alone, as he is soon joined by his inspiration, Viktor Nikiforov.

During their training for the next Gran Prix competition, Yuuri and Viktor work and train together, becoming closer and steadily building a relationship worth cheering for.

This is one BL anime that you should check, as it showcases a healthy adult couple in a world that doesn’t hold it against them.

21. Gakuen Heaven

Keita Itou always thought he was an average guy, which is why he was surprised to get an invitation to enroll at the elite Bell Liberty Academy.

Keita doesn’t know if he belongs at this prestigious school, but is determined to find who and what makes him special.

Surrounded by so many amazing and talented classmates, Keita becomes drawn to the kind and popular Kazuki Endou and becomes Keits first real friend…and maybe something more.

20. Super Lovers

Haruo Kaidou flies all the way over to Canada to take care of his ailing mother—only to learn that his beloved mom fooled him. Not only that, but she’s adopted a 14-year-old boy named Ren. Now, Haru has to take care of this mature but socially inept boy who seems to care more about dogs than people!

Haru is determined to be a good big brother for Ren but has a hard time building a rapport with him. Haru promises Ren that they will move away to Japan together after Haru graduates high school.

But this promise is derailed when Haru gets into an accident and loses his memory of his time with Ren!

Ren won’t give up on Haru and his promise and pops back into Haru’s life in Tokyo—even though Haru has completely forgotten that they are brothers!

19. Gravitation

19-year-old Shuichi Shindou dreams of becoming a famous musician, and his dream starts as he forms a band named Bad Luck with his best friend, Hiroshi Nakano. Before long, they quickly get their first recording label!

Unfortunately, Shuichi hasn’t finished any of the songs and struggling to form lyrics. Shuichi needs a form of inspiration, and Hiroshi thinks Shuichi should get himself a girlfriend.

As fate would have it, Shuichi bumps into famous novelist Eiri Yuki…who tells him he has zero talent! That only adds fuel to the fire as Shuichi becomes even more determined to write his songs and rub his success in Yuki’s face!

18. This Boy Is a Professional Wizard

Chiharu Kashima is one of few humans that can use magic and quickly catches the attention of Toyohi Utsumi, who always dreamed of meeting a wizard. Upon meeting each other, Toyohi confesses his love to Chiharu…what?

Chiharu and Toyohi begin to spend more time together after this. But Chiharu is afraid that the only reason Toyohi is in love with him is because of his magic. Does Toyohi love Chiharu, the person or the wizard?

17. Tight-rope

Ryunosuke “Ryu” Oohara is the first son of a yakuza family and, although he is the heir to the family, he doesn’t want it to get in the way of being with his best friend, Naoki Satoya.

He has been in love with Naoki since they were kids. Ryu knows he needs to think about his responsibility to the yakuza, but everything changes for him when Naoki starts to recuperate Ryu’s feelings, and a romantic relationship begins to form between the two of them.

16. Antique Bakery

Yusuke Ono will never forget the day 14-years-ago where confessed his love to his high school crush Keiichirou Tachibana. Now, he is a world-class pastry chef full of charm that no man can resist!

But everything Ono built up might start to crumble like a cookie around him when a man named Tachibana becomes his new boss.

Is this the same Tachibana that rejected him in high school? More importantly, why is Ono’s new cake boy a former boxing champion?

15. Yes, No, or Maybe?

On the outside, Kei Kunieda is a kind newscaster with a polite smile—on the inside, he’s sharp-tongued and bottling up all this frustration with people.

He keeps this side of himself hidden away from the rest of the world and tries never to let it slip.

This changes when he goes out one night with messy hair and his face covered by a medical mask where he meets Ushio Tsuzuki. He then meets Ushio again as the clean and organized newscaster.

Now, Ushio thinks Kei is two different people! What’s worse, Kei is starting to develop feelings for Ushio but is scared of which side of himself Ushio likes more or neither of them.

14. Spiritpact

When You Keika ends up in poverty, he doesn’t think anyone is going to magically come along to save him, so he works hard to get himself out of the slumps.

And you are right, not only did no one save him—he suddenly wakes up dead and turned into a wandering spirit!

On top of that, the strongest exorcist in all of China crosses You’s path. When Tanmoku finds You, instead of destroying him, he offers him the chance to become his servant and fight alongside him in the spiritual world in exchange for his protection.

Now, You and Tanmoku work together to fight against harmful spirits, and a strong pact begins to form between the two of them deeper than just master and servant.

13. Hyperventilation

Lee Myeongyi has pneumothorax: a collapsed lung. Because of this, Myeongyi hated the pity attention he’d get a school, along with the coughing fits, hyperventilating attacks, and physical fatigue.

Myeongyi has always felt like an outcast, and the only person to know him any compassion and acceptance was Han Seonho. Seonho was Myeongyi’s first crush, but never says anything, and they lose contact after graduation.

9-years-later, Myeongyi goes to the high school reunion for the sole reason to see Seonho again. He does see Seonho again…along with a wedding ring on his finger. Little does Myeongyi know is this is the start of an unlawful affair!

12. The Betrayal Knows My Name

Although Yuki Sakurai doesn’t have any memories of his past, he has always had the unique ability to see someone’s most painful memory just by touching them. On top of that, he keeps getting mysterious notes telling him to die.

Yuki is naïve to the fact that is a group of people out there, watching him and wanting to destroy him and another group wanting to protect him.

One night, Yuki’s forgotten memories flood back to him when he is saved by a mysterious man with black hair and silver eyes. Now, Yuki will remember his past, who he was born, and who he is meant to be.

11. Love Stage!!

Izumi Sena grew up in the world of showbiz: his dad is a producer, his mom an actress, and his brother being a rockstar. Izumi was a childhood actor for a wedding magazine with Ryouma Ichijou.

Although he had a fun time with Ryouma, it isn’t what Izumi wanted to be. He dreams of one day becoming a famous manga artist.

After ten years, the wedding magazine asks Izumi to come back for the 10^th anniversary, and Izumi is excited to see Ryouma again after all this time, who is now an accomplished actor.

Ryouma tells Izumi that he is in love with him! One problem…Ryouma mistook Izumi for a girl! Izumi says they can start over again as friends, but Ryouma becomes troubled that his feelings for Izumi haven’t gone away despite being a boy.

10. Wei, Kanjian Erduo La!

Da Shu is an orphaned and failed manga creator who lives by himself in an empty apartment. Finally, a little bit of light comes into Da Shu’s life in the form of A Miao, a young boy with cat ears.

This silly cat-boy becomes Da Shu’s roommate and gets into day-to-day comical trouble. But, it’s all okay, Da Shu is there for him and excited to live together with A Miao and slowly discover this cat-boy’s many mysteries.

9. Hitorijime My Hero

Masahiro Setagawa never believed in heroes: no one was ever going to save him from his pathetic life where neighboring gangs harass him to be their errand boy.

Nobody will swoop in a save him…at least, that’s what he thought. Then, the “Bear Killer,” a single man who takes down gangs, comes into Masahiro’s life and sets him on a better path.

Now, Masahiro is starting high school with his best friend, Kensuke Ooshiba.

That’s when Masahiro finds out that his hero, the Bear Killer, is Kousuke Ooshiba—his new teacher and Kensuke’s older brother! Will this bring Masahiro closer to Kousuke, or will newfound feelings for his hero push him away forever?

8. Dakaichi –I’m Being Harassed by the S*Xist Man of the Year–

For five years, actor Takato Saijou has been the “Man of the Year.” His reign finally comes to an end at the hands of rookie actor Junta Azumaya.

Takato can’t help but feel jealous of the new guy who starts to steal the spotlight from him and his usual leading roles. What’s worse, Junta is a kind guy with a charming smile! Argh!

While in a drunken state, Takato unloads all his anger out on Junta—who uses it as blackmail that could ruin Takato’s public image!

7. Junjou Romantic

A collection of three separate couples and developing their romantic relationships. Highschooler Misaki Takahashi is working hard to graduate and get into a good college. He gets help from his older brother’s best friend, Akihiko Usami, an accomplished author.

Misaki will soon discover Akihiko’s mischievous and risqué nature that might bring them closer than Misaki ever anticipated.

Meanwhile, Nowaki Kusama has fallen in love with a university professor named Hiroki Kamijou, who is down on his luck, and Nowaki will do everything he can to make Hiroki happy.

In the meantime, straightforward Shinobu Takatsuki, who barely smiles, becomes infatuated with You Miyagi, his literature professor. Can any of these complicated relationships survive?

6. Hybrid Child

A man named Kuroda crafts artificial humans called Hybrid Child who have their own consciousness, emotions and need love to grow.

Although a Hybrid Child isn’t considered to be human, Hazuki is taken in Kotarou Izumi, the heir of his family who discovered Hazuki in the garbage.

Despite the family trying to get rid of the Hybrid Child, the bond between the two of them can’t be severed. With time against both of them, will Kotarou and Hazuki’s love be endless?

5. Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi – World’s Greatest First Love

After his failed first love in high school at the hands of Masamune Takano, Ritsu Onodera vows to never fall in love ever again!

Years later, Ritsu Onodera quits his father’s company to work at Marukawa Publishing to try and make something of himself. Ritsu becomes a manga editor and is introduced to editor-in-chief—Ritsu’s first love!

Ritsu vowed to himself to never fall in love again, especially not again with Takano, but Takano vows to make Ritsu love him again!

4. The Case of Takafumi Yokozawa

When one faces heartbreak, there is only one antidote—alcohol, lots and lots of alcohol. At least, that’s what Takafumi Yokozawa did when he got his heart shattered into pieces.

One night, Takafumi gets so drunk that he blacks out drunk and wakes up in a stranger’s house, naked and unable to recall the night before.

The house belongs to Zen Kirishima, editor-in-chief of a shounen manga magazine, and Takafumi gets a face full of blackmail!

Takafumi becomes Kirishima’s servant and following his every whim. It’s hell, but Kirishima might actually be what Takafumi needs to get over his broken heart.

3. Umibe No ÉTranger

Two guys meet on the beach of Okinawa. Shun Hashimoto, an openly gay novelist, was abandoned by his family and Mio Chibana, an orphaned high schooler.

Shun and Mio become close, and Shun starts to develop feelings for Mio—until he suddenly goes back to the mainland.

3-years-later, Mio comes back to find Shun and confess his love to him. However, Shun isn’t the same person he was before. Does Shun still have feelings for Mio, or is he too little too late?

2. Doukyuusei –Classmates–

Classmates Hikaru Kusakabe and Rihito Sajou are polar opposites—Hikaru is an easygoing rocker, and Rihito is a reserved honor student. Although they’re in the same class, they’ve never once exchanges words.

Then when the class is participating in the chorus festival, Hikaru learns that Rihito can’t sing and is terrified of failing. Seeing the flaws of his classmate, Hikaru promises to teach him, and they start to become quick friends.

Although the two grow closer, insecurities of their unknown relationship start to rear their ugly head that could ruin their future together.

1. Given

Highschooler Ritsuka Uenoyama never met Mafuyu Satou better but is completely unimpressed when he finds him napping on the stairs of the gymnasium with a worn and rusted guitar.

Persistent to get his guitar fixed, Mafuyu ends up tagging along to Ritsuka’s jam session with his band.

While rocking out, Mafuyu begins to sing, and Ritsuka is floored by his beautiful voice and becomes determined to make Mafuyu his band’s lead singer. Mafuyu reluctantly agrees if Ritsuka promises to teach how to play guitar.

Together, they can better each other and help Mafuyu would his tragic mysterious that led him to the day they first met by the staircase with the old guitar.