Shounen Ai is a term that refers to an anime genre that focuses on male characters. Fans of this particular genre usually use the term Boys Love (BL) or Yaoi. The anime series in this genre usually emphasizes the emotional level that may be more poignant than most romance anime. On this occasion, Dunia Games would like to give you a list of the most heartwarming Shounen Ai anime series. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

1. Sasaki To Miyano

The latest anime adaptation of Syou Harusono’s manga, Sasaki To Miyano tells the story of Miyano, a high school student who’s secretly a BL fan. Although he’s really invested in his hobby, he never shares this secret with anyone, until one day he meets a senior by the name of Sasaki. Miyano’s life begins to change after his encounter with Sasaki, and Miyano starts to feel comfortable sharing his favorite manga, and they gradually get closer. This anime is rather light and also features elements of slice-of-life.

2. Given

Given is an anime adaptation of Natsuki Kizu’s manga that tells a story of a group of boys in a band. The story focuses on Ritsuka, a talented guitarist who lost his interest in playing the instrument. One day, he meets Mafuyu, who’s clutching his broken guitar. Seeing that, Ritsuka agrees to teach him how to play guitar. Upon hearing Mafuyu sing, Ritsuka gets the idea of making him the lead singer of his band. From then on, he became interested in Mafuyu.

3. Banana Fish

This anime is quite different than most Shounen Ai series. It’s an anime adaptation of Akimi Yoshida’s manga that tells the story of a 17-year-old Irish-American young man, Ash Lynx, who’s a gang leader in New York City. He’s the successor and the accomplice of one of the most influential mafia bosses in the US, Papa Dino. One day, he accidentally learns a top secret involving the US’ top brass and Papa Dino, which caused the tragic death of his brother. He then meets Eiji Okumura, a Japanese young man who also tries to uncover the same secret, as well as stop the deadly plot under the codename Banana Fish. 

Unlike most Shounen Ai anime series, Banana Fish never explicitly shows the feelings between the characters. However, the relationship between the two main characters is well depicted, which is also the main appeal of the series.

4. Yuri On Ice

This 12-episode Shounen Ai series also features some sports-comedy elements. The story follows Yuri Katsuki, a figure skater who suffered a terrible defeat at the Grand Prix Finale, prompting him to take a hiatus and return to his hometown. He then begins to learn the routines of his idol, Viktor Nikiforov, a Russian skater. A video of him performing the routine then gets viral and grabs Viktor’s attention. Viktor then decides to retire from figure skating and chooses to mentor Yuri to help him win gold at the next Grand Prix. Viktor is also willing to learn the details of Yuri’s story, which eventually helps develop the relationship between the two. 

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5. Super Lovers

Adapted from Miyuki Abe’s manga, Super Lovers tells the story of a high school student named Haru and his mother who lives abroad. His mother gives Haru the task of taking care of his adoptive brother, Ren. Ren, who’s a bit antisocial, prefers to be alone as he doesn’t feel belongs with the outside world. His mother expects Haru to change Ren to be a bit more open to other people. Their relationship was initially distant and standoffish, yet they slowly begin to learn about each other.

6. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi

Created by Shungiku Nakamura, the manga version of this series was published on Kadokawa Shoten on 13 October 2006. This anime follows life in a workplace, which begins with Ritsu Onodera who works for his father. He then chooses to quit and become independent. He joins Marukawa Publishing and gets assigned to the Shoujo manga division. Right there, he meets Takano Masamune, the editor-in-chief of the division. They actually had a romantic relationship during their high school days, yet Onodera is oblivious of that, only Takano who’s aware of who Onodera actually is. They once again become closer as they also live in the same apartment building, and their feelings begin to regrow.

7. Yes Ka No Ka Hanbun Ka?

Also known as “Yes, No, or Maybe?”, it's an anime movie adaptation of Michi Ichiho’s BL novel. The story follows Kunieda Kei, who’s a popular TV newscaster known for his calm demeanor and professionalism. However, he’s actually the opposite. Kunieda is actually hot-headed, rude, and hateful. So far, he manages to compartmentalize his persona and his actual self. Until one day, he meets a stop-motion animator named Tsuzuki Ushio, who sees Kei in a supermarket in his true nature. Kei tries to find a way to get close to him, but fate leads them to another relationship that he never expects.

8. Hitorijime My Hero

Also known as “My Very Own Hero”, this series tells a story of a high school student named Masahiro Setagawa who hangs out with bullies, yet he’s used as their errand boy. One day, he’s saved by Kousuke, and since then, Masahiro sees Kousuke as his hero. Masahiro’s life starts to change after he met Kousuke Oshiba, who earned the nickname "Bear Killer". Kousuke becomes Masahiro’s protector, and their relationship grows, which leads to emotional moments between the two.

9. Junjou Romantica

Adapted from Shungiku Nakamura’s manga, this series has a unique plot that is divided into three different stories of different couples that are interconnected to one another. However, the main couple in this series consists of a student who needs tutelage to help him get into a university. He then meets a tutor who gives him extra lessons. His tutor happens to be a friend of his brother, who’s also a popular novelist. Aside from the romance, there are lots of comedic moments in this series, so you can still crack some laughs.

10. Doukyuusei

This anime movie, published by Aniplex in 2016, is an adaptation of Asumiko Nakamura’s manga. It follows the life of normal high school students, Sajou Rihito, and Kusakabe Hikaru. Sajou, who’s serious, quiet, and smart, meets Kusakabe, who’s the complete opposite of him, as he’s more cheerful, straightforward, simple, and quite popular among his female friends. In music class, Sajou doesn’t understand notes, so Kusakabe offers to help him learn the song together. Since then, they begin to grow closer.

11. Shounen Maid

This anime follows Chihiro Komiya who has no home after the demise of his mother. He then meets Madoka, who claims to be his guardian and later on reveals himself as Chihiro’s rich, long-lost uncle. Madoka brings Chihiro to his home. Yet the place is full of dust and garbage. Chihiro then starts to clean up the house in gratitude for giving him a place to stay. As they live together, both grow closer and develop a family bond. This anime isn’t a shounen-ai with some elements of romance, but it’s solely a brotherly love.

12. Tanaka-Kun Is Always Listless

Adapted from Nozomi Uda’s manga and was first aired in 2016, it’s an anime series that follows a high school student named Tanaka who always looks lethargic. Unlike most high school students, Tanaka hardly pays attention and easily falls asleep. You’ll follow Tanaka and Oota’s daily lives as high school students. Each episode also features a solid story that blends well with the comedic moments so you’ll enjoy watching it to the end.

13. Umibe no Étranger

Umibe no Étranger is a 1-hour-long movie adaptation of Kanna Kii’s manga that tells the story of Mio Chibana, a high school student who recently becomes an orphan. He meets Shun Hashimoto, a novelist who lives near Mio’s place in Okinawa, one summer. Since their first encounter, they spend the most time together yet Mio has to return to the city to pursue his studies. Mio promises to always keep in touch with Shun, but he eventually never calls. You will follow the story of how both of them face their feelings as Shun loses his belief in Mio.

14. Gakuen Heaven

This is an anime series that was originally made following the popularity of the game Gakuen Heaven: Boy’s Love Scramble, which later developed into manga, anime, and drama. It tells the story of Itou Keita, who receives an invitation to attend the elite institution “Bell Liberty Academy.” Despite being unaware of the reason, he ends up attending the school, while trying to find out what makes him unique and that he gets to be treated equally as the other outstanding students. 

15. Love Stage

Is an anime series that revolves around show business. It follows a seemingly-normal teenager named Izumi Sena, whose family actually has power in the entertainment industry. His father is a singer, his mother is an actress, and his brother is a vocalist in a popular rock band. Yet Izumi is reluctant to follow the step and enter showbiz as he aspires to become a mangaka. Izumi has a trauma working in showbiz as he had a terrible memory of starring in a TV commercial. The story begins when he receives a call-up for the same advertisement a decade later, which makes him reunite with Ichijou Ryoma, his partner in the advertisement 10 years ago. But Ryoma doesn't know that Izumi is actually a guy.

So, those were the 15 recommended Shounen Ai anime series that are just as emotional as other romance series. Stick around for more anime, movie, and gaming info, and make sure to follow Dunia Games on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

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