It’s no secret that I’m a huge BL fan with a few years of experience with the genre under my belt. So, I’m always amazed to see how much the genre has grown over the years. Newer series have started moving away from the sex heavy stories towards more realistic depictions of same sex relationships, opening up the genre to more general audiences.
And with greater mass appeal comes more anime adaptations of popular BL series. However, Boys Love anime tend to do poorly, mostly due to low production value, but every so often a true gem of a series will crop up that redeems the genre. So, that got me thinking about some of the some of my favorite BL anime adaptations, and thus this list was born! So, whether your a fan of BL media, or just an anime fan looking for something new to dive into, there are some pretty fun titles for you to check out!
DAKAICHI -I’m being harassed by the sexiest man of the year-
Air Date: Fall 2018 |Episodes: 13
Dakaishi isn’t the most revolutionary shounen-ai anime series, nor is it the best, however it’s still a rather fun rom-com that hits all the BL marks. The main couple is cute, Takuto is a tsundere uke and Junta is an eager enthusiastic seme… It’s a match made in heaven! Actor Takato Saijyo has enjoyed five years as Japan’s No. 1 Most Desirable Man, that is until a newbie, Junta Azumaya dethrones him, taking his coveted number one spot. Pissed at being outdone by someone younger than him Takato is hostile towards Junta. But, when a strange turn of events lands the two in bed together, Takato’s world turns upside down!
Antique Bakery
Air Date: Summer 2008 | Episodes: 12
Antique Bakery is one of my favorite BL manga series, so I had high expectations of the anime and I was not disappointed. Ono has come a long way since the agonizing day in high school when he confessed his love to his crush, Tachibana. Now, 14 years later Ono, is a openly gay playboy and a world-class pastry chef, no man can resist his charms or his cooking skills! But, when he is reunited with his first love Tachibana when he accepts a position working in his bakery. And so begins the hilarious romance between a former boxing champ turned baker and the irresistible chef, Ono. This series is everything I love heartwarming and funny, the main focus of the series is the day to day goings on of the bakery and it’s definitely one of the series’s many highlights.
Given
Air Date: Summer 2019 | Episodes: 11
Given is one of the break out anime series from the Summer 2019 season, which is impressive since BL anime adaptations tend not to do so well with general audience. But in swooped Given with its heartfelt story, compelling character drama, and absolutely stunning music and anime fans were floored! Ritsuka Uenoyama started becoming disillusioned with basketball and guitar, the two things he loved most, but then a chance encounter with Mafuyu Sato changes his life forever… There was just something captivating man, who’s singing awakens something deep inside him.
Sekaiichi Hatsukoi
Air Date: Spring 2011 | Episodes: 12
It’s no secret that I hate Junjou Romantica, despite the fact that most BL fans absolutely love the series… However, I don’t hold the same sentiment for it’s spin-off Sekaiichi Hatsukoi (The World’s Greatest First Love). It’s a charming and fun BL series that has an actually good story! In order to strike it out on his own, Ritsu Onodera leaves his father’s publishing company and transfers to Marukawa Publishing. But, instead of being placed in the literary department, he winds up working as a rookie manga editor There he meets editor-in-chief Masamune Takano, who also happens to be his high school first love! Their reunion is marred by heartbreak from the past, but Ritsu vows to win his first love over again… whatever it takes!
Hitorijime My Hero
Air Date: Summer 2017 | Episodes: 12
I love this series to bits and pieces, I must have watched Hitorijime My Hero about a dozen times and it never gets dull! There is just something heartwarming romance between high school student Masahiro and his hero and teacher, Kousuke… It’s just so damn cute! Masahiro Setagawa has had a rough childhood, playing gopher for the local gangs and a living with a neglectful mother, Masahiro has learned to stop believing in heroes. That is until Kousuke Ooshiba swoops in and saves Masahiro from his life of neglect, showing him there’s more to life than his circumstances. Over the years, Masahiro’s admiration for his personal hero Kousuke, change into something more… but, maybe his feelings aren’t as one-sided as he imagined… maybe his hero loves him too
No. 6
Air Date: Summer 2011 | Episodes: 11
No. 6 is one of the more subtle entries on this list, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have one of the most heartfelt romances ever. Technically, this is a sci-fi action anime, No. 6 follows Shion, one of the residents of No. 6 an elite district and relative utopia. He’s on track to become one of the city’s youngest scholars, but a chance encounter with Nezumi, a boy from the desolate wasteland beyond the city’s walls, sends him on a fall from grace that changes his life forever. Part action adventure, part sci-fi mystery, No. 6 delves into the secret past of his home and the dark past the powers that be will do anything to keep hidden.
Check out a great BL anime today!
BL anime isn’t just for the fujoshi and the fudanshi, there are some truly amazing shounen-ai anime out there just waiting to be discovered! Each of these titles will keep you entertained and who knows I might just convince a few of you to join me here in the darkside!! So, watch one of these cream of the crop BL anime picks today!!
Thank you for reading and supporting Blerdy Otome! What are some of your favorite BL/shounen-ai anime? 🙂
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As always, grateful for your BL content on top of other stuff. Because of your blog, my blog will probably be a bit of an inverse… primarily BL with some otome stuff occasionally. Hope you’re holding up in quarantine!
OOOHH! Hey Shio! How have you been?
Glad you like my BL stuff!! 🙂 LOL Yeah inverse blogs, I like that!
I’m doing good, been working from home, but I’m starting to go stir crazy.
Been hanging in there, some days better than others. At least this pandemic is really painting a picture for people what I mean when I say “I’m introverted, not anti-social!”
In terms of blog life, still not posting as frequently as I want, but doing better since I moved over to a dot org WordPress. Being able to have more design and embed control worked wonders for my motivation there.
I know what you mean, I was fine last week, but this week I have been really struggling to stay motivated! LOL it’s funny you mention being an introvert, I am notorious for wanting to stay in and keep to myself. So my friend is like this is the perfect time for me… but even I get the urge to go out every now and again 😛
I’ve checked out some of your more recent posts (I love the new site BTW) and I really enjoy how detailed your essays are. Trust I’ll be dropping a few comments on your stuff real soon (I have to gather my thoughts a bit) especially the Togainu no Chi post you wrote!
Thank you so much! I’m really happy with the new site as well and have been having so many ideas about things to write about.
I can’t wait to catch up on all your new content!
I’ve only finished Given and DakaIchi I’m not crazy about after the one episode I saw of it.
Well, Given was my real entry into the BL world, so I’ve heard the only anime that match that sort of vibe are Hitorijime (behind paywall) and the Kono Danshi (This Boy) series (gotta get around to it someday), although I did get recced No. 6 from a BL-loving friend closer to when it was airing.
Dakaichi grew on me after awhile, I just had to stop taking it seriously (and after Banana Fish, I needed something lighthearted).
I haven’t seen Kono Dashi, so I’ll be adding it to my list too! I highly recommend No. 6 not even as a BL, but as a really solid anime series.
Thanks for stopping by and reading!!
I’m replying very late >.< I really needed something wholesome, definitely after banana fish. (Still not over it) I’ve watched a lot of BL and yaoi anime in the past year, and I really like your posts and think they’re VERY relatable :p
In more details , what do you think about Sekaiichi Hatsukoi? I’ve just read your review about Junjou Romantica and saw now Sekaiichi on the list