What is Shounen Ai anime?

Shounen Ai means boys love, and thus explores what happens when two boys (or men) fall in love. This is not to be mistaken for Yaoi which is (or, at least, how this term is often used by the western audience) used in adult works. This is not; that means there is no graphical sex. The female version is Shoujo Ai.

Trending Shounen Ai Anime You might like

Sasaki to Miyano Movie: Sotsugyou-hen

(Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation)

8.19

Description:

Theatrical follow-up to Sasaki to Miyano, adapting the "Graduation Arc" of the manga. Miyano’s world of Boys’ Love manga turns to reality when chance leads him to Sasaki. Now, Sasaki wants to spend every opportunity with him. (Source: Crunchyroll)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

50 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or Older

Status

finished

Aired

2023-02-17

Given

(given)

8.2

Description:

Somehow, the guitar that he used to love to play and the basketball games that he found so fun just lost their appeal... That was until Ritsuka Uenoyama randomly met Mafuyu Sato. Ritsuka had started losing his passion for music in his everyday life, but then he hears Mafuyu sing for the first time. The song resonates with his heart and the distance between them starts to change. (Source: Crunchyroll)
Type

TV

Episodes

11

Ep.Length

23 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2019-07-12

Given: Uragawa no Sonzai

(Given OVA)

8.19

Description:

OVA bundled with the Given manga's seventh volume, as a limited edition bonus.
Type

OVA

Episodes

1

Status

finished

Aired

2021-12-01

Yuri!!! on Ice

(Yuri!!! On ICE)

8.18

Description:

Reeling from his crushing defeat at the Grand Prix Finale, Yuuri Katsuki, once Japan's most promising figure skater, returns to his family home to assess his options for the future. At age 23, Yuuri's window for success in skating is closing rapidly, and his love of pork cutlets and aptitude for gaining weight are not helping either. However, Yuuri finds himself in the spotlight when a video of him performing a routine previously executed by five-time world champion, Victor Nikiforov, suddenly goes viral. In fact, Victor himself abruptly appears at Yuuri's house and offers to be his mentor. As one of his biggest fans, Yuuri eagerly accepts, kicking off his journey to make it back onto the world stage. But the competition is fierce, as the rising star from Russia, Yuri Plisetsky, is relentlessly determined to defeat Yuuri and win back Victor's tutelage. (Source: MAL Rewrite)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

23 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2016-10-06

Sasaki to Miyano

(Sasaki and Miyano)

8.18

Description:

Miyano spends his days peacefully reading Boys' Love comics and worrying about how girly his face is-until a chance encounter leads to a scuffle with his senior Sasaki. Intrigued by his feisty junior Miyano, delinquent Sasaki uses every opportunity he can to get closer... (Source: Yen Press)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2022-01-10

Doukyuusei

(Doukyusei -Classmates-)

8.18

Description:

Rihito Sajou is an honor student who got perfect scores in every subject on his high school entrance exam. Hikaru Kusakabe plays guitar in his band that performs at live events and is popular among the girls. These boys would have never crossed paths. But one day Hikaru offers to help Rihito prepare for their upcoming chorus festival and the two begin to talk. As the two meet after school, they feel one another's sound, listen to each other's voice, and begin to harmonize as their hearts beat together. It starts out slow but soon their feelings for one another grow and in just one moment they both realize that it is love. Hikaru's emotions are frivolous, pure, and direct causing Rihito to hesitate at first, but he gradually opens his heart. The boys are learning about each other as they also learn about themselves and support one another during this difficult time typical to youth. As the time to start thinking about their futures approaches, what do these young men find as they try to move forward... (Source: Aniplex USA)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

60 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2016-02-20

Given: The Movie

(Given: The Movie)

8.18

Description:

While the TV anime focused on the band given's guitarist Ritsuka Uenoyama and his high school classmate Mafuyu Sato, the film centers on the love relationship among the band's bassist Haruki Nakayama, drummer Akihiko Kaji, and Akihiko's roommate and ex-boyfriend Ugetsu Murata. (Source: Crunchyroll)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

59 Min

Status

finished

Aired

2020-08-22

Mo Dao Zu Shi

(Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation)

8.15

Description:

As the grandmaster who founded the Demonic Sect, Wei Wuxian roamed the world in his wanton ways, hated by millions for the chaos he created. In the end, he was backstabbed by his dearest shidi and killed by powerful clans that combined to overpower him. He incarnates into the body of a lunatic who was abandoned by his clan and is later, unwillingly, taken away by a famous cultivator among the clans—Lan Wangji, his archenemy. This marks the start of a thrilling yet hilarious journey of attacking monsters, solving mysteries, and raising children. From the mutual flirtation along the way, Wei Wuxian slowly realizes that Lan Wangji, a seemingly haughty and indifferent poker-face, holds more feelings for Wei Wuxian than he is letting on. (Source: Exiled Rebels Scanlations)
Type

ONA

Episodes

15

Status

finished

Aired

2018-07-08

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai

8.08

Description:

Movie adaptation of the Sekaiichi Hatsukoi: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai BL light novel.
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

50 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2014-03-15

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 2

(Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi - World's Greatest First Love 2)

8.05

Description:

Second season of Sekaiichi Hatsukoi.
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2011-10-08

Umibe no Étranger

(The Stranger by the Shore)

8.05

Description:

"There's nothing wrong with liking another guy." To be in the arms of the person I love... I thought that was an unattainable dream... On an island off the coast of Okinawa, two young men meet on a beach. Shun Hashimoto is gay and aspires to be a novelist. He is interested in Mio Chibana, a somber high school student, and starts to flirt with him. Day by day, the two of them grow closer, but then, suddenly, Mio decides to leave the island. Three years later, Mio returns and approaches Shun with the words, "I've thought about it for the past three years. I like you, Shun, even if you're a guy." However, when faced with the prospect of finally becoming lovers with Mio, Shun cannot take the first step towards commitment. This is a tantalizing love story about a gay novelist and a younger part-time worker. (Source: Renta!, edited)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

59 Min

Status

finished

Aired

2020-09-11

Junjou Romantica 3

(Junjo Romantica 3)

8.03

Description:

After living together for three years, Misaki Takahashi and Akihiko "Usagi" Usami's relationship has been progressing smoothly. However, all great relationships have problems, and theirs is just beginning. With a new rival on the horizon, Usagi worries about Misaki's feelings towards him. Meanwhile, Ryuuichirou Isaka has always loved to intrude on Misaki and Usagi's love life, but his own love life hasn't been all smooth sailing—Isaka and his secretary Kaoru Asahina have been dating for a few years; however, Asahina prefers to keep their professional and private lives separate, often leading to troubled waters between them. As for Nowaki Kusama and Hiroki Kamijou, now that their careers are finally taking off, they hardly see each other anymore. With the time they spend together lessening, doubts and insecurities threaten to creep in between them. On the other hand, the 17-year age gap between Shinobu Takatsuki and You Miyagi has been a constant barrier in their relationship, but as they learn more about each other, their self-consciousness continues to fade. The beloved couples of Junjou Romantica, Junjou Egoist, and Junjou Terrorist are back again, this time with a new addition: Junjou Mistake! [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2015-07-09

Junjou Romantica OVA

8.03

Description:

OVAs that come with the limited premium edition of volumes 16 and 20 of the manga series.
Type

OVA

Episodes

2

Ep.Length

22 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2012-12-20

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi: Valentine-hen

8.02

Description:

Animated short with an original story that was screened alongside "Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Movie: Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai."
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

15 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2014-03-15

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi OVA

8

Description:

Two OVA episodes featuring additional stories. Episode 0: Ritsu and Takano used to date back in high school, but broke up due to a misunderstanding. This is that story. Episode 12.5: Hatori and Chiaki go to visit the latter's family. It's really awkward in many, many ways.
Type

OVA

Episodes

2

Ep.Length

21 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2011-03-22

Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu. Movie: Spain-hen

(DAKAICHI -I'm being harassed by the sexiest man of the year- The Movie: In Spain)

7.95

Description:

Covers the Spain arc of the manga.
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

78 Min

Status

finished

Aired

2021-10-09

Ten Count

(Ten Count)

7.93

Description:

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani 's attraction to his counselor grows. *This project has been cancelled (Source: SuBLime)
Type

movie

Status

tba

30-sai made Doutei da to Mahou Tsukai ni Nareru Rashii

(Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!)

7.92

Description:

Adachi's 30th birthday as a virgin came with the oddest gift—the ability to read the mind of anyone he touches. Pondering what to do with this mysterious power, he gets a lead when he accidentally reads his colleague Kurosawa's mind. Turns out the handsome hotshot of the sales team has got a thing for him! How will Adachi respond to overhearing these affectionate thoughts? (Source: Crunchyroll)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or Older

Status

finished

Aired

2024-01-11

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi: Proposal-hen

7.89

Description:

Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

21 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2020-02-21

Junjou Romantica 2

(Junjo Romantica 2)

7.86

Description:

The second part of Junjou Romantica continuing the story.
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2008-10-12

Scroll to top ↑