Best Japanese BL

Bowing to Love: The Noble and the Gladiator (Light Novel)

愛に跪く時 (Ai ni Hizamazuku Toki)

Saki Aida

In ancient Rome, a nobleman who thinks love is a waste of time pays for one night with the gladiator who saved him.

My Troublesome Man

Yuu Nagira

The third My Beautiful Man novel, continuing the story of devoted Hira and Kiyoi, the aloof boy he worships.

Sasaki and Miyano: First-Years (novel)

佐々木と宮野

Shou Harusono (original)

Prose stories set around the Sasaki and Miyano manga.

The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter (light novel)

異世界の沙汰は社畜次第 (Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai)

Yatsuki Wakatsu

The original novels about a workaholic accountant who audits a fantasy kingdom and catches a knight commander's eye.

When It Rains, It Pours (Light Novel)

ふったらどしゃぶり (Futtara Doshaburi)

Michi Ichiho

Two co-workers, each unhappy at home, start confiding in an anonymous email pen pal without knowing who is on the other end.

Yes, No, or Maybe? (Light Novel)

イエスかノーか半分か (Yes ka No ka Hanbun ka)

Michi Ichiho

A TV newsreader with a flawless public image and a foul private temper is found out by a stop-motion animator.

Given

ギヴン (Given)

Natsuki Kizu

A boy carrying a guitar he cannot play and a grief he cannot put into words joins a band. A music manga that is also one of the best first-love stories in BL. If you came from the anime, start here.

Sasaki and Miyano

佐々木と宮野 (Sasaki to Miyano)

Shou Harusono

A scrappy upperclassman borrows a BL manga from a shy junior and gets hooked on both. About as gentle as the genre gets, and a safe first BL for anyone.

Classmates: Dou kyu sei

同級生 (Doukyuusei)

Asumiko Nakamura

Two boys at a boys' school, a summer of choir practice, and a very good first kiss. Asumiko Nakamura's classic, drawn in a loose line nobody else has.

10 DANCE

10DANCE

Inouesatoh

Two champion ballroom dancers trade lessons so each can compete in the ten-dance. All tension and tailoring, and the slowest of slow burns between two adult rivals.

Seaside Stranger

海辺のエトランゼ (Umibe no Étranger)

Kii Kanna

A young novelist and a quiet boy who watches the sea, on a small Okinawan island. Short, sunlit and honest about how hard it is to be out in a small place.

Twilight Out of Focus

黄昏アウトフォーカス (Tasogare Out Focus)

Jyanome

Roommates in a boys' school film club make a BL movie under three rules meant to stop them falling for each other. Later volumes follow other couples in the same club.

The World's Greatest First Love

世界一初恋 (Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi)

Shungiku Nakamura

A manga editor discovers his new boss is the first love he ran from ten years ago. A broad, bossy office comedy in the older style, and a long-time fan favourite.

Hitorijime My Hero

ひとりじめマイヒーロー (Hitorijime My Hero)

Memeco Arii

A teenager stuck running errands for street thugs is pulled out by the man they all fear, who turns out to be his math teacher.

300 New Days With You

Wasureru Kimi to no 300-nichi

Sai Asai

Every day Rihito confesses to Arata, and every night Arata forgets.

A Demon's Underling

Otubokunomi

In a world where demons and humans live side by side, demons hold abilities no human can match.

A Dominating King and His Naughty Habits

Owal

A diner owner fighting eviction is made an outrageous offer by the royal businessman who wants his land.

A Future With You

Shimako Wan

A customer support worker buried in stress is offered an outlet by the office cleaner.

A Gorgeous Convenience Store Clerk's Twisted Love

Takashi Aosada

Worn-out office worker Itsuki has two small joys: the stray cats outside the convenience store, and the clerk inside it.

A House Near The Station With A Wizard

Yuumi Imai

Estate agent Tsukasa Amamiya is courted every single day by a wizard who claims to be looking for a flat.

A Kiss for You, My Shinobi

Jyuichi Tokisaka

An unmarried castle lord and the brave, skilled ninja who serves him.

A Kiss that Stains the Innocence

Emu Soutome

A naive prince asks a mountain man for help without knowing his father destroyed the man's village.