Gold Standard (BL) Manga

A compelling portrait of two characters who have lost their way and, by the end, find something together. I found the arc of the narrative incredibly satisfying and, as always, the art is superb (the cover art really does it a disservice).

Definitely recommended if you are looking for a mature story with an exquisite slow burn (also, unlike the mangaka's other stories, this one is not sex-centric which is a nice change of pace).

Excellent in every respect: the deliberate pacing of the writing; the sedate, adult plot; the likeable and non-stereotypical characters, the slightly sketchy art style. The romance develops very slowly & plausibly; there are no fated meetings or over the top romantic declarations. The central theme of loneliness is handled in an understated, indirect manner & is all the more poignant for it. Recommended if you're looking for a low-key story that focuses on the gradual process of moving on.

This manga is 100% bonkers in the best way. It's refreshing to read shonen ai with so much manic energy and unusual worldbuilding, where the focus is equally on the romance & the plot. The tone shifts effortlessly from funny to genuinely moving in the blink of an eye. Recommended if you're in the mood for a fast-paced (and deliciously long) over-the-top romance with adventure and action and worldbuilding

One of the best & deals with some heavy issues. This story is a compelling portrait of an intense codependency with unfortunate yet understandable consequences (and a happy ending). Don't read this if you want a light or insubstantial fare. If, however, you are in the mood for a deep dive into the difficulties of a strange friendship, of working through learned helplessness, & the frustrations of being taken for granted, check this out. CW for mentions of suicide, dubcon, and attempted rape.

This mangaka is one of my all-time favorites; her stories contain but still transcend BL tropes & cliches. While she doesn't always subvert these cliches, exactly, she gives them so much texture & life that they never seem to be tired. This story touches upon issues of internalized homophobia & class difference while still managing to be funny and sexy as hell. Normally wouldn't include any school life stories in this list but this is so well-written and fun that I had to make a rare exception.

Slow-build love story about a jaded prostitute & his driver; a beautifully illustrated, wonderfully written, nurturing, tender relationship. It replicates some noxious tropes about sex workers, but still a very moving story. Highly recommend if you want a romance between a sweet, protective man and someone who was dealt a horrible hand in life. Be forewarned: there is sexual brutality and a horrific, abusive backstory for the prostitute. But the featured relationship has zero abuse or coercion.

Four damn-near perfect stories, all of which are well-written, spacio-temporally nuanced, and melancholic. I was blown away by this collection of tales, all of which are distinct from one another and, as is usual for this mangaka, beautifully bound up with historical details that lend weight to her exquisitely written, realistic stories. Recommended if you long for intelligent, sophisticated BL that is delectably bittersweet.

The unusual art is, at times, reminiscent of traditional Japanese wood cuttings. The story is a psychologically textured romance between two lost souls who find one another and a folk tale with larger-than-life but flat characters and hyperbolic violence. Somehow, this strange amalgamation works, making for an off-beat, delightful read. Recommended if you have a yen for a historical story that blends grittiness, absurdity, and depth of feeling seamlessly.

The attention to psychological nuance and its theme of family make this manga heartwarming without being cloying. It doesn't shy away from the challenges of navigating difficult subjects with family members and with the complexity guilt can introduce into a friendship. An emotionally rich friends to lovers romance that is neither angst nor fluff: just a solid, well-told story with distinctive characters. May be the only school life story to make this list, but it has earned its place.