BL... but it’s not fully BL?

It’s a seinen that focuses around the LGBTQ+ community and is honestly just amazing. I could go on and on about how much I adore this manga but the best thing to do—
is simply recommend it for you to experience yourself.

This manga is beautiful in every aspect—from the stunning art, the intricate paneling, the various characters, the plot, and the message it shares. I’m so glad I decided to read this story—I just felt so emotional.
It’s a solid 6/5 stars

There’s no shounen ai genre placed in the manga. And that’s because it really isn’t... well, sort of.
It’s a school life shounen published in Shounen Jump... but there must be some reason it’s in this list, right?

But rather than have me spoil it to you myself, I recommend reading up to chapter 5. By the end of the first volume it becomes clearer what the manga is about.
I highly recommend this manga. It’s just so refreshing to finally see LGBTQ+ topics tackled like this in other genres :)

It’s been a while since I read this but I remember loving it.
Told from the perspective of Jumi, she meets two boys in a complex relationship.
This is marked shounen ai, but it’s not really. You follow along with Jumi as you watch her interact with these characters and learn more about them all.

It’s pretty interesting and it’s been too long since I last read it so I can’t give a full review with my thoughts, but it was all the hype in 2017 so it’s a must read.

I’m enjoying this one. I can’t deny that I’m hooked on love triangles with these type of relationships (as seen in the other manga in this list...).
It’s not marked any real noticeable genre (as in shounen ai, shoujo, shounen, etc.) and that’s because... I guess we just really don’t know the end game and how this story will play out.
Who will win in the love triangle is unknown but, either way, it sure gives off a unique feeling.

This one’s more shounen ai than the ones above;
However, it wasn’t published in a BL magazine (but in shoujo one) and it doesn’t revolve around the romance aspect. But it has an amazing plot focus that keeps you extremely invested!

It’s a stunning action manga and I 100% recommend it. It’s emotional, it’s thrilling and boy does it leave an impact on you once it ends...

I HIGHLY recommend this manga!! It’s adapted from a novel and even elicited an anime adaption. One of my big favorites :)

Unlike the other manga on this list, this one is 100% yaoi. This means that there is smut and it has a very clear stance on its couple unlike the other ones above.

But what makes it different from other yaoi is obvious.
It stands out because this is a collaboration—it’s written by an author specializing in BL, but is drawn by a shounen artist.
The shounen art really makes a difference here; everything gives off this old-school shounen vibe that I love and sets the tone perfectly :)

This is a super cute read!!
It’s BL but it gives off this refreshing feel that is unique to it—it kinda has the feel of a shoujo. And you might notice that there actually is a shoujo genre tag. Along with being a shounen ai, it actually IS shoujo as well :)

The mangaka who brought great shoujo like Oremonogatari collaborated to bring a shounen ai + shoujo mix. And an amazing one at that!
It’s so refreshing and I adore this story so much <3

It’s an EXTREMELY wholesome slice of life story that follows the perspective of a mom who has a gay son. It’s extremely soothing that really helps you understands the importance of acceptance and love throughout <3

It’s honestly the purest and cutest thing I’ve ever read :’)
I recommend reading it if you need something to cleanse your tainted eyes and soul with.

This one is an interesting case. It’s both shoujo and shounen-ai— written by the shoujo mangaka for Usotoki Lily.
However... you might also notice the gender bender genre listed as Yashiro, who was rejected by his friend, gets hit by a car and wishes to become a girl.
But what sets this apart from other gender benders and the reason why it’s in my list is because it delves more heavily into the underlying topics in shounen ai.

This is one of my favorites and I recommend it :)

This is a shoujo manga.
You follow Ueda, a teacher, as he helps his students and listens to their troubles. The shounen-ai genre comes from the students’ drama in volume 1.

It’s a pretty refreshing take on school life as you see various issues tackled via the students in his class, but through the perspective of the teacher MC.

Waiting on volume 2 :’)