BL or yaoi is one of the most sensitive topics that may raise a lot of controversies as well as disagreements among the readers. However, as the LGBTQ+ community is finally getting accepted in the society, the desires of people to watch such stuff have also increased, leading to the adaptation of a number of movies, shows and anime under that category.
Nowadays, genres like ecchi, shoujo, yaoi and harem are gained immense popularity, and it is good to see people normalising these anime genres. So let us take a look at one of the most popular yaoi anime that have been loved by the spectators.
Given (2019)
Director: Hikaru Yamaguchi
Script: Yuniko Ayana
Produced by: Lerche
Total number of episodes: 11
The anime revolves around the life of a group of four high school students who have formed a rock band, and the two romantic relationships that emerge between them— one between the lead vocalist Mafuyu Satō and the electric guitarist Ritsuka Uenoyama, while the other one between the drummer Akihiko Kaji and the bassist Haruki Nakayama. The story has been parted in two arcs, the first one of which primarily focuses on Ritsuka and Mafuyu’s relationship, along with the founding of the band as well as their hard work for the first live performance. In the second arc, the story shifts it’s focus to the relationship between Haruki and Akihiko, and the preparation of the band for their first music festival.
Adapted from a manga of the same name, ‘Given’ is an exceptional BL anime that beautifully portrays the romance between two boys, without using any unnecessary NSFW scenes. It is very much alike any shoujo series, and even the casual fans can watch it without any hesitation.
Beryl And Sapphire (2018)
Produced by: Tencent Animation & Comics
Total number of episodes: 72
This donghua (Chinese anime) created by artist Ocarina showcases the evolution of affection between two males whose feelings have always been put through tests under different scenarios. The protagonists of the story are Beryl, the mild-mannered one and Sapphire, the easily-embarrassed one— who are a bickering couple, often seen as the closest friends, but the next moment, they are no less than the worst enemies. Each of the episodes have been set in a different universe. Sometimes they are seen as ordinary school boys, and sometimes one of them is showcased as a “knight in shining armor” where he needs to defeat the King’s rival, who is none other than his love interest in alternate reality.
Although the anime appears to be very fluffy, and full of sugar on the surface, it actually consists of sudden turns keeping the spectators hooked till the end and has an unexpected ending.
Hybrid Child (2014)
Directed by: Michio Fukuda
Written by: Aki Itami
Studio: Studio Deen
Total number of episodes: 3 (Standalone)
The anime consists of three episodes of different storylines, each of them focusing on a hybrid child— which is basically a doll, created by a special doll-maker, who looks and behaves just like a human. It can neither be considered as a full human nor as a full machine, since it has the ability to grow with enough love and support from its owners, and develop emotional bonds with them. Although they are like people, they serve their owners, some of whom use them for inappropriate acts.
The entire series comprises of several short stories of love between humans and their dolls, romance, sacrifice, maturity and angst. The first story is about a young boy, Kotaro who learns to take responsibilities when the lifespan of his Hybrid Child runs out. The second story is about a swordsman, Seya, who learns to nurture feelings again with his Hybrid child, Yuzu’s help, while the third story focuses on the creator of the Hybrid Child, Kuroda, whose creation owed to his lost love.
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Spirit Pact (2016)
Directed by: Li Haoling
Produced by: Tang Yunkang
Written by: Reiko Torii
Total number of episodes: 10
Adapted from a Chinese web manhua by Pingzi, the anime centers around an exorcist, Tanmoku Ki, who is considered to be a very powerful person in his universe. On the other hand, we have a young and naive Boy, Keika, who dies due to a freak accident. When they come across each other, Tanmoku Ki offers him to be his spirit shadow, which will let Keila keep his relationship with the world of humans alive, even though he would be a spirit. The young boy agrees to the proposal and the tumultuous bond between two stubborn and strong headed men begins, in which neither of them wants to surrender before the other.
Although there is a constant bickering between the two, they soon realise their special relationship with each other, which is surely not as simple as a mere master-servant’s one. You can watch it online on Chrunchyroll, along with English subtitles.
No. 6 (2011)
Directed by: Kenji Nagasaki
Written by: Seishi Minakami
Studio: Bones
Total number of episodes: 11
The anime has been inspired by a Japanese novel series, which has been written by Atsuko Asan, and later got adapted into a manga. Set in a dystopian city called ‘No.6,’ the story is about a boy named Shion, who has grown up in the luxurious and elite environment of his home and seems lead a perfect life. However one day when he decides to help another boy escape from his captives and to give him a shelter on a stormy night, whom he names Nezumi, his entire life changes. Several years after, when they meet again, Shion helps Nezumi out once again, but this time, his kindness results in something else.
Shion is bound to leave No. 6 and Nezumi takes him to the place where he lives with his fellow beings— a place where the lives of innocents are sacrificed in order to build the perfect place where he used to live.
Yuri!!! on Ice (2016)
Directed by: Sayo Yamamoto, Jun Shishido
Written by: Sayo Yamamoto , Mitsurō Kubo
Studio: MAPPA
Total number of episodes: 12+OVA
The anime focuses on the relationships between a Yuri Katsuki, a Japanese figure skater; Victor Nikiforov, who is a Russian figure-skating champion and Yuri’s idol, and Yuri Plisetsky, who is an upcoming Russian skater. Yuri K. and Yuri P. participate in a competition titled ‘Figure Skating Grand Prix,’ where Yuri K. is guided by Victor.
The anime is considered as one of the best anime of 2016, and all the fans, especially those who are fujoshis, have praised the LGBT+ romance, finally being portrayed in a commercial show, free of any problem. Both the main leads are in their mere 20s, making the anime one of those Yaoi where the main highlights aren’t on the youths.
Mo Dao Zu Shi (2018-present)
Written by: Liang Sha
Directed by: Xiong Ke
Total number of episodes: 23
Produced by: B.C May Pictures, Tencent Penguin Pictures
Set in the fictional world ofXianxia, where humans want to achieve immortality or Xian, the anime tells the story of Wei Wuxian who, owing to the circumstances, shifts from the traditional path to Xian, and ultimately creates the Demonic Path, or Mo Dao. ‘Mo Dao Zu Shi’ is one of those shows where the BL factor is just another element of the show, and primarily, it focuses on action and thrill, making it watchable for non-BL fans as well, who have found it extremely good.
Adapted from a Chinese novel going by the same name penned down by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, the anime is primarily for those who like to watch shows with slow burning romances, because there is still no declaration of love or even a slight hint of it between our leads, even after a whole two seasons. However, the anime is popular among the viewers, owing to its outstanding animation and exceptional imagery of ancient China, showcasing the use of supernatural objects and magic.
Banana Fish (2018)
Directed by: Hiroko Utsumi
Written by: Hiroshi Seko
Studio: MAPPA
Total number of Episodes: 24
The anime, ‘Banana Fish’ revolves around the relationship of a teenage gang leader residing in New York City,Ash Lynx, with a Japanese photographer’s assistant, Eiji Okumura. Although the show is classified as an action-thriller, the romance takes place between the two male leads. The homosexuality and homoeroticism has been portrayed in the series, which is being inspired from the boys’ love genre.
The response from the fans regarding the kiss scenes from the anime have been taken in a good way since the spectators found the show interesting, and went on to achieve crossover appreciation between the viewers of different anime genre.
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