Best BL Anime Like Sasaki And Miyano

It’s difficult to overstate the popularity of boys’ love manga and anime in Japan. Romance is one of the most popular genres of storytelling in any medium, and BL is just another manifestation of that. No surprise, it’s now widespread throughout the world, even if it remains relatively niche compared to other themes.

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The genre adopts many classic elements of romantic comedies, from meet-cutes to misunderstandings. The popular series Sasaki and Miyano doubles down by letting Miyano introduce Sasaki to BL, sharing his passion for a fandom that’s all about passion. The sweet, the funny, the anxious, and the adorable unite in this anime all about the many possibilities of love. For those that haven’t got their fill, here are some other great BL anime.

Updated December 28, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Fall 2024 had basically no yaoi anime like Sasaki and Miyano, and Winter 2025 does not look much better, to be honest. Consequently, the section dedicated to non-BL anime recommendations has been expanded with a few more series. Click below to jump directly to this part of the article.

20

Dakaichi -I’m Being Harassed By The Sexiest Man Of The Year-

Relationship Grows As Anime Progresses

Sasaki and Miyano is supremely wholesome, which is something that is not all that common for BL anime. The genre is known for its less-than-family-friendly tropes, and Dakaichi does contain a few of these elements. Takato is a famous actor who has been repeatedly labeled as the sexiest man alive; however, he finally loses the top spot to a newcomer named Junta. The two performers wind up on a film together, and long story short, Junta manipulates Takato into a relationship.

The pair’s initial BL encounter is fairly uncomfortable as there is clear reluctance from Takato, but their dynamic improves as the anime moves along. The leads have good banter and chemistry, and their partnership eventually becomes engaging. It is also neat to see a BL anime that focuses on two adults, even if there is still a substantial age difference.

19

Banana Fish

Dark, Grim Seinen Anime With BL Elements

Every genre has its progenitors: the titles that helped define and popularize it, giving shape to stories and characters for decades to come. For BL anime, Banana Fish is one of those progenitors. Based on the 80s manga by Akimi Yoshida, Banana Fish is about New York gang leader Ash Lynx and his investigation into the drug that led to his brother’s murder.

As the investigation gets underway, Ash meets Eiji Nakamura, and the two soon fall in love. The anime adaptation is as emotionally punishing as the original manga, and there’s no denying that Banana Fish is close to BL perfection.

18

Hitorijime My Hero

Taboo But Safe

If someone is interested in fully exploring boys’ love anime, they need to know that a lot of shows deal with taboo relationships. In many ways, Hitorijime My Hero serves as a litmus test for someone’s tolerance for these dynamics since the anime covers quite a few divisive yaoi tropes while still playing it safe by the genre’s standards. A timid teenager, Masahiro yearns for a hero, and he finds his savior in the form of Kousuke, a high school teacher.

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Naturally, Masahiro develops feelings for his sensei, but Kousuke is not sure whether to commit to the younger protagonist or not. The story also follows Kensuke and Hasekura, two students who are a couple. Hitorijime My Hero does a decent job of exploring its characters’ backstories and why they are attracted to their specific relationships. While not devoid of melodrama, the romance anime incorporates plenty of humor as well.

17

Semantic Error

Brief Flashes Of Boys Love

OK, this one is a bit of a special case. Semantic Error is a South Korean manhwa that lasted for roughly three years, producing almost 100 chapters in the process. Ending in 2023, it is a great boys love series that is, for the most part, an easy recommendation for Sasaki and Miyano fans. If someone prefers to watch rather than read the story, they should consider checking out the 2022 live-action adaptation, which is available as either an 8-episode series or a movie, both of which can be watched on Viki. At a minimum, one of those versions needs to be watched to get anything approaching a satisfying experience.

Now, there is (technically) an anime version, but it is intended to complement rather than replace the source material. Consisting of four short episodes, the series covers slice of life moments from the manhwa, all of which revolve around the main duo’s romance. They provide snapshots of different points in their relationship, and these scenes are pretty cute and do a good job of highlighting the pair’s dynamic. Still, the anime does not really introduce the characters, their social standings, the conflict that brings them together, or their goals. Consequently, it cannot be recommended as a standalone project, but it works well as a fun little companion piece to (mainly) the manhwa.

16

Gakuen Handsome

BL Parody

Yaoi anime are already rare, and that goes triple for parodies of the genre. Gakuen Handsome has hideous art, detestable love interests, and the blandest protagonist imaginable; more importantly, all these things are intentional. Consisting of short three-minute episodes, the hilarious anime pokes fun at some of the more polarizing aspects of boys’ love stories, particularly older shows like Junjo Romantica and Gravitation​​​​​​.

Due to its nature, Gakuen Handsome should not be someone’s next BL anime after Sasaki and Miyano since the latter does not contain many of the tropes mocked by the 2016 series. Although enjoyable enough without context, Gakuen Handsome improves significantly if a viewer knows their yaoi.

15

Mignon

Intense Boys’ Love Anime

Before proceeding with this suggestion, it needs to be stated clearly that Mignon is far darker than Sasaki and Miyano. In fact, they arguably represent the two extremes of the boys’ love genre. The latter is a wholesome, cute romance with slice of life elements; meanwhile, the former is disconcerting, violent, and occasionally uncomfortable. Just because someone enjoys one show does not mean they will like the other, but Mignon still deserves a mention for one simple reason: it is fantastic. Furthermore, the episodes are just 5 minutes each, so this story can be consumed in roughly an hour, making it a quick and captivating watch without anything resembling a dull moment.

To avoid spoiling any of the major (and well-done) reveals, let’s only go over Mignon‘s basics. The core “romance” involves the eponymous character, an underground cage fighter, and a doctor named Young-One who works at the same pit. While strong and somewhat direct, the former is pretty naive, young, and dependent. He lives under the tutelage of an awful coach, who is responsible for some of the most unsettling sequences in the anime. Comparatively, Young-One is far more experienced, and he occasionally gives Mignon advice that falls on deaf ears. They have an interesting dynamic from their very first scene, but the first episode ends with a big twist that propels the story forward.

While it exists in a different genre than Sasaki and Miyano, Mignon is still ultimately built on a strong relationship between two characters who are slowly breaking the barriers between them, finding comfort in a pretty dark world (which is, obviously, different than Sasaki and Miyano).

14

Sukisho!

Nothing But Romance

Sukisho centers around the relationship between boys at an all-boys boarding school. Its attractive animation is one of the first things to hook most viewers. As for its plot, it will be too much fluff for some, with several episodes in its 13-episode run that could be considered filler. In many ways, Sukisho is an archetypical BL anime: heavy on romance and light on deeper themes.

The anime just focuses on the developing connection between two young men. Toss in some fan service and youthful high jinks and one has the makings of a solid if simple BL series.

13

Love Stage!!

Strong Core Relationship

Stylish, with well-rounded characters and a plot that hits on most of the staples of the genre, Love Stage is the story of Izumi, a college student who is also an aspiring manga writer. His mother is an actress, his father a director, and his brother the lead vocalist for a band, meaning Izumi has big shoes to fill creatively.

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Complicating things is Ryoma, a man two years older than Izumi, who fell in love with the protagonist years ago, mistaking him for a girl thanks to his small figure. Ryoma retains his feelings even after discovering Izumi’s true gender, however, allowing the embers of romance that were kindled years ago to reunite. Neither is sure where their new relationship is leading, but discovering the answer to that question is exactly what makes Love Stage captivating for the audience.

12

Heaven Official’s Blessing

Romance Is One Part Of An Epic Whole

A Chinese donghua anime, Heaven Official’s Blessing takes the idea of divine love seriously. So seriously, in fact, its protagonist is literally divine: Xie Lian was a once-mighty god. Now reduced to a fraction of his former glory, Xie meets Hua Cheng in heaven, a divine entity even more frightfully powerful than himself.

The romance between Xie and Hua is elegant. It unfolds gradually, and because it plays out against a backdrop of mystery, religion, and myth, it never feels the tremendous pressure to carry the entire story as romance does in many BL anime. Instead, the love between the gods feels natural, which makes it a whole different kind of divine.

11

No.6

Fun Setting, Likable Protagonists

No matter the time or place, whether deep in Earth’s past, the far-flung reaches of outer space, or a medieval fantasy world where dragons and sorcerers rule the day, love more or less always looks like love. No.6 is a near-future sci-fi story about two young men in a dystopian world.

The series succeeds in giving viewers three-dimensional characters in a three-dimensional setting. It isn’t perfect by any means, but the richness of its animation and artwork lends an extra layer of great on top of an already good manga. It might not have the humor of Sasaki and Miyano, but it lacks little else.

10

Spiritpact

Charming Banter

Another series that falls short of perfection but has a great deal to offer fans of Sasaki And Miyano, Spiritpact is about Tanmoku, an exorcist, and Keika, the victim of a freak accident that took his life. Two men, one dead, could have been the end of it.

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Instead, Tanmoku offers Keika the opportunity to carry on as Tanmoku’s spirit shadow, allowing Keika to maintain his bond to the real world, even if he isn’t an ordinary human being. The interesting plot and supernatural hijinks are fun, but what is likeliest to keep viewers watching is the banter between Tanmoku and Keika, two men who, for obvious reasons, have a lot to say to one another.

9

Beryl And Sapphire

Unique BL Anime

How much can this anime realistically accomplish in eight minutes? More than most anime can accomplish in 20, it turns out. Despite its short runtime, Beryl and Sapphire takes BL fans on a journey unlike any other in the genre. It manages this by re-framing the story every single time, casting Beryl and Sapphire in new roles, even as the story of their lives and romance presses ever forward

Intersecting storylines and shifting settings make Beryl and Sapphire difficult to describe, but captivating. There simply isn’t another BL anime like it, and Sasaki and Miyano fans shouldn’t miss it.

8

Special Mention: Senpai is an Otokonoko

Dealing With Complex Emotions In Pursuit Of One’s True Self

While hardly inescapable, boys’ love and girls’ love anime are relatively common, with most seasons producing about one of each. Despite sharing similarities with both, Senpai is an Otokonoko is unique and emphasizes a life experience that is rarely focused upon by anime. Although a few shows incorporate crossdressing as a theme, they usually limit this element to a secondary character rather than the protagonist. Senpai is an Otokonoko bucks that trend by revolving around Makoto, a teenage boy who has always felt more comfortable in clothes for girls. Unfortunately, he has to hide this part of himself at home due to his disapproving mother; fortunately, he is liberated at school. Makoto is initially ostracized, but he has a close friend in Ryuuji.

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At first, Senpai is an Otokonoko frames itself as a love triangle between Makoto, Ryuuji (who has been in love with his friend for years), and Aoi (a girl who falls in love with Makoto when she thinks he is a girl). In a rare achievement for the romance genre, all three characters are incredibly likable and supportive, to the point that Ryuuji and Aoi both encourage each other to pursue their interest in Makoto. As the story progresses, Ryuuji and Makoto become the main couple, and they are relentlessly charming.

Senpai is an Otokonoko is a fairly grounded show that presents a sobering look at parent-child relationships and the complex search for identity that most teenagers go through. Ryuuji and Makoto are very much trying to understand their feelings, and the answers do not come easy.

7

Twilight Out Of Focus

A Performance For The Ages

Nowadays, most quarters seem to not only incorporate this genre but feature relatively high-quality shows; in hindsight, Sasaki and Miyano was something of a turning point for BL stories. The Summer 2024 season was no exception.

Twilight Out of Focus delivers a compelling story about two high school students who are exploring their sexuality. As roommates, Hisashi and Mao are relatively comfortable with each other, to the point that the former only reveals to the latter that he has a preference for men. As part of the film club, Mao works behind the camera; meanwhile, Hisashi is asked to be the lead actor in the group’s upcoming short movie. This experience allows the dup to grow closer and start a secretive relationship.

Twilight Out of Focus brings Hisashi and Mao together surprisingly quickly, with the characters becoming a couple within roughly three episodes. While not graphic, the anime is not afraid to emphasize that its leads are physically attracted to each other, and they act on these emotions. Even though its core relationship is quite endearing, Twilight Out of Focus touches upon serious topics as well, particularly about Hisashi’s past. Consequently, the show is not as wholesome as Sasaki and Miyano, although that is not necessarily a bad thing.

6

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years Of Virginity Can Make You A Wizard?!

BL With A Supernatural Element

A Winter 2024 anime, Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! is one of those shows some people might outright dismiss due to its peculiar title. On paper, it almost sounds like a parody of boys’ love anime, which is not the case. Although not devoid of humor, Cherry Magic is a refreshingly earnest attempt to tell a cute story that just happens to feature a supernatural element. The “cherry” in question, Adachi celebrated his 30th birthday by acquiring telepathy, although the ability only activates through direct contact. For the most part, this skill has been nothing but a headache for Adachi, but his life takes a strange turn when he learns that his coworker, the popular Kurosawa, is interested in him.

Kurosawa is seen as something of a stud at the office, coming across as charismatic and confident; however, he has plenty of hidden insecurities, which he accidentally reveals to Adachi. Without this insight into the character, Kurosawa’s steps to impress Adachi might come across as aggressive; in reality, they are just somewhat desperate attempts to connect with someone Kurosawa cares deeply about. Adachi is a fascinating character in his own right, and he is also struggling with his own sexuality and desires.

5

The Stranger By The Shore

Heartwarming Movie About Self-Discovery

It’s discouraging and misleading when the only depiction of a community is of the suffering it faces, but it’s worse for media to ignore the very real suffering that does occur. Shun Hashimoto dreams of an author’s life, only for his parents to abandon him for being gay. With this simple premise, Umibe no Etranger places itself on the side of painful realism, but the anime doesn’t dwell unnecessarily on the negative.

To that end, Shun soon meets Mio Chibana, an orphaned high schooler in Okinawa. The bond they develop is soon tested, but their struggles are painted with a compassionate brush. Umibe no Etranger looks at the good and bad of love alike.

4

Welcome Home

A Progressive Romance About Family

In a season containing sequels like KonoSuba, Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, and Mushoku Tensei along with exciting new adaptations such as Kaiju No. 8, Whisper Me a Love Song, and Spice and Wolf, Welcome Home was always destined to be among Spring 2024’s least-discussed series. Romance is an acquired taste, and throwing boys’ love into the equation sends everything into the most niche corner imaginable. Add the fact that Welcome Home is also part of the Omegaverse, a project consisting of dozens upon dozens of stories set within a unique universe that shakes up gender roles, and the result is one of the most niche series on air at the moment.

Or, at least, that might be someone’s impression if they never try Studio Deen’s anime. If they do, they will find a touching and nuanced story about family, gender norms, and generational trauma. Masaki, an Omega, and Hiromu, an Alpha, are a married couple who are raising their very young children. For the most part, their days are filled with love, affection, hide and seek, and wholesomeness; however, they have to occasionally deal with society’s prejudice against Omegas. Masaki is all too familiar with discrimination, and he is determined to avoid passing on those fears to his kids.

Although touching upon heavy themes, Welcome Home is primarily a cute slice of life anime that just follows the Fujiyoshi family as they lead their best lives. The series balances drama, comedy, and romance pretty well, delivering a whole that is more than the sum of its parts.

3

Doukyusei: Classmates

BL At Its Finest

While there’s nothing wrong with elaborate world-building, complicated plots, and twists at every turn, there’s something undeniably satisfying about a simple tale well told. Doukyusei: Classmates is a story about two classmates in love.

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Rihito and Hikaru are both in the school’s chorus. Rihito is an introverted honor student, while Hikaru an academically struggling extrovert. Hikaru offers to help Rihito with his vocals, and romance ensues. The simplicity of the story, far from being a drawback, is part of the appeal. Sometimes BL anime should just be about boys in love. Here it is.

2

Yuri!!! On Ice

Most Famous BL Anime

When one thinks of sports anime, what often comes to mind are titles like Prince of Tennis, All Out, Ace of Diamonds, and Kuroko’s Basketball. Baseball, football, and basketball might arise in the imagination. Male competitive ice skating probably doesn’t.

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That changes with Yuri!!! On Ice. This series does what all good sports anime should, which is to tell a story so compelling that it draws viewers in even if they aren’t fans of the sport. Yuri!!! on Ice is a brilliant BL anime as well, with a wide and engaging cast of characters, sharp dialogue, and solid twists. Whether one watches for the triple Axels or the hand-holding, this series exceeds expectations.

1

Given

Challenging But Rewarding

Music touches the spirit uniquely, perhaps one reason that music anime is so beloved. Given is both a BL anime and music anime, following the story of high school students Mafuyu Sato and Ritsuka Uenoyama. The latter helps the former tune and play his guitar, unaware that it belonged to Mafuyu’s first love. Mafuyu joins Ritsuka’s band soon after.

Given is emotionally tough, unafraid of throwing viewers into the deep end of their feelings. Yet probing heavy themes is always done in the name of enriching the romantic plot between the two, and Given flourishes exactly because it’s willing to use the dark to illuminate the light.

Non-Boys Love Anime That Sasaki And Miyano Fans Might Want To Check Out

• 	Bloom Into You	Horimiya	How I Attended an All-Guy’s Mixer	Sk8 the Infinity	Tanaka-Kun Is Always Listless	Skip and Loafer	Kiss Him, Not Me!	My Love Story!!
  Release Date	2018-12-28	2021-01-10	2024-10-05	2021-01-10	2016-04-09	2023-04-04	2016-10-06	2015-04-08
  Genres	Romance	Drama, Animation, Comedy	Animation, Romance, Comedy	Animation, Action, Adventure	Animation, Comedy	Animation, Comedy	Drama, Comedy, Anime	Slice of Life, Romance, Comedy
  MyAnimeList Score	7.89	8.20 (Season 1)	7.46	8.01	7.81	8.12	6.94	7.90

Ultimately, there are only so many yaoi anime out there, so Sasaki and Miyano fans will eventually run out of series to watch if they stick solely to that genre. However, if they are willing and ready to stretch out beyond that point, they can find plenty of other shows that strike a similar chord. After all, slice of life teen romances are hardly rare, and the gender of the main characters does not have to be a deal-breaker. Therefore, let’s highlight a couple of shows that are worth watching despite not containing overt BL themes.

• Bloom Into You – If Sasaki and Miyano is a prime candidate to be the definitive modern boys love anime, then an argument could be made that Bloom Into You is the girls love equivalent. Both shows revolve around two students who become friends and (fairly quickly) start a relationship, and one person is very much in the process of discovering their sexuality. Now, Bloom Into You has a different tone as one of the girls, Yuu, is not familiar with love and enters the relationship with Touko in the hope of experiencing something resembling that feeling. As such, there is something of a power imbalance between the two as their emotional investments are not equal, although the anime generally avoids going into uncomfortable situations. Bloom Into You is a coming-of-age drama just as much as it is a romance. Unfortunately, the anime only has 13 episodes and no ending.
• Horimiya – As one of the most popular romance anime of the 2020s, Horimiya probably does not need any advertisement, but it warrants a mention regardless. In fact, this recommendation is fueled less by Miyamura and Hori’s relationship and more by the show’s balance of romance, humor, and slice of life. Especially in The Missing Pieces sequel, episodes tend to have a lighthearted tone that mostly focuses on showing the students’ lives, while also quietly furthering a couple of relationships. For those who enjoy Sasaki and Miyano‘s holistic approach, Horimiya should be a great alternative.
• How I Attended an All-Guy’s Mixer – Six college-aged students meet for a mixer; however, the guys are caught off-guard when they find three girls dressed as men waiting for them. After digesting the situation, they quickly strike a rapport, setting the stage for three romances.
• SK8 the Infinity – OK, this one is for those who want a touch more action and intensity. SK8 is a sports anime that, naturally, revolves around skating, specifically illegal races that are like something from Initial D. The sports element is a lot of fun, but this recommendation is due to Reki and Langa’s friendship, which serves as the story’s beating heart and soul. While not specifically yaoi, their dynamic is complex, charming, and quite emotional.
• Tanaka-kun is Always Listless – Now, here is a glorious anime built on the strength of a friendship between two guys. Tanaka and Oota are made for each other, with the latter understanding and adapting to the former’s tendency to disconnect from the world. While no hints are dropped of a potential romance between the two, and they both attract attention from girls, Tanaka and Oota’s friendship is undeniably the heart and soul of this cute and charming slice of life anime.
• Skip and Loafer – Beyond the boys love angle, Sasaki and Miyano is just a fantastic slice of life school anime that opts for a realistic look at high school life. Sure, some aspects might be slightly idealized, but the overall story is grounded in reality. Skip and Loafer strikes a similar tone, although it leans slightly more in drama territory than Sasaki and Miyano. Featuring all-around lovable characters who are all well-defined, this 2023 anime is a must-watch for nearly anyone, regardless of whether they are craving romance or not. Season 2 is also confirmed to be in the works.
• Kiss Him, Not Me! – OK, this one is a bit of a stretch since it requires an appreciation or tolerance for reverse harem tropes. Still, Kae’s love for yaoi stories is similar to Miyano’s, and it also allows for some crossover with BL content despite Kiss Him, Not Me! not being part of the genre as a whole. While the romance is hit-and-miss, the anime has decent humor.
• My Love Story!! – Just one of the best romance anime of all time. Really, that should be enough to warrant a watch. If someone enjoyed Sasaki and Miyano‘s relentless sweetness, they need to make it a priority to check out My Love Story!! Takaeo and Rinko’s romance is adorable, but the former’s bromance with Makoto is just as much of a highlight of this anime as the core relationship.

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