Best 2024 BL Anime

Once upon a time, boys love anime had a fairly negative reputation for emphasizing taboo relationships and shock value above everything else. Just to be clear, some of these older series are entertaining in their own right, but they are products of a bygone age. In the last few years, the genre has shifted toward stories that focus on mature, realistic, and (sometimes) healthy romances. An argument could be made that the 2020s represent the golden age of BL anime.

2024 mostly succeeded in maintaining this recent run of good form. Except for Fall, every season contained one memorable series that explored the theme. While not exactly plentiful, the year certainly offered quantity, serving up multiple shows that are suitable entry points for newcomers to Yaoi romances. Simply put, the best 2024 BL anime are also among the genre’s greatest-ever efforts.

To qualify, an anime has to have a boys love relationship. No shows that hint at BL but do not pull the trigger.

5 Special Mention: Senpai is an Otokonoko

One Part Of A Complex Package

For the most part, boys love anime exist in an identifiable bubble, and these types of relationships are rarely explored by shows that are not specifically advertised as part of the genre. Senpai is an Otokonoko explores gender fluidity through Makoto, a male teenager who feels far more comfortable dressed in female clothing. While not accepted at home, Makoto is willing to risk backlash at school, and his crossdressing leads to ostracization at first. However, he is supported by his childhood friend Ryuuji and eventually befriends a younger schoolmate named Saki, with the trio forming a charming dynamic and a few lopsided crushes.

As the story progresses, Senpai is an Otokonoko sets up Ryuuji and Makoto as a couple, and they even start to date. However, the anime makes it clear that the romantic interest is still one-sided, with Makoto mostly regarding Ryuuji as an important friend rather than anything more intimate. As such, Senpai is an Otokonoko is not an excellent pick for viewers specifically craving boys love; however, it is a terrific coming-of-age story that explores gender identity and other tough subjects like neglect.

4 Twilight Out of Focus

Multiple BL Couples That Are All Wonderful

A well-rounded experience, Twilight Out of Focus is essentially an anthology anime that shifts between three couples who are all connected somewhat through a school’s film club. Each pairing takes center stage for a handful of episodes, and their dynamics are unique enough from each other to stand out. Before even getting into the romance, Twilight Out of Focus should be praised for its top-notch presentation, with constantly stellar animation, voice acting, and music. Honestly, the best 2024 boys love anime all have high production value.

While all three couples are lovable, Mao and Hisashi are the highlight, to the point of receiving more dedicated episodes than Giichi and Jin or Rei and Shion. Starting as roommates, the two students have a cute but slightly awkward connection, one that steadily transforms as Mao realizes that he might have feelings for Hisashi. The latter identifies as LGBTQ+ but prefers to keep that a secret, especially since he is stuck in and coming out of an unhealthy relationship. As they become closer, both characters grow more confident and comfortable, not only with each other but also with themselves. Their journey is heartwarming.

3 Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!

More Than Meets The Eye

Now, that is an eye-catching title that might also put off a few people who are not already invested in BL stories. Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! sounds pretty dumb, but the series uses its ludicrous premise to cleverly explore stereotypes and archetypes. Due to being a 30-year-old virgin, Adachi picks up the ability to read minds, which causes him to learn that his super-cool and popular colleague, Kurosawa, has a big crush on him. As he never really considered going in this direction, Adachi does not know how to process this information, and he ends up incapable of deciding whether to get closer to Kurosawa or keep his distance.

Kurosawa is the star of the show. Adachi’s ability provides deep insight into his coworker’s psyche and struggles, peeling away the “public” persona that Kurosawa presents. Cherry Magic features multiple scenes that feel like throwbacks to the aggressive BL anime of yesteryear that involved one dominant partner, but they are subverted through Kurosawa’s thought process that emphasizes his insecurity, fear, and kind nature. Adachi and Kurosawa’s friendship and eventual romance develop surprisingly naturally considering the bizarre psychic element, and they are not Cherry Magic‘s only BL dynamic.

The anime’s ending has an unnecessary and rushed time jump, suggesting a sequel is unlikely to happen. This is disappointing. Fortunately, the manga is ongoing, though.

2 Given Movie 2: Hiiragi Mix

Echoes Of The Past And The Looming Future

Given is not only one of the best boys love anime of all time, but also arguably helped trigger the genre’s current renaissance period alongside Sasaki and Miyano. The 2019 show is incredible, and the same can be said for the 2020 movie sequel. In 2024, the series was brought back for two follow-up movies, with Hiiragi Mix debuting at the beginning of the year in Japan. Like with its predecessor, the film pushes one of the secondary couples to the forefront; in this case, Hiiragi and Shizu receive the most attention, although not at the expense of the other characters.

All of Given‘s characters are processing past trauma to an extent, and that theme remains central in Hiiragi Mix. Hiiragi recruits Ritsuki to help finish a demo that Yuki worked on before his tragic death, and the song is inspired by the latter’s love for Mafuyu. In the meantime, Given could be set to go pro, although not every member of the band is 100% confident about embracing this future.

Although Ritsuki and Mafuyu’s relationship undergoes some fascinating development, the movie primarily focuses on Hiiragi and Shizu, who have yet to confess their feelings for each other. Before that can happen, the former has to challenge his complicated feelings for both Yuki and Mafuyu, which is handled well by the anime.

1 Welcome Home

A Beautiful Slice Of Life Boys Love Anime

For the most part, boys love anime fall within the romance genre. They often involve confessions, grandiose declarations of love, and personal awakenings. All great stuff, but there is something to be said about a low-key story that just follows an established couple as they go through their daily lives. Welcome Home is specifically that, and it is fantastic.

The anime is set within
the Omegaverse
, which imagines a world where individuals can have two sexes. While the concept is nuanced and is utilized in plenty of works, the most important detail to know is that people can be classified as the following:

• Alpha – Can impregnate men or women
• Omegas – Can get pregnant (both men and women)
• Betas – No second sex

Welcome Home follows Masaki, an Omega, and Hiromu, an Alpha, as they start a family and take care of their young children. By the start of the story, these two have already been together for years, and their relationship is perfectly demonstrated through adorable and poignant scenes. Most episodes highlight an average day in the pair’s lives as they deal with an energetic toddler and a new baby, all the while getting to know their neighbors.

While mostly wholesome, Welcome Home also explores subjects like prejudice, specifically through Masaki’s internalized hatred stemming from experiences of discrimination. Omegas are generally looked down upon, and Masaki fears that his children could suffer the same fate. Crucially, he is also scared that he might transfer his insecurities and trauma to them.