Hengoku no Calendula
This author is a master of shounen bl and I don’t know why they’re the one of the only people tapping into the genre. The world building is amazing and so are the characters. The love story between the two protagonists simply plays out in the background while the true story lies within the bond of a father and son.
Shinobeba Koi
This is how you write bl with adult characters without making the setting an office, adult industry, or bar. The characters are not overbearing. A misunderstanding makes this a slow burn. Also cool motorcycle gang concept.
Karasugaoka Don't be shy!!
Main boy is in a gang to protect the weak from bad guys and his rival gang... does the exact same thing but in a different neighborhood. They’re basically both crime prevention services. The MC and ML are both leaders for their respective gangs that are always butting heads with each other. Lo and behold, the MC has a big fat crush on the ML, but acts like he hates him. He’s a tsundere, but I’ll tolerate it because he’s adorable. The two leads are complete idiots and fall in love with each other. What more do we need?
Dasadanan
Childhood friends to lovers. A classic. Nothing too unpredictable, but the character dynamics make it worth the read. The MC’s male friend and female friend pine over him since their childhood and the MC is dense as hell. Of course, our main boy gets with his mans, but that doesn’t leave our gal alone. Everyone gets paired with somebody by the end of the story and everyone lives happily ever after. This is just a fluffy and funny read, but no one’s complaining.
Abarenbo honey
Set in omegaverse (Oop!). The MC is a delinquent while the ML is in a yakuza family. It’s a truly satisfying rivals to lovers story. The ML doesn’t know how to convey his feelings, but learns how to care for the MC. He doesn’t come off as the corny possessive stereotype ML, rather, he’s protective, and this trait leads him to becoming a kinder person in general. The MC is DEDICATED to his mans it’s incredibly endearing. They become a family and wild antics + wholesome hours ensue.
Koi wa Nanairo Shichihenge!?
One of the “falling in love with a person in cosplay and mistaking them for a girl” mangas that I actually tolerate. The MC isn’t bossy or overbearing. His confidence works well with the more flustered ML. I loved how the manga showed his passion for cosplay as well. The ML’s awkwardness isn’t out of place or annoying. The two genuinely care for each other and stand up for each other. It’s wholesome hours.
The Man in the Mirror
I wouldn’t be mad if more of these kinds of stories were adapted into anime. A short, but magical read. It takes you to a different world, literally. (Isekai, but it’s not annoying and characters are tolerable). Beautiful art.
Last Omegaverse