Best Yaoi Manhwa, Ranked

Key takeaways

• Shonen-ai in yaoi showcase healthy, non-sexual male relationships with engaging storylines.
• Yaoi manhwa presents complex stories while focusing on clear content, providing readers with diverse stories.
• Various sub-genres within yaoi, such as supernatural or school life, offer a range of stories beyond traditional romance stories.

Yaoi, often referred to as BL or Boys Love, is a genre that focuses on a romantic relationship between two men. Like any romance genre, there are various sub-genres, such as supernatural yaoi, school-life yaoi, and comedy yaoi, to name a few. Within the yaoi category is shonen-ai, a subgenre that focuses on non-sexual relationships between same-sex male partners. While shonen-ai is notably less popular on reading platforms than pure yaoi, it features some great stories that center around relationships and emotional intimacy or contain romantic subplots, with the story focusing more on action or mystery.

Some of the best performing yaoi are shonen-ai because readers aren't all stereotyped to be in the world of BL. From serial killer neighbors to lifelong friends turned into something more, Yaoi's wholesome little brother has something to offer all readers and fans of the genre.

October 1st, 2024, Updated by Ahmad Rehan Nasir: While this category is often similar to its BL counterpart, Yaoi manhwa features a completely unique range of stories. Despite their somewhat heavy focus on the obvious content, yaoi manhwa manage to present a balance of plot and fan service. While most yaoi manhwa can be bogged down with gratuitous fan service, these select few titles feature steamy subtext without compromising the plot. For fans of the theme looking for new manhwa, this list has been updated with some more exciting entries.

10 There is no love field

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.83/5

There is no love field is a yaoi rendition of the classic office romance trope between an intern and her new boss. As with any relationship with a power dynamic, Eunkyume's relationship with her boss can be a bit contentious, especially with Manhwa's theme of strong intimacy.

Because of their deep-rooted history, Jihyuk can be petty at times, both on the office floor and in bed. While this aspect of his personality makes him somewhat endearing, his ultimate growth somewhat redeems him.

9 Demonic heart

Anime-Planet Score: 4.1/5

Jonathan is a first-year student representative at Augustine Academy, a prestigious and expensive private school full of monsters. Jonathan is one of the special few humans chosen to enter demon school to assimilate into a life shared with humans after graduation. On his first day of class, he is rudely awakened by a mysterious boy whom he later meets in class. His name is Lucian.

Their world is full of mystery and violence, but sharing life with someone makes it so much easier. Or does it? Demonic heart Available to read on Tapas.

8 Murderous Llewellyn's Candlelight Dinner

Anime-Planet Score: 4.3/5

Murderous Llewellyn's Candlelight Dinner is a suspenseful drama set historically. It centers around Shavon, a ghostwriter working on Deadline, and Llewellyn, a mysterious creep in a new town. Shavon has been receiving creepy notes and knocks on her door every hour, but when she goes to the police, they laugh at her because there's a serial killer on the loose.

When Shavon meets Llewellyn eating raw onions, things don't go as planned, and Llewellyn asks Shavon to dinner at his apartment. Will Shavonne face the local serial killer?

7 salty friend

Anime-Planet Score: 4.3/5

Thomas is a ruffian who was suspended from school for fighting, and Zachary is at the top of the class. When Zachary walks in on a crying Thomas in PE class, Thomas fears that Zachary will tell the whole school that he was crying. After a day of worrying about his secret being spilled, Thomas decides to confront Zachary with bubble tea, hoping he won't say a word. This plan backfires, and Thomas completes Zachary's homework.

This opposites-attract school-life romantic dramedy features a bad boy and a top student as potential romantic partners. Only, the reason Zachary's interactions with Thomas are a little more complicated than he needs to be.

6 Between the Lines

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.32/5

Baek Dohu is a college student who writes BL novels on the side, and his favorite character archetype is trashy, manipulative scumbags. When he realizes that good boy Juhen is actually a jerk, Dohu becomes obsessed with making him his music for his novel.

While Juhen begins as a troubled character, he softens to Dohu as their unorthodox acquaintance begins to turn into something much deeper. Even as a yaoi manhwa with very clear visuals, Between the Lines It is largely a wholesome account of two men slowly falling in love.

5 Killer crush

Anime-Planet Score: 4.3/5

Taeman is an assassin for hire and a good one at that. Dahyeok is an actor who recently transitioned from male lead roles in romcoms to wanting to be taken seriously as a dramatic actor. To expand his range as an actor, Dahyeok looks to Taeman for inspiration. The only thing that can spoil their mutually beneficial arrangement is if one of them falls for the other.

Killer crush is an action comedy about two people from opposite worlds coming together for a completely epic adventure. It is available to read in Lezhin.

4 Pizza Delivery Man and Gold Palace

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.35/5

Pizza Delivery Man and Gold Palace Another is the yaoi manhwa that forgoes the usual racist antics for a more nuanced plot. Despite their polar opposite backgrounds, Woo-wan and Seo-an find refuge in each other, eventually healing the wounds of their past by weakening for each other.

From mental health issues to past traumas, Pizza Delivery Man and Gold Palace Addresses all sorts of subtle themes, all while presenting the budding relationship between the two men. Since the manhwa mainly focuses on the two characters and their struggles, the story can often feel like a slow-burn manhwa, though the final couple is definitely worth the wait.

3 strange attraction

Anime-Planet Score: 4.4/5

When Yoon Jae meets his new neighbor, things are not all they seem. Among his moving boxes is a box covered in talismans, and when Eun Jae falls near the box, something strange happens. Now, Yoon Jae is being haunted by voices claiming to be his brother, sleep paralysis, and a dark shadow. Will his new neighbor be able to do something about the mysterious happenings?

strange attraction A supernatural drama about two college-age men and their relationship as they deal with dark spirits. It is available to read in Lezhin.

2 Salad Day/Pirouette in my heart

Anime-Planet Score: 4.4/5

Shane is a male ballerina and Ginny is a boxer. They met at the age of 12 when their studios were next to each other, and hit it off despite their vast differences. Shane comes from a rural town and Ginny comes from money. Both of their circumstances make them outcasts within their studio. Fortunately, they have each other to lean on when things get tough.

Salad days, also called Pirouette in my heart, Follows Shane and Ginny through adolescence and explore their respective careers as the two support each other's endeavors. It is available for reading at Tapas.

1 Our sunny days

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.52/5

Unlike most yaoi manhwa, Our sunny days Defies expectations with a story that stays healthy until the end. With a childcare theme, Manhwa largely revolves around a single father's fresh start in a remote village, which leads to an unexpected encounter with a passionate man.

Childcare themes are rare within the yaoi landscape, making this manhwa one of the few comics to do the theme justice. Sung Ho and Heebom's playful yet gentle dynamic is enough to draw readers in, though Manhwa doubles down on the healthy side of things with its parental themes.