10 Best Yaoi Anime Series of All Time, According to MyAnimeList

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Yaoi is one of the most popular genres in anime. Created by and targeted specifically for a female audience, Yaoi features homoerotic relationships between male characters. His works are delicate and highly stylized, featuring androgynous or effeminate men in highly dramatic and often exaggerated romances.


Many yaoi works exist in the anime world, but not all of them are as popular or acclaimed as others. Still, a select few have some of the largest fanbases in the anime world and garner considerable critical praise, as evidenced by their ratings in the famed MyAnimeList database.

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Romantic Junjou (2008) – 7.52

Two smiling young men in the anime Junjou Romantica.

Subtitled “Pure Romance” in its English translation, Junjou Romantica focuses on the romance between 18-year-old Misaki Takahashi and 28-year-old Akihiko Usami. Although it features three other romances, the relationship between Misaki and Akihiko is the main focus of the series.

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Junjou Romantica has received praise from fans since its debut in manga form, and its good reception has continued in the anime. The plot sparked some controversy, mostly due to the power dynamic between the two characters, the excessive amount of sex, and the lack of story, but its loyal fanbase kept it alive, inspiring many. sequels and repercussions.

Hybrid Child (2014) – 7.55

Two men about to kiss in the anime Hybrid Child.

hybrid child Features one of the most original science fiction concepts for an anime series, not to mention a yaoi. It features three self-contained short stories between a character and her hybrid child, an android who needs love and care from her owner to grow.

All three stories are rather tragic, given the unique nature of the hybrid child. Yet this singular setup allows for a series that focuses more on the emotional bond between the couples than the physical expressions of their love. Like its titular creation, hybrid child is truly one of the kings of the anime world.

Romantic Junjou 3 (2015) – 7.65

The main couple of the Junjou Romantica 3 anime fall.

The third season of the popular Junjou Romantica the anime continues to explore the relationship between Misaki and Usagi. The plot takes place three years after the couple moved in together and features the arrival of a potential rival for Misaki’s affections. Love triangles can be great when done rightand Junjou Romantica makes the most of its detour through the trope.

Junjou Romantica 3 also features other fan-favorite couples, including Ryuuichirou Isaka and Kaoru Asahina and Nowaki Kusama, and Hiroki Kamijou. Additionally, the series features a fourth couple, though their seventeen-year age difference may make some people uncomfortable.

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi (2011) – 7.67

Two young men in the subway in the anime Sekaiichi Hatsukoi.

Workplace romances are one of TV’s most enduring tropes. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi features the relationship between the proud Ritsu Onodera and his editor, the infamous Masamune Takano. The two have a past, being each other’s high school sweethearts, which left emotional scars on them, making their dynamic all the more nuanced.

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi employs all of the best tropes of the rom-com genre to deliver a genuinely compelling story. It may not break new ground, but its central romance is layered, with fans praising its emotional depth and thrilling quality.

Junjou Romantic OVA (2012) – 7.72

Characters from the Junjou Romantica OVA.

The Junjou Romantica empire returned in 2012 with the two-episode OVA of the same name. Released four years after Season 2, the OVA features three stories centered around the show’s central couples, featuring slice-of-life episodes of their ongoing relationships.

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Fans hailed the OVA as an enjoyable return to the world of Junjou Romantica, especially after a long period of absence. The OVA was a huge departure from the series’ previous formula, focusing on more “cute” moments than the intense drama that made it famous.

Romantic Junjou 2 (2008) – 7.73

An older man watches a younger one sleep in the anime Junjou Romantica 2.

Season 2 of Junjou Romantica aired just three months after Season 1 and continues the central romance between Misaki and Usagi while expanding to cover other couples. Season 2 features more drama, comedy, and the passionate romance that fans have come to expect from this property.

Some fans criticized the season’s overly melodramatic tone – indeed, Series 2 ups the ante in all departments, including the already over-the-top drama. The introduction of Usagi’s father, one of the worst romantic comedy parents and a rival in love with his son’s relationship, sums up Junjou Romanticacommitment to exaggeration. However, fans of the story surely won’t care; that’s what they liked in the first place!

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 2 (2011) – 7.86

Two men lying on a bed embracing in the anime Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 2.

The complicated romance between Ritsu and her editor, Masamune, continues in season 2 of Sekaiichi Hatsukoi. The show adds to the drama by featuring two other couples also working at Masamune’s department, each with their dilemmas and struggles.

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Most fans agree that Season 2 is an improvement over the already above-average first entry. Praise goes to the twists in the couples’ storylines, with fans appreciating the show’s efforts to avoid familiar territory despite the book’s premise. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi has its fair share of toxic relationships, but whether to glorify them is up to each fan.

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi OVA (2011) – 7.88

Two men kissing in the Sekaiichi Hatsukoi OVA.

Premiering the same year as Season 2, Sekaiichi HatsukoiOVA is a two-episode continuation of the main storylines of the series. Episode 1 shows Ritsu and Masamune’s high school romance, adding more context to their relationship, while Episode 2 centers around Chiaki taking Hatori to meet her family; it’s not going well.

Fans of the series praised the series for revisiting Ritsu and Masamune’s early relationship; in fact, some even think the OVA would have been better off if it focused solely on their high school romance. Episode 2 received slightly worse reception, with many considering it boring.

Sasaki to Miyano (2022) – 8.25

Two young boys walking together and smiling at Sasaki To Miyano.

Coming-of-age stories are common in the romance genre, and Sasaki to Miyano is the perfect example. It focuses on the blossoming romance between Miyano, a shy student, and Sasaki, an upperclass student who begins to question his feelings for Sasaki.

Sasaki to Miyano focuses on a less problematic story than other yaoi series. Fans have also praised its quality and reliability. Most agree the story is generic but praise its depiction of young love, especially when the characters are unsure of their identities and sexual preferences.

Given (2019) – 8.34

Three young men on stage holding guitars and talking in the 2019 anime Given.

2019 anime Given focuses on the blossoming relationship between Ritsuka Uenoyama and Mafuyu Sato after the former fixes the latter’s guitar. Mafuyu then convinces Ritsuka to give him guitar lessons, bonding through their love of music and thus reigniting their romance.

Given is the highest rated yaoi anime on MyAnimeList. Fans praised the seamless transition from page to page while appreciating the animation and voice acting. However, there are some criticisms of the slow burn, especially in the early episodes.

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