Manhua are comics published in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Although similar in origin to Japanese manga, each of these comics has a unique approach, art style, and theme. With the growing popularity of Japanese manga, Korean manhwa and Chinese manhua have also seen a surge in popularity. This is mainly due to their adaptation to digital technologies and the publication of webtoons or digital comics.

As the popularity of East Asian comics grew, they began to expand into various genres. Boys’ Love (or BL) is a genre that has had a profound impact on all sectors of the entertainment industry, with some even benefiting from live-action adaptations like Given and Cherry Blossoms After Winter. Therefore, there are some excellent BL manhuas that have taken up residence in the hearts of fans.

Updated October 18, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: Danmei, or BL manhua, has become very popular in recent years within the Boys’ Love fandom. This niche subgenre is full of great LGBTQ+ stories that also highlight the cultural context of manhua, which sets them apart from manga and manhwa titles. For BL fans looking for something new, these stories are a must-read. We’ve updated this list to meet CBR’s current publishing standard, providing even more awesome BL Manhua series fans should check out.

25 The global exam sees contestants from opposite sides of a high-stakes survival game fall in love

Qin Jiu and You Huo have no memories of their past, but they seem mysteriously linked

Overall Review is a 2020 BL manhua that combines romance and survival story. The series takes place in a dystopian setting, in which the world has been subjected to harsh scrutiny where succeeding is the only means of survival. Protagonist Qin Jiu is one of many examiners and must face You Huo in a high-stakes battle of wits. But even though the two men are on opposing sides, they feel a strong bond that compels them to work together.

An exciting and suspenseful story mixing mystery, drama and survival. Overall Review is very different from most BL romances. The series is a slow-burn romance with more emphasis on story and world-building, which may be disappointing for some fans. But for those who like a lot of history, this is a perfect choice and worth reading.

24 Saye follows two young men in search of a better life

Jiang Cheng and Gu Fei both live very difficult lives, but things finally change when they meet

Manhua’s stories aren’t afraid to tackle some pretty heavy topics at times, and Saye is a great example of this. The 2021 series centers on the lives of two troubled young men as they find salvation in each other. Jiang Cheng is an accomplished student who suddenly finds himself abandoned by his adoptive family and sent back to live with his deadbeat father. His life seems totally hopeless, until he meets Gu Fei, a steelworks worker who is also down on his luck.

Saye is a poignant psychological romance, which follows the lives of two broken souls as they attempt to rebuild themselves and start again. The story is dark but beautifully written, tackling many heavy topics and presenting them in a thoughtful and relatable way. For those looking for a more thought-provoking romantic story, Saye is a must-read that will satisfy.

23 Prime Minister in Disguise is a moving and gripping historical drama

Liu Cheng Feng goes undercover to curry favor with Emperor Li Zhi Fan

The BL genre is infamous in media for its poorly portrayed and often toxic romances. This is a problem that affects almost all titles. However, the historical novel Prime Minister in disguise is a rare example of a manhua BL tactfully handling a controversial setup. This series manages to turn a problematic premise into an incredibly compelling and intelligent story.

To gain the emperor’s favor for his twin sister, Prime Minister Liu Cheng Feng infiltrates the lion’s den: Li Zhi Fan’s harem of potential suitors. A brilliant tactician, Liu Cheng Feng must seduce Li Zhi Fan for the sake of his sister. However, his plan backfires when he develops feelings for the emperor instead. Comforting, moving and engaging, Prime Minister in disguise is a perfect introductory title to the world of manhua. The series is much lighter on the romantic front, with virtually no physical contact between the main couple. Instead, the story delves deep into the emotional side of romance, focusing on sacrifice and what one is willing to do for love.

22 Your distance narrows the gap between an aspiring high school couple

Ting Shuang begins unexpected romance with Bai Changyi after downloading a dating app

After breaking up with her boyfriend, Ting Shuang gets “Distance”, a dating app. Here he meets Bai Changyi, a young man who appears in the app 287 kilometers away from him. Before he can figure out what’s happening, Bai appears just three meters apart, meaning this mysterious guy is now in the same class as Ting.

Your distance is a modern love story that showcases romance in the digital age, but also gives a classic high school romance vibe. This series does it all. It features drama and miscommunication, plenty of comedic moments, and interesting characters with complex emotions.

21 You’re all about the romance between two old acquaintances

Qi Shi and Nan Jue accept each other as they are

A combination of a school story in flashbacks and a compelling adult romance of today, You all is one of the most relevant and realistic BL manhua series on the market. While most BL manhua takes place in a historical or fantasy setting, this gentle series embraces the beauty of everyday life. The series stars Qi Shi, who struggles to find work due to her intimidating and unapproachable appearance.

Help arrives unexpectedly as his former classmate Nan Jue approaches him at a meeting and offers Qi Shi his services as an image consultant. Moving in together and learning more about their past and present secrets, Qi Shi and Nan Jue form a complicated but heartfelt bond. You all follows their relationship as they become closer and help each other accept who they are, flaws and all. A touching story about how love can change life forever, the series is as much a story of self-discovery as it is a romance.

20 I Heard I’m Poor is a surprisingly wholesome love story between a famous singer and his number one hater

Xie You develops a strange obsession with promising singer Yu Nian

I heard that I am poor focuses on the peculiar affair between an aloof CEO Xie You and up-and-coming singer Yu Nian. After Yu Nian’s nighttime rise to fame, Xie You develops a strange obsession and hatred for him. He then begins insulting Yu Nian on Chinese social media platform Weibo, dedicated to becoming the singer’s number one anti-fan. However, a few months later, he suddenly announces that he and Yu Nian are now together.

Despite the potentially scary premise, I heard that I am poor is an incredibly sweet story, and Xie You and Yu Nian become a couple that fans can’t help but root for. Although their relationship is unorthodox, they complement each other surprisingly well. Their great chemistry is a big part of why fans love this story so much. Even if nothing revolutionary I heard that I am poor is a sweet, heartwarming story that’s almost nothing but fluff. This is the perfect read for fans looking for a drama-free series.

19 10 Years Since I Loved You Most is a heartbreaking story about the pains of love

Zhishu He and Jiang Wenxu have been in love with each other since childhood, but struggle with their feelings

A must read for anyone looking for a tragic romance, 10 years since I loved you the most tells the relationship between Zhishu He and Jiang Wenxu. The boys have been childhood friends in love for a decade. Yet as feelings change and the gap between the two continues to widen, Zhishu notices that the pains of love begin to overshadow its joys.. While Jiang secretly cheats on his lover, Zhishu succumbs to an incurable illness, remembering all the pleasure and sorrow his dying love caused him.

Captivating and often heartbreaking, this sad love story is perfect for those who need a good cry. Far from the typical love story, 10 years since I loved you the most depicts a more nuanced romance, delving into the good, bad and ugly of love. The series is a classic childhood story of friends and lovers with a dramatic twist, bringing a new perspective on a popular trope that fans are sure to enjoy.

18 My Influencer Boyfriend features a star-studded romance between two influencers

Struggling influencer Nan-ge falls for popular Prince Mengtai

Moving away from the common historical themes of BL manhua, My influencer boyfriend explores the unique difficulties of modern relationships in the world of social media, online fame and excessive publicity. Nan-ge is a popular influencer who is struggling to reach his next follower milestone. To attract new audiences, he decided to collaborate with another creator whose content differed greatly from his own: Prince Mengtai. A one-off collaboration turns into an unexpected romance. Yet navigating a relationship between two online celebrities turns out to be much more difficult than expected.

My influencer boyfriend brings BL romance to the modern era with its unique premise that stands out from other manhua titles. A perfect balance of sweet fluff and dramatic angst, this series is the best of both worlds and has something for every type of fan. It’s also a much shorter read than most, making it a great starter series for newcomers looking to get started in the genre.

17 Heaven Official’s Blessing is one of the most popular Manhua series to date

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng embark on an epic journey that brings them closer together

Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s xianxia, ​​or cultivation fiction novels, are responsible for attracting a significant international audience to the BL manhua genre. One of the best ways to experience Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s fan-favorite danmei Blessing of the Heavenly Official is the manhua adaptation, enhanced by the beautiful art of STARember. The story of Blessing of the Heavenly Official follows the unlikely romance of a banished god – Xie Lian – and an enigmatic ghost king named Hua Cheng. Joining arms to unravel the conspiracies of the Heavenly Court, the two form a bond rooted in their shared, almost forgotten history.

One of the most popular manhua titles to date, Blessing of the Heavenly Official brought mainstream attention to this niche genre like never before. The series is a gateway title for many new fans, and it even rivals some of the most popular BL manga and anime series. As such, this beloved manhua is a perfect read for new and old fans.

16 These years in search of honor, mine is a childhood story between friends and lovers

Yu Ziyou and Zhong Wan are childhood friends who slowly become something more

Friends since childhood, Yu Ziyou and Zhong Wan had to pretend they were in a romantic relationship to protect the former’s reputation after his family was disgraced in their village. Seven years later, when they reunite, Yu himself, now deeply ill, still believes the rumors started by Zhong Wan.

Even though it takes place in a highly political environment, These years in search of honor focuses very little on this aspect. Instead, it develops the relationship between Yu Ziyou and Zhong Wan, focusing primarily on their inner lives. This makes for a very moving (albeit comical) series.

15 Salad Days follows the heartfelt relationship between a ballet dancer and a boxer

Shen Jiang pursues his dreams with help from Jinyi Bai

A collaboration between the artist Tangliuzang and the writer Jingshuibian, Salad Days is a moving romance that transforms a cliché into something truly impactful. Jiang Shen is a prodigy in his ballet studio; the only thing stopping him from achieving fame is the boy’s shyness. Luckily, his best friend and portal across the street, Jinyi, is there to encourage Shen’s dreams. Jinyi practices boxing with the same intense passion that Shen devotes to dancing. Their unlikely young love is enough to inspire and sustain Shen and Jinyi on their trying journey.

A classic tale about “opposites attract”, as well as friends and lovers, Salad Days is a sweet and wholesome story about how love can inspire and motivate. With its deep message and realistic premise, the story is much more accessible than most BL Manhua titles. Sporting a gorgeous art style and a cast of brilliantly written characters, the series is a must-read that even non-fans are sure to love.

14 The Story of You X Me is a wholesome high school romantic comedy series

Troublemaker Gu Ze and student council president Ye Ruchuan find themselves in a whirlwind romance

School rom-coms are a beloved classic of the slice-of-life genre that never gets old. As such, The story of you x me is a perfect addition to this ancient genre. Wangcaideju and Atias bring an exciting clash of characters into the mix that shakes things up and keeps the story interesting from start to finish. In this manhua, Gu Ze is the infamous troublemaker at his school, accustomed to punishment for his detours.

However, the president of his student council, Ye Ruchuan, reserves Gu Ze a surprisingly harsh punishment: 300 days of classes. What begins as a rivalry gradually turns into a curious romance as the two are forced to get to know each other. Although simple and far from revolutionary, The story of you x me tells a wholesome story of young love that readers will simply adore.

13 Social Temperature features a light-hearted romance between two college students

Zhao Mu unknowingly hooks up with Song Yuan Xun on a dating app

Written and illustrated by Ka Bi Qiu, Social temperature is a manhua series centered on two students. Zhao Mu is an exchange student in a STEM program in the United States. Here he meets Song Yuan Xun, a cold and hostile young man who happens to be Zhao Mu’s senior at the laboratory. Mistreated by his peers and feeling out of place, Zhao Mu installs a dating app where he connects with Andrew, a kind and caring man. Little does he know, his new companion is in fact his hostile classmate.

Social temperature follows the two as they slowly get to know each other and open up in ways they never have before. The series is cute, relatable, and surprisingly deep as the boys discover through each other what they’ve been missing in life. A heartwarming story of romance and hidden identities, Social temperature is a perfect read for all BL fans.

12 Cry For Me is the story of childhood friends turned lovers

Gao Hang and Ye Zi grew up together as children and slowly developed romantic feelings for each other

Cry for me is a completed manhua created by Jiu Yan. A chance encounter led to a friendship that would last a lifetime when Gao Hang found Ye Zi crying and covered in bruises. Gao Hang, raised by his grandmother, was a strong child and more than happy to help her. They welcomed Ye Zi into their family after discovering he had been abandoned by his abusive father.

Growing up caring for each other, Gao Hang and Ye Zi developed feelings deeper than friendship. These feelings, however, manifested themselves in very different ways, causing terrible misunderstandings. The series is a deep and nuanced look at the complexities of love and how it can arise in the most unexpected places. Emotional, heartfelt and full of BL fluff as well as angst, Cry for me is sure to be a winner with newcomers to the manhua scene.

11 Start with a lie starts with a fake romance between friends

Tang Tang and Chen Qingye start out as fake lovers, but their feelings become real

When it comes to romance, honesty is the best policy. However, art student Tang Tang didn’t get the memo and lied about his sexuality to avoid unwanted confessions of love from the girls in his class. Tang Tang’s deception snowballs and forces his best friend Chen Qingye to pretend to be his lover. As expected, this sparks an unexpected romance between the two boys as they begin to see their relationship in a new light.

A refreshing and healthy take on the fake dating trope, Start with a lie explores how the boys’ repressed feelings for each other come out when the whole world sees them as a couple. The story is simple, but it’s full of fluff and tons of sweet scenes between the boys that will make any fan’s heart skip a beat. At only 63 chapters, it is relatively short, making it a great starter series for new readers.

10 Too Close follows an unlikely couple from high school to adulthood

Lin Tian-Yu and Xu Ze are a classic case of “opposites attract”

During a class inspection, student president Lin Tian-Yu finds Xu Ze, a high school freshman, sleeping during class time and scolds him. Thus begins that of Ji Jing Jun Too close. An active basketball player, Xu Ze stands in stark contrast to Lin Tian-Yu, who comes from a family of renowned doctors. An ordinary encounter changes the lives of Xu Ze and Lin Tian-Yu forever. Although they are polar opposites, these two meet in unexpected ways.

Too close follows their relationship from high school into adulthood as they resolve their differences and become closer. A refreshing and unique addition to the genre, the series is a much deeper romance. While most love stories focus solely on young love, Too close allows readers to see Xu Ze and Lin Tian-Yu grow up and live together. Their story depicts not only the beauty of love but also the challenges couples face at different stages of life.

9 The Emperor’s Strategy is a historical romance between the emperor and his servant

Emperor Chu Yuan harbors secret feelings for his servant Duan Baiyue

B.L. Manhua is famous for masterfully combining the thrill of historical fiction with the sweetness of romance.and no series has balanced these genres better than The Emperor’s Strategy. Chu Yuan leads the turbulent nation of Yun Nan, all too aware of his every action and political decision. The pressures of ascending the throne fell on his shoulders at just 18 years old, placing more responsibility on him than he had anticipated. Fortunately, Duan Baiyue, Chu Yuan’s loyal servant and confidant, is there to support the emperor through his love.

The Emperor’s Strategy This may be one of many historical novels in the manhua sphere, but it is undoubtedly one of the best. The series is sweet and surprisingly wholesome, despite its master-servant dynamic. Despite their difference in status, Chu Yuan and Duan Baiyue are friends and equals, allowing for a much healthier relationship between them that BL fans will appreciate.

8 Whose baby is it? Features an adorably wholesome family dynamic

Yi Yun, Jinyao and Rourou make up one of the cutest family units of the genre

Written by Wenren Niao Shi Duo and illustrated by Miji and Wuxian Zuoye, Whose baby is it? is a wholesome manhua series centered around an adorable family of characters. Whose baby is it? follows Yi Yun, a struggling actor, and Jinyao, the heir to a successful company. An unfortunate mix-up at an overseas fertility clinic causes Yi Yun and Jinyao to believe that Rourou, the child from the prophecy, is their son. Claiming paternity of Rourou, the two are embroiled in a private custody battle. As they raise Rourou together, they begin to understand each other better and soon form their own unique family.

One of the softest BL manhua series on the market, Whose baby is it? is much more than just a love story, it is also the wholesome story of a found family. The series is simply sweet from start to finish, making it the perfect read for fans who love fluff. With gorgeous illustrations, a well-written story that perfectly balances comedy and romance, and a cast of lovable characters, Whose baby is it? is a must-read of the genre.

7 Breaking Through The Clouds is a detective series with BL Romance

Jiang Tian is a detective who works to solve a complicated case with the help of Yan Xie

After a serious mistake while working in the line of duty, Jiang Tian, ​​a chief detective in the Narcotics Division, wakes up from a coma – when he should have died in an explosion. Still clinging to the case that almost killed him, he tries to follow every new lead available on the subject. In doing so, he meets Yan Xie, with whom he will share a complicated story.

Pierce the clouds is a detective series as well as a danmei manhua, so it’s a great option for anyone who wants a romantic story with an unusual duo and the thrilling quality of a procedural series like Criminal minds Or CSI. This series is originally a novel and it is also an audiobook, but fans of BL Manhua will find the illustrated version much more compelling.

6 Salt Friend features a unique relationship between an unlikely couple

Thomas, a school delinquent, changes his life after meeting Zachary

Friend of salt is a manhua about a sensitive high school student named Thomas who gets into frequent fights and seems perpetually beaten. After a bad fight earns him a suspension, he gains a reputation that leaves his classmates terrified of him. However, her life begins to change after meeting Zachary, and the two become inseparable over time.

But when Thomas learns that the person he fought was Zachary’s brother, he fears his actions will cause a rift in their bond. The series chronicles their dramatic yet surprisingly wholesome relationship, captivating readers with its relaxing tone and fluid art style. A feel-good story from start to finish, Friend of salt is a perfect read for anyone looking to lift their spirits.