When it comes to BL dramas, Japan has always had a special place in my heart. Unlike the colorful and high-energy charm of Thai BL series, or the passionate storytelling found in Spanish BL series and French BL series, Japanese productions carry a unique quietness—an ability to turn small, everyday details into something deeply emotional.
Over the past few years, I’ve also explored the diverse landscapes of American BL series, the gritty realism of British BL series, and even the rising wave of Chinese BL series and German gay series. But Japanese BL stands apart: it doesn’t always rely on spectacle or heavy melodrama, instead choosing to whisper its emotions through subtle performances, tender cinematography, and moments that feel almost too real.
In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the most memorable Japanese gay series, from classics of the 1990s to modern favorites that continue to shape the genre today.
Top Japanese BL & Gay Series since 2000
Our Youth (2024–2025)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2024–2025 | 🎬 Youth / BL / Drama
Adapted from a Korean webtoon, Our Youth follows top student Minase Jin (Junsei Motoshima), who tries to avoid trouble by keeping his distance from the rebellious classmate Hirukawa Haruki (Kenshin Uemura). But one day, Jin discovers Haruki being physically abused by his father. Against his own instincts, Jin steps into Haruki’s life, and the walls between them begin to crumble. What starts as an unlikely connection turns into a fragile but undeniable bond.
This series doesn’t shy away from the darker side of adolescence—domestic violence, loneliness, and peer pressure. Yet, at its core, it’s about the quiet intimacy of two boys finding comfort in each other. The emotional tension is raw, while the cinematography captures both the harshness of reality and the warmth of connection. It may feel heavy, but it leaves a lasting impression as one of the more socially aware BL dramas.
Ossan no pantsu ga nandatte iijanaika! (2024)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2024 | 🎬 Family Comedy / LGBTQ+
Okita Makoto (Taizo Harada), a 51-year-old traditionalist, struggles to adapt to modern values. His conservative thinking alienates him from his wife, his BL-loving daughter, and his son who adores cute things. At work, his rigidity also isolates him. Everything begins to shift when he meets his son’s gay friend, forcing him to confront his outdated worldview and slowly open his heart to change.
Warm and idealistic, this family comedy shows how even the most stubborn minds can evolve when exposed to love and acceptance. The narrative uses humor but grounds it in genuine emotional growth, creating a vision of family harmony that feels both aspirational and deeply moving. It’s the kind of drama that makes you smile through tears, a gentle reminder of the importance of empathy across generations.
Love Is Better the Second Time Around (2024)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2024 | 🎬 Romance / BL
Based on the manga of the same name, the drama follows editor Miyata Akihiro, who reconnects with his high school first love, Professor Iwanaga Takashi, when he seeks him out for a writing commission. Although Miyata now has a girlfriend and a stable life, Takashi’s teasing affection and old familiarity begin to blur the lines between past and present. Their reunion sparks a second chance at love, complicated by pride, reality, and unhealed wounds.
This series is the perfect example of how BL can balance romance with emotional tension. The story captures the nervous excitement of “what if” love, wrapped in witty banter and moments of undeniable chemistry. It feels mature yet playful, reminding me of Sekaiichi Hatsukoi with its themes of professional rivalry mixed with unresolved passion. A refreshing take on second-chance romance that keeps you hooked until the end.
I Hear the Sunspot (2024)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2024 | 🎬 Romance / BL / Youth
University student Kohei Sugihara lives a quiet, isolated life after developing a hearing impairment. One day, he shares his homemade bento with classmate Taichi Sagawa, whose cheerful and straightforward personality is the complete opposite of his own. Taichi offers to take lecture notes for Kohei, and through this simple act, a gentle and heartfelt relationship begins to blossom.
This adaptation of the beloved manga captures the tenderness and sincerity that fans hoped for. The young cast delivers subtle, lived-in performances, and the direction gives space for silences and small gestures to shine. The cinematography and music elevate it to a film-like experience. While understated, it resonates emotionally, making it one of the standout BL dramas of 2024.
Jack o' Frost (2023)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2023 | 🎬 Romance / BL / Drama
Plot Summary
Illustrator Ritsu Ozawa and salesman Yukiya Ikegami fall deeply in love after meeting in a café. Their happy life together is cut short when Ritsu suffers an accident that causes him to lose all memories of Yukiya. Choosing to conceal their past relationship, Yukiya starts over as if they were meeting for the first time. Together, they retrace their memories, revisiting places and moments of love in hopes of rekindling what was lost.
Review
A tender story of memory, longing, and second chances, Jack o’ Frost is beautifully shot with a gentle rhythm. The rain-soaked lake cabin scene in episode 3 remains unforgettable—intimate, melancholic, yet filled with love. The acting is understated but powerful, and the direction blends flashbacks with present-day emotion seamlessly. It’s a drama that lingers long after you finish watching, bittersweet yet full of hope.
Our Dining Table (2023)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2023 | 🎬 Slice-of-Life / BL / Romance
Yutaka Hozumi, a lonely salaryman, has always struggled to eat with others and usually takes his meals alone in the park. One day, his handmade onigiri attracts the attention of a young boy, Tane Ueda, who insists on tasting it. Through Tane, Yutaka meets his older brother Minoru, and soon he is invited to join their household meals. What begins as casual shared dinners grows into warmth, healing, and eventually love.
A slice-of-life romance that feels quintessentially Japanese—quiet, tender, and full of unspoken emotions. The series takes something as simple as cooking and eating together and transforms it into a metaphor for trust and intimacy. Watching Yutaka slowly open up while the Ueda brothers embrace him feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket. Subtle and understated, yet deeply moving.
What Did You Eat Yesterday? (Season 1: 2019, Season 2: 2023)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2019 & 2023 | 🎬 Drama / BL / Slice-of-Life
Shiro Kakei (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a skilled lawyer, hides his sexuality at work but lives with his long-term partner Kenji Yabuki (Seiyo Uchino), a cheerful hairdresser. The story follows their everyday domestic life, centered around Shiro’s obsession with cooking affordable and delicious meals. Though their love is quiet and mature, small conflicts and societal pressures still find their way into their relationship.
Unlike most BL dramas, What Did You Eat Yesterday? avoids melodrama and instead embraces realism. Watching Shiro and Kenji shop for groceries, plan meals, and bicker like an old married couple is both heartwarming and groundbreaking for Japanese television. It’s a rare depiction of middle-aged gay life—mundane, yes, but also tender and inspiring. Season 2 expands their world while keeping the same comforting, down-to-earth tone.
If It’s with You (2023)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2023 | 🎬 Youth / BL / Romance
Ten Kaido, a high school transfer student, has trouble opening up to others and struggles with intimacy. Everything begins to change when he meets Ryushi Yamasuge, a friendly and open-hearted classmate who gradually breaks down his walls. Through shared moments and youthful awkwardness, the two boys find themselves drawn closer together.
A light, uncomplicated high school romance. There are no heavy conflicts or tragic twists, just a straightforward story about two boys discovering love. Its simplicity is its charm—it captures the innocence of young relationships without unnecessary angst. While it may not be the most memorable series, it’s a sweet watch that leaves you smiling.
Old Fashioned Cupcake (2022)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2022 | 🎬 Romance / BL / Slice-of-Life
Nozue (Kohei Takeda), nearly 40, is a respected senior at his company, admired for his gentle nature. Yet beneath the surface, his life feels monotonous and unfulfilled. His younger colleague Togawa (Tatsumi Kimura), about to turn 30, invites him out under the guise of trying “anti-aging” activities. What begins as casual outings soon evolves into a series of intimate moments, awakening emotions Nozue never thought he would feel again.
A mature romance that steps away from typical high school BL stories, Old Fashioned Cupcake resonates with older viewers who long for love beyond youth. The chemistry between the leads is restrained yet electric, filled with lingering touches and hesitant smiles. It’s a story about rediscovering joy and intimacy later in life, proving that love can be just as thrilling in your thirties and forties.
Eternal Yesterday (2022)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2022 | 🎬 Romance / BL / Supernatural
Koichi Yamada, cheerful and popular, and Mitsuru Aoki, introverted and socially awkward, are polar opposites but drawn to one another. Tragedy strikes when Koichi gets into a fatal accident. Although he miraculously returns to life, his classmates begin to forget he ever existed. As reality and memory fade, Mitsuru desperately clings to their love, even as the world erases Koichi’s presence.
This is one of the most hauntingly beautiful BL dramas in recent years. More than romance, it’s a meditation on memory, grief, and the fleeting nature of life. The melancholy tone, poetic direction, and quiet performances create an atmosphere that stays with you long after watching. It’s tragic, yes, but also deeply human.
More Than Words (2022)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2022 | 🎬 Drama / BL / LGBTQ+
Mieko and Makio, close high school friends, befriend university student Eiji while working part-time jobs. The three grow close until Eiji confesses his feelings for Makio, leading to a relationship that is met with disapproval from those around them. Their special bond begins to shift, especially when Makio reconnects with his childhood friend Asato, testing the fragile ties between love and friendship.
Far more than a typical BL drama, More Than Words elevates queer storytelling into the realm of art. It avoids clichés and cheap thrills, instead offering a thoughtful exploration of connection and empathy. To approach it only as a moral debate would be reductive—the drama insists on compassion and understanding. Among Japanese LGBTQ dramas, this one feels especially significant.
My Love Mix-Up (2021)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2021 | 🎬 Youth / BL / Romance
High school student Aoki borrows an eraser from his crush Hashimoto, only to discover the eraser has the name “Ida” written on it—implying Hashimoto likes another classmate, Ida. To protect her secret, Aoki claims the eraser as his own, leading Ida to believe Aoki has a crush on him. A series of misunderstandings unfold, gradually evolving into genuine affection.
Few school BL dramas capture the innocence of first love as authentically as My Love Mix-Up. With its adorable misunderstandings, awkward confessions, and tender moments, it feels both refreshing and relatable. Rather than focusing on angst or explicit fanservice, it thrives on sincerity, charm, and humor. A delightful watch that captures the essence of teenage love.
My Beautiful Man (Season 1 & 2: 2021, 2023)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2021 & 2023 | 🎬 Romance / BL
Kazunari Hira (Riku Hagiwara) is a shy high schooler who hides his stutter by staying silent. During a class introduction, he’s saved from humiliation when the charismatic So Kiyoi (Yusei Yagi) bursts into the room. Hira soon becomes part of Kiyoi’s group, taking on the role of his errand boy. What might look humiliating from the outside is, for Hira, a way to be close to the boy he admires almost religiously. As they grow into adulthood, their relationship deepens, balancing Hira’s devotion with Kiyoi’s pride and vulnerability as they try to live together as equals.
A beautifully directed BL that transforms the “arrogant prince and humble admirer” trope into something raw and poetic. The cinematography lingers on glances and silences, heightening the sense of shame, yearning, and desire. Season 2 expands their relationship into adulthood, exploring cohabitation, career struggles, and the delicate dance of love and obsession. It’s one of the most emotionally gripping BL dramas of recent years.
Classic Japanese BL & Gay Series
Cherry Magic! 30 Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! (2020)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2020 | 🎬 Romantic Comedy / BL
Adachi, a timid 30-year-old office worker, gains a magical ability on his 30th birthday—he can read people’s thoughts simply by touching them. To his shock, he discovers that his handsome and popular co-worker Kurosawa secretly harbors romantic feelings for him. As Adachi navigates his new power, he slowly learns to believe in himself and reciprocate Kurosawa’s affection.
One of the most beloved Japanese BL dramas of all time, Cherry Magic is charming, wholesome, and endlessly rewatchable. The “mind-reading” gimmick could have been silly, but it’s used to reveal vulnerability and tenderness instead of cheap laughs. Adachi and Kurosawa’s dynamic—gentle rabbit vs. caring wolf—is pure serotonin. Sweet, funny, and full of heart, it’s BL comfort food at its finest.
The Novelist (2018–2019)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2018–2019 | 🎬 Romance / BL / Drama
When college student Haruhiko Kusumi accidentally injures novelist Rio Kijima, he offers to help by taking dictation for Kijima’s writing. What begins as a practical arrangement turns into an emotionally charged relationship, as Haruhiko finds himself drawn into Kijima’s vulnerable yet sharp world. Their lives intertwine through literature, desire, and slow-burning intimacy.
A quiet yet powerful adaptation of the manga, The Novelist balances sensuality with emotional healing. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, with Kijima’s brooding charisma perfectly matched by Haruhiko’s innocence. It avoids BL clichés and instead tells a story that is both erotic and tender. A must-watch for fans who want emotional depth alongside romance.
Mood Indigo (2019)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2019 | 🎬 Romance / BL / Drama
Shiro Kido and Rio Kijima were once classmates united by their passion for literature. Shiro abandoned writing after feeling overshadowed by Rio’s genius, who later fell into obscurity and creative stagnation. Years later, they reunite at a funeral. Shiro, now working as an erotic novel editor, suggests Rio enter the world of adult fiction, leading to a renewed connection that blurs lines between rivalry, creativity, and intimacy.
Visually stunning, Mood Indigo is more than a romance—it’s an artistic meditation on failure, desire, and redemption. The cinematography is exquisite, using shadow and light to highlight unspoken tension. The taxi kiss scene, with its interplay of flickering light, remains one of the most beautifully shot BL moments on Japanese TV. Unfortunately overlooked by many due to its mature tone, it stands as a true gem for those seeking artistry in BL.
Ossan’s Love (2018)
🇯🇵 Japan | 📅 2018 | 🎬 Romantic Comedy / BL
Soichi Haruta (Kei Tanaka), a clumsy and romance-starved office worker, suddenly finds himself the object of affection for not one but two men—his boss Kurosawa (Kotaro Yoshida), who confesses his love with earnest devotion, and his charming younger colleague Ryota Maki (Kento Hayashi), who moves into his apartment and falls for him as well. Haruta, who only dreamed of dating women, is thrown into a whirlwind of unexpected romance.
A cultural phenomenon in Japan, Ossan’s Love brought BL into the mainstream. While campy and comedic on the surface, it dared to show same-sex romance in a prime-time slot with sincerity and joy. Haruta’s exaggerated reactions and the love triangle dynamic make it a hilarious ride, but underneath the comedy lies a surprisingly heartfelt exploration of love and acceptance. A must-watch cornerstone of modern BL drama.
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