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12 Must-Watch Japanese BL Dramas with Captivating Romance and Thrilling Journeys
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In this list, we’ve highlighted 12 must-watch Japanese BL dramas that showcase the best of the genre. Each series stands out with its distinct storyline, engaging characters, and emotional depth. Whether you’re new to BL dramas or a longtime fan, these selections promise memorable moments and relatable themes that will resonate deeply with viewers.
Let’s take a look at the world of Japanese BL dramas and discover tales of love that transcend social boundaries. From the charming and lighthearted to the poignant and intense, these dramas offer a window into the lives of characters figuring out their feelings and relationships in a challenging world.
So grab some popcorn and get ready to watch these 12 dramas Must-watch Japanese BL series. They’re sure to leave a lasting impression, offering both entertainment and a deep look at the complexities of love and human connection.
1. My Love Confusion (2021)
The story revolves around Aoki, a high school student who develops a crush on his classmate Hashimoto. His feelings change when he borrows Hashimoto's eraser and discovers that it has another boy's name—Ida—written on it. Misunderstandings escalate when Ida sees Aoki with the eraser and mistakenly believes that Aoki has feelings for him.
The manga's charming and comedic narrative follows the complexities of teenage crushes and misunderstandings. The series has been well-received for its lighthearted approach to romance and engaging storyline.
In exciting news, a Thai television drama adaptation of ‘My Love Mix-Up!’ has been announced by GMMTV on October 17, 2023. This adaptation will premiere on June 7, 2024, bringing the beloved manga’s story to a new audience with a fresh cultural twist. Fans of the original manga and new viewers alike can look forward to the drama’s unique take on the story.
- Displayed: October 9, 2021 – December 18, 2021
- Number of episodes: 10
- Cast: Michieda Shunsuke, Meguro Ren, Fukumoto Riko, Suzuki Jin
- Streaming platform: Netflix
2. Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice But to Kiss! (2022)
Fukuhara Kota, a college student plagued by incessant bad luck, struggles with continual comical misfortunes that prevent him from forming friendships. His perpetual awkwardness and misadventures make social interactions challenging, leaving him isolated.
His life takes an unexpected turn when he is rescued from a near-accident by Shinomiya Naoya, a charming classmate blessed with supernatural good fortune and a wide circle of friends. Intrigued by Fukuhara's consistent misfortune, Shinomiya is open to the idea of helping him.
In an attempt to change his luck, Fukuhara awkwardly asks Shinomiya to be his friend, hoping that Shinomiya's good luck will counteract his bad luck. However, Fukuhara's poorly worded request is misinterpreted by Shinomiya, who believes that Fukuhara is asking to begin a romantic relationship.
To Fukuhara’s surprise, Shinomiya agrees to the proposal, leading to an unexpected and unique friendship. This twist sets the stage for a series of humorous and heartwarming interactions as they develop their new relationship.
- Displayed: April 21, 2022 – June 10, 2022
- Number of episodes: 8
- Cast: Sota Ryosuke, Sato Yusuke
- Streaming platform: Viki
3. Ossan's Love (2018)
The series centers on Soichi Haruta, a romantically unsuccessful office worker whose life takes a surprising turn when his boss and roommate confess their romantic feelings for him.
Soichi Haruta, a 33-year-old bachelor, has been struggling to find a girlfriend. His routine life is turned upside down when he discovers that his boss, Kurosawa, has been secretly collecting pictures of him and harbors deep romantic feelings for him. Haruta is disturbed by Kurosawa's bold confession and his persistent romantic pursuits.
Seeking advice from his friends, Haruta is further shocked to learn that his coworker is also in love with him. This revelation throws Haruta into a complex love triangle, forcing him to realize his feelings for both admirers.
As Haruta grapples with these unexpected romantic entanglements, “Ossan’s Love” delves into themes of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships, offering a humorous and heartfelt exploration of unexpected love in the modern workplace.
- Displayed: April 21, 2018 – June 2, 2018
- Number of episodes: 7
- Cast: Tanaka Kei, Hayashi Kento, Yoshida Kotaro
- Streaming platform: Viki, Netflix
4. Our Dinner Table (2023)
Yutaka Hozumi is a lonely salaryman who finds it difficult to eat with others due to his estrangement from his family. One day, he meets brothers Minoru and Tane Ueda in the park. Impressed by Yutaka's cooking, they invite him to visit them and teach them how to cook.
Yutaka begins visiting and sharing meals with the Ueda family, finding a sense of belonging that he had long lacked. As he spends more time with them, Yutaka and Minoru's relationship deepens, allowing them to confront their past loneliness.
Eating around others becomes less difficult for Yutaka as he bonds with Minoru and Tane. Their shared meals become moments of connection and healing for all three of them.
Through cooking and companionship, Yutaka's heart begins to change, and he begins to yearn for the joy and comfort of eating together.
- Displayed: April 6, 2023 – June 8, 2023
- Number of episodes: 10
- Cast: Inukai Atsuhiro, Iijima Hiroki
- Streaming platform: GagaOOLala
5. My Beautiful Man (2021)
Seventeen-year-old Hira, who struggles with stuttering, tries to remain invisible at school. He sees the world through the lens of his camera, separated from his classmates until Kiyoi Sou walks into his classroom. The impact is instant.
Hira is impressed by Kiyoi, following him everywhere and catering to his every need. Popular and handsome, Kiyoi is always surrounded by classmates and uses his status to get what he wants, including ordering around the adoring Hira.
Hira is content to exist in Kiyoi's orbit, asking nothing in return. He worships Kiyoi as a god, finding solace in his closeness to him.
Despite her struggles and invisibility, Hira's life is given meaning through her silent devotion to Kiyoi, highlighting the complex dynamics of admiration and dependence.
- Displayed: November 18, 2021 – December 23, 2021
- Number of episodes: 6
- Cast: Hagiwara Riku, Yagi Yusei
- Streaming platform: GagaOOLala, Viki
6. I Can't Reach You (2023)
The differences between Yamato and Kakeru couldn't be more obvious. Yamato gets good grades, while Kakeru's are below average. And while Yamato is very attractive, Kakeru's looks are perfectly average. It's not a problem—unless you have a crush on your childhood best friend. How can Kakeru make Yamato look at him when Yamato is completely out of his league?
“I Can't Reach You” is a sweet boy-love series that tells the story of a romance between two friends with a well-defined and realistic rhythm.
“No matter how much time we spend together, I will never be special to you.”
Childhood best friends. Two halves of a whole. The cool and smart one who is good at almost everything, and his average and idiotic friend who struggles to do anything right—Yamato and Kakeru. Always by each other's side, but not together in the way they really want to be. No matter how hard they try, their hearts just can't reach each other.
- Displayed: September 19, 2023 – November 7, 2023
- Number of episodes: 8
- Cast: Maeda Kentaro, Kashiwagi Haru
- Streaming platform: Netflix, Viki
7. Cherry Magic! Thirty years of virginity can make you a wizard?! (2020)
Adachi Kiyoshi is a regular salaryman who, at the age of 29, was still a virgin. On his 30th birthday, he suddenly acquires a new power: the ability to read other people's minds whenever he touches them. Shocked and unnerved by this unexpected ability, he struggles to come to terms with his newfound talent.
One day, Adachi accidentally touches his handsome and popular co-worker, Kurosawa Yuichi, and discovers that Kurosawa secretly harbors romantic feelings for him. This revelation leaves Adachi both disturbed and intrigued.
As he deals with this new dynamic, Adachi finds himself drawn to Kurosawa, struggling to reconcile his feelings with the knowledge he now possesses. The situation forces him to confront his own emotions and desires.
How will Adachi handle this surprising development? Their evolving relationship faces many challenges as they find their unexpected connection.
- Displayed: October 9, 2020 – December 25, 2020
- Number of episodes: 12
- Cast: Akaso Eiji, Machida Keita
- Streaming platforms: Netflix, Crunchyroll, WeTV, Apple TV
8. Love is Better the Second Time Around (2024)
Business editor Miyata Akihiro invites successful college professor Iwanaga Takashi to write a column for his publication. To Miyata's surprise, this is not their first meeting. Iwanaga was his first crush in high school, although he had a different surname back then.
Iwanaga seems happy to reconnect, but Miyata is reluctant. He had previously cut ties with Iwanaga under circumstances he has yet to explain and tried to move on with his life. Now, with a busy schedule and a girlfriend, Miyata’s world is starting to fall apart.
As Miyata works with Iwanaga, his carefully maintained normality begins to collide with his past. The reappearance of his first love challenges Miyata's attempts to keep his personal and professional lives separate.
Can Miyata and Iwanaga overcome their history and start over? The dynamics that unfold test their ability to rekindle their relationship and face unresolved issues from their past.
- Displayed: March 6, 2024 – April 10, 2024
- Number of episodes: 6
- Cast: Hasegawa Makoto, Furuya Robin
- Streaming platform: GagaOOLala, Viki
9. Old Fashioned Cupcake (2022)
Approaching 40, 39-year-old Nozue feels stuck in life, avoiding both career advancements and romantic advances. Believing he’s too old to make bold changes, he turns down opportunities that could shake up his routine.
Enter Togawa, Nozue's 29-year-old subordinate, who begins an "anti-aging experiment" by introducing Nozue to new experiences, including trendy restaurants and social activities. As they spend time together, Nozue notices Togawa's persistent effort to make him happy and wonders about the motivation behind it.
Despite becoming closer, Nozue is conflicted about their age difference and their professional relationship. Togawa's gender and social standings add to Nozue's uncertainty about their evolving bond.
The situation becomes clearer when Togawa confesses his feelings, revealing that Nozue's positive influence during his job interview inspired him deeply. After reflecting on his emotions, Nozue accepts his feelings for Togawa, and they enter into a relationship together.
- Displayed: June 13, 2022 – July 4, 2022
- Number of episodes: 5
- Cast: Takeda Kouhei, Kimura Tatsunari
- Streaming platform: GagaOOLala, Viki
10. A Man Who Defies the World of BL (2024)
Mob is back, narrowly avoiding another possible BL relationship. After sending Kikuchi away, he returns to his usual routine, meticulously steering clear of any “red flags” that might signal a romantic involvement. Despite his best efforts, he finds himself in an unexpected situation when a boy suddenly confesses his love for him.
Caught off guard by this unexpected confession, Mob faces the challenge of escaping yet another flag that seems to be persistently following him. How will he navigate this new situation while continuing to avoid the pitfalls of a BL relationship?
“A Man Who Defies The World Of BL” is a comedic series that delights BL fans with its intentional over-the-top parodies and nods to classic BL tropes. However, it also offers laughs and a fresh perspective for those simply looking for a unique and entertaining show.
This series turns conventional norms on their head, offering a humorous take on the genre and challenging its viewers' expectations.
- Displayed: April 23, 2024
- Number of episodes: 6
- Cast: Inukai Atsuhiro
- Streaming platform: GagaOOLala
11. Eternal Yesterday (2022)
Koichi is energetic, cheerful, and popular among his classmates. Mitsuru, on the other hand, is terrified of socializing. Their personalities are completely different, but they are attracted to each other for that very reason.
One tragic morning, Koichi finds himself in an unfortunate accident. Although he manages to survive, his classmates gradually begin to forget about him and his existence.
Koichi's vibrant presence disappears from the memories of those around him, leaving him isolated. Mitsuru, who had grown close to Koichi, is left to deal with the strange phenomenon of Koichi's existence disappearing.
As Mitsuru struggles to hold on to his friend's memories, he seeks to uncover the truth behind why everyone else is forgetting about Koichi. Their bond faces the ultimate test as Mitsuru fights to keep Koichi from being erased from their lives.
- Displayed: October 21, 2022 – December 9, 2022
- Number of episodes: 8
- Cast: Komiya Rio, Inoue Sora
- Streaming platform: GagaOOLala, Viki
12. What did you eat yesterday? (2019)
Kakei Shiro is a 45-year-old lawyer who works at a small law firm and lives with his partner, Yabuki Kenji, a hairdresser. Shiro has a routine: after work, he buys groceries at a discount grocery store, ensuring he stays within his budget. He then goes home to prepare dinner, which usually consists of rice, soup, and three side dishes.
When dinner is ready, Kenji comes home from work, and they share their meal while discussing various topics. One day, while out in public, one of Kenji's clients recognizes Shiro and asks, "Is he your lawyer boyfriend?" Shiro feels embarrassed because, unlike Kenji, who is open about his sexual orientation, Shiro does not reveal his sexuality at work.
The series blends love, friendship, humor and everyday concerns against a backdrop of delicious Japanese dishes and recipes. It paints a heartwarming picture of their life together, highlighting the simple joys and challenges they face.
Through their interactions and shared moments, the show captures the essence of their relationship, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and understanding. It offers a glimpse into their daily lives, filled with love and delicious meals, making for a relatable and touching narrative.
- Displayed: April 5, 2019 – June 28, 2019
- Number of episodes: 12
- Cast: Nishijima Hidetoshi, Uchino Seiyou
- Streaming platform: Netflix, GagaOOLala
