Can you believe that Boy’s Love comics has been around for more than 40 years?
One would think that Shounen Ai, Yaoi, Boy’s Love is just a passing fancy among girls but its continued influence not only in Japanese otaku subculture but in the global subculture shows the power of the genre.
Yes. Yaoi is all over the globe. There’s a book on Boy’s Love that speaks about Yaoi fans in Indonesia, Germany, Italy, and Chine. And there are scholars in Japan who study other fujoshi subcultures in the Philippines and even Latin America. The internet has made yaoi accessible and day by day, girls like you and me become aware of their fujoshi goggles.
In the last few years I’ve become more and more aware of emerging BL artists outside of Japan. What was once amateur efforts in writing BL have eventually involved in a BL that’s quite mature and very different from Japan’s. It’s fantastic how many of these artists are yet unpublished and find the internet as the space for their works. If I had money, I’d get these artist to publish in an anthology because they all deserve a shot in getting their stories more available to the public.
To pull this list of BL Webcomics, I asked fujojos and fudanshis to give me their recs for a prize! Many gave the same recs which proves that there are those who have made a name out there. The prize I’m giving away is also from an artist who made a name drawing BL for Suikoden and Devil May Cry, Jo Chen. In These Words was a comic she drew for her doujin circle Guilt|Pleasure. Initially a webcomic, Guilt|Pleasure’s efforts eventually gave them enough fan base and chapters to make a volume before it was published by DMP and now published in Japan under Libre’s BeBoy Gold. Isn’t that fantastic?
But I’m quite sure outside of here there are many BL webcomics online. Here are your recommendations (in alphabetical order)!
5th and Main
WTH. I open this comic and I am just blown away by the fantastic coloring and art involved with this comic! Why have I not read this before!?! I’ll definitely make up for this mistake right now but this story of “young and rowdy upstarts trying to find their way in life to the jaded, middle aged men trying to keep the pieces together,” definitely has a fan in me. A few pages in and it’s quite a sad tale but I’m still set on reading it! The style’s closer to Amecomi, but I’m not complaining. It’s pretty. *A*)
Always Raining Here
“Adrian is heartsick. Carter is horny.” While it’s easy to assume that this story is nothing but screwing around, it actually develops into a nice heartwarming tale of two young boys struggling to find their emotions. This comic was a surprise to me as it isn’t my type of story nor is the art style something I’d fawn over but eventually it becomes as charming as the story of the two boys develop. I’m not gonna lie that I’ve grown very fond of this story and would probably watch these two boys fall in love with each other. I’m also not gonna lie that I am weak to the likes of Carter and the development his character is going through. UGH.
Artifice
I’m not gonna lie (I’ve been saying this a lot!) that I had my hesitations in reading this title. However, Alex Woolfson and Winona Nelson convinced me that as a yaoi title, Artifice is a solid story. This comic hits my fascination of an AI’s emotional edge. For a robot equipped with everything human, how impossible was it for a robot to avoid his emotions? We meet Deacon, a super soldier AI of sorts, going through his debriefing, explaining why and how he wasn’t able to fulfill his mission. A totally engaging read with a style familiar to Western readers. It’s also got a successful Kickstarter campaign so you’ll be seeing Artifice published soon!
Best Friends Forever
It guises itself as a bromantic dramedy but we all know that bromance is a ship that sails steady in fujoshi fantasies. Another BFF story but this time Vincent and Teddy is an odd pair of brains and brawn. The drawing’s adorable and what’s lovely is the author interacts with her readers with regards to the story. That said, this is an adorable pair and everything about this comic is adorbs and pleasing to the eye. It’s a story on the edge though so don’t expect any schmex happening just yet as Teddy’s slow on the uptake. GAH! Hang in there, Vincent!
Doki Doki Check Mate
OMG. First page and I am squeeing with adorable! This hilarious, lovely, moast adorable BL fairy tale of a prince and a knight is making me squee so much that I wish Corallini told me of this earlier! (She probably has and I may have missed the memo!) Why am I reading through all of these adorable things just now!? >A<)9
Knights Errant
If I can say anything about this comic, the art is beautiful. Clearly, I haven’t read far and the premise of a Lieutenant and his soldier trapped in a tower was enough to keep me going for the next few pages wondering if love will blossom in imprisonment. Set in a fantasy world reminiscent of Ivalice in Final Fantasy Tactics, Knights Errant might just fill my BL soldier fantasy needs.
Lex Daemonica
This story reminds me of a gritty Supernatural and you know where that goes. However, unlike Supernatural, you have two best friends who are out fighting demons and what not. There’s a cute notice that the BL starts from chapter two and since this is just a new rec for me, I’m gonna keep that in mind while I read through this. It’s a promising title and definitely something worth looking at.
Prince of Cats
It takes a while to get used to Prince of Cats. The art is not my cup of tea but the gauche watercolor effect eventually warms up to me. Besides, Lee’s story of coming out in a conservative area of America is a story definitely looking into.
Spacejinx Misadventures
Nasty sounds in the first few panels? SOLD! This webcomic pegged as a smutty scifi is a hilarious space adventure filled with sexy androids and crazy backrubs. The art is hilarious and it actually reminds me of Faith Erin Hicks only… it has porny suggestions! It’s lovely and definitely looks like a worthwhile read. Then again, I have a soft spot for funny comics.
Starfighter
Cain and Abel may be biblical names but this sci-fi BL adventure of a pilot and navigator is filled with sin. It was recommended to me by all the folks who responded to my question and this was one title they didn’t have to recommend! Hamletmachine’s edgy art befits the series as the gritty lines emphasize the masculinity of their world and it just makes the schmex a lot more… carnal. Don’t even expect a long engagement because this title’s unapologetic about the sex. It may appear PWP at first, but then Cain seems to have something in mind with all this schmex! Hamletmachine also manages to make some pretty art in such limited space. I must commend Hamlematching for her paneling because she’s one artist who definitely owns her space.
Super Gay Adventures of Ross Boston
(Update as of 2015: this series was cancelled) If the creator of Powerpuff girls or Dexter’s Lab decided to do a gay comic, this would be it. It’s a superhero tale with enough flamboyant flair that makes us appreciate gay culture and monsters. The monsters here are so adorable, I want to hug them! The comic’s the one I used as a header!
TEN
The thing about TEN is it reads and feels like a Japanese BL comic which is great for fans of BL because it’s familiar. Dez is a cop who has lost his memories and remembers nothing but his rescue. At a precinct, he crosses a boy (or a short man) who felt familiar to him. The story takes a leisurely pace and might be slow for others but it’s quite engaging and if I wasn’t writing this list in time for Yaoi no Hi, I’d probably take my time and read this all day. I probably would after this!
Teahouse
(Update as of 2015: The comic has been cancelled but a summary of how the series ends is available.) I can’t believe I haven’t read Teahouse! How could I have possibly overlooked a story with a brothel filled with handsome men!? ‘Nuff said really but this is the second highly recommended title among the people I asked yesterday so this is another BL webcomic we should look into!
The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal
This was no. 3 in the recs and I’m disappointed that I haven’t read this either! This is disappointing because it seems to be the kind of thing I love where I guy goes on a roadtrip and shenanigans ensues! I am excited to read this though! And OMG it has 31 chapters! If it’s this popular, then it must be doing something tight… err, right!
Tripping Over You
Who doesn’t love a best friend story? Milo and Liam are the best of friends but Milo is realizing that flirting around his best friend is a lot more fun than flirting with others. It’s a light, witty and funny school romance that makes me giggle with every page! I honestly wish there was more. It’s my version of BL “Sunday comics.”
Two Keys
A rec from Corallini, the summary says a lot about the life of Colin Ashton, a fail diner owner and how he balances his city split into two: the world of humans and occult. I love the sketchy gritty art and it reminds me of IOU Kuroda or maybe Taiyou Matsumoto maybe even a bit of basso towards the later chapters. That said, it looks beautiful. Not sure where the BL factors in just yet but I look forward to it. My name dropping should be a mark that at the very least, the art is fantastic.
Spanish BL Webcomics
Can you believe that there are Spanish BL Webcomics as well? It excites me to know that they have a community supportive of this genre and great thanks to @Oshioki_koneko for pimping this to me!
Parallet
I wish I knew enough about this title to spazz about it but I asked @Oshioki_koneko and she said Paris/Pablo (the guy with Hikaru-like) haircut meets an old friend/crush who turns out to be his teacher, November. It’s cute and I feel that this is my faculty’s vengeance at me for choosing Japanese over Spanish. I am curious to read it! Someone compile this work and translate it to English! >w<) At least, Spanish readers will find it easy to read this!
All in all, these were fantastic recs and I can’t wait to start reading those that I have YET to read! <3
If you still have any recs, rec on so that I can add them here! For those who chimed in for this rec list, give me this afternoon to sort out who gets In These Words! <3
Check out the 2013 BL Webcomic Rec List here!
Check out the 2015 BL Webcomic Rec List here!
Spurs and Stripes by Redmari is awesome but I don’t see it mentioned a lot. Basically, a cowboy and a goth fall in love on the cowboy’s ranch. Some drama but not the kind that has you rolling your eyes at the stupidity. Also, complete consent, people! I know some people are into non-con and it’s the standard for the genre, but I find it to be grossly unnecessary. Anyway, quality comic that is updated sporadically!
Here in Brazil has this genre in comics as well. They are pretty good.
Hi khursten, thank you for your list. Is there any chance you have one of Black artists? Thanks
My 2015 list (http://www.punkednoodle.com/champloo/2015/08/01/hot-2015-bl-webcomic-rec-list/) has Check Please written by Ngozi Ukazu. I hope that helps. Do note that some artists also come from outside of the US.
this
is
what
I’ve been looking for my whole life
OMG
*squeals like the little fanboy I am*
Where can you find the first comic!? I clicked the link and it took me to a website with different comic options but I want to know more about the comic the header picture comes from. Anyone help me please?
So happy to see Starfighter here, my personal favorite! The art style is totally my thing
Don’t forget Transfusions 😀
I’d also recommend “Tobias and Guy,” “Crazy Perfect,” “KaitoShuno”, “Seafoam Diary”, “Love Art,” and “The Young Protectors: Engaging with the Enemy.” Happy Reading 🙂
Technicolor London is another really good onehttp://www.technicolorlondoncomic.com/comic/001
The art starts out ehh and I almost stopped reading it but I’m so glad I didn’t. The art and over all story gets really good and it’s totally worth reading.
yes yes!!!! Purpurea noxa *^* it’s beautiful and has all the elegance, mistery and decadence of the italian culture! ^////^ plus, on their website it’s completely translated in eng. and the art is amazing…
This one’s really funny, really weird, but it’s my fave bl web comic so far!
It’s basically about a guy who joins a recording studio, that mostly records yaoi drama CDs… yeah…
All the employees are weird there except him. And let’s just say that in the first scene someone accidentally pulls his pants down. XD
http://www.seiyuucrush.net/index.php?page=1
Dark Prince is now a web comic. http://yaoimila.tumblr.com/post/111536033853/dark-prince-web-comic-page-1
Thanks for sharing this awesome list ( I am in love with Prince of Cats and Knights Errant). This list is something similar to the list of 100 best web comics I found. Check it out for similar fun 🙂
I would highly recommend the BL comic Honeydew Syndrome, by the same creator of Two Key. It’s a simple story about two high-schoolers, with really fun characters and cute, well-paced development of their relationship.
Please check this comic :3 It’s not mine , but it’s the best comic i ever seen <3 :3 http://kaitoshuno.smackjeeves.com/
ooh all of those are really good recs!! i love tripping over you and parallet!
i will add some of my own recs, of some new comics i’ve been checking and look promising
http://faillove.smackjeeves.com/
http://skeptical.smackjeeves.com/comics/
smackjeeves is great to find comics!
May I recommend 14 Nights? http://14nights.kstipetic.com/
The characters may not be as pretty as traditional BL characters. But the characters are fabulous, realistic, and believable. The art is wonderful (the inking style is fantastic), and the plot is interesting. It is literally about about a man teaching another man to learn and accept sex. While the premise may sound weak,it’s done so well tastefully, and artistically you can’t help but be drawn it. It particularly drew me that one of the characters were originally asexual and gay, and that the characters aren’t all sparkly and pretty,
Wow! Thanks a lot for this recommendation! 😀 I’ll look into it and add it for this year’s Webcomic list!
Whats the comic at the top?
It’s Super Gay Adventures of Ross Boston! 😀 The link is in the entry!
StarFighter is my favourite webcomic series, and Teahouse and Artifice are also favourites. 😀
Is it alright for me to recommend a few others?
Young Protectors is another series by Alex Woolfson, and is brilliant! the detail of the story and the realism of the characters is what I love most about it.
Pandect is also a good series, a little odd at times, but cute as! XD
I love starfighter too!
I have a second list (the 2013 BL Webcomic Rec List) and it included Young Protectors. I have yet to check Pandect though. I’ll include it in the 2014 list!
Have you read KaitoShuno? It’s and awesome yaoi! There are rough but detailed sketches and the plot is wicked xD
kaitoshuno.smackjeeves.com
I am trying to read 5th and Main but it just brings me a down domain page. Does anyone have the comic downloaded or a place where i could download it from or something. I would really love to read this comic.
Open Space Close Places by Saicoink http://oscp.smackjeeves.com/
Loki by Justin http://loki.smackjeeves.com/ (this is over, but a goodie)
Hi, thanks for the awesome list! I’ve been sifting through the comics and took a liking to a lot of them (especially The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ And Amal). But does anyone know what happened to 5th and main?
I know! I used to check on it every day, and then it just suddenly disappeared.
Sadly, the author (Astro) has discontinued the comic. Read her remarks here.
*-* Sugooi!!! I’m going to read some of this <3
Parellet rlz! x3
O M G Is Parellet …here …in the webcomic list , at side other important comics in english ! I hope we can translate the comic soon . Thanks !
Another favorite of mine that must be considered here is Purpurea
Noxa! The art and writing are done by Veronica (Vèna) and
Valentina (Xelessia) – two Italian ladies who work double to
make the webcomic available in both Italian and English. They’re awesome: http://www.purpureanoxa.com
[ТЯЦТÐΘЯḊΔЯЄ]
Fantastic list! I do have one more rec for you. Definitely BL, though a little different from most of what I’ve seen in the genre. http://www.abrokenwinter.com
hi! thanks for the recs! I’ve been looking for these for the longest time, few of them are already in my reading list, the rest are gems! thankyou!
hi! Thanks f
Oh boy, so many comics I hadn’t heard of! Now I have so many goodies to put on my reading list ^^
I would like to suggest my current favourite :Â
http://kaitoshuno.smackjeeves.com/
It’s awesomely sexy OMG. hshs
Um. YES. I was wondering why that wasn’t on here. Kaitoshuno is more popular than Always Raining Here- and ALOT longer than most of the comics on this list.
Probably because it’s not only because the poor excuse for character, “plot” and visuals are terrible, but because it’s also rape garbage disguised as kawaii romance. Whether you want to believe it or not, all the comics listed above are leagues above KS (even crappy Starfighter and Teahouse), and popularity and story length has nothing to do with quality.
Thank you so much for the recs! I missed some of these, but I knew most of them bc they are super active on tumblr! Okay, I’m gonna add links to some other BL comics but they haven’t updated since forever…
Closed Doors by sixdora http://closeddoors.the-comic.org/
Ranabastre by lawn http://ranabastre.lawnlawn.org/comic/
Reise http://www.spiderlilies.org/reise/
Oh! I actually follow Lawn and I know she’s put her project on hold because it seems she’s been busy at work. I wasn’t sure if I can post these since it’s been a while since these have been updated! I’ll keep the links here in case people are still interested in reading! :DÂ
You should also check out Sfeer Theory! The Knights Errant creator constantly plugs it (they’ve collaborated once or twice for artwork) and it’s a great read if you’re into fantasy. It’s a little slow-paced on the BL side though, since it focuses more on world-building and characterization… Not that this is a bad thing, but just pointing out that beyond knowing the main character is gay, it’ll actually take some time before any overt hints are going to be shown.
Also, great list! I’m already following a few of the above but will be checking out the others as well~~Â
Oooh! Sfeer Theory! I actually follow that comic but I wasn’t sure if I can peg it as a BL story! I mean, it makes my BL radar tick, but yeah, like you, I think Chira wants to focus her story elsewhere. Maybe I should ask Chira if her story has a BL underplot. I mean, do you know if it does? Because if it does I’d post it here because it definitely deserves some attention because it’s a fantastic webcomic!Â
I hesitated for the same reasons that I hesitated to put Todd and Petunia. I mean I ship character in the story, but I can sense the author intends to focus on a different plot than turning into BL.Â
Ah! You’re right, I guess Sfeer Theory would be a little out of place in the list… There was an ask once on her tumblr, if I’m not mistaken, as to whether it’s BL or not and she responded something along the lines of she’s simply telling the story that she wants to and doesn’t really want to constrict it to a certain genre
Glad to see you’re already following it though :3 I’ve been pretty much spoiled as to who eventually goes with whom haha since she’s posted bits and pieces of future happenings in her lj comm
 I seem to recall reading, think it was on the main site somewhere, the Sfeer Theory originally started out as gay porn and then the plot got so interesting they decided to focus more on that (and considering one character’s name sounds a lot like “Ball Sack” I have to wonder if that was deliberate).
Yeah! That’s why it’s so difficult to peg as BL. ;w; I do hope they do release shorts to cater my BL cravings. ;w;Â
Eep! Thank god I don’t follow her comm in LJ and just follow her on tumblr! That said, I’m quite a late comer into her story so I really haven’t gotten deep into the fandom just yet.Â
Maybe I should draft a list of BL hopefuls. Like Fishbones also makes me ship crazy. ;w;
Great list!
Thank you!Â