Since first reading about the dashing princes in children's books as a small boy, Rio has made it his goal to become a real-life prince charming. He's kind, chivalrous, helpful, and handsome to boot. This makes him some enemies with his male classmates, however, and while he's being bullied he's rescued by a Ouji. Ouji is a natural prince - someone who is brave and cool without even trying - so Rio begs him to take him under his wing. There seems to be another reason, however, that Rio is so drawn to Ouji. This is a really cute, sweet story that's in line with some more traditional yaoi tropes without feeling stale. While this book caught my eye with the silly premise and wonderful art, I was really touched by Rio and Ouji's slow slide into love, as well as the sincere way Rio's realization about both his sexuality and the real reason for his life-long fixation on princes was handled. A nice, sweet, relaxing yaoi manga that will leave you satisfied!

Everything about Takashiro's life is perfect. He's handsome, has a good job, and is capable and loved by his peers. He has one secret, however, that ruins his facade of being an upstanding adult: he can only get off to high school boys. For this reason he finds a club that offers 'special services' by high schoolers (well, legal adult men dressed as high schoolers) where he meets Haru, and their cat-and-mouse relationship starts there. While on the surface this seems like a very normal dirty yaoi manga centered around its character's fetishes, it actually digs pretty deep into how past trauma affects your preferences and relationships later in life. Both Haru and Takashiro have dealt with pain that has led them to this point--and to meeting each other. This manga has just the right balance of not only eroticism and plot, but also sweet, silly content and heart-wrenching drama. The characters are easy to understand and sympathize with, made even better by Yoko Misumi's highly-skilled and detailed art style. Not a yaoi manga you want to miss.

If you're interested in taboo age-gap love stories with a bit of a dark tone, Goodbye My Accomplice is the perfect choice for you. Hajime is the gifted and polite son of a famous car manufacturer, but for as many awards and as much money as he's had heaped on him his whole life he's known nothing but loneliness. His peers keep him at an arms length, and his teachers soullessly pamper and dote on him, all to make sure they don't cross his father. When he meets a middle-aged man named Hirose squatting in an abandoned apartment complex, he may have found a criminal (who's to say?) but he's also finally found a companion who treats him like a normal human being. As they get closer he finds himself romantically drawn to Hirose, who tries not to let his own feelings get the best of him as he becomes attracted to a boy much younger and much less jaded by the world. So what is he to do when Hajime announces he wants to run away with him? Goodbye My Accomplice is a brilliant slow-burn romance that deals with isolation and social pressure to always play the part assigned to you. Mixed with Ito Agata's lovely, expressive artwork, it's a joy to read even if it can be a bit hard-hitting at times, and she makes she to include just enough sensuality and comedy to lighten the mood when necessary.

The Warmth of Those Left Waiting is an incredibly sweet, simple story about two lonely young men finding each other. Suu is from an aristocratic family in the capital, and has never known what it's like to long for anything. He's constantly obedient to his family, and knows little about society and how to socialize, so he's sent to stay with a scholar who'll teach him the ways of the world. Ahn, on the other hand, was orphaned at a young age and spends his days working to support himself. When he delivers goods to Suu's household, Suu's teacher sees it as an opportunity to introduce him to someone his same age to improve his social skills. The two quickly grow close, and develop unexpectedly intense feelings for each other. The story itself is very simple, only grazing the surface of the deeper loneliness both boys have suffered. But I feel that's the appeal?sometimes you just want to read something gentle and easy and fluffy, and this story very much delivers on that front. Mayama's art is lovely, and both Suu and Ahn are such sweet characters that it's hard to not feel touched by their love for each other. The story also has a nice historical setting which adds to the fantastically gentle themes and atmosphere.

Navy Blue is the ultimate in sweet, silly slice of life yaoi manga. The series revolves around the lives and relationship of Aki and Nao, two ridiculous high school boys who're childhood friends and have been in 'one-sided' love with each other for as long as they can remember. While it's a long series, it's not a slow-burn?the two confess their feelings early on (in a very cute, shojo-esque way might I add) and the following chapters simply follow their lovey-dovey life in which they try to spend as much time with each other as possible while also navigating the difficulties of being a young, gay couple: not being out to their friends and family, having social obligations outside their lives together, fending off love rivals, going to separate schools, and figuring out their future together. The series has its fair share of drama, and the pair do occasionally have spats, but Sanba Maekawa is good at keeping things sweet and light-hearted and resolving their issues quickly. Maekawa's art is simple and cute, and matches perfectly with the tone of the plot and characters. Definitely an ideal yaoi manga to relax and unwind when real life stress has got you down.

Heading fast toward middle age and miserable with his life, Kunimi decides to end it all. After his attempt, however, he wakes up in his childhood bed, with an old-style cellphone, somehow back in his teenage body. At its core, I Can Say "I Love You" in the Afterlife is a charming story about fixing mistakes and coming to terms with the past. When Kunimi returns to his old high school and is reunited with his childhood sweetheart Gaku, he's forced to relive not only the incredible love (and desire) that comes with first teenage romance, but the pain and trauma of losing his youth aspirations. Is this new world truly the re-do Kunimi desperately wanted, or is he living out a torturous dream he could wake up from any second? Tsukiduki Yoshi's art is absolutely stunning, and the expressive way she draws faces forces the reader on an emotional roller-coaster along with Kunimi as he relives first love and first loss. The story itself perfectly balances just the right about of spicy scenes with bittersweet drama and romance, and is a perfect, satisfying blend of what most readers want out of a Yaoi manga - not to mention both Kunimi and Gaku are wonderful, fascinating characters and their awkward interactions are too cute for words.

Part supernatural, part "businessmen in love," It Felt Good from the First Touch is a cute and original story about a man named Okiya who is able to see the 'aura' of those around him. He can tell when his colleagues have a fake smile, or if his significant other is upset and hiding it - not just because he's good at reading people, but because he can literally see and feel the mood surrounding them. This has been a blessing and a curse, because it's made him very skilled in interpersonal situations, but has also made him distrust the way people act at face value. That is, until he meets his colleague Koga. Koga is honest to a fault, sometime saying things that can even be seen as rude or inappropriate. The only thing he seems to hide is an intense affection for Okiya. Okiya likes being around Koga just to bask in the sweet, warm mood surrounding him, and even suggests the possibility of getting closer. But, is Okiya ready for the sincere love that Koga has for him after a lifetime of learning how to read others just by looking at them? Overall, this is a really sweet story about having to learn to be open and communicate with the people you love - because you might not be reading their feelings correctly, even if you think you are.

Mmm ripped men in suits... truly a gift. I see plenty of businessmen in Boys' Love but Owal's art just really hits the spot y'know? Just the right amount of chiseled... Anyway... This manga has hella energy! It never really stops to take a break (not that it needs to) and just keeps going like a record-holding roller coaster. Nonohiko is the pure, innocent, virgin boy who's just entered a house of MEN. I say men, there's really only one man that's out to dirty Nonohiko's purity, and that the beautiful, sex crazed Hibiki.
The story starts off pretty intense, with Hibiki mistaking Nonohiko for a call-boy he ordered, but then they hit the 'oh we actually like each other' part and it gets strangely wholesome (but still hot and sweaty as heck) and you find yourself furiously flipping pages so you can reach the next bang-fest.
"Our House" really manages to pull off a smut heavy story, whilst keeping the relationship sweet and interesting to follow, which a lot of smuttier series struggle to do. Also, inverted nipples. That is all.

I don't think I have to tell you to never trust someone who knocks on your door and claims to be a sex doll! Especially if they're a suspiciously cute boy...
Taiyoh is surprised to find out that he's just won a cutting-edge sex doll, that's even gone and delivered itself to his door! Of course, he's not buying that story for a second, and slams the door on poor Michiru almost immediately. Something Michiru said sticks with him though, "So, you're abandoning me?" After spending all of his childhood in an orphanage, Taiyoh knows example what it feels like to be abandoned. Not wanting to leave the boy out in the cold, Taiyoh starts trying to work out: who is this sex doll?
The initial premise for this series is somewhat ridiculous, but it soon becomes clear that the real meat of story is about how people deal with abandonment and being part of a family. Though the story never goes too deep into the subject, focusing more on the leads' relationship, there's enough substance there to make this a cute, heartwarming and memorable story.

A cross-dressing kink, again? Yes, yes this is my thing right now. And no, I'm not sorry.
So, this cutie Yuya is totally into wearing women's underwear (only the bottom half mind you) and is terrified of anyone finding out about his kink. Cue him bumping into an old friend from high-school, Kazuaki, outside a lingerie shop. A friend who happens to also be a lingerie designer. It's like the stars have aligned, only the stars have pretty lace and frills around the edges (there's an interesting image for you!) Anyway, Kazuaki is here to help Yuya accept the part of himself that likes wearing women's underwear, and also, to ravish him while he's wearing said underwear. It's both hot and heartwarming really, a win-win!
This volume also features two other one-shots: one about a drag-queen and his co-worker, and one about a guy who likes it in the ass a bit too much. That's plenty of bang for your buck!

Adult film director Kyoichi is on the hunt for new cross-dressers to star in his next masterpiece when he meets Nao, a man with the most beautiful, feminine face he's ever seen. Nao, having just been rejected by a girl, is feeling super down, which provides the perfect opportunity for Kyoichi to swoop in and cheer him up! After telling Nao how pretty he is, Kyoichi convinces him he needs to become even more beautiful than the girl that rejected him, by cross-dressing! But, while Kyoichi's waiting for the perfect opportunity to ask the now beautiful, long-haired Nao to star in his next film, he starts to realize that he'd rather keep the stunning young man all to himself!
Despite the sketchy premise, this is actually a pretty wholesome manga! Though Kyoichi starts off with less than pure intentions, their relationship develops into something cute and sweet, with both of them trying their best to make the other happy. The smut is hooooot as heck (assuming you're into seeing delectable sausages through panties) and, in an all too rare case for yaoi, very much consensual! If you're into cross-dressing stories, then you definitely need to check this out!

If you've ever had "guys in character outfits" on your list of fetishes, this one's for you guys! (I guess this counts as cosplay?)
Yuji works as the black cat Mascot character Kuro for a baseball team. His one reason for taking the job? To be closer to his idol Shinichi, one of the top players for the team. Although he's very much in love with Shinichi, Yuji knows his chances of really getting to know the guy are slim to none, but he's content just being near the man of his dreams. One day after a rough game however, Shinichi sees Yuji dressed as Kuro and takes him aside for a chat. It turns out that not only is Shinichi a fan of the black cat character, but he's got some pretty wild ideas about how the man-sized kitty cat can cheer him up...
While being full of smut, this manga's story is cute as heck and you'll fall in love with both boys in a heartbeat.

Shouma Yaku is a Super Top. No man can resist him. His money, looks, and intellect have men dropping their pants and preparing their cheeks for a pounding without a second thought. But what's this? A new resident has started working at Shouma's hospital? And he's a Super Bottom!? Shouma is ready to slam, but Kai the Super Bottom has no intention of welcoming Shouma into his man cave just yet...
Kai the Super Bottom is a ridiculous and wild ride on a never-ending smut-coaster. There are no heart-warming stories to be had here, but that's not Kai's job. His job is to get you giggling and to quench the fire in your loins with his butt that won't quit. If you're looking for a laugh, I can't recommend Kai the Super Bottom enough!
This manga also contains a second story featuring chaotic and downright dirty company rivalries, yet more beautiful chiseled men, and a thing for nice hard nips.

Beautiful vampires banging? Getting slammed by the white rabbit from Wonderland? Dark spirits that hide in the hair down there? This anthology has it all! Fantasy stories, idols, boys in bridal-wear, honestly I couldn't believe the variety when I opened this one. Each story is short and sweet, with smut that goes from zero to 100 in the blink of an eye. Several chapters feature guys in women's clothing if that's your thing, and there's a good mix of different top/bottom relationships, whether it be quiet tops taming wild bottoms or wild tops ravaging quiet bottoms. While there's no real drama to be found here and each couple only gets one chapter to themselves, each of their short stories feels satisfying and complete enough for you to happily move on to the next couple.
So, if you're after a cheerful read full of wacky couples and sweaty smut, look no further than Midnight Make Love.

In this world, humans possess a power known as "Divine Protection." These divine protectors take the form of demons, gods, and spirits, among other things, though they often aren't very powerful. However, some individuals, like Kojiro Suzuki, are particularly strong and attend special schools for kids with powerful protectors. Kojiro's protector is the fire demon god Ifrid, which allows him to manipulate smoke, a power strong enough to get him put on the school's Discipline Monitoring Committee. Alongside him on the committee is Chairman Lauri Asagiri, who's protected by the water god Leviathan, and perhaps more importantly has a huge crush on Kojiro! But when fire and water mix, will things get steamy? There's only one way to find out...!
A sweet rom-com with a fantasy twist, the "Divine Protection" setting not only adds a little more flavor to this school-based story, but also provides an excuse for making flaming hot protagonists! Although there are some sexy scenes towards the end, this is more of a light-hearted read for anyone interested in some beautiful boys and easy laughs.

There are two departments at Mishima Design Academy: "Fashion Design" where the cool kids hang, and "Communication Design" where the the... not cool kids hang? Yoji Kuroe is a graphic design student on the Communication Design side, and as someone who makes his own video games to sell at conventions, he considers himself super-not-cool. In an attempt to raise the sales of their next game, Yoji and his friends plan to get some hot guys from the Fashion Design department to cosplay as the game characters at the next convention. Fortunately, resident hot guy and design genius at the cosplay club, Toma Kishida, agrees to make the costumes, under one condition: Yoji has to "model" for him. Of course, this isn't just any kind of modeling, and as it turns out, Toma has a thing for bodysuits...

A lead-programmer at a start-up company, Kaname was hoping that success would bring him girls and riches, but instead, he keeps getting stuck at work with new projects piling up. His only form of release is his co-worker, Yuki, with whom he has a special jerk-off-agreement (of sorts.) As Yuki starts moving around the back though, things start to escalate beyond a friendly ol' tug-of-war. Now, Kaname can't finish by himself, and it's all Yuki's fault! Fortunately, Yuki seems to be well prepared to take responsibility for his actions...
A simple story, but a very cute one! Kaname and Yuki's relationship is very wholesome from the get-go and only becomes more so as they move from being friends, to more than that. Despite his cute appearance, Yuki loves to play around in the bedroom, and the smut scenes are hella hot! (Perfect if you like small, aggressive tops.) There's an additional story at the end of the manga featuring the couple's two co-workers as well, which is just as sweet, and both stories get wrapped up nicely by the end.

We've all been there: you're trying to get off but nothing's happening, and then your friend walks in and pow! Like Tokyo Tower in 3 seconds flat. At least, that's the situation Atsushi has found himself in. After disappointing his girlfriend with member limper than string cheese, he's determined to find out what's going wrong with his little friend. While he's in the process of doing so though, his dark and handsome friend Tsukasa walks in and ends up giving him the hand he really needed! And so, begins the romance of one straight guy, and his overly forward friend.
The story is quick to solidify Atsushi and Tsukasa's relationship and move on to other issues the two of them have, like Atsushi dealing with his sexuality and how they explain everything to their mutual friends. The balance of smut to story is very well done, and let me tell you, the smut is HOT! Atsushi might be new to all this, but Tsukasa clearly has no desire to hold back... well, his desire! A yaoi manga that has a bit of everything, be sure to check out "I'm Straight, But My Friend Gets Me Hard."

Serizawa is a normal college student who spots his professor, Utsumi, kissing a man in an alleyway. In exchange for not telling anyone, Serizawa had a rather pure-hearted request... for Utsumi to go drinking with him and listen to his woes! One thing leads to another, however, and Serizawa wakes up with Utsumi doing him a "favor"...

This manga is very different from most of the yaoi manga on Renta! It's quite bittersweet, and the tone is rather dreary, but with a feeling of nostalgia and longing, which I loved. What starts out as an "impure" relationship becomes personal growth and the overcoming of depression, leading to the opening of hearts and eventually, love. The depiction of Utsumi's depression and how it manifested in the mess that is his life and his living space was too real... I also adored how emotions are a portrayed as spectrum and not black and white, which is hard to come by in yaoi manga, I feel!

If you're looking for something a little different, with characters who seem uncannily human, try this!

The story opens with Ryotaro, an up-and-coming photographer, sitting unwillingly with his sponsor in a cross-dressing bar. Feeling unwell, he stumbles on his way to the toilet, and a cross-dresser comes to his aid. Ryotaro is shocked to find that he recognizes the feet of the man before him. They belong to Wataru, a single father struggling to make ends meet, and they went to high school together. Desperate to stay connected to Wataru, Ryotaro strikes a deal with him to meet up once a week...

This manga may seem on the surface to be a carnal, foot-fetish yaoi, but it's much more than that. Nostalgia, forgiveness, learning to treasure the past while moving forward, and finding the courage to love yourself, are all major themes in this slow-burn romance.

What I love about this manga is how artfully the author has captured the way Ryotaro and Wataru work through their own feelings as a result of their vastly different pasts. Most importantly, I thought depiction of Wataru's struggle to accept the death of his wife was respectful, and a distinct part of his character, not just a way to push the story forward like in many yaoi manga involving previously married men. For those of you looking for a mature, slow-paced yaoi manga that leaves you feeling whole and warm, give this one a try.

If you like slow-burners, this one's for you! Although the couple technically get together pretty early on, their relationship doesn't really become whole until the later chapters, leaving us to enjoy the slow build up throughout the story.
This is not a smutty series, but rather an emotional journey for both characters, where we get to see them overcome some serious crap they've got going on, both personally and in their relationship. Though if you're into smuttier stuff, there's some really nice extra chapters at the end of the second volume that you might enjoy!
Although the focus is on the main couple throughout, I appreciated the world building that was present, and the fact that side characters weren't just throw-aways and actually had some presence in the story. It's refreshing to find a series not based in a city as well, and the small island aesthetic really suits the themes of loneliness and finding oneself that are heavily present. Not to mention the fact that the outside scenes really show-off the beautiful artwork!

OH MY %$%$!! I truly regret hopping on the Atami Michinoku wagon so late! This manga was everything I could have asked for! Beautiful art? Check! Amazing, erotic sex scenes? Check! Fleshed out characters with actual personalities and a solid story to match? Check!
The two main characters are colleagues who start off with a physical relationship and the story doesn't take its time to showcase the main fetish of the manga, urethra bougies. The story does admittedly begin in a stereotypical office-yaoi way and visits tropes such as share-a-room-on-a-business-trip, but it soon guides us deeper into the minds of the two protagonists, who dance around their developing feelings.
I love that the bottom seems to have less control in bed, but more control out of bed, and vice versa for the top, and the two have a mature, consensual relationship that they constantly test the boundaries of, for better or for worst. I really found myself rooting for them to end up happy, and I hope you do too!

Shoichi Katakura works at a nursery school and is loved by all the children and their parents! But at night, he becomes "Ichi" and eats men like candy... On one of his prawls for a man online, a super hot, but also super straight man turns up. Shoichi had promised himself he would never sleep with a straight man again, and he ditches the hottie, Kei, in the middle of their session... Only to think that Kei looks awfully familiar. Of course, this only means they will run into each other again, and in the most inconvenient place for Shoichi...!

I looooooove me some Nonda Noda! A master in both Love Manga and Yaoi manga, this is just the perfect combination of so many tropes that push my buttons. 1) Secret night life to a otherwise prim-and-proper character, 2) A "straight" top, 3) Super beautiful art, 4) Adorable side characters... and so much more! I had gone into this thinking it would be light-hearted and a simple, fun, smutty read, but ended up more emotional than I had expected, which is always the best surprise. Also, the extra chapter at the end is SUCH a special and surprising treat as well... You won't be disappointed!

This manga takes the "my idol is actually my next-door neighbour!?" trope and softens it with innocent, pure love!
Sakuraba is a man who loves cute things. He packs his own lunch boxes, complete with bunny-shaped rice balls, his room looks as instagrammable as can be, and his favourite pasttime is reading the monthly shojo manga magazine, Garnet! Imagine his shock when he finds out at a book-signing event that his favourite manga artist, Megumi Nono, was his male next-door neighbour all along! Sakuraba is such a huge fan he begins to drop by Megumi's apartment regularly to let him know how much he enjoys his work. Despite Megumi's thorny attitude, they spend more and more time together, until Sakuraba realizes that his feelings seem to have exceeded those of a fan...
If you love sweet, slow stories that's more about two characters slowly developing feelings for each other, this manga would be perfect for you! I'm usually not a huge fan of tsundere characters, but wow, Chito Hanakawa managed to entice me! Megumi's tsundere personality is believable as a combination of social awkwardness and defense mechanisms, and it only goes to make him feel more relatable as a character. His loneliness and earnest feelings despite his tsundere attitude, paired with Sakuraba's straight-foward-yet-awkward love, really goes a long way to give you heartthrobs!
A simple story that is a feel-good read, with a few tear-jerkers along the way, this is definitely something you'll want to sit down with on a rainy day!

Okay, confession time. I went through a vampire obsession phase back in the day, so when I came across this title I had high expectations... And I'm glad to say that I wasn't disappointed in any way with this manga! As one can expect from many modern-day vampire stories, the vampire protagonist, Mizuki, substitutes semen for blood to satisfy his hunger. He usually keeps his man-hunting identity a secret, but one day his hunger drives him to lose control on a younger school mate, Sakura. As you would have it, Sakura's cum is utterly delicious! Mizuki has never tasted anything like it, and doesn't think he ever will again!
In his effort to keep Sakura all to himself (as food), he seduces Sakura and even agrees to become his lover. Everything up to this point is great archetypal build-up, but what I truly loved about this manga is what happens after. The emotional dance that Sakura and Mizuki do to figure out their own true feelings. How clumsy and awkward they both are as they do their best to work around Mizuki's unsatiable appetite. The way they are so both so earnest, yet stubborn, but unable to be more straight-forward with each other.
This manga was so sweet, with the most perfect touch of bitterness, and peppered with light, fun humour throughout. If you're looking for something to pull at your heart strings but also make you smile, definitely check this out!

This series is unbelievably hilarious! It never fails to make me laugh no matter how many times I read it. Kei is gay, a bottom, and tragically unable to reach climax. Sho is the biggest narcissist known to man and hates other people touching his beautiful body. One fateful night, the two collide (literally) and switch bodies! Suddenly, Kei is able to feel pleasure, and Sho is able to feel himself! It's a win-win situation! It's not smooth-sailing, though, since Sho's personality is larger than life, while Kei is pretty apathetic about everything, meaning their interactions are always really amusing. There's a lot of visual humor in this manga, too, combining beautiful art with comical expressions. Neither character is particularly likeable, but I love them both anyway. Just give it a try - you won't regret it!

I'm a fan of meco's works because they're all a wonderful mix of humor and smut, and this one is no exception! At a party, Shimizu lies to escape some man-hungry women and says he's gay. They don't believe him, so he does the only sensible (?) thing and kisses his male colleague, Karasuma! Drunk logic for you right there... Anyway, the women follow the two guys out of the party, so they hide in a love hotel! And, you know, since they're there, they may as well try the whole "gay" thing... I absolutely love the dynamic between Shimizu and Karasuma and how they continue bickering even while they're doing the deed. I couldn't stop laughing out loud, either! It's not just the dialog that's funny, but the background text, too. There's also some realism to it as well, with the characters discussing the intricacies of butt sex, but even that is handled in a humorous way. And the smut! The smut is beautiful and plentiful but certainly not overwhelming; it's just right. The way Shimizu and Karasuma's relationship develops is really sweet, too. It's just an awesome manga and I could continue gushing about it for quite a while, but instead I'm just going to implore you to read it!!

Q: Why would a student who also gets top grades suddenly turn in a blank assignment?
A: Because he wants to get the teacher's attention!
It's like an evil genius's plan right from the start! And only Mr. Tsuji doesn't see through it! You seriously can't help laughing at him, though. (In a nice way, of course.) After his wife tells him she wants a divorce, he's totally convinced that no one could possibly find a guy like him sexy; he's around 30 (so clearly past his prime), he's oblivious, a softie, too nice for his own good, and ultimately lonely. He believes in what's right but can sometimes be a bit of a pushover. The only one who knows the real Masaki Tsuji is Sohta (a.k.a. Evil Genius), who's been watching the teacher in silence. Then, in turn, I love watching Sohta as he tries to prove his love!
Yes, their relationship may have started with Sohta blackmailing Masaki, but his heart was totally in the right place (even if other parts of him weren't...)! He just wanted to comfort him and hold him and dry his tears! (It's not his fault he petted Masaki's other head... Or was that part of his Evil Plan™?)
The road to love is long and (very, very) hard... Will these two come... I mean... overcome the obstacles in their way!? Read to find out, and don't miss the sequel, "Listen to Your Teacher!"

The two main characters in this, Amamiya and Arashiro, are both amazing. Neither of them have any interest in guys (to begin), and their reactions to their inexplicable attraction is really amusing. Amamiya is super insecure about his (beautiful) big butt, but he gets hot when Arashiro touches it. Arashiro enjoys the squishy feeling, but he doesn't want to admit he might be into a guy. After Arashiro (accidentally) gropes Amamiya's butt once, they both want to feel it again, and when it does (accidentally) happen again, they then try to deny they don't want more. There's not a lot of angst in this; instead, there's cringe-worthy but heart-pounding sexy scenes, where you're thinking "oh my god, you can't do that!" while simultaeneously thinking "oh my god, YES do that!!" It's sweet and hilarious and the art. THE ART!! There are so many close-ups of butts, it's unreal. A string of butt-related songs is going round in my head just writing this and it makes me want to read the whole thing over again. Get that ass, read this book!!

Tomo Kurahashi proves herself the master of depicting budding Yaoi love with Crack Star.
Mio shows up at Shino's doorstep suddenly one night after five years. He's got nowhere to stay, so he crashes with Shino. Shino struggles to come to terms with Mio's unchanging child-like quirkiness and his own feelings for Mio.
Kurahashi's such a master artist and storyteller that even Hibiya and Mr. Aoyama, the so-called villains, are actually rather lovable.
This story features all the stages of relationships, from falling in love to breaking up to even getting badly hurt. Check out this bittersweet but heartwarming manga today!

I feel like this is Owal's best work, but then I may be biased because it was the first one I read... I'm a sucker for straight boys getting it on and then discovering that maybe they're not quite as straight as they first thought...! This story is set in college, and two friends who're both known to be popular with the ladies get drunk one night. Not having any attractive women to take home, they decide to go to a hotel together instead! (Because why not?) They discover the joys of gay!sex in long, beautiful, sound-effect-filled scenes, but then pesky emotions start making themselves known! I can't deny that I love a little angst to tug at the heart-strings, and this definitely has that, too. Not to worry though, because as with all of Owal's work, there's a wonderfully happy ending! Try it if you're not afraid of a little smut and love a good story!

This is a super refreshing yaoi manga in that both the top and bottom are total dorks! Neither of them are even a little bit cool, and they're both naive and gullible, but they're so pure-hearted!! And sooo cute!! It's based off that movie about a holiday in Rome, but has a lovely gay twist. Prince Richard of England has come to France on business, and Shigeru works for a newspaper that's doing a story on him. They end up running into each other (literally) when Richard tries to escape his princely duties, claiming he's had enough. (Spoiled, yes, but his pout is adorable.) Shigeru takes Richard around, showing him how commoners live, and... well, I really don't want to spoil it, but stuff happens. *wink wink nudge nudge* Interferences and misunderstandings follow, providing a nice smidge of angst, but of course there's a wonderful happy ending! Aaand, we even get a side-story about Richard's aide and his cook! (Now those two are cool.) I know the cover might seem a little tame, but you just have to look inside to see how lovely the art is, and it's such a feel-good story with really likeable characters that it's impossible not to enjoy!

"I should've just told you I loved you when I realized it for myself."
Both sweet and slightly bitter at times, the poetic way that this story uses the flavors of gelato to express the deepening relationship of these two characters is really lovely. It's the type of storytelling that makes each moment feel delicate and emotional, skillfully expressing the characters' feelings of love even as they are unable to express them to each other directly. There was a beautiful sensuality even in the scenes where they are simply eating gelato... And of course, when they tasted each other's kisses afterwards.
The story is told mostly from the point of view of the uke, but it was comfortingly sweet to read a bit from the seme's perspective towards the end of the manga. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the type of story where mutual romantic feelings continue to grow even as they slip by unnoticed, eventually coming together for a very happy ending!

The story begins with the straight Tomoaki starting at his very first job and finding out that his very first boss, Chikashi, is gay. Now, it's still pretty uncommon to be out at work in Japan, so Tomoaki is quite taken aback, and the story progresses as he deals with this information.
Despite appearances, this manga is actually a comedy, and there are loads of scenes that had me grinning. It has some serious, realistic scenes that pack a punch too, though. I think that's what I love most about it! Tomoaki insists that he hasn't been straight since he developed feelings for Chikashi, and honestly, it's just such a nice difference to the normal yaoi stories where they're only gay for each other or try to deny their feelings for another guy or whatever, I actually shed a tear. I've been waiting so long to read a story like this...! But, on the other hand, it's not like, "'I like you!' 'I like you, too!' And they both lived happily ever after~" Chikashi is constantly worrying about what others will think of Tomoaki for being with a man and whether their relationship is worth it for Tomoaki. The characters' backstories are well fleshed-out, and you get to see both the good times and the bad. It's nice watching them all grow. I especially like the CEO, who plays a pretty big part... We get to see his past, too! (Yay!) So, yes, this is a comedy, but it will also tear your heart out through your eyes... Good times!

Aaand, as it happens, this is actually the first volume in a triology! Don't miss the second volume, "Me, My Trainee, and the Sequel to Our Love", out on December 13 2017!

"Warped" is definitely the right word for this! I kind of read the whole thing with wide eyes and my mouth hanging open and there may have been some random swearing, too. I don't think this is like any yaoi I've ever read before - in a good way! Kura and Kamota are roommates in high school. Kamota's your average teenage boy, just trying to fit in and hoping to get a girlfriend (and get laid). Kura's pretty dark and hates everyone (so, maybe a typical teenage boy in that sense?). They reeeally don't like each other. Kamota's best friends with Hajime, who's cool and popular and tends to grope Kamota in the halls, which makes everyone think they're dating. Kura and Hajime are in the same class and have known each other for years. Hajime is pretty much the only person who talks to Kura. One day, Hajime helps Kamota get off, and Kura walks in just in time to be accidentally involved. Hajime and Kamota's relationship develops (a little weirdly, but, you know, still hot/sweet), but then we learn more about Kura, and something happens between him and Kamota, revealing Hajime's true feelings, and it's just a melting pot of teenage hormones and angst and wtf. I don't even know who to recommend this manga to, because I wouldn't have thought it'd be something I'd enjoy, but I ended up loving it! Just, give it a try, is all I'd say. That, and "don't try this at home!"

We know you've all been waiting, and now Harada's works are finally available on Renta!
"YATA & MOMO" isn't your typical yaoi. For a start, Momo's a useless good-for-nothing who fails at everything he tries. He's also a hedonistic twink with no moral compass... He meets Yata under some of the worst circumstances imaginable, but Yata can't leave well enough alone and is quite taken by Momo, so takes him in. After many trails and tribulations, the two of them end up falling in love, but... Well, let's just say that the two of them are in a league of their own! It may be kind of a dark story, but it's also hilarious!
I think one of Harada's charms is that they make the characters seem real. Like, despite the fact that Momo is completely unable to hold down a job, he really tries hard for Yata's sake. Momo honestly does love Yata, and he tries to show it in his own Momo-way. I could easily see how Yata was the one good thing in Momo's otherwise grim life. I recommend reading this once, then reading it again knowing what lurks in Momo's mind!

The title of this manga is basically my life. The story itself is amusing, but I have SO much sympathy for Sena. Like, he got into yaoi exactly the same way I did! (And I'm sure many of you had the same experience too.) You just pick up a book that looks pretty and OH MY GOD THE GUYS ARE KISSING! ...And then you're on board with it and there is no turning back. Yaoi 4 life. (Or, more accurately, hiding all your manga for life...) Sena has the added complication that he's a high school boy who can only talk to one guy outside his family, which just makes me love him more! And then, as us yaoi fans are wont to do, he starts thinking about said guy (Hayato) with another guy, but the feeling in his chest isn't the one he was expecting. He's just so cute and oblivious and way too relatable. There are other stories in this manga, too, so have a read and see which you like best!

Toua, the bottom, is kind of more like your typical yaoi top in that he has no interest in love or being special to someone, and he doesn't even kiss unless it's during sex. He enjoys his life of pleasure! If the person he's with does fall in love, it's over between them. Otherwise, he's happy to continue a purely physical relationship. There is in fact a reason for this, but it's not super dark or dramatic, and it's just kind of slipped in smoothly as part of his past, which makes a nice change. It's like, he's afraid of love, but at the same time, that's all he really wants. So, he has lots and lots of sex, especially with Jiro, the awesome top whose expression never changes. I can't quite put into words why, but I really like Jiro. Maybe he just seems really real... Anyway. Toua may be afraid of love, but he's also afraid of hurting Jiro, which hurts my heart oh-so-good. You'll have to read it for yourself to see how it ends, though! My rating? 10/10, would definitely read again.

I really like Chisa Otomi's works, and this manga was no exception! It's about a small detective agency and the two guys who work there. The detective, Keiji, is straight, but as is wont to happen in yaoi, he keeps getting cases involving gay guys. Eisei, his assistant, totally takes it all in stride, and you kinda get the feeling there might be more there... I just love Keiji's innocent (?) reactions to all the gayness!! And there's one of my favorite tropes; the pretending-to-be-a-couple one! It's especially lovely because Keiji's so awkward and Eisei's so flustered and I just end up squeeing all over the place. There's a smidge of angst, too, which hurt my heart oh so good, but rest assured, there is a happy ending! (In more ways than one, if you catch my drift *wink wink nudge nudge*) And if that's not enough to sway you, a kitten makes an appearance as well. What's not to love!?

The bottom in this is so charming and confident and glamorous! In contrast, the top's all stubborn and refuses to acknowledge his own feelings. When you put the two of them together, you can practically feel the sparks fizzling away between them! I've read a lot of yaoi in my time, but I've never encountered anything quite like this...
Let's start with the art. It's absolutely gorgeous, with smooth lines and almost translucent characters. The way the author draws surprised and embarrassed expressions is amazing - I could look at them all day!
The setting and story match the art perfectly, too. It's like everything is exactly where it's meant to be, and you get totally drawn in to the characters' world. The way they go from being taken with one another, to admitting their true feelings, to finally getting their happy end filled my heart to bursting.
But, the best thing of all is the characters themselves! The bottom is the star of the kabuki theater, and he definitely wins all the awards in my book. He's so, so beautiful... *swoon* I like how the top's all straight-laced, but is actually kind of an airhead. It's super cute! This manga is just... Yeah. Time to go read it a few more times...

Enthusiastic ukes and straight semes FTW! I love how innocent Yoshitaka (the top/main character) is, and the fact that you see things from his perspective. It makes a nice, refreshing change! He plans to woo a young woman in need and ends up with a very bossy guy as a roommate. Kaede, the bottom, is super pretty and just kinda comes like a whirlwind (no pun intended) into Yoshitaka's life. He's awesome! He can switch really easily from cute to seductive, too, and he's bi, which is another refreshing thing about this manga, since you don't see that with a lot of ukes. It's really fun to see him turn on the charm for both men and women. I think my favorite thing about this manga is probably how both Yoshitaka and Kaede deal with Kaede's job as a porn star. It comes up towards the end of the manga, and it's emotional but really well done. It was a totally satisfying ending! Kaede's friend Shu plays a big part, and I still can't decide if I like him or not... I did, then I didn't, but now the jury's out... Hmm. Have a read and see what you think! I couldn't put it down!

There's a tangled web of confused and complicated feelings in this manga, and as everything is slowly revealed, you realize that behind it all is simply the proof of love. Throughout the whole thing, you wonder, "Is he lusting after him?" "Is he gay or straight?" "What's the truth??" It's hard to discern the characters' true feelings, which means no one knows "where love goes". (Heh, see what I did there?) It's like a love square, but not quite. Mr. Muroto is still caught up in the past, Mr. Izumo is in love with Mr. Muroto, Mr. Izumo's student, Tomogashima, is in love with Mr. Izumo, and Tomogashima's female classmate, Ezaki, is in love with Tomogashima...! Then, of course, there's the secret of the lighthouse... Not everyone necessarily has the happy ending they want, but I totally love the ending everyone gets. It's like the story's saying, "even if you're hurting now, tomorrow's a brand-new day." I think anyone who's ever felt like that will enjoy this story, but even if you haven't, it's still a wonderful read!

I can't get enough of this manga!! I really liked a previous series by this author (Training the Ghost who Possessed my House), so was super excited when this came out and I was not disappointed! It's clear the two main characters are physically compatible, and it doesn't take long for Natsuki, the bottom, to succumb to Tsukasa's charm, but their inability to express their feelings kept me wanting to read more. It's like UST, but... UET? Unresolved Emotional Tension...? It's good, anyway! The reader can see that Tsukasa's liked Natsuki from the very beginning, but Natsuki's so lovably oblivious that he doesn't realize. He does realize that he very much likes doing naughty things with Tsukasa though (even though he still kind of thinks of him as competition for girls' attention), so this is a definite must-read for anyone who likes enthusiastic ukes (and rivals)!! The whole series might seem a little long at first glance, but I think it's good because it shows how their relationship progresses and allows their personalities to grow. Plus, you know, it gives them to opportunity to get busy in all sorts of places... And the best thing of all? The first chapter of this manga is absolutely free!!

The fact that Itsuki, the top, is all mysterious and is clearly hiding something is awesome enough, but the secret being that he's a werewolf is like the icing on the cake! He was friends with Rei, the bottom, when they were younger, and they shared one kiss before Itsuki disappeared for seven years. When he shows up again, it's with the super-adorable Chota, his son! Rei smells amazing to werewolves, so Itsuki was constantly fighting his desires... (UST, anyone?) I could practically feel the angst radiating off of Rei... But, Itsuki seeking Rei out means they were totally meant to be! I love that young, immature Itsuki who chose not to hurt Rei as well as the grown-up one who chooses to be with Rei despite everything...! This manga makes my heart hurt so good, but it comes with a happy ending, so I think anyone can enjoy it! Plus, the art is gorgeous, and there are ears and tails and SUPER-ADORABLE CHOTA!!

I'm a sucker for rivalries, and this is one of the best! I just love all that unresolved sexual tension... Which, thankfully, does get resolved here! There are various stories in this manga, but the first/last is definitely my favorite! The two main characters are ex-gangsters who were both feared and always used to be at each other's throats. They each fake their own deaths and then end up meeting again years later, but they still can't help fighting. It's really funny to see an immaculate guy in a suit and a happy-go-lucky kindergarten teacher shouting and swearing! They work really well together though, and you get to see the end of their story, which is nice. It's actually really sweet! This is also a good manga if you like family stuff, because not only does the main character in the first story have a daughter, but there's a family in the second story, too! I like seeing dependable guys looking after little kids... Especially if they get to have sneaky kisses with their boyfriends! Even more so when those kisses get interrupted!! I laughed so much while reading this and recommend it to anyone who wants a little fun with their yaoi!

Among all the manga I've read featuring middle-aged bottoms, this one is by far the cutest! Naohito's pushing forty and he just can't be bothered to put himself out there when it comes to love and romance. He's always well-behaved and people around him often take him for a "perfect lover" but the truth is that it's all an act and he's actually just terrified of getting hurt. Naohito goes about his life pretending to be an ideal lover, all the while thinking that there isn't anyone who would love him just the way he is. He would probably continue living peacefully under the same sky were it not for a blazing comet called Tohru Akasaka that suddenly crashes down and changes everything. An open, honest and laid-back puppy meets a moody, sneaky cat that only pretends to be innocent, and the chemistry between the two is just uncontrollable! I can't stress enough how adorable Naohito is- are there any actual forty-year-olds who are that cute!? ^^; There's also some comedy gold when Tohru's spontaneous remarks hit the nail on the head and also whenever Naohito's "evil" friend, Seiji, is involved. All the lovey-dovey scenes also provide some delicious eye-candy. You simply have to check it out!

You don't need to know anything about the Chinese zodiac to enjoy this manga, and it definitely has something for everyone! It's cute and funny and sexy and will leave you with all the warm fuzzies you could want. Although the first two volumes are about the rabbit and sheep, the others each feature a different zodiac pairing. They're all totally unique and somehow manage to include twists that made me grin! I think the horse and snake were my favorite pairing because they're an S uke and an M seme, which you don't see very often (if ever). I really like the love/hate frenemies thing they have going. My favorite character was the rooster though, because he's so pretty and just wants everyone to get along! I'm rooting for the rooster!! (Bad joke is bad... Sorry.) If you're looking for a little pick-me-up after a bad day, or if you're in the mood for something light-hearted and sweet, or if you enjoy reading about sexy times at school, try this!!

This manga is hilarious. Every single page made me laugh, or at least grin, and even on the second or third time through, it doesn't lose any of its appeal.
Nishida, the main character, is basically a professional stalker. He develops magic powers but can only use them on the guy he has a crush on. The guy, Takeshi, is pretty oblivious, and although he thinks Nishida's a weirdo, he lets him hang around anyway. Nishida doesn't pass up any opportunity to drool (quite profusely) over Takeshi, and Takeshi doesn't pull any punches when it comes to showing his annoyance. Like when Nishida turns himself into a tiny phallic "critter"... Takeshi just stamps on him, or throws him across the room, or flicks him off his shoulder. I know the art isn't typical of a yaoi manga, but the characters' expressions are so funny, it doesn't need to be beautiful. (That's not to say that there aren't some gorgeous scenes, though!)
It's such an un-serious manga, it's amazing. You won't find any naughty scenes here, but I defy anyone not to enjoy it. Just give it a try, and it'll soon become a favorite!

I first read this book five years ago, in the original Japanese, and I still remember how I felt when I read the description.
It's not your typical yaoi manga. It's sad right from the start. The story begins with Torao, the main character, trying to commit suicide after his boyfriend Hikaru dies. When Torao wakes up, 250 years have passed and there's an android waiting for him with the same name and face as his late lover. Hikaru (version B) was made specifically for Torao, but he lacks the spark that the original Hikaru had. Torao is no happier in the future than he was in the past. Although Hikaru B tries to comfort him, he doesn't even understand why Torao's crying.
This manga is sorrowful and painful and heart-breaking. But, it's beautiful at the same time. You can't help but cry when reading it. The "romance" in the title refers not only to love, but to everyday life and the mysteries, trials and tribulations it contains. For Torao, those feelings span 500 years.
I hope you give this manga a try, because it really is wonderful.

I loved this manga as soon as I started reading it! You may have noticed that I'm partial to enthusiastic ukes, and guess what this has...! Yuuichi is in love with Sei, his cousin's friend, and keeps fantasizing about all sorts of naughty things and it's just beautiful. I especially like that you can't actually tell what's real and what's not until Yuuichi snaps out of the fantasy, so you're kind of wondering, "Oh my, are they actually doing that...!?" It's certainly a yaoi to make your heart pound, and definitely not safe for work, school, or anywhere other people might be! There are also scenes that tug at your heart-strings, since Yuuichi thinks his love is hopeless, and some comic relief in the form of Sei's adorable little sister. It's set in summer, too, so now's the perfect time to read it!

I love how the super confident playboy, Hiroki, slowly falls in love with Miura, who's really shy. I mean, yes, Hiroki's kind of a jerk, but some people like that in their seme! He's never experienced real love and doesn't know how much his lies can hurt, but then he meets Miura and realizes that everything's different, even if he doesn't understand why, and he gets all frustrated and caught up and discovers that when you hurt someone you love, you get hurt, too...! Gah! But it's okay, because Miura's lovely and makes Hiroki lovely as well, and the art is also lovely, meaning this manga is just fantastic and everyone should give it a go!

I'm not sure how many times I've read this now, but I never get bored of it! The art is amazing, the story's amusing, and the smut...!
Lestore is really sexy, but when Kiyoteru thanks him he goes all red and shy and is just way more adorable than a demon has any right to be! I love that he keeps trying to act tough, too; it's so cute. And although Kiyoteru doesn't seem overly impressed with Lestore at the start, he gets pretty protective pretty quickly. They're really sweet together. And, like I said... the smut. Seriously. So hot. This manga is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with a happy ending for everyone (and I mean that in more ways than one *wink wink*)!

I'm pretty sure we can all agree that when you're in school, school is basically your life. If your classmates don't like you, the whole world might as well be against you. It's where you study (maybe), make friends (hopefully) and fall in love (if you're (un)lucky). You want to tell the person you like that you like them, but you also really don't want them to ever find out, ever. Not to mention, if it doesn't work out, you're doomed to a very lonely existence.
In this manga, Teruyoshi, the main character, is secretly in love with another boy, Kenji, so decides to sneakily take his picture and leave it at that. He's already been through hell once because he likes guys, and at only 17, once is more than enough. He keeps expecting something bad to happen, but...
Well, this isn't that kind of manga! They're happy, I'm happy, everyone is happy, and this is a wonderful manga!

I absolutely love Kurumi Otsuki's manga, and this one is no exception! It has the holy grail of yaoi manga... An enthusiastic uke!! *cue cheering* Yes, he's super shy, but that just makes it all the more yummy. The dynamic between these two is amazing - they argue constantly, are always trying to one-up each other, and clearly love every second of it. The passion translates into their sexy times (which, by the way, are very sexy), but there's also a tenderness that speaks of their real feelings (even if the characters refuse to speak of those feelings themselves). Even after they start getting frisky, they still continue their petty squabbling, and it just makes them the most adorable couple ever! Two hot salarymen, indeed!

I'm in love with this manga... Especially the last story, "Where Angels Fear to Tread".
Ernest and James hadn't seen or spoken to each other in six years, but the story focuses much more on their happiness than the pain of separation. (Doesn't mean my heart didn't hurt, though). Ernest didn't try to contact James once, even though he kept in contact with another of their friends. When they see each other again, their friendship resumes as though no time has passed, and it makes you think that nothing could ever damage it.
There're no naughty scenes in this manga, but the happy end is very satisfying. It's just like in the song, "Salva Me"; Carry me away from the dark I fear.

Yes. Oh my god, so much yes. Cute and sexy all rolled into one. Reading Akiyoshi's reactions to Tachibana saying BL is gross makes my heart hurt so bad! It's obvious how he feels but he has to go slow so as not to freak Tachibana out (though they still jump straight into the sex, of course). And then as Tachibana gets more comfortable drawing BL, he gets more comfortable with Akiyoshi, and then... Then...! Well, you'll just have to read to find out! (But know I'm trying really hard not to squee while writing this).

This is a mystery revolving around one of the character's secrets.
The drawings are cute, while the dialogue is philosophical and ambiguous. Not to mention, it's all incredibly beautiful. I was so taken in by its beauty, I had to read it three times before I understood Eva, one of the characters, and then when I did understand him, I cried for hours.
Eva is eccentric, uninhibited, and sleeps with anyone. When we see Eva through Luther's eyes, we only see the surface, and have to dig deeper to understand Eva's "anatomy", to see precisely how he came to be the way he is. If I tried to dissect Eva's childhood, his fear of flames or his admiration of the arts now, it'd never end.
When Eva says, "I'd cut you open and then you'd burn...", it's because he's afraid of love. Can Luther uncover the truth about Eva? The answer lies in poem below.
"Where we were born? From Love.
How we would be ruined? Without love.
What helps us overcome? The Love.
Can we find love? With Love.
What makes us cry? The Love.
What should unite us always? The Love."
- Goethe