10 Best Japanese BL Dramas to Watch in 2025

japanese bl drama
Tobias Waters
By Tobias Waters

Everyone knows that Japan is famous for anime, with Boys’ Love (BL) anime becoming more popular all over the world. But what you might be less aware of are live-action BL dramas. Although Korean dramas have taken the world by storm over the last decade, Japan is confident that its output can match that of its nearest neighbor, especially the Japanese BL dramas.

We have previously listed some favorites of our staff, but we’ve been fortunate to have been given some extra recommendations by a friend of JGG who is also a BL aficionado, who has kindly crafted this lovely list for our readers to peruse, enjoy, and — hopefully — add to their queues. So, without further ado, let’s jump in!

If It’s You, I Might Try Falling in Love (君となら恋をしてみても)

君となら恋をしてみても
source: Hulu

Based on the manga by Maru Kubota, the story follows Amane Kaidou, a highschool student who has given up all hope in finding love after being bullied for being gay. After relocating to Enoshima, however, he meets Ryuuji Yamasuge, with whom he quickly becomes friends — and Yamasuge is just his type, too! Can he overcome his trauma and open himself up to happiness?

Fans appreciate this for both its serene seaside setting, and for how direct it is about Kaidou’s sexuality: rather than it be implied or teased, as can be the case in some BL stories, it is very up front about Kaidou’s sexuality, and his need to embrace it.

Minato’s Laundromat (みんな商事コインランドリー)

みんな商事コインランドリー
source: Reddit

Another manga adaptation, this time from the comic of the same name by Yuzu Tsubaki and Sawa Kanzume. The story follows Akira Minato, a man in his 30s who leaves his salaryman job in Tokyo to return to his hometown and take over his grandfather’s laundromat. A popular hangout spot for all sorts of people, Minato one day strikes up an unlikely friendship with highschooler Shintaro Katsuki. After Minato accidentally lets slip that he is gay, Katsuki quickly begins pursuing him.

Audiences alternately are taken aback by (and in many cases, disapproving of) the age gap between the two characters. However, many Japanese fans are intrigued by the younger protagonist pursuing the older, as well as the moving performances of the two main actors.

Candy Color Paradox (飴色パラドックス)

飴色パラドックス
source: Rakuten Viki

You guessed it, this is a manga adaptation, this time from the work of Isaku Natsume. In this show, Satoshi Onoe, an upstanding and forthright political journalist is suddenly reassigned to a gossip beat by his editor. As part of the assignment, he must work alongside Motoharu Kaburagi, a photographer with few ethical qualms about how he gets his pics. As these two opposites with a beef spend time together, they begin to appreciate each other’s perspective… and company.

Fans rave about the investigative journalism side of the story, pretty unique to BL drama, which also allows the two leads to get closer as their unique skills help one another, and bring them closer. The sexual tension and budding romance pair well with a gossip piece about an actress turns into a tale of crime and corruption. A fun and compelling hack x pap story that’s far from a puff piece.

Jack o’ Frost (ジャックフロスト)

ジャックフロスト
source: Rakuten Viki

An original for TV story, Jack o’ Frost is another story about opposites attracting. The free-spirited dreamer and artist Ritsu Okugawa is in a relationship with the fastidious and practical Fumiya Ikegami. However, there is trouble in paradise, and Ikegami, who has been bottling up his frustrations, finally snaps and says they have to break-up. Okugawa storms out in anger, but gets into an accident that erases his memories of everything to do with Ikegami. Can they fall in love again?

The adjective most often used to describe this show is “bitter-sweet.” Ikegami, who feels sorry for Okugawa, takes him to memorable and important places they shared in their relationship — not to try and win him back, but to help him recover. Viewers heap praise on the chemistry of the actors, and the twisting and not always happy beats in the story.

My Love Mix-Up! (消えた初恋)

消えた初恋
source: Rakuten Viki

A classic mistaken identity plot, My Love Mix-Up! is the story of Sota Aoki, a schoolboy with a crush on Mio Hashimoto, a cute girl in his class. Alas, he takes a knock when he borrows her pencil eraser only to discover that she has written the name of her crush, Kousuke Ida.

She did this because a superstition among students is that, if you write the name of your crush on an eraser, and make a romantic wish, it will come true when the name is totally gone from the eraser wearing out. This makes things complicated when Ida sees Aoki holding the eraser with his name on it!

A light-hearted comedy with various crossed signals and confusion, fans rave about how the show is not just binge-worthy but eminently rewatchable, as well as being utterly hilarious.

My Beautiful Man (美しい彼)

美しい彼
source: X

A highschool drama based on the novel by Yuu Nagira, we follow Riku Hagiwara, a student at the bottom of the class wants to keep himself to himself due to embarrassment over his stutter. His isolation seems to end, however, with the arrival of Sou Kiyoi, a blunt, handsome, a popular boy who Hagiwara is instantly drawn to.

Fans love that while Kiyoi, whose mere presence seems to demand obedience, is more than just a domineering bully — at least under the surface. They also stress the value of rewatching, as once you know the feelings and motivations of the characters at the end, it sheds new light onto their actions in earlier episodes.

Takara’s Treasure (タカラのびいどろ)

タカラのびいどろ
source: Hulu

Based on the manga of the same name by Minta Suzumaru, our protagonist, Taishin Nakano, leaves his home in Fukuoka to pursue Takara Shiga: Shiga comforted Nakano after the latter lost his beloved pet, and now wants to thank him and repay his kindness. But despite enrolling in the same university, Shiga is now cold to Nakano. What could the reason be?

This show is also about contrasting personalities, and while reviewers note that there is something of a slow start to the show, but that the gradual opening of Shiga to Nakano makes the initial slow pacing worth it.

At 25:00, in Akasaka (25時、赤坂で)

25時、赤坂で
source: テレ東

This show, based on the manga by Hiroko Natsuno, is something fun for anyone who wants to watch BL… while they’re watching BL. Actor Yuki Shirasaki finally gets his big break as the leading man in Afternoon Dreams, a BL drama. His one issue? He doesn’t know much about gay people. Deciding to go a little method, he visits a gay bar to get into the role, where he finds co-star — and actor for the show’s love interest — Asami Hayama, who offers to become his lover to get into the role (among other things).

While a lot of viewers enjoyed the show, especially in the early episode, one thing that frustrated some was the lack of communication. Not just misunderstandings, but the characters. not talking to each other to resolve small issues. Still, if you like edging, this might be for you.

Perfect Propose (パーフェクトプロポーズ)

パーフェクトプロポーズ
source: Japan Program Catalog

An adaptation of Mayo Tsurukame’s manga of the same name, Perfect Propose concerns Hirokuni Watari, a salaryman who is chronically overworked. One day, unable to find the time to eat or sleep properly, he collapses on the street, only for his childhood friend Kai Fukaya to pick him up, take him home, feed him, and remind him that he made a promise to marry Watari: a promise he intends to keep.

Viewers enjoy the show for its sweetness and lack of conflict between the two leads. This might be a turn-off for drama llamas, but for anyone looking for a little sugar to perk them up at the end of the day, you could do a lot worse.

Love Is Better the Second Time Around (恋をするなら二度目が上等)

恋をするなら二度目が上等
source: MBS毎日放送

From the manga of the same name by Keiko Kinoshita, we follow the story of Akihiro Miyata, a business editor who invites the prominent academic Takashi Iwanagi to write a column for his magazine. Upon meeting, Iwanagi (who has changed his name) is excited: Miyata was his first love in school! Miyata, however, has already moved on, and doesn’t want anything personal to do with him. But as things gets difficult and Iwanagi keeps helping, will it be real love this time?

Viewers are impressed by both the character development, as well as the chemistry between the actors. While some find the quality to be a little uneven, it is definitely worth a watch.

And there we have it! More BL material for the fans. There’s a diverse range to choose from, so take your pick and enjoy (even if Candy Color Paradox is the best)!

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ByTobias Waters
Tobias has been working as an editor and a writer for over ten years, getting his start at a legal publisher in London before moving to Tokyo in 2019. Since moving to Japan’s capital, he has written or edited articles on a wide variety of subjects, including cars, medicine, video games, the economy, wine, education and travel. He even reviewed the first CBD beer to be launched in Japan! In his spare time, he loves watching movies, playing video games, going to karaoke, and visiting his local sento public bath. His favorite Pokémon is Shinx, and his favorite food is curry. He never shuts up about how the 2008 Financial Crisis influenced everything in our modern world.

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