Manhua are comics published in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Although similar in origin to the Japanese manga, each of these comics has a unique approach, art style, and theme. With the booming popularity of Japanese manga, the Korean manhwa and the Chinese manhua have also experienced a resurgence in popularity. This is mostly due to them adapting to digital technologies and publishing webtoons or digital comics.
As the popularity of East Asian comics rose, they started expanding into various genres. Boys’ Love (or BL) is a genre that has made a profound impact on all sectors of the entertainment industry, with some works even receiving live-action adaptations, such as Given and Cherry Blossoms After Winter. Hence, there are some excellent BL manhua that have made a home in fans’ hearts.
The Royal Prince’s First Love Plays With The Opposite Attracts
Set in Calais, a fictional European kingdom, The Royal Prince’s First Love follows the romance between Prince Nazaire, a student at Min Lan Academy, and Cassius. The latter is the feared school bully, never submitting to anyone. However, even though he’s a thug, he’s incredibly good-looking, so he often manages to charm others. The prince is no exception.
The Royal Prince’s First Love combines the opposites attract trope with an intense enemies-to-lovers arc that will have readers swooning. If the romance between Nazaire and Cassius wasn’t enough, this manga also delves a bit into the complicated life of a royal and all the political drama that comes with it. There’s not a single boring moment on it.
The Villain Emperor’s Gotta Charm the Male Lead to Survive! Crosses Genres Beautifully
Isekai fans who also want to read a romantic story will love The Villain Emperor’s Gotta Charm The Male Lead To Survive. The title kind of gives the plot away, but it has a fantastic twist. Yuan Xiao is the heir to the successful Xiao Corporation. He’s supposed to become the cruel but fair CEO, like his father and his grandfather before him. This is until he dies.
Yuan wakes up in a world that looks a lot like Ancient China, as the villain of a novel. Now he has to ensure his survival by showing the main character, Heqing Yan, that he’s not as bad as they make him. In the process, these two will grow closer than they ever expected. Isekai fans who also want a mature romance will love The Villain Emperor’s Gotta Charm The Male Lead To Survive because it hits all the tropes. They will root for Yuan and Heqing’s romance, even if it’s doomed from the beginning.
Kiss the Abyss Blends Adventure With Romance
Wang Zixin is a game developer who ended up on a time loop after one of the characters on his game, Abyss, attacked him. In order to stop this infinite cycle, Zixin goes inside the game to deal with Abyss himself, raising him from the beginning and ensuring he doesn’t become morally corrupt. In the process, they start to develop feelings for each other.
It’s a strange premise. Kiss the Abyss never explains why they can cross from reality to the game or anything from its unique lore. However, readers must know that Kiss the Abyss still provides a solid romance. As Abyss and Zixin fall in love, they also have to deal with certain trials. After all, they’re inside a video game. This means their love story isn’t all there is, but plenty of action-packed panels too.
Indulge In Your Radiance Is A Simple But Intense Story
Shu Yun is a ballet dancer from a famous family dealing with his inner demons, while Tong Yang is an opera singer trying to carve a path for himself in the musical scene without any nepotism. While very different, they recognize the love for art in each other, which draws them closer by the minute. Their intensity for their craft translates into their romance, and it’s obvious in every panel.
Enemies to lovers and isekai series are great, but sometimes there are no better manhua romances than those with two perfectly normal characters who are simply falling for each other. Indulge In Your Radiance doesn’t include political intrigue, sci-fi, or any other trope. It simply follows two artists who share a passionate romance while inspiring each other, so it’s relatable and adorable at times.
Little Mushroom Is A Unique Story With Plenty of Romance
Little Mushroom tells the story of a xenogenic mushroom living on a post-apocalyptic land where his kind isn’t welcome. The mushroom, which takes on the human form of a dead man, is on a mission: to find his spore. His name is An Zhe, and his quest will put him on the path of Colonel Lu Feng, who hates xenogenics with passion.
An Zhe won’t come clean with Colonel Lu Feng about his nature. However, the two men become incredibly close, so things grow difficult for the mushroom. Between their romance, their differences, and An Zhe’s mission, this series offers comedy, adventure, and a lot of drama. It’s a great option for Boys Love fans looking for something truly unique.
The Lost Star Follows an A-List Celebrity’s Star-Studded Romance
The Lost Star — also known as Luoxia Tiantang De Xiang — is a much more obscure title within the BL manhua sphere. Though the series has been around since 2016, it’s gotten far less recognition than more popular titles, such as 19 Days or Heaven Official’s Blessing. But though this manhua series might not be popular, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a read nonetheless.
The series follows multiple romances, though the main focus is on Luo She, an A-list celebrity who’s made it big as a singer. Though he’s wildly popular with female fans, Luo She is secretly only interested in men. He has to hide this fact from the public, but that hasn’t stopped him from developing a crush on Jin Hanxin, a beautiful young man working at the local bookstore. The Lost Star follows Luo as he grapples with his growing feelings and tries to get to know Jin without blowing his cover.
Romance Blooms In Honey Catch
Honey Catch is a 2016 BL manhua series following the unexpected romance between two strangers. Chu Lin has always been popular with the ladies, but his world comes crashing down when his girlfriend suddenly leaves him high and dry. Depressed and uncertain about his future, Chu Lin drinks his sorrows away. That’s how he stumbles into the arms of Ziming Liang, a complete stranger with whom he forms a sudden and strong connection.
Honey Catch follows the two as their one-night stand becomes something more. A mature and surprisingly realistic take on BL romance, the series delves into the challenges many LGBTQ+ couples face. Unlike many shallow BL stories, the romance in Honey Catch feels genuine, and the build-up to their relationship feels earned. With stunning art and a well-written story that avoids all the usual tropes in the genre, it’s a must-read for BL fans.
Desharow Merman is a Classic Merman Romance
Merfolk romances are common throughout all types of media, but they especially seem to be popular within the BL genre. Desharow Merman is a unique take on this classic theme, as it relies heavily on instinct and primal desire. The series stars titular protagonist Desharow, a young biology student at the Russian Maritime Academy who’s currently studying merfolk. He gets the opportunity to study a merman up close after he and his mentor catch one on a voyage out to sea.
However, Desharow soon discovers that this particular merman has had his eye on him for a long time and intends to make him his “prey”. Desharow Merman centers on the strange and thrilling relationship between the two. Desharow struggles with his conflicting feelings as the merman reels him in with his charms and natural beauty. Slowly, the two form an emotional connection that changes Desharow both physically and mentally. A swoonworthy story with a classic BL feel, Desharow Merman is a perfect read for long-time BL fans.
A Couple of Handsome Men Realistically Portrays Idol Industry Romance
A Couple of Handsome Men is a 2017 series that delves into themes of LGBTQ+ romance in the entertainment industry. The series stars Aoyue, a haughty and spoiled former child star who has recently seen his popularity wane. In order to salvage his career, his agency has him join a newly formed boy band. Here, he meets Yunjuan Luo, and sparks immediately fly between them.
A surprisingly realistic look at queer romance, A Couple of Handsome Men follows the struggles of being gay in the idol industry. The story covers some pretty heavy topics, such as coming out and the trauma that can arise from it. The series is character-driven and gives a great deal of depth to its main cast, making it feel like much more than a mere romance. The slow-burn aspect of Yunjuan Luo and Aoyue’s relationship might be frustrating for some, but it allows readers to get to know them both better and truly appreciate their dynamic.
Bromance Stars a Pair of Best Friends Rumored to be More
A classic best friends to lovers story, Bromance is a 2016 BL series starring two high school boys named Justin and Ian. For as long as they can remember, the two have always been close. However, that all changes when rumors start to fly that the boys might be a little bit more than friends. Uncomfortable with these sudden accusations, Justin and Ian begin to drift apart. However, as fate would have it, the two come back together and begin to explore this new dynamic between them.
Bromance is a lighthearted and fun take on the genre, following two young lovers as they navigate a potential relationship and discover new things about their identities. The series is a breath of fresh air in a genre full of heavy topics and heartbreaking stories, with tons of hilarious comedy and wholesome romantic scenes that are sure to please. For newcomers looking for an easy read to start out with, Bromance is a perfect choice.
