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19 Best Japanese BL Manga to Read in 2026: Summer Romance & Healing Stories
19
items Beyond the tropes and clichés lies a collection of stories that explore the depth of the human heart. This list features 19 of the highest-rated Japanese BL manga, ranging from cinematic summer romances to powerful stories of salvation and redemption...
Sections
4
Fantasy & Unique Connections
Summer Vibes & Coastal Escapes
Sweet High School Days
Emotional Growth & Healing
Fantasy & Unique Connections
Escape into worlds of magic or unusual living situations.
A more intense, atmospheric read that dives into deep emotional connection through a supernatural or psychological lens.
Touch Within the Abyss|Paperback
A fantasy BL where a human boy is sacrificed to a dragon, only to find that the "monster" is far more gentle than the people he left behind.
Bride of Ignat, Volume 1|Paperback
A soft, dreamlike narrative that feels like reading a diary; it’s perfect for those who enjoy slow, reflective pacing.
Sleeping on Paper Boats, Vol. 1|Paperback
A soft, dreamlike narrative that feels like reading a diary; it’s perfect for those who enjoy slow, reflective pacing.
Sleeping on Paper Boats, Vol. 2|Paperback
A charming story about finding love and community in unexpected living arrangements.
The Stranger in the Hoarding House|Paperback
Summer Vibes & Coastal Escapes
A stunningly illustrated story set in Okinawa. An aspiring novelist meets a quiet high schooler by the sea, beginning a journey of belonging and home.
Seaside Stranger Vol. 1: Umibe no Étranger by Kii Kanna, Paperback
A haunting, atmospheric masterpiece. While it leans into "Horror/Supernatural," the core is a deeply emotional look at grief and a friendship that refuses to end, set against a sweltering rural backdrop.
The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1|Paperback
A bittersweet, cinematic story of two high school boys who bond over their love of movies and spend a summer break checking off a "bucket list" of film locations.
The Summer of You (My Summer of You Vol. 1)|Paperback
A "slow life" sequel to Restart After Coming Back Home. This series follows Mitsuomi and Yamato as they navigate their relationship and find happiness in the quiet countryside.
Restart After Growing Hungry|Paperback
Sweet High School Days
The "healing" classics. These stories focus on the innocence of first love and the growth that comes with it.
The ultimate "low-stakes" comfort read. It’s a meta-tale about a "BL-loving" boy who slowly realizes he’s the protagonist of his own romance.
Sasaki and Miyano, Vol. 1|Paperback
A heavy-hitter for music lovers. It balances the "healing" of a new relationship with the "hurting" of past trauma, all tied together by the power of a song.
Given, Vol. 1|Paperback
A single-volume story set in a drama club that explores gender identity and the complexities of finding oneself through the eyes of another.
Boy Meets Maria|Paperback
Known for its unique, fluid art style, this is a poetic look at two very different boys who grow close during choir practice.
Classmates Vol. 1: Dou kyu sei|Paperback
A hilarious, retro-style comedy about an extremely shy boy trying (and often failing) to talk to his crush.
Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! Vol. 1 (New Edition Rerelease)|Paperback
Emotional Growth & Healing
Grown-up (or growing up) stories that tackle real-world challenges with a soft touch.
A poignant, historical-leaning story about finding a place to belong when the world feels cold.
A Home Far Away|eBook
Follows two former rivals who reunite in university. It’s a cozy, "warm hug" of a manga about loneliness and companionship.
The Two Lions|Paperback
A story about a "delinquent" who finds a sense of safety and a "hero" in his teacher’s brother.
Hitorijime My Hero 1|Paperback
A beautiful exploration of the relationship between a university student with hearing loss and his boisterous, note-taking classmate.
I Hear the Sunspot|Paperback
A gentle story set in the snowy Hokkaido countryside, focusing on a wildlife photographer and a local boy.
Snow Fairy|Paperback