20 Best BL Anime To Watch If You Loved Sasaki and Miyano

Sasaki and Miyano enthusiasts, brace yourselves. If you are like me, you finished Sasaki and Miyano and immediately felt an empty void in your heart. It was the perfect blend of meta-humor, slow-burn romance, and genuine high school fluff.

Finding BL anime similar to Sasaki and Miyano can be tricky. Do you want the sweetness? The high school setting? Or just a really good romance? I have compiled a list of the best BL anime that ranges from the incredibly wholesome to the emotionally devastating.

Whether you want bite-sized romance like Tsurezure Children or the high-stakes drama of Banana Fish, I’ve got you covered. Here are my top 20 recommendations.

The Best BL Anime To Watch Right Now

Sasaki and Miyano is a masterful representation of the “boys love” genre because it respects boundaries and focuses on feelings. Not every show on this list is that innocent, but they all offer incredible stories that left me wanting more.

1. Doukyuusei (Classmates)

To kick off my list, I have to recommend “Doukyuusei.” This film follows the budding romance of the relaxed Kusakabe and the honor student Sajou, who meet during choir practice.

Their dynamic mirrors Sasaki and Miyano perfectly: one is hesitant and serious, while the other is open and patient. I absolutely adore the animation style; it looks like a moving watercolor painting. It focuses entirely on the soft, sweet moments of first love without any unnecessary drama.

2. Given

Given is a masterpiece. It traces the path of high schoolers Mafuyu and Ritsuka. Unaware of its sentimental value, Ritsuka helps Mafuyu tune a guitar that belonged to Mafuyu’s late boyfriend.

Unlike the lightheartedness of Sasaki and Miyano, Given bravely dives into deep emotional territories like grief and trauma. However, the payoff is incredible. Watching them bond through music is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as an anime fan.

3. Yuri!!! On Ice

“Yuri!!! On Ice” is iconic for a reason. It follows Yuuri Katsuki, an anxious figure skater, and his idol-turned-coach, Victor Nikiforov. As Victor trains Yuuri, their relationship evolves from admiration to a deep, heartfelt romance.

I recently rewatched this, and the chemistry still holds up. It masterfully combines the intensity of competitive sports with tenderness. It’s not just “queerbaiting”—it’s a genuine love story that treats its characters with immense respect.

4. The Stranger By The Shore (Umibe no Étranger)

This movie is a visual stunner. It tells the story of Shun, a novelist who was disowned by his family, and Mio, a quiet high schooler who spends his days sitting by the ocean.

It’s a straightforward tale of two lonely souls finding each other. The simplicity is its strength. It doesn’t rely on wild tropes; it just lets the characters breathe. If you liked the pacing of Sasaki and Miyano, you will appreciate the gentle rhythm of this film.

5. Hitorijime My Hero

Next on my list is “Hitorijime My Hero.” It follows Masahiro, a teenager with a troubled past who gets mixed up with gangs, and Kousuke, a teacher (and “Bear Killer”) determined to protect him.

Similar to the senpai/kouhai dynamic in Sasaki and Miyano, this show explores the idea of looking up to someone who eventually becomes your partner. Watching Masahiro gain confidence and accept that he deserves love is incredibly heartwarming.

6. Banana Fish

Heed my warning: If you are looking for a happy, giggly time like Sasaki and Miyano, scroll past this. But if you want one of the best stories ever told, stay.

Set in New York City, it follows gang leader Ash Lynx and Japanese photographer Eiji. It’s gritty, violent, and deals with heavy themes. However, the relationship between Ash and Eiji is one of the purest forms of love I have ever seen in anime. It defines “soulmates.”

7. Heaven’s Official Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu)

This Chinese donghua delves deep into the realm of divine love. The protagonist, Xie Lian, is a fallen god who encounters the Ghost King, Hua Cheng. Their romance unfolds gracefully against a backdrop of Chinese mythology.

Unlike many BL anime that rush into physical intimacy, this series is all about devotion. Hua Cheng waited 800 years for Xie Lian. That level of loyalty makes for a romance that feels truly epic.

8. Love Stage!!

Love Stage!! is a riot. It follows Izumi, an otaku born into a family of celebrities, and Ryoma, a popular actor. Ryoma fell in love with a “girl” he met on a commercial set ten years ago… only to find out that girl was actually Izumi.

Like Sasaki and Miyano, it features an otaku protagonist, which leads to a lot of meta-humor. It’s colorful, loud, and incredibly fun to watch.

9. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi (World’s Greatest First Love)

This is a staple for any BL fan. It centers around Ritsu Onodera, a jaded literary editor, and his overbearing boss, Masamune Takano. The twist? They were high school sweethearts who broke up due to a misunderstanding.

The “will they, won’t they” tension here is high. It’s a bit more aggressive than the gentle Sasaki and Miyano, but if you like the idea of reconnecting with a past love, this is the gold standard.

10. No. 6

If you enjoy the underlying themes of unconditional support found in “Sasaki and Miyano,” but want a sci-fi setting, “No.6” is for you. Shion is an elite student living in a perfect city, and Nezumi is a fugitive.

Their friendship develops into something deeper amidst a conspiracy involving killer bees and government secrets. I loved that the romance wasn’t the only plot point; it was the motivation that drove the characters to survive.

11. Junjou Romantica

You cannot talk about BL without mentioning “Junjou Romantica.” It is the grandfather of modern Boys’ Love anime. Like Sasaki and Miyano, it highlights the value of patience (mostly on the part of the pursuer).

The story follows three different couples, but the main focus is on college student Misaki and the famous novelist Usami. It has some dated tropes, sure, but the comedy is timeless. Misaki’s panic over Usami’s eccentricities never gets old.

12. Hybrid Child

This anthology series is short (only 4 episodes) but devastating. A “Hybrid Child” is an android that grows based on the love it receives from its owner. Written by the same creator as Junjou Romantica, this series takes a much more serious tone.

Surpassing typical narratives, it weaves heart-rending tales of sacrifice. I found the finale quite satisfactory, but it definitely left me in tears. It explores what it means to love something that isn’t quite human.

13. Gakuen Handsome

This is for the fans who have watched so much BL they need to make fun of it. Gakuen Handsome is a parody with intentionally terrible art and ridiculous tropes (like chins so sharp they can stab people).

If you are fresh from Sasaki and Miyano, this might be too weird for you. But if you know the tropes of older yaoi (like Junjou Romantica), this satire is absolutely hilarious.

14. Spiritpact (Ling Qi)

Spiritpact revolves around Tanmoku, an exorcist, and Keika, who dies and becomes his “spirit shadow.” To keep the connection strong, they have to perform certain… rituals.

The banter between the two leads is top-notch. Keika is loud and complaining, while Tanmoku is stoic and rich. Watching their relationship grow from “master and servant” to genuine partners is a joy.

15. Gravitation

Buckle up for the electrifying world of music. Centered around the aspiring musician Shuichi Shindou and the enigmatic (and grumpy) novelist Eiri Yuki, Gravitation is a classic.

The energy here is chaotic. Shuichi is relentless in his pursuit of love and fame. If you liked the “opposites attract” vibe of Sasaki and Miyano, you’ll see the blueprint for it here, just with more synthesizers and pink hair.

16. Super Lovers

Super Lovers is… controversial for some due to the adoptive brother dynamic. The story revolves around Haru, who becomes the guardian of Ren, a “feral” child he met years ago in Canada.

Like Sasaki and Miyano, it offers a poignant exploration of emotions as Ren learns to trust people again. If you can look past the unique family dynamic, it’s a sweet story about healing and finding your home.

17. Dakaichi -I’m being harassed by the sexiest man of the year-

Dakaichi is a mature BL anime blending comedy and drama in an “enemies to lovers” romance. It features rival actors Takato and Junta. Takato was the #1 actor until newcomer Junta stole his spot.

The dynamic is hilarious: Junta is an obsessive puppy dog, and Takato is a grumpy veteran who can’t help but fall for him. It’s spicier than Sasaki and Miyano, so keep that in mind!

18. Loveless

In the world of Loveless, everyone is born with cat ears and a tail, which they lose only when they lose their virginity. It sounds weird, but it’s a deeply psychological show.

Ritsuka, a young boy, teams up with Soubi to investigate his brother’s murder. It’s dramatic, magical, and full of angst. The relationship is complex and sometimes uncomfortable, but the mystery keeps you hooked.

19. Sukisho!

Sukisho shines a spotlight on relationships in a boarding school. The main character, Sora, falls out of a window and loses his memories, only to be assigned a roommate who claims they were lovers.

It’s chaotic and features a plot about split personalities that gets surprisingly intense. However, at its core, it’s about school hijinks and romance, making it a fun nostalgia trip.

20. Antidote (Jie Yao)

Antidote weaves the story of Cheng Ke, a rich boy who loses everything, and Jiang Yuduo, a street thug. When Cheng Ke ends up renting a room from Jiang, their worlds collide.

This is a dark and riveting BL anime. It deals with mental illness, gang violence, and poverty. Watching two broken people become each other’s “antidote” is powerful stuff. It’s less “fluff” and more “real life,” but it’s absolutely worth the watch.