15 Best BL Anime on Crunchyroll To Watch [2025]

IIt’s a shame Crunchyroll doesn’t have a dedicated BL category—but if you love gay anime, you’re far from alone!

Whether you’re a long-time BL fan or just discovering the genre, there’s something irresistible about its emotional depth, electric chemistry, and slow-burn romances. And the good news? Crunchyroll now hosts more BL anime than ever!

To save you the hunt, we’ve curated the 15 best BL anime on Crunchyroll for your streaming right now. Let’s dive in!

You may also want to know: What Does Limited Series Mean On Netflix? Top 10 Must-Watch!

What is BL Anime?

BL anime, short for “Boys’ Love anime”, focuses on romantic or emotional relationships between male characters. You might also hear fans call it Yaoi anime, especially when talking about more dramatic or intense stories. There’s also the term “Shounen Ai,” which usually refers to softer, more innocent romances.

These stories aren’t just about romance. They often dive into friendship, self-discovery, and emotional growth. If you’ve been searching for BL animes on Crunchyroll, you’ll find everything from light-hearted school crushes to deeper, more mature relationships. Crunchyroll has become one of the go-to spots for streaming BL on Crunchyroll.

15 Best BL Anime on Crunchyroll To Watch

1. Junjo Romantica

• Release Year: 2008
• Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.5/5

If you’re looking for BL anime on Crunchyroll, Junjou Romantica is a title you shouldn’t miss. The story mainly follows the romance between a college student, Misaki Takahashi, and a popular writer, Akihiko Usami. It also tells the love stories of two other couples: the caring Nowaki and hot-tempered Hiroki, and the older Miyagi with the determined Shinobu.

Junjou Romantica is a classic in the BL genre, often mentioned together with Sekaiichi Hatsukoi. Its strong character personalities—like Akihiko’s confident attitude and Misaki’s resistance—are part of what makes it stand out. The pacing is fast, and the humor keeps things easy to follow. That said, some parts reflect older BL styles, including a few uncomfortable "forced romance" scenes, and the animation can feel stiff at times due to a lower budget. The third season, released much later in 2015, also looks quite different and feels less polished, which some fans found disappointing.

Still, Junjou Romantica remains a fan favorite and a good choice for those new to BL anime.

2. Sekaiichi Hatsukoi

• Release Year: 2011
• Genre: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.6/5

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi is a classic BL anime. If you like Junjou Romantica, you’ll probably watch this one too. Both anime are by the same author, and they take place in the same universe. Some characters even appear in both.

The story follows a few couples working in a manga publishing company. The main focus is on Ritsu, a new editor, and his boss Takano—who also happens to be his ex. They had a misunderstanding in the past, and now their feelings slowly start to come back.

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi has always been popular. The emotions are shown in a more subtle way, and the pace is slow, so it’s great if you enjoy slow-burn stories. It’s also a good choice for people who are new to BL. Still, some viewers think the story can get a bit repetitive, with too many misunderstandings that make the plot feel dragged out at times. Overall, it’s a excellent BL anime that both new and longtime fans can enjoy.

3. Given

• Release Year: 2019
• Genre: Romance, Music, Drama
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.8/5

Given is one of the most well-received BL anime in recent years. The story feels real, and the music is very touching. It follows a high school guitarist, Uenoyama, and a quiet classmate, Mafuyu. They slowly get closer through music.

The original songs in this anime are really well done. The live performance scene is a favorite among fans—many said it was very emotional. The art style is clean and soft, and the story moves at a slow pace with detailed emotions. Even though it’s a BL anime, it’s not just about romance. It’s also about loss, growing up, and starting again. Many non-BL fans enjoy it too. It’s a great show worth watching.

4. Love Stage!!

• Release Year: 2014
• Genre: Romance, Comedy, Showbiz
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.5/5

Love Stage!! is a very lighthearted BL anime set in the entertainment industry. The main character is Izumi, a comic book fan who wants to be a manga artist. He unexpectedly reunites with Ryouma, an actor he worked with as a child in an advertisement. Ryouma has always liked the "girl" in that ad, not realizing it was actually Izumi in disguise.

The story has a cheerful vibe, and the characters are very distinct: one is a shy dreamer, while the other is confident and determined. The plot is quite traditional, but it moves quickly and has plenty of funny moments, with not much heartbreak. It's a relaxing and heartwarming story that is perfect for viewers who enjoy sweet bl anime.

5. Heaven Official's Blessing

• Release Year: 2020
• Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.9/5

Never miss out on Heaven Official’s Blessing! It is the most famous Chinese BL anime on Crunchyroll, and it’s one of the most beautifully animated series out there. The main story follows Xie Lian, a former crown prince who keeps getting kicked out of heaven. On one of his missions, he runs into Hua Cheng, a powerful ghost king. But instead of fighting, things take an unexpected turn.

What makes this show special isn’t just the plot—it’s the way the characters connect. The bond between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng is slow, quiet, and full of tension. Fans love how real and touching it feels. Even if you’re not usually into BL or Chinese animation, this one is easy to get into. It’s heartfelt, dramatic, and totally worth watching.

6. Spiritpact

• Release Year: 2017
• Genre: Supernatural, Action, Adventure
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.6/5

Spiritpact is one of the earlier Chinese BL anime, and while the art style might feel a bit old-school, the story really pulls you in. It starts when a broke and unlucky guy, Keika, dies and ends up working as a spirit shadow for a powerful exorcist named Tanmoku. That’s where their connection begins.

The show mixes action, humor, and a slow but touching bond between the two leads and each character has their own story. A lot of fans love it for the emotional moments and the fantasy setting. If you like supernatural themes with a growing relationship, this one’s worth a try.

7. Dakaichi -I'm being harassed by the sexiest man of the year-

• Release Year: 2018
• Genre: Romance, Drama, Showbiz
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.6/5

Dakaichi is one of the more bold and dramatic BL anime on Crunchyroll, centered around two famous actors caught in a complicated love-hate dynamic. It’s about two actors—Takato, who’s used to being number one, and Junta, a rising star who suddenly steals the spotlight. What starts as rivalry quickly turns into something more when Junta confesses his long-time crush.

The story moves fast and has a lot of funny and sweet moments. Junta is really bold, and Takato keeps pretending he doesn’t care, which makes it even more fun to watch. If you like BL shows that are light, romantic, and not too serious, this one is a good pick.

8. Sk8 the Infinity

• Release Year: 2021
• Genre: Sports, Action, Friendship
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.9/5

While not officially labeled as a BL anime, Sk8 the Infinity has gained a huge following in the BL and gay anime on Crunchyroll fandom thanks to the strong emotional bond between its two leads. The story centers on Reki, a high schooler obsessed with underground skateboarding races known as “S,” and Langa, a transfer student from Canada who’s never touched a skateboard before.

This show blew up when it aired. It mixes sports and friendship in a really fun way, and the animation is clean and exciting. It even got nominated for Best TV Anime at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival. If you're into BL-ish vibes, cool skateboarding, and strong character bonds, this one’s a must-watch.

9. No. 6

• Release Year: 2011
• Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Drama
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.6/5

If you like shows that mix sci-fi with a strong, slow-burn relationship, No. 6 is totally worth watching. It is a dystopian anime that blends science fiction with emotional storytelling. It follows Shion, a gifted boy living in the high-tech utopian city of No. 6. One night, he helps a wounded runaway named Nezumi. That single act of kindness turns Shion’s whole life upside down.

The story gets pretty dark, with shady government stuff and secret experiments, but the heart of it is the connection between Shion and Nezumi. Their bond feels real, even if the show never spells everything out.

10. Sasaki and Miyano

• Release Year: 2022
• Genre: Slice of Life, School, Romance
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.9/5

Sasaki and Miyano is one of the sweetest and calmest BL anime I’ve ever seen. The story begins when Sasaki, a slightly rebellious senior, meets Miyano, a quiet underclassman who’s super into BL manga. What starts as casual curiosity quickly turns into something more, as Sasaki begins to fall for Miyano’s shy charm.

The series is full of small moments, like shared lunches, quiet conversations, and nervous glances, that gradually build up their connection.It was nominated for “Best BL Anime” at the Anime Trending Awards. If you're into slow-burn romance or just want something soft and feel-good, this one’s perfect.

11. Super Lovers

• Release Year: 2016
• Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.2/5

Super Lovers is a BL anime on Crunchyroll that mixes family drama with a complex, evolving romance. The story revolves around Haru Kaido, a young man who returns to Canada after being away for years to take care of his adopted younger brother, Ren. Ren is a troubled boy with trust issues and a difficult past, but Haru is determined to help him adjust to life back in Japan.

A lot of people like this BL anime because it’s soft, sweet, and has that cozy, slice-of-life vibe. If you love the whole slow-burn, domestic kind of BL, you’ll probably enjoy it. Just a heads-up though—some folks find the setup a little weird because of the age gap, so it’s not everyone’s thing.

12. The Stranger By The Shore

• Release Year: 2020
• Genre: Romance, Slice of Life, Drama
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.8/5

The Stranger by the Shore (original title: Umibe no Étranger) is set on a peaceful island in Okinawa, where Shun, a gay novelist, lives a quiet life after being estranged from his family. One day, he meets Mio, a high school student grieving the loss of his mother. Then Mio leaves, and when he comes back a few years later, things really start to change between them.

The Stranger By The Shore is only about an hour long, but it’s super peaceful and soft, both the story and the animation. It actually won Best Animated Film at the 35th Japan Film Critics Awards, and this BL anime has been shown at a bunch of international LGBT film festivals. If you’re just getting into BL, this is a great place to start.

13. Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!

• Release Year: 2024 (Anime adaptation)
• Genre: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.7/5

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! is a super funny office BL anime with a bit of magic thrown in. It’s about Adachi, a super shy office worker who suddenly gains the ability to read people’s minds, just because he turned 30 without ever being in a relationship. That’s when he finds out his cool co-worker Kurosawa has a big crush on him.

This show is such a fun mix of comedy, romance, and sweet moments. Adachi freaks out over everything, and Kurosawa is smooth but also kind of soft inside. It’s been super popular and even got nominated at the Tokyo Drama Awards. If you are interested in office BL anime, then don't miss Cherry Magic.

14. Twilight Out of Focus

• Release Year: 2024
• Genre: Romance, School, Drama
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.2/5

Twilight Out of Focus is a popular BL anime on Crunchyroll lineup, focusing on blurred boundaries, and the tension that builds when two people live under the same roof. The story centers around Mao and Hisashi, two high school boys who share a dorm room. Mao is openly gay and upfront about it, while Hisashi is more reserved, claiming he’s straight and simply doesn’t care about Mao’s orientation.

What I love about this one is how real and awkward their feelings feel. It’s not flashy or dramatic, just two boys figuring things out, catching feelings, and not knowing what to do with them. Definitely one of those underrated BL anime on Crunchyroll worth checking out.

15. Yuri!!! On Ice

• Release Year: 2016
• Genre: Sports, Romance, Drama
• Crunchyroll Rating: 4.8/5

Yuri!!! On Ice isn’t actually a typical BL anime on Crunchyroll, it’s a figure skating series that blends competitive sports with one of the most emotionally satisfying love stories in anime. The story follows Yuuri Katsuki, a talented but anxious skater who loses confidence after a string of defeats. Just when he’s about to give up, his idol, Russian skating legend Viktor Nikiforov, shows up and offers to be his coach.

This BL anime blew up when it aired, won a bunch of awards, and still has a huge fanbase today. While the series never labels itself as BL, the connection between Yuuri and Viktor is undeniable. Their relationship unfolds naturally over the season, full of subtle glances, heartfelt conversations, and one unforgettable kiss that shook the anime world when it aired.

How to Download BL Anime on Crunchyroll?

Watching BL anime on Crunchyroll online is great, but what if your Wi-Fi suddenly drops or you’re somewhere without signal? If you’ve ever wished you could watch your favorite BL animes on Crunchyroll anytime, anywhere, even offline, downloading them is the easiest way to go.

VidiCable is a Crunchyroll Anime downloader built to download videos from Crunchyroll and many other streaming services. Whether you’re into gay anime on Crunchyroll like Given, Yuri!!! on Ice, or Twilight Out of Focus, VidiCable lets you download full Crunchyroll episodes in MP4 or MKV format so you can watch them anytime on any device. It also supports preserving multilingual audio and subtitles, which is perfect if you prefer English dubs or want to stick with the original Japanese. It has been tested that it can download an entire episode in just a few minutes.

How to Download BL Anime on Crunchyroll?

Step 1 Select Streaming Site

Choose Crunchyroll as the target site inside the VidiCable app and log in.

Step 2 Customize Download Settings

Click the Settings icon to choose output format (MP4 or MKV), default language subtitles, and where to save your files.

Step 3 Search For BL Animes

Search for the BL anime you want to download (e.g., Sasaki and Miyano, Dakaichi, etc.).

Step 4 Select Desired Audio, Video Quality and More

Click the lighten download button and open the Advanced Download window to pick the episode quality, audio, and subtitle preferences.

Step 5 Download BL Anime from Crunchyroll

Click the Download button and the episode will be saved to your device in just a few minutes.

FAQs about BL Anime on Crunchyroll

Is there any LGBT anime?

Yes, there are plenty of LGBT-themed anime out there, and they’ve been growing in popularity over the years. Some focus specifically on BL anime (also known as boys’ love), while others feature broader queer representation across different genres.

Does Crunchyroll have any BL?

Absolutely. Crunchyroll has a solid and growing collection of BL anime. Some of the most well-known titles include Junjou Romantica, Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, and The Stranger by the Shore. You’ll also find newer series like Twilight Out of Focus and Cherry Magic available to stream. Just search for “BL” or specific titles, and you’ll be able to stream many of them right away.

Conclusion

Above we've introduced 15 highly popular and excellent BL anime on Crunchyroll. From iconic classics like Junjou Romantica to newer hits like Twilight Out of Focus, Crunchyroll offers a solid collection of BL animes worth your time. And if you want the freedom to watch your favorite BL on Crunchyroll anytime, anywhere, tools like VidiCable make it super easy to download episodes in high quality with multiple subtitle and audio options.