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2016’s Top 5 Boys Love Anime Recommendations for Fujoshi!
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2016 was a year that may go down in history as one that brought fujoshi, fans of boys love, plenty of nosebleeds from overexcitement, the likes of which have never been seen before! From the perennial sports fare (Haikyuu, All Out and the like) to other series overflowing with handsome young men (Joker Game, Bungou Stray Dogs and such), fujoshi had many excellent choices available. But for busy fujoshi, the sheer variety of shows could be overwhelming, leaving them not knowing where to begin their journey into boys love paradise. The following is only a short list that cuts across a wide array of genres to hopefully suit all fujoshi tastes. From comedy, parody, sports, to even historical drama, these series are sure to end this year sweet and pump up a fujoshi another year of boys’ love.
Gakuen Handsome
Studio: Team YokkyuuFuman
Airing: October 2016-Present
Episodes: 12
Gakuen Handsome originally began as a parody boys’ love game published in 2010 by a group of Tohoku University of Art and Design students called Team YokkyuuFuman. Over the past six years, Gakuen Handsome has gained immense popularity and finally become a crowd-funded anime this year.
Much like the original game, the anime takes tropes in boys’ love and exaggerates them to the max, razor-sharp pointy chins, long legs, and absurd hairstyles in tow. For the seasoned fujoshi, this show is a lighthearted dance into the well-worn tropes that still linger in boy’s love. Though this is a short show, only three minutes per episode, it is a nice break from the “serious” boys’ love shows that use these trope unironically out today (Super Lovers anyone?).
Official site : http://ykfm.web.fc2.com/
Osomatsu-san
Studio: Studio Pierrot
Airing: October 2015 to March 2016
Episodes: 25
Osomatsu-san is the fresh modern update of the classic anime and manga titled Osomatsu-kun. Though the original series was geared for children and families, Osomatsu-san burst into 2015 parodying anime created for women. Despite having their beloved shows as the target of comedy, fujoshi gravitated toward this self-reflexive money magnet of a series.
A huge hit at the end of 2015, Osomatsu-san roared into 2016 with gags galore. This is not a boys’ love series by definition. Like many other series loved by fujoshi, it doesn’t need to have explicit boys’ love content to set off the imagination and a flood of doujinshi. With the fanbase in mind, Osomatsu-san 2016 ready to service the female, particularly fujoshi, fans. Even though this is a show about six brothers, this series offers plenty of scenarios and implications to set off anyone’s rotten imagination.
Official site : http://osomatsusan.com/
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
Studio: Studio Deen
Airing: January 2016-April 2016
Episode: 13
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is not merely an anime about the Japanese storytelling art. Rather, it is an intensely lush narrative that reveals the deep interpersonal ties and passions formed through retelling stories and forging one’s own life story. Of particular note for fujoshi is the relationship between rakugo master Yakumo Yuurakutei and his friend and rival, Sukeroku Yuurakutei.
Though this series is classified as a historical drama within the josei genre, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu’s creator, Haruko Kumota, sharpened her skills in boys love manga and is well-versed in the subtle depictions of boy/boy love. For the fujoshi desiring a visual and narrative treat lightly sugared in boys’ love, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is just the right show.
Official site : http://rakugo-shinju-anime.jp/
Doukyuusei
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Airing: February 2-16
Within the world of boys’ love manga, Asumiko Nakamura’s Doukyuusei is a classic story depicting the slowly blossoming love between honors student Sajou Rihito and guitar playing Hikaru Kusakabe. This film adaptation maintains the delicate tenderness of the original manga while blending together the aural artistry of Kamiya Hiroshi and Kenji Nojima from the audio dramatization. Heartwarming as it is tear jerking, Doukyuusei is a must see for the consummate fujoshi.
Official site : http://www.dou-kyu-sei.com/
Yuri!!! on Ice
Studio: Mappa
Airing: October 2016-December 2016
Episode: 12
Let’s straighten this out first. Despite what occurs in the series, Yuri!!! on Ice is classified as a sports anime, not a boys’ love anime. (To not spoil the series, this article will not go into depth as to why Yuri!!! on Ice might be classified as boys’ love.) Rather than the formation of the same-sex relationship as the crux of the narrative typically found in boys’ love, Yuri!!! on Ice depicts the beauty of men’s figure skating and places love, in all its forms, above all else.
Shoehorning Yuri!!! On Ice as merely boys’ love fodder does not do justice to the subtle narration and crafting of this series. While it has plenty of fan service to drive the fujo fans wild, the character development and structure of the show elevates Yuri!!! On Ice as the number one pick for fujoshi and general anime fans as well.
Official site : http://yurionice.com/
See more fujoshi/Boys love related articles!
Yuri!!! on Ice Characters and the Real Life Figure Skaters Who Inspired Them!
They aren’t “Rotten”, Even Shining! Exploring the Sparkling World of FUJOSHI
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Emma Hanashiro
A weekend hikikomori with an expertise in fujoshi culture and anime. Dreams of writing her own Boys’ Love manga someday.
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