In celebration of Danshoku no Hi on September 9, Japanese industry portal Anime! Anime! conducted its annual reader survey to discover the most cherished Boys' Love (BL) anime adaptations. Reflecting a genre that spans gentle coming-of-age romantic comedies, complex musical dramas, and atmospheric crime sagas, the poll drew active participation from a diverse demographic of viewers.
Top Spot Triumph
Taking the top position with roughly 32 percent of the total vote is Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!. Fans singled out the series for its charming homage to 1980s and 1990s manga aesthetics, combining retro visual character designs with the earnest, anxious inner monologue of its shy high school protagonist. The show's thoughtful emotional pacing and creative nostalgic ending themes resonated strongly across generations.
Nuanced Romances and Music
Sharing second place in a tight tie with approximately 11 percent of the votes each were Given and Sasaki and Miyano. Given made history as the first BL title broadcast on Fuji TV's prestigious Noitamina block, captivating viewers through its intertwining themes of grief, musical passion, and raw vocal performances. Conversely, Sasaki and Miyano earned widespread praise for its low-conflict, cozy depiction of two students quietly connecting over shared manga interests.
Fan Favorites Across Genres
The wider top rankings highlighted the immense stylistic diversity of modern BL, from classic romance comedies to dark drama and international fantasy blockbusters. Titles like DAKARETAI -I'm being harassed by the 1st most sexy man of the year-, noir drama Twittering Birds Never Fly, and Chinese Xianxia phenomenon Mo Dao Zu Shi (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) all garnered strong praise for their distinct narrative tones and production quality.
Below are the top rankings from the 2026 reader survey:
- 1st Place: Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!!
- 2nd Place (Tie): Given
- 2nd Place (Tie): Sasaki and Miyano
- 4th Place (Tie): Junjou Romantica
- 4th Place (Tie): DAKARETAI -I'm being harassed by the 1st most sexy man of the year-
- 4th Place (Tie): Doukyuusei
- 4th Place (Tie): Mo Dao Zu Shi (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation)
