Here at Honey’s Anime, we’ve been covering the latest manga releasing throughout 2022. One of the fastest-growing genres out there is the shounen ai (sometimes still called yaoi) genre, showcasing the changing attitude of Japan toward LGBT matters.
But Boy’s Love (BL) stories aren’t all just slow-burn school romances anymore—there’s everything from memoirs to fantasy isekai!
Today on Honey’s Anime, we’re talking about our 5 Most Anticipated New Shounen Ai/Yaoi Manga of 2022!
5. Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai (The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter)
- Authors: Yatsuki Wakatsu
- Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural, Yaoi
- Volumes: 1+
- Published: July 2022
Kicking off our list today is the long-awaited “Isekai BL” story, Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai (The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter).
Corporate slave Kondou Seiichirou is a little too good at his job. An efficiency freak at heart, this salaryman chases after work and doesn’t know when to quit…so when he’s summoned to another world as a saint, he naturally continues on working, using his accounting skills in this world’s place!
This witty numbers-man is going to be dragged into the fantastical world outside thanks to the dashing Knight Captain, whether he likes it or not! An accountant and a knight join forces in this magical yaoi adventure that’s definitely not your typical BL story.
If you’ve ever wanted a yaoi isekai, grab The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter in July 2022!
4. Hirano and Kagiura
- Authors: Harusono Shou
- Genres: School Life, Shounen Ai, Slice of Life
- Volumes: 1+
- Published: October 2022
A slow-burn BL romance about basketball players, roommates, and bad boys playing at being bad, Hirano and Kagiura has a little something for every BL lover!
Adapted as a side story from Sasaki and Miyano (currently published by Yen Press), this manga stars Kagiura, a young high schooler who moves into the school dorms under the care of the bad boy upperclassman, Hirano. Except…maybe Hirano is actually more of a mother hen than Kagiura thought?
Will their new living arrangements stir a romance between these two boys? Found out when Hirano and Kagiura hits the shelves in October 2022.
3. Motto Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!! (Go For It Again, Nakamura!!)
- Authors: Syundei
- Genres: Comedy, Romance, School Life, Shounen Ai
- Volumes: 1+
- Published: July 2022
A hilarious comedy with unrequited love, Motto Ganbare! Nakamura-kun!! (Go For It Again, Nakamura!!) is all about sticking it out and making your crush fall head over heels for you!
Nakamura fell in love at first sight with classmate Hirose, but even achieving friendship was quite the hurdle. Shy and awkward to a fault, Nakamura could never quite work up the courage to confess his love—and now there’s some new guy cuddling up to Hirose?!
Nakamura isn’t going to take this lying down, even if he’s clumsy and awkward! Cheer on this hopelessly-in-love boy when Go For It Again, Nakamura!! hits the shelves in July 2022.
2. Boku ga Otto ni Deau made (Until I Meet My Husband)
- Authors: Nanasaki Ryousuke (Story), Tsukizuki Yoshi (Art)
- Genres: Psychological, Shounen Ai, Slice of Life, Biographical
- Volumes: 1 (Complete)
- Published: June 2022
Coming in at the very end of June, Boku ga Otto ni Deau made (Until I Meet My Husband) is a moving memoir from Japanese gay activist Nanasaki Ryousuke, adapted from several short essays into a manga volume.
From school crushes to awkward dating sites, Until I Meet My Husband is a series of “firsts” that includes the soaring highs and staggering lows of romance. From unrequited love to unexpected speed bumps, Nanasaki recounts his own experience as a gay man finding “the one.”
Originally released in novel format, the manga adaptation now comes Westward thanks to Seven Seas Entertainment and will be available at the very end of June 2022.
1. Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation)
- Authors: Nanasaki Ryousuke (Story), Tsukizuki Yoshi (Art)
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Historical, Martial Arts, Shounen Ai
- Volumes: 1+
- Published: December 2022
From the original Chinese manhua to a full-color release in the West comes the applauded fantasy, The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation.
Wei Wuxian roamed the world in solitude after he founded ‘demonic cultivation,’ and was hated by the population for the chaos he birthed. Eventually betrayed, Wei Wuxian finds himself reincarnated into the body of an abandoned lunatic, taken away by Wei's archenemy, Lan Wangji.
Part comedy, part thrilling fantasy, this hilarious journey of monsters and mystery will take you on a colorful journey through supernatural fights, and mutual flirtation! A slow-burn BL with magic and monsters, The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation is our top pick for Shounen Ai releasing in 2022!
Grab this manhua in all its full-color glory when it releases in December 2022.
Final Thoughts
These are just five of the many shounen ai/yaoi manga releasing in the back half of 2022. We’ve done similar articles for other genres, such as Isekai, Romance, and Shoujo — so check out those lists too!
Are you interested in any of these titles? Let us know down in the comments below, and as always, thank you for reading!
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