Facing an enemy on the battlefield usually means there’s going to be some weapons involved. Swords, shields, and even a bow and arrows are the most common items that warriors carry to ensure victory. But in this world, things are a little bit different. The representatives of each of the eight islands are not allowed to take any weapons to the battlefield, they have to fight using their bodies. That’s why they never stop training, making sure that their bodies are in top condition.

Every four years, eight men (each of them representing one of the islands) gather to prove that they’re fit to be the next king. What exactly do they have to do? Kill the rest and get out of there to tell the story? Well, not really. The rules are pretty simple and straightforward: whoever cums first is out! All competitors must avoid that at all costs, so they design special gear to cover their penises, a shield—or protective weapon—specifically for that part of their bodies. As the years go by, this special gear becomes more elaborate… and bigger. Is size really that important?

8nin no Senshin is a yaoi manga with a predominantly male cast. The only exception is the women from the Fang Clan, an island full of females with no men around except for their representative warrior. The rest of the combatants come from islands where there’s an increasing male population, something of an advantage when it comes to training, right?

Since we have eight handsome wannabe kings, it’s not hard to start shipping them. Right from the start, we have a love triangle with three childhood friends: the not-so-popular main character, the gentle and caring friend, and the aggressive tsundere. While these three are busy not noticing the love triangle dynamic between them, there’s another warrior wanting to get close to an experienced fighter, not really caring about the competition. Of course, it doesn’t really matter which ships are canon because we’re still going to come up with different combinations we would really want to see throughout the story. It doesn’t matter if it never happens on paper; our imagination is more than enough!

Even though there are eight of them, the story actually has one main character, someone who’s not really that popular and could easily become a background character if not for the plot. Harto is the warrior representing the Jewel Clan, a young man with blond hair and a cheerful personality. He’s been studying abroad, trying to come up with a way to win the battle, and has discovered a secret technique that will definitely make everyone on the battlefield explode with pleasure—or so he thinks. One of his childhood friends, Pisau, warrior of the Sun Clan, is so happy to have him back he forgets for a moment they’re supposed to fight each other. His breathtaking looks and member size could prove to be an asset for him, but will he take advantage of that? On the other hand, Yudha, warrior of the Battle Clan, has a great disadvantage: his love for Harto could lead him to defeat if he’s not careful enough.

Taring, the Fang Clan fighter, might look like a little child who’s not prepared for an intense battle like this, but being trained among ruthless women will help him face this competition without any problems. The Moon Clan presented a mysterious man named Bulan whom not even the other warriors know, something that makes him unpredictable in battle. Then there is also Vanpia, from the Healers Clan, whose beauty is so hypnotic it’s hard not to stop and stare at him, but Vanpia is only interested in getting close to Seekor Naga, the Dragon Clan warrior. He’s cool, tall, and fit, definitely a feast for the eyes. The last one is Lolo, from the Earth Clan. Not only is he the warrior representing them but he’s also the clan chief. Everything about him is massive (EVERYTHING) and he’s really popular too, making him a favorite among the audience.