Top 10 Yaoi Manhwa [Updated Best Recommendations]

Originally, the word “yaoi” described homosexual relationships, mainly focusing on the sexual part. Oriented toward a female audience, yaoi was nothing more than a hentai branch, without plot, or any deep meaning. Yet, as time went by, thanks to an amazing fandom growing very fond of this genre, yaoi changed into a genre which still depicts homosexual relationships, but with intricate plots, in-depth analyzed characters, and, obviously, tons of love. If Japan is the motherland of this genre, boasting numerous wonderful titles, we must say that through the years, Korea has proved to be very skilled with yaoi works. Thanks to webtoons available in different languages, in a short time, yaoi manhwa (the Korean term for “comic”), reached the entire world, becoming very popular. In this list, we will update our original ranking, so stick with us to discover ten among the most beautiful yaoi manhwa out there!

10. 30 Days With You

  • Mangaka: Kim Wonee, Youngmo
  • Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 38 chapters
  • Published: August 2017 – February 2018

Rene is Iro's dream guy. When he ordered an android, Iro got a brilliant idea: pretending to be a service man, his plan was to make the delivery, and exchange a few words with Rene. His life would be fulfilled with just that. Something doesn't go according to the plan, though, and a drunk Rene mistakes Iro for the android he ordered. There's little time to decide, but Iro wants to take advantage of the situation. He plays along Rene's mistake, and gets the chance to live with the man he likes. But what if Rene finds out the truth, and the situation turns against Iro?

30 Days With You is a little gem in the yaoi manhwa world. Unpretentious, this manhwa brings you into Iro's world, which is made of insecurities, low self-esteem, and clumsiness. Yet, chapter after chapter, it sucks you in, and you find yourself cheering for Iro's future with Rene. 30 Days With You makes for a nice starter-pack, if you are approaching to yaoi manhwa just now!


9. Window to Window

  • Mangaka: Lee Aru
  • Genres: Adult, Drama, Romance, Smut, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 41 chapters
  • Published: 2016 – 2017

Window to Window revolves around two childhood friends, Ginu and Yubin. They live in separate buildings, yet their apartments are so close that they can talk through the windows – that's why the title Window to Window. When the curtains aren't closed properly, though, trouble arises: Ginu witnesses Yubin doing something naughty, and from that moment on their relationship is turned upside down!

Window to Window is a yaoi manhwa with cute characters, and a lot of gags – mostly up to Yubin getting flustered over the smallest things. He is madly in love with Ginu, who is totally oblivious to Yubin's feelings, or his being gay. Witnessing Yubin touching himself through the window, though, starts something within Ginu, who goes to the extent to ask for more. The hilarious interactions between the two give birth to a sweet romance, with all that that entails – misunderstandings, jealousy, fights. Window to Window is the lighthearted yaoi manhwa you want to read to relax, and have fun!


8. Rent Boy

  • Mangaka: Studio Stellas
  • Genres: Drama, Mature, Romance, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 51 chapters
  • Published: March 2018 – ongoing

Anton is the heir to the Arnault family and, as a tradition in the noble families, at the age of 18 he is finally given access to the Cyrene Salon. The place is a cafe in which nobles can choose their favorite – male or female – and spend the night with them. Anton picks Arwin, a beautiful boy, and the parlor's number one, and after a night with him, Anton can't get Arwin out of his mind. But is their love meant to be, when Arwin is so tied to the Cyrene Salon?

With Rent Boy, we enter into yaoi manhwa with darker themes than the two aforementioned. Anton, usually reserved, decides to go deep to find out more about Arwin, and his past. What initially was a physical relationship, suddenly becomes love. Yet, Arwin is tied to the salon, so he isn't ready to leave his past behind and follow Anton. The two of them will face hardships and misunderstandings, and jealousy will threaten to eat Anton alive. Rent Boy is still ongoing, but so far it proved to be a very good yaoi manhwa; give it a shot if you enjoy a tormented romance!


7. December Rain

  • Mangaka: Kimon
  • Genres: Drama, Romance, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 49 chapters
  • Published: December 2017 – April 2019

After he got out of the army, Suchae wants to take some time for himself and travel alone around the country. On the very first day of his solitary journey, he meets a guy who is jerking off in the bathroom of a bus terminal. Five minutes later, he spots the same guy, and much to his surprise he is Suchae's type. Even though he could clearly be a creep, Suchae is still drawn to the mysterious guy. Craving to know more about him, he tries to engage in a conversation, and things lead to them traveling together. Yet, things are way more complicated than they seem...

Talking about a tormented romance, December Rain is yet another perfect example. After spending time together, Suchae and Gusam easily fall in love with each other, and share very tender, and hot moments. Everything seems just too good to be true, in fact the nice picture is about to come down crashing. Gusam hides a dark past; his life is that of a fugitive. Yet, Suchae is too involved to let him go, so he gets ready to face everything that comes their way. December Rain is not for the faint of heart; you need patience to stomach themes like injustice, abuse, and the likes. Pick it up knowing it's a roller coaster of feels!


6. The Devil's Temptation

https://twitter.com/LezhinComics_US/status/1022111729461866496

  • Mangaka: Youn
  • Genres: Adult, Comedy, Smut, Supernatural, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 44 chapters
  • Published: July 2018 – ongoing

For a change, Hyun decides to spend Christmas attending the company holiday party. His purpose is to make his crush – Alek – know that he exists. Something goes wrong, though, and Hyun drinks a bit too much, embarrassing himself, and blacking out. But the nightmare is just about to begin. In fact, when he wakes up, he realizes that right next to him there's Ivan Mariani, his despised colleague. Yet, for the first time, Hyun finds Ivan irresistible! What happened after he blacked out at the party?!

The Devil's Temptation brings us back the comedy. This yaoi manhwa is literally one of a kind, able to perfectly mix the amount of gags, and the spicy scenes. After discovering a mark on his body, which leads Hyun unavoidably toward Ivan if he wants to survive, Hyun eventually gets the attention of the impossibly beautiful Alek. Between a rock and a rock, Hyun doesn't even know what to do, all the more when the mark asks him to lie with whoever happens to be next to him! The Devil's Temptation is the perfect yaoi manhwa for those who crave a lighthearted romance.


5. Walk on Water

  • Mangaka: Jang Mokdan, Jaxx
  • Genres: Adult, Drama, Romance, Smut, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 32 chapters
  • Published: 2018 – ongoing

In order to pay his late grandfather's debts, Edd Talbot finds a job as a security guard, but the salary isn't even near enough for his debts. One night, while he was at a bar, Edd overhears a guy bragging about the money earned acting in gay porn. Edd decides to try his way in the field, and soon after, he becomes working as a top at one of the best studios of the city, run by Glenn McQueen. For a higher paycheck, he is asked to take the role of the bottom, but his co-star will be Glenn himself. All good, if it wasn't that Edd gets nervous every time they meet...

Walk on Water is a real revelation in the yaoi manhwa world. By the premises, it may look cliched, but it isn't. In fact, the supposed romance between Edd and Glenn is slow-paced, to say the least. The story mainly focuses on how Edd gradually discovers a new side of himself: he is gay, and he didn't know, not until he started to feel something for Glenn. But whether Glenn reciprocates Edd, or not, this is yet to be discovered. Pick this yaoi manhwa if you feel like reading an amazing plot-driven story.


4. Behind the Scenes

  • Mangaka: monologue
  • Genres: Drama, Mature, Romance, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 49 chapters
  • Published: June 2018 – ongoing

Woo Taeyoung is a top model, but his dream has always been to become an actor. Inspired by his idol Koo Min-ki, he decides to give that dream another chance. This time, he wants a mature role, one that can display his talent. Then, he gets ready for an audition, only to find out that Koo Min-ki would be one of the main actors. Determined to become his co-star, Taeyoung puts all himself into the audition, and he succeeds. Taeyoung and Min-ki become friends, but behind the scenes something happens, something that may affect their performances...

Behind the Scenes is an amazingly good yaoi manhwa. Taeyoung and Min-ki's chemistry is in plain sight, but there's a problem: Min-ki has a long-term boyfriend to whom he is loyal beyond compare, and despite his being a real asshole toward him. But Taeyoung gradually earns a place in Min-ki's heart, and that's when Min-ki eventually realizes how sick his relationship with his boyfriend became through the years. Behind the Scenes is well-developed, and slow-paced, but beware: it can become nerve-wracking if you're looking for a conventional yaoi romance!


3. Broken Season

https://twitter.com/LezhinComics_US/status/1059800065433309185

  • Mangaka: SuYoung
  • Genres: Drama, Tragedy, Mature, Romance, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 55 chapters
  • Published: November 2018 – ongoing

Haero and Don grew up together, as they were neighbors. By the time they became teenagers, they were closer than brothers, but a traumatic event in Haero's life brings him far away, and impossible to reach. Some years later, both of them attending university, their paths cross again: that love kept unspoken seems to finally bloom. Yet, a cruel fate separates Haero and Don once more. Ten years later, they meet once again, but this time, due to some circumstances, Don seems determined to keep on living without Haero...

Broken Season is a yaoi manhwa portraying the broken seasons of two guys in love with each other. Due to a traumatic event, Haero grew introverted, and unable to admit his true feelings. Don is his exact opposite: always smiling, cheerful, and easy to read. Two different personalities meet, and then drift apart, only to meet again, and the timing seems always wrong. Broken Season is a romance putting in plain sight how love can overcome hardships through time, staying unshaken. It's a roller-coaster of feels, so prepare tissues. Aside from this, it's a must-read.


2. Wolf in the House

  • Mangaka: Park, Ji-yeon
  • Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Supernatural, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 63 chapters
  • Published: July 2017 – ongoing

Minsuk just ended an on-again, off-again relationship, after ten long years. He goes back to live by himself, and decides to take in a Siberian husky – Bexan. His new, single life has just begun, and he can't wait to enjoy the company of his new furry friend on the couch. Bexan, though, is not an ordinary dog, and Minsuk's dream gets shattered before the start. In fact, when night falls, Bexan becomes a human... who did Minsuk just take in?!

Wolf in the House is literally a masterpiece of this genre. This is a non-conventional yaoi manhwa, whose strong points are the humor, the solid plot, and the amazing characters. After Minsuk comes to know Bexan in his human form, he is immediately drawn to him, and the same goes for Bexan, who seems madly in love with his “master”. As the story progresses, you discover more about the true nature of Bexan, and why he turns into a dog, and – above all – that he isn't the only one. This story glues you to the screen, and sucks you in; it totally deserved our 2nd position!


1. BJ Alex

  • Mangaka: Mingwa
  • Genres: Comedy, Drama, Slice of life, Smut, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 72 chapters
  • Published: Jan 2018 – ongoing

Dong-gyun is a shy guy who enjoys locking himself up in his room every night, watching his favorite BJ (broadcast jockey) Alex, a guy who broadcasts his sexual experiences on his network, hiding his face behind a mask. One night, Dong-gyun ends up drunk, and finds himself in his room with a guy. As the guy is shirtless, Dong-gyun immediately recognizes Alex's birthmark on his skin. Could he be so lucky? No, of course; in fact, the guy is actually Alex, but his true colors don't sparkle at all.

BJ Alex totally deserved our first position, for numerous reasons. Firstly, it has a solid plot, and its characters are very well-developed. Then, it portrays the interactions of two very different people sharing a secret. On one side, there's Dong-gyun who has the hots for Jiwon – Alex, – while on the other side, Jiwon isn't the nice person he fakes to be. While at first Dong-gyun is totally submissive toward Jiwon, accepting all his wrongdoings, step by step he understands how love, and admiration are not worth the treatment Jiwon gives him. That's when the table turns! Through misunderstandings, tears, and hardships, this romance will take you on a tornado of feels, and make you stick to the screen with no turning back. In our opinion, it's the best title among all the yaoi manhwa out there!


Final Thoughts

BJ Alex closes our ranking of ten yaoi manhwa. As we said up above, yaoi works can involve different plots and themes, and we tried to pick a variety of masterpieces in order to suit everyone's tastes. These ten stories feature wonderful characters, interesting plots, and a lot of love and sweet interactions between two main protagonists. If you have any suggestions, or want to discuss with us about other titles that could fit this list, don't hesitate to leave a comment below. See you next time!

anime-expo-2023-cosplay-TopIMG-1-500x281 Top 10 Yaoi Manhwa [Updated Best Recommendations]

Writer

Author: Mari Mari

An italian girl currently living the Japanese Dream. I'm an anime and manga enthusiast (I mean... very enthusiast. XD), and my other hobbies are writing, reading, playing volleyball, listening to good music and thinking about pointless things.

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Original Article Below

As probably all of you know, the word “yaoi” is the acronym for “no climax, no meaning and no fall” in Japanese. In fact, originally yaoi described homosexual relationships, focusing on sex: basically, it was nothing more than a hentai branch, oriented toward a female audience. As time flew by, and the yaoi fandom grew, showing a genuine affection to this genre, this term lost its true meaning. While it's true that yaoi still depicts homosexuality, it's even true that now it does it with a solid plot, deeply analyzing the characters, and actually creating wonderful love stories, not focusing merely on the boy-on-boy action under the sheets.

Exactly like Japan, Korea is proving to be very good with yaoi stories, as well. Yaoi manhwa are gaining a huge popularity around the world, thanks to webtoons, good plots and a wonderful fandom supporting the artists. In this list, we'll talk about ten among all the beautiful yaoi manhwa out there! We chose the fandom's favorites, so stick with us until the end to discover ten stories revolving around hotties in love with other hotties!

10. You Jin

  • Mangaka: Fujoking
  • Genre: Adult, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 16 chapters + side stories
  • Published Date: 2016 – 2017

Let's start this ranking out with You Jin, born from the talented Fujoking! You Jin is a college student a bit antisocial, with barely any frienda. One day, You Jin's life is turned upside down by a handsome stranger knocking to his door. The black-haired hottie – Sae Jin – who searches for a home, claims to be You Jin's childhood friend; what's more, he says that he may have contracted a fatal illness. You Jin doesn't recognize his childhood friend, and is at a loss of what to do. In the meanwhile, Sae Jin pushes to have his dying wish fulfilled. But what is that about?

You Jin is a yaoi manhwa sticking to the purer meaning of yaoi. There's a plot, but for those who love graphic sex scenes, it will be very satisfactory. You Jin is your typical uke going with the flow, just because he is unable to say that he finds the stranger very hot. Sae Jin is bossy and possessive, and likes to drive You Jin crazy – in many ways. You Jin is a lighthearted yaoi manhwa; if you like a soft atmosphere, you should give it a chance!


9. Dark Heaven

  • Mangaka: JUNS
  • Genre: Adult, Drama, Mature, Psychological, Smut, Yaoi
  • Volumes:
  • Published Date: 2016 – 2017

Let's go on with a darker story than You Jin. Dark Heaven revolves around Conor – a Korean-American – and Simon. These two hotties live in a city where same sex-marriage is legal, yet there are still some homophobic crimes going on. Conor joins the band with the blondie Simon, and the two of them manage to create their own heaven in a church, away from other people and harm. Love blooms, but can their relationship really go on?

Dark Heaven is a yaoi manhwa with dark themes and more realistic ones, such as homophobia. Conor and Simon love each other, but they still have to hide in a society which allows same-sex marriage, but is still full of racism. The art style is very peculiar, but if you begin reading this yaoi manhwa, you'll stick to each page, craving for more and more. This is a captivating and emotional love story, full of drama; brace yourself, we warn you!


8. Love Me More

  • Mangaka: EZ
  • Genre: Adult, Drama, Romance, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 24 chapters
  • Published Date: 2016 – ongoing

Love Me More is a cute romance revolving around Tom and Jaemin. These two boys are polar opposites, yet opposites attract, right? Well, they're living their love story, full of happiness. Their co-habitation works very well, and they hardly argue. But what if in this happy picture a handsome neighbor pops up? Is their relationship steady enough?

Love Me More is a yaoi manhwa that presents a cute love story. Tom and Jaemin are very relatable characters who live their daily routines together, overcoming the hardships, from the smallest to the biggest. At least until a hot neighbor enters the picture, and they seem to waver. This yaoi manhwa give you all what you're looking for: hot scenes, cliffhangers, comedy parts, and tons of love, that's why it deserved a mention!


7. Unfather

  • Mangaka: Nellikang
  • Genre: Adult, Drama, Smut, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 31 chapters
  • Published Date: 2017 – ongoing

The tone changes once again with another dark story called Unfather. Kyunghee was paid very well by Sihyun, and all he needed to do was to keep him “company”. Their relationship, though, didn't last: Sihyun was too clingy, and Kyunghee didn't want a serious relationship with the old man. With tuition fees to be paid, Kyunghee doesn't really know what to do; if things could go worse, he meets his mother's boyfriend, and he can't just believe his eyes. It's Sihyun, and he seeks revenge!

Unfather is a yaoi manhwa depicting a distorted romance between a young man, and a middle-aged man. Sihyun is obsessed with Kyunghee, who had ended things with him because he didn't want a relationship. But Sihyun wants Kyunghee back, so he begins to blackmail him with the pictures he took while they were having sex. If you like yaoi manhwa wielding dark themes, we suggest you give Unfather a try... it won't fail you!


6. Saha

  • Mangaka: Lee, Uin
  • Genre: Drama, Romance, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 15 chapters
  • Published Date: 2017 – ongoing

If we didn't give you enough dark themes for these yaoi manhwa, don't worry! Now, it's time for us to talk about Saha, a wonderful yaoi romance, revolving around abuses and gangsters. Giju is a pretty boy, maybe too pretty. He had his childhood destroyed by a stepfather who couldn't keep his hands off him, and now he only craves a quiet life. Young-do is a gangster covered with tattoos, the last person Giju would need. Yet, they meet, and something deep blooms between the two...

This touching yaoi manhwa is set in Saha, a conservative town in southern Korea, which gives this amazing story the name. Giju is a lost soul, searching for a place where to belong; Young-do, even though he is a gangster and has a foul mouth, he is very sweet and romantic; in fact, he joined a gang in order to follow his first love. When these two broken souls meet, the miracle happens. Brace yourself as Saha, with its dark themes and wonderful characters, is a roller-coaster of feels!


5. Lover Boy

  • Mangaka: Zec
  • Genre: Adult, Drama, Romance, Slice of life, Smut, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 49 chapters
  • Published Date: 2016 – ongoing

Our 5th position is Lover Boy, a cute yaoi manhwa revolving around Eunho and Jaeha. When Eunho was a child, he kept asking Jaeha to marry him. It goes without saying, Jaeha never even thought about something like that toward his little neighbor. Years after, now adult Eunho reappears in Jaeha's life... will this finally be the right time?

This yaoi manhwa depicts a boy who begins his adult life, and a man with a broken marriage and his life on the verge of falling down. Eunho still holds feelings for Jaeha, but Jaeha is conflicted: can he lay his hands on his young former neighbor? And if he does, what will the consequences be? Can he sincerely accept Eunho's feelings? Embark Eunho and Jaeha's journey through their ups and downs, trouble and hardships. Boy-on-boy action, jealousy, and cliff-hangers is what you should expect from Lover Boy!


4. An Easy Target

  • Mangaka: Aeju
  • Genre: Adult, Drama, Psychological, Romance, Smut, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 53 chapters
  • Published Date: 2016 – ongoing

Our 4th position is a mind-blowing yaoi manhwa revolving around Kyung-soo. Three years before, he had mustered his courage up and had confessed to Yule, his handsome crush. Against all the expectations, Yule had accepted Kyung-soo's feelings, but the dream suddenly had turned into a nightmare: Kyung-soo was raped by Yule's comrades, before Yule's eyes. Three years went by, and Kyung-soo still couldn't manage to sleep well at night... until he met Dong-hyuk. But what if Yule reappears once again in the picture?

This twisted yaoi manhwa is very captivating, and is about strong themes such as rape and violence. Our protagonist, Kyung-soo, has learned from the past and now is ready to face Yule head on. Dong-hyuk will become Kyung-soo's lover and his strength, and their relationship will get stronger and stronger. If you're willing to face a yaoi manhwa with dark themes, colorful hotties and an intriguing plot, An Easy Target is a must-read.


3. BJ Alex

  • Mangaka: Mingwa
  • Genre: Adult, Smut, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 12 chapters
  • Published Date: 2017 – ongoing

Let's head toward the end of this ranking with a promising new yaoi manhwa! BJ Alex revolves around Dong-gyun, a timid boy who enjoys locking himself up in his room every night, watching Alex, a boy who broadcasts his sexual experiences on his network, covering his face with a mask. Dong-gyun has the hots for Alex, and when he ends up drunk and having sex with a stranger, the next day he realizes that the guy he slept with may be Alex. But is Alex the nice guy he looks like on the web?

With BJ Alex, we are in front of a yaoi manhwa with an amazing art style, and a funny plot that hides a knife. In fact, if the premises may make it seem a lighthearted yaoi manhwa, chapter by chapter the readers discover Alex's true colors, and begin to cheer for the poor Dong-gyun. As for the reason as to why we gave BJ Alex our 3rd position, well, it's because once you start reading, you simply can't stop. Art style and plot mix so amazingly that it becomes addictive! Just give it a try!


2. Window to Window

  • Mangaka: Lee, Aru
  • Genre: Adult, Romance, Smut, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 41 chapters
  • Published Date: 2016 – 2017

We decided to end our ranking with two lighthearted yaoi manhwa! Our 2nd position is Window to Window, and it revolves around two childhood friends: Ginu and Yubin. These two cutie pies live in separate buildings, but their apartments are so close that they can talk through the windows. But windows can do harm, when the curtains are not closed... in fact, Ginu witnesses Yubin doing something naughty, and that's the moment when their lives drastically change!

Window to Window is a yaoi manhwa with a lot of gags, and characters who are overly cute. Yubin is madly in love with Ginu, who doesn't even imagine that his childhood friend is gay and has the hots for him. But seeing Yubin touching himself, something springs within Ginu, who immediately adjusts and asks Yubin to let him keep watching while he masturbates. Window to Window's strong point is the hilarious situation that gives birth to a romance, and the fact that Yubin and Ginu are two awkward fellows. This colorful yaoi manhwa is really something else; pick it up if you just want to relax and enjoy a good story!


1. Make Me Bark

  • Mangaka: Sagold
  • Genre: Comedy, Romance, Yaoi
  • Volumes: 23 chapters
  • Published Date: 2017 – ongoing

Let's end this chart with a yaoi manhwa that is gaining a lot of popularity! Make Me Bark is a promising story revolving around Sungjoon, whose life takes a turn for the worse when the cheap place he lives in gets on fire, and he finds himself homeless. Not only that, Sungjoon suddenly realizes that he doesn't know anyone in the city who could help him. Except for Lee Hyo-in, who is a rich boy attending Sungjoon's university. Coincidentally, Lee Hyo-in is looking for a roommate, or more correctly, a dog. That's how Sungjoon jumps into the fire in order to survive!

Make Me Bark is a colorful, absurd and funny yaoi manhwa, with an amazing art style – neat and full of details. It's full of gags, as we see the seemingly unfazed and warmhearted Lee Hyo-in turning Sungjoon into his pet dog. Sungjoon, on the other side, just wants to run away, but he can't as he is strapped for money. Their play will keep going through ups and downs, until some feelings will finally develop. If you wish to read a cute yaoi romance, with a wonderful art style and a soft atmosphere, you should totally give Make Me Bark a try! It totally deserved our first position.


Final Thoughts

We ended this ranking hoping you'll find it useful. We tried to put in it yaoi manhwa concerning different plots and themes, so that it could suit everyone's tastes. From the darkest ones, to the most lighthearted, these ten yaoi manhwa share handsome characters and a catching story. As we only could choose ten among all those wonderful yaoi manhwa deserving a mention out there, if you want to discuss with us other titles, don't hesitate to leave a comment below! See you next time!

anime-expo-2023-cosplay-TopIMG-1-500x281 Top 10 Yaoi Manhwa [Updated Best Recommendations]

Writer

Author: Mari Mari

An italian girl currently living the Japanese Dream. I'm an anime and manga enthusiast (I mean... very enthusiast. XD), and my other hobbies are writing, reading, playing volleyball, listening to good music and thinking about pointless things.

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Top 5 Anime by Mari Mari