JAPAN: BL & GL of 2024 (So Far)

Animations BL GL Japan

2024-07-29
10:35

Heads up! In 2024, Japan is producing more boys’ love (BL) dramas and expanding into the sapphic/girls’ love (GL) genre. This year’s master list is longer than last year’s, and BLtai has compiled them all—completed, ongoing, and upcoming.

The leading LGBTQ+ BL global media hub, GagaOOLala, continues to expand its catalog to cater to international fans with J-BL and J-GL dramas and animations! Expect more content coming to the platform. This list also includes BL/GL available on other platforms, as well the country’s first gay dating reality show! Without further ado, here is the list! Make sure to bookmark this page to stay updated!

January 6 | Ossan’s Love: Returns (9 Episodes with 2 Spin-Off)

Soichi Haruta and Ryota Maki, who returned from Singapore, started living together as newlyweds. However, work and housework become too much for the couple, so they try housekeeping services to make their domestic life easier. But the person who appears at the door turns out to be the retired Musashi Kurosawa! Will the love triangle between them happen again?

Watch ‘Ossan’s Love: Returns’ on GagaOOLala.

January 8 | CHASER GAME W: My Evil Boss is My Ex-Girlfriend (8 Episodes)

Working in a game company, Harumoto is appointed as the project manager to take over a Sino-Japanese co-production, but she never expected that the person in charge of the client’s side is actually her ex-girlfriend Hayashi from her university days! Hayashi was the one who got broken up with last time, but now she’s taking revenge against Harumoto. Who knows if that hatred will eventually turn back into love?

Watch ‘CHASER GAME W: My Evil Boss is My Ex-Girlfriend‘ on GagaOOLala.

January 10 | Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! – Anime (12 Episodes)

29-year-old virgin Kiyoshi Adachi reaches his 30th birthday and becomes a “wizard”: he develops an ability to hear the thoughts of other people by touching them. One day, he discovers that his popular co-worker, Yuichi Kurosawa, is in love with him. While dealing with the awkwardness of being able to hear Kurosawa’s rather forthright feelings towards him, Adachi comes to terms with how much Kurosawa values him and starts to develop reciprocal feelings of his own.

Watch ‘Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!’ on GagaOOLala!

January 11 | Although I Love You, and You (10 Episodes)

A charmingly handsome owner of a small restaurant, who can make anyone’s stomach and heart happy, meets a divorced office worker who got relocated to Osaka, and… falls in love with him at first sight?!

Watch ‘Although I Love You. And You?’ on GagaOOLala.

January 27 | Given: Hiigari Mix (Movie)

High school student Ritsuka Uenoyama is captivated by Mafuyu Sato’s singing voice and invites him to join his band “Given” as a vocalist alongside Haruki Nakayama and Akihiko Kaji. Following Mafuyu’s first live performance, Uenoyama realizes his feelings for Mafuyu, and they start dating. Despite facing challenges, “Given” remains active, participating in a festival competition and gaining attention despite not winning. Meanwhile, Mafuyu’s childhood friend Hiiragi Kashima’s band “syh” with Shizusumi Yagi is set to debut and decides to hire Uenoyama as temporary support for their absent guitarist.

NOTE: This movie is not yet available internationally.

She Loves to Eat, She Loves to Cook 2 (20 Episodes)

She Loves to Eat, She Loves to Cook is about Nomoto who loves to cook but since she lives alone, she always feels like she wants to cook more. Her relationship with Kasuga, a fellow resident in the same apartment complex and an avid eater, develops as they cook and eat together. Before she knew it, Nomoto realizes that she is in love with Kasuga. The released poster captures Nomoto’s newfound love for Kasuga, visible in her affectionate gaze at her. Season 2 promises to unfold their continuing love story, complemented by delicious dishes that will be prepared. New characters have also been introduced, and we will get to dive into their stories as they provide support to the main characters.

NOTE: This drama is not yet available internationally.

February 2 | Perfect Propose (6 Episodes)

Hirokuni Watari, a cog in the corporate machine, faints on the street one day and ends up meeting Kai Fukaya, someone he hasn’t seen in twelve years. With Kai having no place to stay, he ends up staying with Hirokuni and making home-cooked meals for him to soothe his exhaustion.

Watch ‘Perfect Propose’ on GagaOOLala.

February 16 | My Strawberry Film (8 Episodes)

High school sophomores Ryo, Hikaru, and Chika are living a seemingly peaceful high school life while harboring hidden emotions. One day, Hikaru and Chika find 8mm film in an old warehouse inside the school. A stunning girl in the film captures Hikaru’s attention, while Ryo worries about Hikaru, and Chika keeps an eye on the beautiful girl, whose gaze seems to pass by.

Watch ‘My Strawberry Film’ on GagaOOLala.

March 6 | Love is Better the Second Time Around (6 Episodes)

Akihiro Miyata, a mid-level editor who reunites with his first love, university professor Takashi Iwanaga while seeking his expertise for an economics column. Despite their chance encounter, Miyata is determined to keep their relationship strictly professional but struggles against Iwanaga’s charm and the complexities of a second chance at love. As they navigate their feelings and the challenges of adulthood, the story delves into themes of ideals, reality, and pride, exploring the dynamics of a frustrating yet irresistible “second” love.

Watch ‘Love is Better the Second Time Around’ on GagaOOLala.

April 8 | Tadamai, Okaeri – Anime (12 Episodes) – Crunchyroll, YouTube

Masaki lives as a househusband in the Fujiyoshi household with his loving trophy husband and breadwinner Hiromu and their two-year-old Hikari, who is too cute for his own damn good. Full of doubt, the support of his family in their day-to-day lives carries Masaki through to a place of accepting himself for who he is. A feeling, family-oriented BL between a Mr. Right and a male beauty who feels like he doesn’t size up. Embracing the good times and the bad, all to be better today than they were yesterday.

April 11 | Living With Him (10 Episodes)

Ryota Natsukawa, who is starting university, suddenly finds out that his roommate will be his childhood friend, Kazuhito Tanaka. Despite Kazuhito’s picture-perfect looks, he doesn’t have a girlfriend. Curious as to why this is, Ryota proposes they go on a “date” to see if he can find any issues women may have with Kazuhito. However, as Ryota gets to know more about Kazuhito, their relationship changes. Will they just remain friends? Or will their relationship blossom into something more?

Watch ‘Living With Him’ on GagaOOLala.

April 18 | At 25:00, in Akasaka (10 Episodes)

Yuki Shirosaki, is a rookie actor who seizes his chance during an audition and lands a role opposite the popular senior actor, Asami Hayama, in a BL drama. As Shirosaki grapples with the pressure of his first major role, Hayama proposes that they enter into a “relationship for the sake of their roles” until filming concludes. This pseudo-romantic involvement between them off-screen leads to a poignant and beautifully crafted love story that delves into the complexities of relationships within the entertainment industry and between actors.

Watch ‘At 25:00, in Akasaka’ on GagaOOLala.

April 23 | A Man Who Defies the World of BL 2024 (6 Episodes)

Mob realizes he’s trapped in a world straight out of a boys’ love comic, complete with typical love story scenes. Determined to remain a background character and avoid becoming the main focus, Mob tries to keep a low profile. However, in this sequel, the love and comedy intensify! In an ultimate BL world surrounded by extremely handsome men, will Mobu be able to avoid the situation where B becomes L? The main cast will return, with Inukai playing Mob, who fends off advances from handsome men tossing out “BL love flags.” Yutaro will return as his younger brother, Ayato, while Akihisa Shiono will be Tojo, Ayato’s lover. Asahi Ito will come back as Kikuchi, a college student who has a crush on Mob.

NOTE: This drama is not yet available internationally.

May 6 | 10 Years (3 Episodes) – YouTube

The short tells the story of two boys who reunite after a decade apart. They were once a couple but were suddenly separated ten years ago.

June 14 | Let’s Eat Together Aki and Haru 2nd Cup! (Movie)

High school classmates Junta Akiyoshi (Aki) and Harutsugu Fujishiro (Haru) went to different universities but shared a house in a quiet residential area. Now in their fourth year of university, both are busy with job hunting. Haru, who decided to pursue a career in photography, secured a position at a photography studio, while Aki received a job offer from an interior goods company. During a takoyaki party celebrating their job offers with their friends, Yoneyama, Makita, Azusa, and Yukino, Aki receives an email informing him that his workplace will be in Osaka. With only a short time left until graduation, the atmosphere between the two, who share a sense of loneliness and frustration, becomes somewhat distant. One day, Haru’s older sister, Rikka, comes to visit to announce her marriage. Upon hearing about the decisive factor in her decision to marry, Aki realizes that he has feelings for Haru beyond friendship. However, he decides to not confess these feelings to Haru. On the other hand, Haru has been feeling uneasy since he learned about his assignment in Osaka. Will they have to leave the house they have lived in for four years and end their peaceful and happy cohabitation? And what will be the future of Aki and Haru as they enter the workforce?

NOTE: This movie is not yet available internationally.

June 26 | I Hear the Sunspot (8 Episodes)

Kohei has trouble fitting into campus life due to his hearing impairment. However, when he meets the friendly and straightforward Taichi, everything begins to change in his life, including his close relationships…

Watch ‘I Hear the Sunspot’ on GagaOOLala.

July 1 | Takara’s Treasure (10 Episodes)

Having been comforted in his grief by a stranger named Takara a year earlier, Taishin decides to leave Fukuoka and move to Tokyo in order to reunite with him. However, their reunion doesn’t go exactly as planned…

Watch on ‘Takara’s Treasure‘ on GagaOOLala.

July 4 | Twilight Out of Focus (12 Episodes)

Mao and Hisashi pair up for a project, make three promises, and draw closer together in the process. The club president, Jin, and a jealous junior named Giichi clash before finding common ground. Shion, a first-year student, joins the film club in search of a boyfriend and butts heads with Rei – until Rei asks him on a date.

Watch ‘Twilight Out of Focus’ on GagaOOLala.

July 4 | AYAKA is in LOVE with HIROKO (8 Episodes)

Ayaka has no problem with getting attention from men, but she has a deep crush on Hiroko, her senior at her company. She tries charming Hiroko, but it doesn’t seem to have much effect. However, Hiroko is trying to keep cool because she has a crush on Ayaka too…

Watch ‘AYAKA is in LOVE with HIROKO’ on GagaOOLala.

July 9 | The Boyfriend – Gay Dating (10 Episodes) – Netflix

Over the course of a month, a group of men live under one roof and run a coffee truck together to connect and hopefully meet their one true boyfriend.

July 13 | Heavens x Cande (Movie)

Takato, a reclusive 2D anime otaku, visits a café after attending a fan event for the hit anime ‘Heavens x Candy’. However, he forgets his wallet and leaves without paying. A popular adult video actor, Towa, who happens to be at the café for the same reason, covers his bill. The next day, Takato returns to the café with the money and meets Towa again. After visiting a lighthouse, a pilgrimage site for fans, Towa’s insistent suggestion leads them to another pilgrimage site: a love hotel. There, Towa reveals that he is an AV actor, and Takato shares why he became a recluse.

NOTE: This movie is not yet available internationally.

July 25 | Mr. Mitsuya’s Planned Feeding (8 Episodes)

The “human gourmet love story” begins when Tomoya Ishida, a rookie editor at a women’s magazine who is still unsure of his job environment, is asked by a more experienced colleague to take charge of a regular food column written by an old man named Ayumu Mitsuya. Ishida decides to visit Mitsuya, and upon meeting Mitsuya, he sees him as a charming, witty gentleman with a cute side who can cook a delicious dish. Ishida’s interactions with Mitsuya begin to make the younger editor more comfortable in his job, and he begins to see Mitsuya not just as a work partner, but as something else entirely.

August 3 | Sugar Dog Life (? Episodes)

Sakuraba is a college student, though you’d never know it, with his short height and baby face. Certainly, police officer Amazawa thought Sakuraba was a minor, and nearly booked him for being out too late after he was returning from a drinking party. But there’s something oddly familiar about him, and the two strike up an odd relationship…

August 5 | Cosmetic Playlover (? Episodes)

Beauty consultant Natsume Mamiya is forced to work as a pair with Touma Sahashi, his junior. On top of everything, Touma — who has no respect for his work or for Natsume — has usurped his throne as the top seller! One day, Touma finds out Natsume is gay and uses this to his advantage in a power-play, coercing Natsume to become his friend with benefits! Enjoy the behind-the-scenes of the hottest cosmetics counter ever, and prepare to swoon! The extra story and bonus chapter feature even more sensual kissing… and a secret, steamy hookup scene!

September 17 | Love is a Poison – Tentative English Title (? Episodes)

Ryoma Shiba, a genius lawyer, passed the bar exam with the highest score while still in college and became the youngest co-partner at a major law firm. He is highly valued as a legal advisor for many major clients. One day, Shiba meets a mysterious genius con artist, Haruto, at a bar. Shiba, who was looking for a capable work partner, is impressed by Haruto’s talent for impersonation and decides to “keep” Haruto at his home. Shiba and his secret partner begin living together! Haruto, a sweetheart who does his best for his “owner” no matter the danger, gradually “poisons” Shiba, a novice in love, until Shiba finally falls for him…!? The two polar opposites form a secret buddy team, solving problems in thrilling ways. Eventually, they will face off against a great evil…

September 19 | CHASER GAME W 2 (? Episode)

Although Itsuki and Fuyu were once separated despite their feelings for each other, they successfully reunite with the understanding of Fuyu’s husband and their daughter. They spend happy times together, filling the gap from the period they couldn’t meet, talking a lot, and embracing each other. However, Fuyu’s first love appears before Itsuki, and Fuyu’s mother, who disapproves of their relationship, continues to monitor them, creating a tense atmosphere between the two. How will they overcome the trials that come their way after finally being together?

September 20 | Given: to the Sea – Anime (Movie)

The band “Given,” consisting of Mafuyu Sato, Ritsuka Uenoyama, Haruki Nakayama, and Akihiko Kaji, fails to win a contest for a festival appearance but receives an offer for a major debut. While the other members are optimistic about debuting, Mafuyu remains undecided. Meanwhile, Ritsuka temporarily joins the band “syh,” led by Shizusumi Yagi and Hiiragi Kashima, who have already decided on their major debut. Ritsuka works on completing a song entrusted to him by Hiiragi. Mafuyu reaches out to Ritsuka, expressing a desire to meet. Sensing something is wrong, Ritsuka rushes to him and realizes that Mafuyu is conflicted about his feelings for Ritsuka and music. Mafuyu is left confused and unsure, but a world-renowned violinist, Ugetsu Murata, reaches out to him.

Stay tuned to BLtai for more updates regarding this BL/GL drama and animations!

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