Admittedly, my favorite Asian BLs for this year (so far) is an eclectic mix and perhaps not of a ‘mainstream’ conformity. I am an individual who does not follow any set of rules in establishing what I find to be my favorite. Therefore, I tend to not like what most others find as fashionable or currently trending. I am also not an avid follower of any particular BL artist, although I do think some actors are better than others.

I have two vague criteria I observe and one specific as foundational. One is more sensory in nature. Is the series moving me in some fashion? Is it relatable to me? Can I understand where it is going? Are the characters deep? Does it affect me in some way? Does it make me laugh, cry, make me think, ponder, reflect, or even question? In other words, I must feel something. Is it absorbing? Second, is there a sensual element to it that feels natural. Can I feel a romantic connection to it in some way? Does it have the right amount of passion, love, connection, bromance, or annexation to one another that really makes me think that there is something between two people that is real, genuine honest, sincere and/or passionate? A big part of that for me, if the script and circumstances call for it, is the act of kissing. Kissing is the minimalist intimacy solemnity that needs to be shown to make a BL feel romantic. If they are to be in a loving relationship but are unwilling, or uncommitted, or clumsy/awkward in convincing me of that solemnity, then you do not have a BL; you have insincerity. For me, there is nothing worse than a BL trying to look sincere and believable under the guise of being ‘cute’ or theatrical. Of course, not all BLs have romance, but if the connection is still strong enough that we can feel the minimalist intimacy solemnity between them, then it is fervent. That is sometimes stronger than any physical action.

A third, perhaps more technical aspect, is how the series is produced, which is generally more objective in nature. Qualities such as cinematography, artistry/settings, screenplay, editing, and of course translations are also paramount. If I cannot understand it or follow the story, I cannot possibly judge, it at least adequately.

Rather, vague criteria, except perhaps the third one, for defining what is good but I think all of us use some versions of these three to formulate how we see any BL series or movie.

With these concepts in mind, the following are some of my favorite BLs for 2024. Every year, I commit myself to a Top 10 and every year, I fail. I can never limit it to 10. This year is no exception. While there is no specific ranking to this order, these are just some of my favorites. My most favorite list is still yet to be determined but the ones listed below have had a significant impact on me and deserve special mention and distinction:

Happy Of The End

Two astonishingly sad and irreparably damaged figures find each other and by tenacity and a lot of pain rise above that and fall in love. It is not so much a romantic love as much as it is one of an intense understanding and acceptance of each other’s malaise. There is such brilliant character development in this Japanese series.

A Blue Sky

A remarkable story of unconditional love seen through the eyes of a young man whose whole world is his love. Yet, it was never meant to be. However, in a way they end up sharing more than they anticipated. A phenomenal and brilliant story full of cognitive dissonance that will rip away at every fiber of your moral being. An intense love story from Cambodia.

Be Your Star

This is an astonishing and brilliant series from Vietnam with such palpable emotional overtones and almost unbearable psychological pain affecting both protagonists. Right and wrong are blurred into a mist of gray. It is a traumatic love story but with an ending that makes everything feel like it will all be ok. All it takes is acceptance.

The Spirealm

While not a BL in the classic definition of that term, it is certainly an astonishing romantic story from China set in a realm of fantasy. It is one of the most creative and original series ever and presents a love story in a very interpretative fashion, melding fantasy and reality together. For those that love gaming and AI sprinkled with a heavy dose of intellectual romantic overtures, this is the series for you. This is an astonishingly entertaining saga and is a creative masterpiece.

Under The Oak Tree

What an astonishing duology and a musical as well. It tells a love story linearly with such painful reality. Yet the theme is redemption and a way for all of us to own up to our parts in the paths we choose for our own lives. This is a brilliant and astonishing BL from Vietnam with a handful of haunting and dramatic musical numbers to add to its ambiance.

Marahuyo Project

The beauty of a series like this, especially coming from the Philippines, is that it not only evokes a story with intensity, the saga blends and melds into the background history of the island itself and more importantly reflects on why. The story is a disquisition about trying to set the LGBTQIA+ students on an island free, with the island nudgingly and grudging going along as well. It is a unique and sublimely told story.

If you have not seen these BLs, I would highly recommend you begin your journey with some of these. They are quintessentially unique to say the least.