Top 25 Best Boy's Love Genres Every Fan Should Know

Historical, also known as ancient, is a Boy's Love genre that utilizes ancient settings. Like modern urban genres, historical stories often blend with other types, including palace life, psychological torture, body abuse, tragic love, father-son, brotherhood, beastmen, 1x1, NP, reincarnation, time travel, life and death... If modern urban genres are the second most popular and among the earliest in the Boy's Love world, no genre surpasses historical as the third most prominent.

Examples: Feng Wu Nhai, Phoenix Wu Nine Heavens, Forbidden Palace, The World Falls, Yang's Witch, Blossoms Bloom in the Snow, Prisoner, Mad Emperor...

Also known as time-crossing or dimension-crossing, this genre involves characters traveling through time or space to another era or alternate world, which could be historical or fictional. The character may travel with their soul, body, or both, resembling a soul rebirth. If they travel back to their original time, it’s called reverse time travel. It can be mixed with genres like fanfiction, historical, otherworldly, 1x1, NP, palace life, psychological torture, reincarnation, father-son, brotherhood, boy love, youth, quick time travel... Although this genre emerged only recently, it has quickly gained immense popularity among fans, making it one of the top choices in Boy's Love fiction.

Examples: Who is the One I Love, Hundred Herbs Picking, Holding Niche’s Unparalleled Charm, Time Travel to My Little Husband, Forbidden Love and Adoration, The Lord of the Electric Throne, Phoenix Wu Nine Heavens, Ancient Tomb’s Fateful Encounter, Otherworldly 'Peach Blossom'...”

Rebirth is a genre where the protagonist dies and returns to the past, taking over their own body. For example, a character may die at 35, only to come back at the age of 18 and change their fate. This genre often combines with modern urban, historical, 1x1, NP, father-son, brotherhood, fantasy, cultivation, underworld, school life, entertainment, and life-and-death themes...

Examples: Rebirth of Guo Cheng, Love Me, Please Speak, Rebirth: Addiction to My Spoiled Lover, Rebirth of Xia Zhe, The Apocalypse Rebirth, Rebirth with Twins in the End Times, Living Again Just to Love You...

This is the genre that brings the most tears to fans. Characters in these stories are often tormented both mentally and physically, commonly referred to as heartache and body abuse. This genre is often combined with school life, modern urban, historical, 1x1, NP, life and death, father-son, brotherhood, underworld, time travel, rebirth, horror... Heart-wrenching love is a genre that makes fans both love and despise it.

Examples: Mu Chen, Regretful Love, Deep Palace Secrets, Against Love, The Jade Broken in the Palace, Even Becoming a Ghost Won't Let You Go, The Sword That Shakes the World...

In stark contrast to the sorrowful atmosphere of heart-wrenching love, the beloved genre brings a sweet and tender depiction of love between men. This genre is often paired with modern urban, historical, 1x1, NP, school life, underworld, entertainment, life and death, pure love, rural romance, fanfiction, time travel, rebirth, fast-paced time travel... All these elements combine to create a sweet, irresistible flavor that captivates both male and female readers.

Examples: Childhood Sweethearts, Heart-Touching, The Only Beloved Demon, Rebirth of Guo Cheng, Jianghu’s Strange Market, Enchanted Love of the Little Fish, The Little Merman...

This genre is set in the imperial palace, often revolving around characters like emperors, empresses, princes, eunuchs, and officials. It is commonly paired with historical settings, rebirth, time travel, fast-paced time travel, 1x1, NP, father-son relationships, brotherhood, age differences, and more. It is a prominent genre that no fan should miss.

Examples: Hundred Herb Picking, Prisoner, Jiangshan’s Unrequited Love for the Eunuch, Phoenix Wu Nine Heavens, Lady Sui, Grand Imperial Concubine...

This genre, also known as fanfiction, involves creating a new story based on the existing plot of a famous work (such as Harry Potter, The Return of the Condor Heroes, Hua Qiangu, My Fair Princess, etc.). It is often paired with themes like historical fiction, cultivation, fantasy, time travel, reincarnation, painful love, affection, brotherhood, father-son bonds, life and death, pure romance, and fast-paced time travel.

Examples: The Empress of the South, The Devil Rules the World, The Bright River's Cao Si, The Evil Master, Saving the Chosen One, The Dark Demon King’s Plan, The Return of the Condor Heroes: The Story of Uncertainty...

This genre centers around themes of souls, spirits, and the endless terror of the unknown. It often explores the supernatural, with elements of mystery, fear, and suspense. It is commonly paired with modern settings, historical fiction, life and death, pure love, tragic relationships, affection, father-son dynamics, brotherhood, school life, palace intrigue, time travel, and more.

Examples: Pure Love’s Sweet Echo, The Haunted Hospital of Donghua, The Seven People Circle, The Spirit's Body, Medical Time Travel Becoming a Ghost Master, Ghost Stories, Ghost Breeding, Grave Robbing Unleashes Spirits, Unending Ghost Tales...

This genre immerses readers in a world filled with divine beings, demons, and supernatural creatures. It is often combined with a variety of other genres like modern urban settings, historical fiction, 1x1 pairings, NP, father-son relationships, brotherhood, age-gap dynamics, pure love, sweet affection, mind and body anguish, time travel, reincarnation, and quick transmigration.

Examples: Little Assistant, The Lord's Price, Rebirth of the Butterfly, Bad Luck Leads to a Breakup, The Emperor's Favorite Eunuch, Golden Trap, Du Nian's Cold Ambition, Snow Falling into White...

This genre revolves around the dark and dangerous world of organized crime, often featuring characters involved in illegal activities or the underworld. It is typically combined with urban modern settings, 1x1 pairings, NP, mind and body torment, sweet affection, father-son dynamics, brotherhood, age-gap relationships, bisexuality, and life-and-death struggles.

Examples: Rebirth and Overpowering the Mafia Boss, Crimson Love of the Assassin, The Boss, The Superstar and the Assassin, Blood-Stained Passion, Empire of Shadows, This Is Love...

While the underworld genre focuses on intense rivalries, gunfights, and crime-driven plots, the schoolyard genre captures the innocent, dreamy love stories of students within the walls of a school. This genre is often paired with various other themes such as modern urban settings, 1x1 pairings, NP, angst, sweetness, brotherhood, bisexuality, life-and-death, pure love, quick transmigration, rebirth, and even horror.

Examples: 30-Day Gay Agreement, Summer Breeze, Clear Water Drops, Silent Agreement, The Cafe Near the University, My Name is Harmonious, I Want to Be Your Husband in 59 Seconds...

This genre revolves around the entertainment industry, with protagonists such as singers, actors, and celebrities. It often blends with modern urban settings, 1x1 relationships, NP, angst, sweetness, time travel, rebirth, fanfiction, underworld, and pure love themes.

Examples: Superstar, Undressing for Entertainment, Entertainment Circle's Technical Performance Emperor, The Dog Who Tops the Entertainment Industry, Little Celebrity, Rebirth: The Art of Seduction, Superstar's Handbook...

Set in the world of online gaming, virtual reality stories often feature modern urban settings, 1x1 relationships, NP, brotherhood, father-son dynamics, school life, pure love, and rebirth themes.

Examples: Love You in 59 Seconds, Dark Night Online, The Story of Little Yin and Little Lan, The Girl Who's Not A Girl, Soul Stamp Online, Virtual Reality: The One Who's Spoiled, Virtual Reality: Don't Run if You Dare...

This genre focuses on the lives of soldiers, often combined with modern urban settings, mafia, 1x1, NP, pure love, father-son relationships, brotherhood, time travel, reincarnation, and rapid transmigration.

Examples: Rebirth in the Future: Military Officer, Punishment Series: Military Uniform, The Soldier's Fate, Loving the Overbearing Police Officer, The Legend of the Tiger and Wolf, Little White Sheep...

This genre features male characters who can give birth, often combined with bisexuality, lactation, modern urban settings, historical fantasy, 1x1, NP, school life, mafia, beastmen, time travel, reincarnation, and fanfiction.

Examples: Fall Collection, Phoenix Concubine, Oh! I'm Pregnant, The Great Husband, Harry Potter: Redemption, Heavenly Love and Forbidden Waters, The End of Love, Self-experimenting with Spirit and Nightfall...

As the name suggests, youthful romance is a genre where the characters are either minors or fall in love with minors. This genre often blends with modern urban settings, historical fantasy, 1x1, NP, father-son, brotherly, time travel, reincarnation, innocent love, fanfiction, tragic love, pampered affection, and beastmen.

Examples: Baba's New Bride, Fierce Passion, The Omnipotent Baby, Loving Your Tenderness, Can't Spoil You Enough, The Little One of the Tiger God...

This genre includes stories about father-son, uncle-nephew, and brotherly relationships, where the main characters are related by blood. It often incorporates modern urban settings, historical fantasy, 1x1, NP, time travel, reincarnation, fanfiction, tragic love, pampered affection, supernatural, horror, school life, and underworld themes.

Examples: Baba's New Bride, The Broken Jade Crown, Captive Love, Becoming Friends and Then Falling in Love, Soul Reader's Reincarnation, Brother's Love, Peaceful Melody...

This genre features relationships where the human loves a beast, but the beast has evolved into a form that can transform into a human. Beast-human stories often intertwine with urban modern settings, 1x1, NP, time travel, reincarnation, cultivation, fantasy, pampered love, brotherhood, and pastoral themes.

Examples: My Beloved Little Tiger, Leveling Up with My Tiger, Dark Abyss of Despair, Cat Transformation Chronicles, Wild Beast Smells of Wallflower, Beastmen Tribe in a Different World, Lost in the Forest...

This genre is free from any adult content and typically focuses on wholesome themes. It often pairs with urban settings, historical romance, 1x1, NP, farming, time travel, reincarnation, pampering, quick transmigration, beast-human, and school life themes.

Examples: Heaven's Embrace, The Silent Pond, Exclusive Love, Love of the Phoenix, A Bite is Enough, Summer, Childhood Romance, The Young Light Series: Little World...

This genre involves explicit adult content between the main characters, with high levels of intimacy (about 80-90%), often mixed with urban settings, historical romance, 1x1, NP, angst, sweetness, time travel, life and death, self-insert, reincarnation, quick transmigration, and beast-human themes.

Examples: Strip Entertainment, The Bride of Baba, Cat and Meringue H Affair, The Octopus, Love's Passion, Wooden Horse, Spy O and Master A...

This is a genre of BL fiction with a light-hearted and heartwarming tone. It often includes modern settings, historical contexts, 1x1, NP, sweetness, school life, time travel, reincarnation, beast-human, brotherhood, father-son relationships, and quick transmigration.

Examples: The Prince's Seal, The Start of Happiness, Summer Rain, White Happy Wolf, Welcome to the House of the Young Master, Under the Sun...

This genre, also known as "quiet literature" or "field stories", centers around the simple, peaceful daily lives of the characters without dramatic plots or major conflicts. The tone is calm and serene, often paired with modern urban, historical settings, 1x1, sweetness, pure love, time travel, reincarnation, brotherhood, father-son bonds, and school life themes.

Examples: The Relaxing Life of Zhi Tzu, The Transformation of Nie Bian, The Path of Qi, The Flowering Capital, The Minister's Wife...

This is the most common genre in boys' love, featuring an ideal pairing of one dominant and one submissive character. It blends seamlessly with various genres from modern urban to historical settings, time travel, and even includes father-son, brotherly bonds, heart-wrenching, youth, school life, gang-related, and human-animal dynamics, excluding NP (multiple partners). This genre emerged alongside modern urban settings and remains highly popular, dominating the top charts among BL genres beloved by fans.

Examples: The reader and protagonist share an unbreakable bond, Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, The Legend of the Hero's Future Wife, Time Travel System, The Straight Guy's Goddess System, and After the Noon...

NP encompasses genres where one submissive character is paired with multiple dominants, or one dominant is paired with several submissives. The love in this genre is divided among multiple characters, in stark contrast to the 1x1 dynamic, but it remains a favorite among many fans. This genre is often associated with modern urban, historical settings, time travel, anti-time travel, quick transmigration, alternate universe, heartbreak, father-son, brotherly, school life, gang dynamics, H-rated, and gentle themes...

Examples: The Herbal Garden's Harvest, Father (Phụ), Deep Dark Seduction, The Palace's Tragedy, I Can't Love You Enough, The Evil Twin, Precious, Tempting the Youth, The Handsome Man's Love, and The Lost Empress...

Modern Urban is a subgenre of Boys' Love that revolves around contemporary settings. It often blends with various other genres such as web games, 1x1, NP, emotional and physical abuse, heartbreaking love, age-gap relationships, familial ties, brotherly dynamics, stepbrothers, father-son themes, horror, mystery, and detective fiction. This genre is one of the most popular and has been among the earliest Boys' Love genres, attracting a large number of readers, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. It consistently ranks high in daily views and remains one of the top favorites among fans.

Examples: When the Troublemaker Meets the Tomato, The CEO's Plan to Love His Husband, It's Hard to Be a Good Man, Welcome to the House of the Male Master, Unreachable Territory, As Expected, I Still Love You,...