Happy Pride Month! I initially wanted to make Pride Month recommendations that were more joyful and light stories, but I ended up going that are more emotional that left thinking about it long after finishing and have me rereading. So, here are a few BL manga whose stories I found very touching. The titles also do end on a positive note, so fear not! I normally try to focus on titles available in English, but I did include one that isn’t this time.

Polaris at Dawn by Chiaki Kashima

EN Publisher: MangaPlaza (Digital only, available on multiple platforms)
EN Publisher Rating: Mature
EN Publication Status: Complete (though the volume 3 epilogue releases 7/6)

The story starts out with high school student Haga falling for the English teacher Yura after meeting him at a school festival. He tries closer to Yura, though the man refuses to deal with his antics.

I don’t want to share too much on this story, but the the depth of the work isn’t revealed right away. What seemingly is a romcom with a younger man trying to pursue someone older becomes much more, with characters changing and maturing by the end of the story.

The Flavor of Melon by Etsuko

EN Publisher: MangaPlaza (Digital only, available on multiple platforms)
EN Publisher Rating: Mature
EN Publication Status: Complete

Nakajo and Kiuchi meet at a music club, and end up living together and having a casual relationship. Nakajo is gay man whose family doesn’t accept his sexuality, and Kiuchi is a former singer and songwriter struggling with mental health.

I’ve posted the covers in a BL for Beginners post, but didn’t write anything about it. The story has a very melancholy tone to it, though the ends on a hopeful note. The two men’s relationship isn’t the usual image of romance with heartfelt confessions and sweet talk. Yet at the same time, Etsuko is able to convey how the two men love each other deeply through their words and actions. The story also deals with depression, which is also depicted thoughtfully.

Tsuki to Pieta by Miki Daichi
(English release TBA)

JPN Publisher: Kadokawa
EN Publisher: TBA
Personal Rating: Older Teen

Art student Yousuke is in the closet, to the point of stifling the creativity in his paintings. He finds himself then falling for Yurikawa, one of his teachers, when he finds out they’re neighbors. The more he falls in love, the more he realizes he must face himself too.

This BL manga went viral after Miki Daichi posted about struggling to get it published due to the heavy focus on Yousuke struggling with his sexuality over Yousuke’s relationship with Yurikawa in the story. I personally liked the story being more Yousuke coming to accept himself, and I don’t think it diminished the romance aspect at all.

Back in March, Miki Daichi announced there will be an English release! I know I will keep my eyes peeled for more information when it becomes available. In the meantime, Miki Daichi posted the first chapter in English if you want to check it out.

Mou Sukoshi dake, Soba ni Ite by Honami Shirono
(Not licensed in English)

JPN Publisher: Libre
Personal Rating: Older Teen

I was extremely stoked to hear Honami Shirono created a BL manga, as I really loved I Want to Be a Wall. The story follows Haruto and Akira, who have been together since college. Haruto a novelist and a wheelchair user, and Akira is a salaryman who loved to travel. The two continue to live happily, but Haruto is hiding a secret from Akira.

The story is extremely touching, and made me tear up toward the end! I don’t want to spoil the story at all, but I really appreciated how Honami Shirono wrote on the details of Haruto’s daily life and his lifestyle as a wheelchair user. There’s a sequel that currently serializing following the more daily life of Haruto and Akira. Mou Sukoshi dake, Soba ni Ite isn’t available in English as of now, but I hope it will be one day!