Underrated things: Yaoi

I just felt like I had to bring this up SOMEWHERE in my blog. Because it's important to me and I must convert people, damn it. I feel like on of the many underrated things in this world is anime. In particular, Yaoi (Or boys love). People treat anime as if it's a kids cartoon when a lot of anime is meant for adults only (The best ones anyways ;)). So I thought I would try and get a few people into the awesomeness that is Yaoi/Shounen-ai (Shounen ai is basically yaoi, with less sex and more romance, that's not to say that yaoi is just anime porn though.)


Judging by what my readers like, I would bet money that 90% of you all would love yaoi or shounen ai. If you're interested in checking it out, I've thrown together a list for you of great places to start. I'll rate it from one star (*) to three stars (***)


*= very pg. kissing at the most
**= Goes a little bit farther, nude scenes but you probably don't see anything
***= Get a box of tissues to clean up the mess you're going to make ;)


Gravitation-

This was one of my first Yaoi (though it's technically Shounen ai) and I'm SO glad it was. A gentle introduction into what yaoi is all about, with a fun plot, and amazing characters. Not to mention probably one of the worlds top 10 greatest couples of all time, you'll fall in love with them from day one.


Shuichi Shindo is a musician just starting his career, with his band Bad Luck. When he meets Eiri Yuki, the mysterious writer who gives him advice, blunt and rude as it may be, on his writing. The curious Shuichi decides to persue this stranger, at first in anger, and then in love.


* A few kissing scenes, but I don't think they ever take more than their shirt off. Definitly no sex scenes. It's one of the more PG yaoi on this list. But that shouldn't turn you away from it, I've watched it at least 3 times.


Loveless-

This was one Yaoi that I tried to watch, and couldn't get into it the first time. If you want to watch this one, you really have to sit down and watch it. Not play it in the background while you're doing something else. However, that doesn't make it terrible. A decent, maybe a little sketchy, plot. With enjoyable characters for the most part.


While Ritsuka Aoyagi starts his first day at a new school, he mourns his brothers death. Between hiding from his psychodic mother, sympathetic school, and attending his kind and understanding therapist, he meets Soubi Agatsuma. Soubi claims to have known his brother and while speaking with Ritsuka, drags him into a life of fighting and magic.


*** because although it doesn't have ANY sex scenes, or even nude scenes. It does have them kissing twice, and Soubi is in his thirties, Ritsuka is only 12. So if you have a problem with that, I would probably steer you away from this one. Also has some light bondage play.


Okane ga nai-

Translated as 'No Money' this anime ranks pretty high on my list, even if just for the last episode or two. Interesting plot, great characters, and even greater sex scenes.

Yukiya Ayase is a university student. His cousin Tetsuo Ishii betrays and sells him in an auction to settle his heavy debts. Ayase is bought by Somuku Kanou for 120 million yen.

Kanou does this because he remembers Ayase from 4 years ago, when Ayase, a stranger, helped him. Now Kanou wants to keep Ayase close to himself, and uses the debt of 120 million yen to force Ayase to live with him. As Ayase is still a student and does not have a job, he is forced to sell his body to Kanou for 500,000 yen each time they have sex

*** because there's a LOT of sex scenes, most are reluctant/rape scenes. Only in the technical sense though, if that makes you feel better. I hope that doesn't steer you away from this one, because it really is a great anime with some really great scenes in it. The main character does look VERY young, but he is over eighteen if that's worrying you. NOTE: I know the plot sounds sketchy, but it really is worth it to watch it through.


Black Butler-

Okay, let me make this clear first. THIS IS NOT YAOI. However, it's about as close as it gets without crossing that line between 'Bros' and 'Take off your pants'. 


Ciel Phantomhive (Left) is the young (Tweleve?) owner of his families estate. In charge of business deals for his toy company, not to mention keeping the house in one piece, he cant very well do it alone. Enter Sebastian, his loyal and sexybutt butler. Yeah, Sexybutt, tell your friends.  But Sebastian (Right) just happens to be a demon, only sticking around because he was promised he could eat Ciel's soul.


* Of course I have to give this one * because it's NOT yaoi. There's no sex, no kissing, no nothing (Disappointed, i know)  However, the sexual tension between these guys is so thick you could cut it with a knife. if you want a cute couple you can fantasize about at work, this is the one for you. Has some amazing stuff in it, watch it or I'll cut you.


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That's going to be the end of MY list for now. But that doesn't mean that there isn't a billion more excellent yaoi out there. Here's a great list of yaoi with a similar rating system as mine, feel free to poke around and find your own favorite yaoi who you can secretly stalk inside your head. Give it a chance people, you wont regret it.


http://yaoi-kiss.wetpaint.com/page/Yaoi+Animes