Bromance/BL subtext

TYPE: hints of romance

COMMENT: Drama with a FL who writes BLs. Even if she has a strong imagination, some of the male characters have a lot of chemistry (it's implied that they have feelings for each other).

TYPE: hints of romance/censored romance

COMMENT: FL is  a fujoshi that literally forces two stranger to experiment with their sexualities.

TYPE:  strong chemistry

COMMENT: Very short drama with some bromance elements. I need to watch this since I love investigation dramas. It ends with a compilation of cute moments between the MLs.

TYPE: censored romance/hints of romance

COMMENT: China, is not necessary to give a sad ending to every single bromance.

 I love dramas set during summer or in the countryside and this one has both.  It's a comedy based on an ancient legend (but they made it gay lol). The two MLs are lovely together and the setting reminded me of my childhood for some reason. I was expecting it to be a light, comedy drama, but it was way more deep than that. 

Click here to watch the NG scenes from this show (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) .ᐟ.ᐟ

TYPE: very strong chemistry + they get mistaken for a couple

COMMENT: Japanese version of "Sherlock" (BBC). The relationship between the MLs is pretty close to the BBC version: they have that typical love/hate relationship which is (at least in my opinion) close to romance. I would even say that "Sherlock" contain more bromance scenes that this drama tho.

TYPE: very strong chemistry

COMMENT: This is just a recap of the drama, but something important happens in the end.

TYPE: hints of romance

COMMENT:Special episode that doesn't have anything special: it's pretty similar to the other episodes. In the ending, a dialogue with a secondary character describes the deep connection between the two MLs.

TYPE: hints of romance

COMMENT: This is one of the first dramas I've watched with bromance (and I love it so much ♡⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝). It's about a professor and a writer solving mysteries. Their relationship is, at least in my opinion, pretty close to romance. Many scenes and some dialogue allude to a romantic bond between them and they get mistaken for a couple in many occasions. In particular, there's a scene in which they question what kind of relationship there's between them, but Arisu gets shy and he doesn't give a proper answer. 

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT: If you didn't had enough of them, this special is only about their relationship and the way they met. The first episode looks like a BL in every sense (the dialogues, the stares, the atmosphere...).

TYPE: very strong chemistry 

COMMENT: Since everyone is talking about the chemistry between 456 and 001, I had to add this title in the list. At first, I tought  people were joking about them having chemistry, but after watching it, I changed my mind. (now I can't unsee it).The drama itself was a bit boring compared to season 1 (it's mostly a filler for season 3 in my opinion) but good enough to keep my attention until the end.  

TYPE:  strong chemistry 

COMMENT: Funny and short drama about two highschoolers. I really liked their relationship, based on mutual understanding.

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT: Drama based on an eccentric ML (who is a good observer) solving mysteries. The relationship between the ML  and a secondary character is pretty ambiguous: some dialogues suggest that it might be a romantic feeling between them.  However, the secondary character disapper during the drama and their storyline is incomplete.

TYPE: very strong chemistry 

COMMENT: Same ML but different secondary character. They still have an ambiguous relationship. It's a special, si it isn't connected with the main storyline.

TYPE: very strong chemistry/implicitly romantic

COMMENT: 9 episodes weren't enought. This is a classic investigation drama that tooks a lot of inspiration from Conan Doyle's characters. The relationship between the two MLs is weird, twisted but very similar to the "original" one (or, at least I think so. And I consider myself an absolute expert when it comes to Sherlock Holmes's novels, so I have to be right ( ꈍ◡ꈍ). People have been arguing a lot about the type of relationship between them: can it be considered romantic? In my opinion yes, and what the professor said is a confirmation of it. But, as usual, that's just my opinion.

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT: The drama is focused on the (b)romance between the two leads. It contains many ambiguous scenes: it's absolutely obvious that they like each other but they don't confess, so I decide to put this drama in the list.

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT: Short special from the drama "KeixYaku", completely based on trying to make them kiss. It's useless to add anything else.

TYPE: hints or romance

COMMENT: Drama about a professor and a student solving mysteries involving supernatural powers. Each episode is a one-shot, but some elements create a continuum in the story. I truly liked how teh relationship between the two MLs has been written.  Their bond is deep since they had some similar experience and both were lonely before meeting each other. I loved how they  put a litteral compilation of cute moments between them in the very end of the last episode.

TYPE: hints of romance

COMMENT: Second season of the same drama. Differently from its prequel, the episodes are all connected by a subplot. The bond between the two MLs grows even stronger and the ending it' lowkey romantic.

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT: This drama was so good. The whole plot is  based on some "couples" and their changes/growth during the years.  I usually hate dramas about fights/war and similar stuff but I loved this one. It's basically a coming-of-age  with (b)romance. 

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT: Even if the bromance elements are not as predominant as in the manga, they still intense. To be honest, I liked more the type of relationship they have in this movie than the one in the manga.

TYPE: hints of romance

COMMENT: Very short drama that I watched mainly for the relationship between the two MLs. The plot is so interesting and there's even a very good plot twist at the end.

TYPE: censored romance/hits of romance

COMMENT: Chinese censored BL. It cointains multiple couple ( 2 BL, 1 GL and a straight couple).

TYPE: censored romance

COMMENT: It has only 8 episodes because the production had been stopped due to censorship. It's a good srama, but there isn't a lot to say about it: the story was just started when the stopped the production.

TYPE: censored romance

COMMENT: Watch it if you like adventures, mysteries and toothed tentacles.

 TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT: I don't have words to describe how much Ioved this movie. It's just a slice of life about two roomates; between them there's a strong bond which isn't explicitly romantic but you can tell that they like each other. Their relationship is beautiful: they truly understand and care about each. This movie has a sequel which is a BL.

TYPE: censored romance

COMMENT: This drama is like a censored version of the original (BL) manga. There are some bromance scenes, but it felt a bit disappointing.

TYPE:  strong chemistry /implicitly romantic

COMMENT: Short drama about some highschoolers in the strictest school in the world. The drama itself reminds a lot of "All-Boys High" since it's based on the chemistry between two deskmates. However, the last episode suggests romantic feeling between them. 

TYPE: censored romance

COMMENT: This drama is so underated! I found it casually but I'm so glad I've watched it. The episodes are extremely short (around 2 minutes per episode) so can binge watch the whole drama in like an hour or somenthing. It's a typical period chinese drama with a lot of cute bromance elements.  The plot is based on the resurrection (?) of a soldier and his revenge on the man who betrayed him. However, in order to get closer to that man, he has to met again his best friend (who doesn't know  who he actually is).

TYPE: censored romance

COMMENT: This movie is crazy. A man has a "special" bathtub that everyday brings him something. One day it brings him a policeman who's investigating on a kidnapping case. The whole story is narrated by the man's sister, who is a huge fan of BLs. The movie isn't an actual BL but it's pretty much implied that they like each other. 

TYPE: very strong chemistry

COMMENT: This drama literally  feels like a BL. Some people consider their relationship as a friendship but , to me, it feels so much intense. And some dialogue suggest it as well.

TYPE: censored romance

COMMENT: The plot is completely different from the novel but I think they improved the plot and the relationship between the MLs a lot. (I read the original novel thinking it wouldn't be that spicy. IT WAS. And their relationship was extremely toxic. I don't even know how can someone write a love story that starts with a sexual assault). 

Note: I've recently rewatched some scenes from this drama. Wow, it was wild. I didn't remember how much violent it was. However, in the drama they learn from their mistakes and became better people.

TYPE: strong chemistry

COMMENT: Even if this is considered a bromance, it's "light" compared to some others I've watched. They are a good duo but there aren't lots of romantic scenes.

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT: I don't know that much about the Kamen Rider universe, but this movie can be watched by itself. The relationship between the MLs is very close to romance.

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT:  This drama is quite complicated, since there are many characters and different stories. The timeline is a bit confusing too. I would love if it was longer. 

TYPE: strong chemistry

COMMENT: Very dark bromance. Their relationship feels more like a brotherly thing than a romantic one most of the time.

TYPE: censored romance

COMMENT: Chinese bromance (pretty close to romance). The plot is based on a  stepbrothers trope (but they aren't blood related and they never act like brothers).

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT: Very unserious movie that parodies japanese school system. The relationship between multiples characters is pretty close to romance. Most of the comedy parts of the movie are about characters being clearly in love with their best friends.

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT:  Basically a BL without kisses. I included this drama in the list because it's target as a "friendship story" but  it's not. The ending is sad and kinda disappointing.

TYPE: censored romance

COMMENT: Movie with a lot of bromance elements. It's chinese so they don't ends up together.

TYPE: hints of romance/based on ambiguity

COMMENT:  Drama based on two boys mistaken for a couple. In the end they question their actual feelings.

TYPE:  hints of romance/based on ambiguity

COMMENT: This drama look like a badly camouflaged BL, with tons of ambiguos scenes, indirect kisses and and cute moments.

TYPE:  hints of romance/based on ambiguity

COMMENT: This drama reminds a lot of "Hannibal". One ML is obsessed and jealous of the other ML. The chemistry between them is the core of the story.

TYPE: hints of romance/based on ambiguity

COMMENT: Relaxing and visually pleasing drama about a group of boys. Some scene are pretty close to romance.

 TYPE:  hints of romance

COMMENT: Movie about the strong bond between a yakuza man and a young boy. In this case the story is covertly romantic, but only from the boy's side. The manga has some BL contents, the sequel (Famiresu Iko) is closer to romance.

TYPE:  implicitly romantic

COMMENT: Movie based on the strong, (implicit romantic) bond between two young boys. This movie was devastating to me. Open ending.

TYPE:  implicitly romantic

COMMENT: Kinda sad drama based on the relationship between a depressed man and a young angel. Again, this is very close to BL.

TYPE: very strong chemistry

COMMENT: Two characters have a very strong bond and they becomes closer and closer to each other during the movie. You can consider them as soulmates.

TYPE: hints of romance

COMMENT: An heartwarming story about a man saving another one from depression.  Beside the main theme, it's not that dark.

TYPE: ??? 

COMMENT: Are they lovers? Worse

TYPE:  hints of romance/based on ambiguity

COMMENT: Very short drama about two colleagues getting closer to each other. The end is kinda rushed.

TYPE:  hints of romance

COMMENT: Sad movie about the close relationship between two boys in an orphanage.  Open/confusing ending.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  The FL does whatever she can to get the ML's attentions, even if it's clear that he prefers the other ML.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT: It's a pretty funny drama with cute scenes. The bad CGI and the obvious green screens were the best part to me.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  Sequel of "Is Xian Zun Whitewashed today?". 

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  Imagine having none of the five sense until you met the boy you dissed online. This show is so weird, and so random that I really liked it. Some scenes are involuntarily funny due to bad sound effects.  It's very, very close to romance.

Little update: so apparently I watched like a "censored" version or something because they released some cut scenes from the drama and there's a kiss scene. I swear I didn't know about that at all Σ(°ロ°)! I mean, it was pretty clear that they cut the scene harshly but I didn't know you could watch the cut scenes as well.

TYPE:  good chemistry/based on ambiguity

COMMENT:  Very very short movie. A guy met every day "coincidentally" another guy at the bus stop.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  Chinese sitcom about an influencer who wants become famous and his roomate. Unfortunately, most of the jokes are impossible to translate and even the ending is a bit difficult to understand (is based on a play on words since the name of the ML  is "One")

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  Another extremely short movie about two boys forced to live together. Funny, cute and, again, very close to BL.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  Short drama about some mosters facing difficulties of their lives. It starts like a very simple and funny drama but the plot thickens after some episodes. Unfortunately, it's impossible to find the whole drama (only some episodes are available). The relationship between the vampire and the zombie is pretty close to romance (the zombie is described as his (boy)friend).

TYPE: censored romance

COMMENT: The subtititles they had provided aren't good: especially if english is not your first language, like in my case, understanding what's happening is pretty much impossible. Anyway, on Viki, they provided a good translation.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  "Censored" romance (it's pretty obvious that they like each other). The quality of the audio was terrible in some parts, which is a shame because this drama is so cute. It very  fluffy and hearthwarming taht I didn't wanted it to end. I could watch like 4 seasons of it.

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT:  Bittersweet movie about a depressed man and the guy he met during a "vacancy". The plot face some sensitive topics and keep you anxious until the very end. 

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  Chinese bromance. A man bet on his own life but, since he cheated, he became a property of a mafia man. 

TYPE: strong chemistry

COMMENT:  For some reason, I always had problems to understand completely the plot in period dramas. In this case, I'm so confused about the ending. The bromance is cute, tho.

TYPE: based on ambiguity

COMMENT:  Very short drama about a fudanshi bartender who sees BL couples everywhere. 

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT:  I'm not a huge fan of very dark dramas. I love crime/investigation dramas, but only when they are not too creepy. This one is very dark, but I loved it so much. I suffered while watching it, but it was totally worth it. I would say that it's a very unique drama, with a lot of different contents. And one of them is, of course, the BL subtext. Well, I don't even know if it does count as subtext because it's pretty much obvious how much they like each other (and most of the plot is based on the fact that everyone is in love with the ML). Also, the ending is somehow comforting and makes you forget about everything bad that just happened.

TYPE: based on ambiguity

COMMENT: I totally forgot to add it to this list. This drama has a very simple plot: two women are convinced that two of their coworkers are in a secret relationship. The whole drama is full of ambiguous scenes that can be interpreted in different ways, but quite everyone agree that they were in love.

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT:  Even if this movie is technically considered a BL, there aren't any romantic scenes or things like that. The plot focus on two boy, who have different personalities, getting closer. 

TYPE: implicitly romantic

COMMENT:  Comedy about an AP forcing two actors to get closer (so they can act in a BL) while two gay ghost guardians try to help him. It a very "light" BL (without kisses or many romantic scenes) so you can enjoy it even if you don't like the genre. It's mostly a bromance.

TYPE: very strong chemistry

COMMENT:  I don't have words to describe how much I loved this drama. Everything is perfect - the music, the cinematography, the plot. And I loved, of course, the bromance between the older brother Motoi and Yui, his childhood friend. They have a special, very deep connection, at the point that Yui is the only one who really understand Motoi and his feeling. And he's always so happy to come to their house (I get why so many people mistook this drama for an actual BL).

TYPE: very strong chemistry

COMMENT: I need a third season now. I feel empty after the last episode (╥﹏╥). I loved this season, at least as much as the first one. The plot is based on the character's development as they face new difficulties, but the atmosphere is calming and heartwarming. The bromance elements became predominant: most of the events revolve around relationships between male characters. I specifically put this drama in the list because of the relationship between Motoi and Yui. They have a special connection and the typical "old married couple behaviour": to me, all their scenes felt so adorably romantic.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  The plot is somewhat complicated: a guy (who claims to be an adult but it looks like he still in highschool) is forced to live with a guy who has autism. He has his same age but he's already a teacher because he's a genius. Since his father has left him alone at home, The first guy is also forced to help the autistic one to get more comfortable in social situations, since he's very bad at socializing. The drama is short, but really funny and the two MLs are so cute together.

TYPE:  very strong chemistry

COMMENT:  Old fashioned drama about two detectives with opposite personalities forced to work together. The cases are light (none of them it's too dark) and the comedy elements made it more enjoyable. One of the reasons why I watched it was the chemistry between the MLs: to me, they carried the show.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  This drama tested my patience. It's  about a girl and a boy who swap bodies. The girl is in love with the boy's bestfriends (who is in love with him). So the two "boys" get closer (and somehow the bestfriend doesn't notice that he has changend a lot and became very feminine) while the "girl" falls in love with the boy she swapped body with (I was so difficult to follow the plot in a certain point). However, the ending is open, there isn't a season two and it's impossible for all of them to be happy (,,>﹏<,,) 

TYPE: hints of romance

COMMENT:  It's incredible how I became a fan of Tokusatsu so fast. I blind watched this drama, since I didn't know anything about the plot but I truly enjoyed it. About the bromance, I loved them together. And I bget why people call this the "Ultraman BL arc" lol. They have opposite personalities and that's what make them work so good together. The ending made me very sad.

TYPE: hints of romance

COMMENT:  Short drama with a simple plot. A spoiled child has to work as a secretary to pay his father's debts. He's forced to get close to a CEO, and the other employees start rumors about them being in a relationship. The drama is, of course, not explicitly romantic but very close as many chinese bromances.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  This drama contain 3 stories (TW: spoilers): 

• The first one is cute and short; it's a comedy and has a good ending even if there are some sad moments/events. 
• The second one has a lot of bromance; it starts like a comedy but ends up in a tragedy. I ,oved the chemistry between the two MLs, but I didn't really enjoyed the cruel ending (and I usually love sad endings).
• The last one has way less bromance and the plot is a bit vague (nothing really happens lol). It still cute but I wanted something more to happen.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT: This drama has a quite complex plot and the ending isn't a real ending (it's implied that there's a lot more to discover). Unfortunately, I find this type of dramas based on adventures a bit boring and this one is pretty long for my standards. However, the dynamics between the characters ( expecially between two MLs) carried the show.

TYPE: hints of romance

COMMENT:  Why is every single drama (or anime) based on sport so close to BL? This drama is a perfect example of this thing. The MLs are enemies in the start but they became "best friends" after like 3 minutes in the first episode (the fastest enemies to lovers in the history) because they are both interested in MMA. The plot is all based on the MMA matches and on the backstory of the characters.  I truly liked the practice scenes; I've always been interested in WWE so I found interesting learning about MMA techniques as well (and I liked watching the MLs  hugging eo violently during the fight or getting jealous when one of them had to practice with someone else).

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  Wow, I wasn't expecting to cry so much for this drama. I mean, I tought that it would be a bit sad, but not so much. However, I loved the ending, because this drama endend how I wanted lol. It still a bittersweet ending but I really liked it. 

Note: This drama is a censored BL. I have no idea why they removed the BL content (maybe it's  due to the huge age gap, which could make this decision quite understandable) but I don't think this ruined the drama. I wouldn't mind the BL content of course, but the drama works very well as it is. You can clearly tell how much they care about (and much they love) each other even if it isn't explicit.

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  I usually complain about the lenght of chinese dramas, but I really wanted this one to be longer. The plot is dense of events, but each of them is like 2 minutes long. It's pretty much obvious that it was originally a romance: the keychain scene is super suspicious. 

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  Short and funny chinese censored BL. It's pretty much obvious that it is a censored BL: the relationship between the two MLs is the main focus of the drama. I have to admit that the plot isn't that original, but it's worthed watching. Plus, it very funny (even if there are some touching moments).

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  Classic chinese period drama with a lot of bromance elements + people literally flying while fighting each others with magic. 

TYPE: good chemistry

COMMENT:  Since people were joking around saying that this short drama is their favourite BL, I had to watch it. It's divided into 3 stories: in the first one two brothers discussing on their father's gifts; the second is about a weird love triangle and the last one is about an unusual police interview. 

TYPE:  censored romance

COMMENT:  First thing first: I searched for a very long time the uncut version of this drama, discovering only after that the only platform with a "censored" version is Viki. So, if you watch it on any other platform, that should be the uncut version. To be honest, I don't get why they censored this drama since their relationship is a bromance. I mean, everyone can tell that they have feelings for each other, but was censoring hugs really necessary?

However, this time I didn't  read the novel (since it is very mature and I'm still traumatized after reading "Beloved Enemy" ) so I really enjoyed this "innocent" version, at the point that I binge watched the whole drama in 10 hours.