The Best Queer Romance Graphic Novels and Manga for Adults

When Kiyoshi Adachi turns 30 without having sex, he develops the ability to hear the thoughts of anyone he touches. With his new power, he overhears that someone has a huge crush on him: his handsome co-worker, Yuichi Kurosawa. Under the weight of Kurosawa’s unmitigated love and respect, Adachi comes to develop feelings, too. Now these two office workers have to figure out how to make romance work for them.

In Edwardian England, Patience is glad to find a formal service position as a parlor maid, but she never expected to find love in the gorgeous manor. Her roommate, Esther, is a kindhearted lady’s maid with a progressive streak. As they spend time together, Patience and Esther begin to explore the suffragette movement and fall in love, opening up what they imagine their professional and romantic futures look like together.

Seiichirou Kondou was minding his business as an overworked accountant when he tried to help a teen girl in trouble and was pulled into a magical portal alongside her. She is the Holy Maiden summoned to save a magical kingdom, and, with nothing else to do, Seiichirou asks to work as the kingdom’s accountant. Little does he know that he has no resistance to magic, so when he begins to get sick, the handsome knight captain, Aresh Indolark, insists on taking care of him. Sure, his treatment requires magic healing kisses, but Aresh is so considerate, Seiichirou doesn’t complain.

Yuki Nomoto loves posting everything she cooks on social media. The only thing that would make her happier is having someone to share it with. When Nomoto cooks too much food after a grueling day at work, she decides to reach out to a neighbor who might want to share the meal. Totoko Kasuga is happy to join, and soon, the two develop a friendship and a romance as they share their love of food.

After four years of missed dinners and forgotten chores, Naruse decides to break up with his boyfriend, Toui. When Toui writes, everything else fades away, but he never expected his carelessness would drive Naruse away. He’s convinced that if he reaches out enough, things might not really be over for good, but until Naruse can forgive and understand Toui, their relationship is doomed to fail. Cocomi delivers a second-chance BL manga that explores the way cohabitation complicates adult romance.  

Five years ago, best friends Kurumi and Ruriko agreed to marry each other if they were still single. Deciding to keep their promise, they marry and share all their romantic firsts together. Kurumi even writes a lifestyle column documenting their journey. As they settle into their life, Kurumi and Ruriko’s romantic relationship grows into something beautiful. Author of the equally lovely manga, Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon, Shio Usui brings readers another slice-of-life GL romance to fall in love with.

Graduating with an English degree and no experience made it impossible for Ben Cook to find a job related to literature. So, when he comes across a restaurant job that requires no experience, he is excited to start as soon as possible. Ben knows this gig will let him look for a writing job in the meantime, but as he spends more time in the kitchen, he begins to fall for Liam, a talented, kind chef who always makes time for him. An unexpected career choice might just land Ben an unexpected romance, too.