Queer Ranking of LGBTQ & BL Series: A Tier

Slapstick fun with depth - this series explore the gaps between how we see ourselves and how others see us. Romcom/BL tropes abound - often with a knowing wink, but also often earnestly. There's a deep relatability in the two leads' inner dialogues, their anxiety and overthinking, and the awkwardness and cringe of interacting with other people whom you like/whom you want to like you. It's a joy seeing them open up to each other.

I would recommend this for anyone who enjoyed 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii and/or Kabe Sa Doujin Sakka no Neko Yashiki-kun wa Shouninyokkyuu wo Kojiraseteiru.

This dating reality show isn't just about dating, but also about opening yourself up and about connection and friendship. The production & editing style seem very similar to the His Man series, but this series is more chill and relaxed - the drama is low-key, mostly focused on individual growth rather than interpersonal conflict, and it's handled in a mature way. I like the casting, and I love that they didn't shy away from real-life topics like social anxiety, depression, bullying trauma, gender nonconforming expression, top/bottom binaries, and the way people often already know each other in small queer communities - these things came up in the course of the participants just interacting and being vulnerable with each other in a way that felt natural and true-to-life.

I would recommend this for anyone looking for an emotionally mature reality show which is fluffy, low-stress, and heartwarming.

Beautifully shot, perfectly paced series with wholesome cuteness overload and skinship overload - I cannot handle the level of casual physical intimacy here, it's so good! The two characters make a good emotional balance for the story: one is soft and sensitive, while the other is chaotic and straightforward - and they both mature through the story. Also, the physicality of Im Han Tae's actor is hilariously good.

I recommend this for anyone looking for a warm, sentimental, polished story.

This drama, about Taiwanese election campaign workers and also about workplace sexual harassment, weaves the queer identity of one of the main characters (played by Hsieh Ying-xuan) into that character's relationships and choices and into the series's examination of politicking, democracy, progressivism, and power in Taiwan, and its portrayal of the idealism and cynicism of politics. The strength of the story is in its exploration of solidarity among women in sexist social structures and, in a much more cursory way, among queer people in a homophobic society.

I recommend this for anyone interested in a political drama where queerness is treated as one of many attributes of a character in an ensemble cast (though one which uniquely informs that character's choices), and for anyone who enjoyed the lead actress from Dear Ex (2018) or The Making of an Ordinary Woman (2019).

This charming little vignette has the perfect balance of cuteness and freshness - it's wholesome, simple, and feel-good, with just the slightest hint of drama towards the end. The premise of the plot is basically like Semantic Error, but it's executed really well.

I would want recommend this for anyone who wants an uncomplicated web series which executes fluffy BL cleanly, or a perfectly crafted wish-fulfillment about the gay crush they had on their high-school friend.

A beautifully shot, thoughtful, and melancholic meditation on memory, regret, and the end of a relationship for very believable reasons. There's an interesting (if subtle) way to read this storyline as a social commentary, with its exploration of withholding the truth about a romantic relationship and talking about it as a "roommate" situation, with the little lies that start to accumulate. It's like To My Star 2, but the angst and drama is quieter. The ending ties things up a bit too neatly in order to save the relationship, but it is a hopeful message about repairing a broken relationship.

I recommend this for someone who wants a melancholic and thoughtful story about a breakup/post-breakup story between two very imperfect characters.

First impressions are deceiving in this series - in more ways than one. It starts slow, and it gradually becomes more and more interesting: the first two episodes were way too goofy for my taste, but the series gradually built up the drama and seriousness as it continued. It develops themes which resonate with Cherry Magic, but the humor here is unhinged and goofy. It shows suprising depth and character development in its exploration of self-acceptance, the shields we put up, human connection, and making art. The series touches upon themes and issues related to gay identity and experiences, too.

I recommend this for anyone who's looking for a balance of totally whacky comedy mixed with meaningful themes and a protagonist going through a death spiral in his personality.

Good cinematography; and strong performances from the actors, especially in portraying the suffering of characters. The story is most powerful when it focuses on trauma and being (emotionally) trapped in the past, rather than with the rushed romance; however, the romance does give a sense of mono no aware. The plot is really meant to be experienced at an emotional level rather than a rational level, though - one might expect the main conflict of the end of the story could easily have been avoided by other means, but the show's internal logic seems to be a variant of the Stable Time Loop+The Multiverse approach to time travel (depending on how you interpret the final scene).

I recommend this as a devastatingly melancholic tearjerker about trauma, grief, care, sacrifice, courage in the face of death, and acceptance of reality, with a bittersweet ending that makes sense for the plot and the themes of the drama. This show accomplished what He's Coming to Me, Kissable Lips, and HIStory 3 MODC fell short of thematically.

In this intriguing office romance, a 39-year-old salaryman is lost in his career and having a mid-life crisis; he rediscovers desire (including romantic desire) with the companionship of one of his employees who is romantically attracted to him. I appreciated the warm and mature tone of the romance, and the passionate emotions which emerge as the plot progresses. A gorgeously shot, well-paced little story.

I would recommend this for anyone who might be interested in a shorter, less fantasy-oriented office series like 30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii.

A quiet and poetic slice-of-life with great writing and subtle acting which matches the story's perfect blend of humor, longing, love, and aware (as in mono no aware). The gorgeous cinematography and editing really elevate the feeling of the last summer of youth.

I would recommend this for someone who wants a warm and relaxed coming-of-age story with a thoughtful reflection on the transience of things.

In this fun romantic comedy, sparks fly between two people on opposite extremes of personality: a charismatic bad-boy agent of chaos and a type-A social-outsider tsundere. The magnetic and charming leads have great chemistry together, and the funny side characters have hilarious banter. While this series is basically all BL tropes, it presents them in a fresh and extremely funny way with satisfying character development, and the plotting is done in a way that makes perfect use of time - no wasted scenes or boring moments. Although the initial conflict approaches a gray area of bullying/stalking, it certainly went less far than HIStory3: Make Our Days Count (2019) which was straight-up bullying; also, Sangwoo's characterization seems to be coded as neuroatypical, and I don't know enough to judge whether it's a sensitive representation. Cinematography and clever editing are great but in a subtle rather than spectacular way, and the visual effects are fun and cute; probably the visual highlight is the the meaningful color, clothing, and lighting design. Everything about this show makes me unreasonably happy - it really earns its final-episode flashback montage.

I recommend this as a hilarious and excellently executed enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy which is gloriously full of bickering and sass.

A cozy, feel-good drama about being true to yourself which shows two aro-ace characters who decide to live together, as well as challenges they face living life. The humor is quiet but really, really funny - especially when it leans into the cringe of dealing with awkward social situations - and there's also some mellow drama. A well-balanced mix of emotions.

I recommend this as a homey slice-of-life show which takes a similar tonal approach to LGBTQ identity as Kinou Nani Tabeta? - in this case covering aro-ace experiences rather than gay experiences.

A fun mixture of cute/shameless flirting, silly antics, and angst to make sparks fly. The series starts off uneven and not really special, but it develops into a really meaningful and special story. The story and acting are great (especially from the two main leads), but other characters spend much of the first half of the series as one-note and flat, and the initial rivalry between classmates isn't developed with enough motivation to be convincing. But then the family conflict gets developed in a really interesting and compelling way. This series touches on challenges with being closeted and with family conflict after coming out, except it approaches these themes through a conflict between families where being gay isn't a problem, so that the themes are interesting without being depressing. There's also a very cute and wholesome GL sideplot. And then the relationship between the two leads becomes really sweet, wholesome, and emotionally mature. It's probably my favorite healthy-yet-not-idealized BL romance.

I would recommend this for someone who likes the enemies-to-lovers trope and who wants a decently progressive exploration of themes related to being in gay relationships.

An extremely cute, wholesome, and hilarious comedy about friendship, insecurity, and courage. The characters are silly in a very likeable way. However, there isn't nearly enough character development over the course of the series, which leaves the ending feeling impactless.

I would recommend this for someone who wants a light and fluffy romantic comedy.

Fun and interesting, and a surprisingly meaningful story - just like several of the characters, this show has hidden depths. Unlike many other BLs, this one has quite a bit of depth in portraying struggles  with homophobia. This series perfectly captures teen angst and awkwardness, and having a crush on a friend.

I would recommend this for someone who enjoys "traditional" high school k-dramas.

I Told Sunset About You (2020) was a game-changer for storytelling about LGBTQ Asian people; no sequel could have equaled it trying to tell the same story, and so it makes sense that I Promised You the Moon  takes the story in a different emotional direction which follows the more grown-up challenges of relationships beyond first love, as well as a different - yet still gorgeous - approach to cinematography. As a story about the coming-of-age of two young people, ITSAY felt poetic, warm, and even nostalgic in its writing, lighting, soundtrack, composition, and setting; while as a drama about the coming-of-age of their romantic relationship, IPYTM felt more realistic, cool, and even angsty (but being careful to stay realistic rather than indulging in the melodrama found in many BL series). ITSAY stretched out a relatively short period of time of a lot of things happening within a few months, while IPYTM brought together moments across 5 years (compare to Life: Senjou no Bokura (2020), which was even more compressed to the point of feeling rushed). ITSAY and IPYTM are different stories about the same couple at different stages of their lives, and they complement each other.

I would recommend this to someone who already watched I Told Sunset About You and wants to watch a show which does justice to realistic challenges people often face in their first relationships.

A fun and cute series with a funny and interesting gay couple whose story explores insecurity, communication, coming out to parents, and nontraditional parenting configurations (with a refreshingly progressive take on the meaning of "family"). The stories of the other couples in this series can also be thought-provoking about what it means to be in (romantic) relationships.

I would recommend this for someone who wants to watch a cute romcom series centered around #girlbosses (I am using that hashtag ironically).

With this series and  You Make Me Dance (2021), 2020's subgenre of short-form Korean BL webseries has come of age. This series is clearly and tightly written in a way that makes it intriguing, focused, and well paced; every minute is a joy to watch, which is more than I can say of many longer BL series. The characters have a funny contrast of personalities (like a cat and a dog, or an extrovert adopting an introvert), which makes it fun to watch this odd couple get to know each other. All the characters have depth and backstory which is hinted at but not explored (presumably due to time constraints), which makes them feel more like real people. Cute and heart-fluttering, with just the right amount of drama and angst, and a payoff of the sweetest kiss scene I've seen in a kdrama or a BL series. Production is of the typical high quality in Korean media.

I would recommend this for someone who wants a short and fun Korean drama with a bit of cooking and light mystery.

Another great work from the creators of Gaya Sa Pelikula (2020). Good technicals (cinematography and audio). Because it was funded by Blued, some writing choices for promoting Blued fell flat for me at the start. But after the show gets those commercial checkboxes out of the way, episode 5 gives a sensitive and nuanced exploration of some of the challenges gay men face in dating, delivered through an engaging and vulnerable conversation between the characters, followed by some well-earned physical intimacy and a happy open ending. Compare tonally with Hanging Out (2016) and Weekend (2011).

I would recommend this for someone who wants to watch a really short indie-gay-style series with a naturalistic and eloquent depiction of meeting someone.

Great shots and visuals, and extremely high amounts of cuteness. Like Quaranthings (2020), it explores relationships and coping in the context of COVID-19 - but it is a feel-good story rather than a dramatic or angsty or thought-provoking one.

I would recommend this for someone who wants to watch a light and fluffy BL series.

A really meaningful little indie series about self-acceptance, acceptance, and moving forward through our struggles. It was a bit hard to follow at the start with such a large cast of characters, but the characters emerge through their conversations with each other.

I would recommend this for someone who wants an uplifting and thoughtful ensemble of stories about becoming adults in society and making meaning in our lives.

This coming-of-age story gives a heartbreaking (but also relatable) portrayal of a gay high-schooler's struggles with isolation, insecurity, internalized homophobia, and identity formation. CW for an intense on-screen depiction of attempted suicide; the series shows the context of suicide for gay youth, as well as life after suicide and attempted suicide. There are some weird things in episode 7, but it's ultimately a story about survival.

I would recommend this for reliving/processing feelings of despair and angst from gay adolescence.

This is a slice-of-life series with mouthwatering depictions of food and cooking, as well as a fluffy and down-to-earth treatment of gay domesticity with a bit of realistic drama for the main couple, who are in their mid-forties and dealing with societal challenges for LGBTQ people. Plot is light and the quirky characters sometimes straddle the boundary of being cartoonish, but it's still an enjoyable watch for the appreciation of food (and love through food), the exploration of familial relationships, and the progressions of the characters and relationships.

I would recommend this for watching while eating a meal, and/or for someone looking for a quiet but funny slice-of-life series.

A beautifully-written and original story, great characters, good acting, and intriguing drama. A nice 90s-themed soundtrack. The only issue I have is with the whacky sound effects and use of soundtrack in the comedic scenes of the first 3 episodes (they really break immersion, though the soundtrack is great otherwise); everything else is really really good. A nice blend of comedy, romance, melodrama, and mystery.

I would recommend this for someone who wants a nice romance and tearjerker with supernatural elements.

The plot is not substantive, but it is fun, and the development of the main relationship is very cute. A really good conventional BL.

I would recommend this for someone who wants a nice high-school romance which inspires nostalgia for the gay adolescent experience so many of us missed out on.

"What even is normal?" This is the central theme of "The Family Next Door Looks Blue", which follows the inner lives of four households of diverse family structures in a the same residential complex as they struggle with various challenges. One of these households is a gay couple whose storyline is written for a general non-queer audience (dealing with topics such as homophobia and coming out to family) and has a didactic tone a few times, but they're cute. The real emotional highlight of this series is in episode 8, where characters deeply open up to each other about their struggles and we are able to see the the complexity of their humanity.

I would recommend this to someone who wants to watch a meaningful family drama exploring what it means to be a family, and what it means to be a community.

This funny and sensitive series depicts a lesbian trans woman who tries to be strong as she navigates transphobia, family conflict, objectification, casual relationships, and loneliness. Over the course of the series, she comes to see the value of being vulnerable (even when it's scary), the hidden depths of people around her, and how nice it can be when other people stand up for her so that it's not only her standing up for herself. There's also an extremely funny and wholesome platonic roommate/friendship relationship with a silly and chaotic puppy-like character played by Keita Machida (who played Kurosawa in Cherry Magic). The camerawork sometimes feels a bit tonally out-of-place and (literally) shaky, but it's usually fine.

I would recommend this for someone who wants to watch a nice story about daring to tend to deeper human needs which might currently feel impossible due to trying to be empowered despite transphobia.

This is a beautiful story. There's childhood angst, fluffy romance, a beautifully shot steamy love scene (one of the purest I have ever seen!), nice visuals, a tearjerker about family and belonging and trust, and an emotionally harrowing climax which earns a happy ending for the couple. The first half is a bit disjointed, but this indie offering accomplishes impressive production and professional quality on a shoestring budget. It has good rewatch value, so purchase it at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/longtimenosee to support the studio and check out their wonderful LGBTQ short films too!

I would recommend this for someone who wants to feel all the feelings in a mature drama: cuteness, romance, action, tenderness, trauma, and healing.

An emotionally intense gay webseries - due to the subject matter, I wouldn't consider this a BL: gritty, painful, and melancholic depiction of being a teenager in Taiwan in the early 2000s, including bullying and administrative homophobia at school. CW for suicide attempt. Compare to the South Korean film Night Flight (2014), but without the depressing ending.

With the timing of this series (released in 2017), it seems likely to me that the writing was in conversation with LGBTQ rights discourse in Taiwan at the time. In particular, the Constitutional Court took up the case of same-sex marriage on March 24, 2017, and it issued its ruling on May 24, 2017 - while this series was airing. And it's not hard to be reminded of the nationally-covered incident of 葉永鋕, who had been bullied for his gender expression and was found dead in the bathroom at school at the age of 15, in 2000.  I think the happy ending in this series, with its message of self-acceptance and perseverance, is an attempt at recuperating/reconstructing the kinds of experiences many queer kids had while growing up; perhaps you could think of it like an alternate universe version of Your Name Engraved Herein (2020).

I would recommend this for someone who wants to watch an intense  gay show which unflinchingly depicts survival despite homophobia and bullying, and the cost of surviving when thriving isn't an option.