What are bishounen anime?

Bishounen (also known as bishie) is a combination of the terms bi (beauty) and shounen (boy), literally translating to beautiful boy. These "beautiful boys" are famous for their feminine aspects and grace, and have found their place in Japanese pop culture as boy bands, glamorous rock stars, and model-like actors. Who could blame the female population for wooing over these heavenly beings?

Now imagine a collaboration between anime and these One Direction wannabees. You have all the aspects of your favorite anime, with the addition of a handful of ridiculously handsome boys. And where there are boys, there is romance. Bishounen anime are some of the sweetest love stories in this medium, filled with eye candy that come in all shapes and sizes, able to satisfy just about any girl's taste buds.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Souji Okita from Hakuouki

All statistics are taken on the date of publication.

Come meet your dream boys in these popular bishounen anime!

Vampire Knight

MAL Rated 7.49, Ranked #1563 | Aired Spring 2008 | Produced by Studio Deen

What if the hot guy you've been crushing on in your school turns out to be a vampire? Would you learn more about him or would you scram? If you dig mysterious guys, Vampire knight is the right anime for you.

Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion)

MAL Rated 8.86, Ranked #18 | Aired Fall 2006 | Produced by Sunrise

Set in the future, Code Geass offers you mind-blowing fights from young and attractive soldiers. Look into Lelouch's eyes and succumb to his power.

Hetalia Axis Powers

MAL Rated 7.83, Ranked #767 | Aired Winter 2009 | Produced by Studio Deen

Though every episode is short, this anime is really entertaining! The story is all about exaggerated country stereotypes put into motion by the charming main characters. Reward yourself with these adorable guys while learning something about their nations.

07-Ghost

MAL Rated 7.45, Ranked #1671 | Aired Spring 2009 | Produced by Studio Deen

07-Ghost is packed with beautiful men. Is it wrong to fantasize yaoi in a dark-themed anime? We don't think so!

Free!

MAL Rated 7.71, Ranked #910 | Aired Summer 2013 | Produced by Kyoto Animation

You've probably seen memes or pictures of this anime several times now, but the hype is true. This is the perfect bishounen anime for you. The story revolves around a group of swimmers/friends and everything in between. Filled with wet muscular bodies and beautiful faces, what more can you ask for?

Fruits Basket!

MAL Rated 7.83, Ranked #765 | Aired Summer 2001 | Produced by Studio Deen

Are you a hugger? Hope not, because these set of bishounen hates hugs so much they turn into animals from the Chinese Zodiac! (Just kidding-it's a curse.) If you haven't watch this anime classic, Fruits Basket is really worth the time!

Inu X Boku SS

MAL Rated 7.74, Ranked #938 | Aired Winter 2012 | Produced by David Production

Pet dogs are so mainstream. But how about getting a dog, butler, friend and lover in a single person? Would you reconsider having one? This anime features good-looking agents working for their rich and powerful yokai masters.

Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler)

MAL Rated 8.12, Ranked #387 | Aired Fall 2008 | Produced by A-1 Pictures

If you like aristocrats and butlers in suave tuxedos, you should watch this anime! It has an amazing story line and a great musical score too. This anime will hook you to watching every episode of all seasons!

Tsubasa Chronicle

MAL Rated 7.70, Ranked #1015 | Aired Spring 2005 | Produced by Bee Train

Are you a fan of Card Captor Sakura? This anime uses their characters in a more mature story. Remember your first anime crush, Syaoran? He is all grown up now, and he also brought a few of his handsome friends.

Kuroko no Basuke

MAL Rated 8.55, Ranked #80 | Aired Spring 2012 | Produced by Production I.G

Overpowered basketball skills. Young muscular athletes. Gorgeous faces. Need I say more?

Fate Stay Night : Unlimited Blade Works

MAL Rated 8.51, Ranked #96 | Aired Fall 2014 | Produced by ufotable

With improved art compared to the original Fate Stay Night, this anime is also a must watch! The theme is dark and the plot is really thick. There are a lot of background stories, awesome fight scenes, and various attractive bishounen to choose from! Gilgamesh really stands out－he makes you want to be his servant!

Bleach

MAL Rated 7.97, Ranked #554 | Aired Fall 2004 | Produced by Studio Pierrot

Do you really want a lot of bishounen? Well, Bleach will provide. You can choose from arrancars, shinigami or humans, because almost every character in Bleach is just gorgeous! The girls too. This anime is so popular that when you google search the word "bleach", you won't see a single detergent!

Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000%

MAL Rated 7.45, Ranked #1702 | Aired Summer 2011 | Produced by A-1 Pictures

Uta no Prince-sama: Maji Love 1000% features an academy that trains students to become future idols. The heroine was accepted in it and gained many Prince Charmings as fans. Who wouldn't want that?

The Wallflower

MAL Rated 7.92, Ranked #643 | Aired Fall 2006 | Produced by Nippon Animation

The Wallflower is a hilarious anime. The heroine is gloomy and creepy in several ways but she's just so adorable! She gets a nosebleed every time she sees beautiful things. All was well until three attractive boys suddenly started living with her. If you want to know what happened next, watch the anime!

Ouran Koukou Host Club (Ouran High School Host Club)

MAL Rated 8.44, Ranked #129 | Aired Spring 2006 | Produced by Bones

What's a bishounen anime list without Ouran Koukou Host Club? It's about a common girl who went for an elite academy with the help of a scholarship. Incidentally, she ends up joining an eccentric all-male host club by breaking a vase.

Katekyo Hitman Reborn!

MAL Rated 8.41, Ranked #148 | Aired Fall 2006 | Produced by Artland

Watch Tsuna as he goes from a lousy loser to an overpowered fighter! Aside from the bishounen in this anime, there are also adorable chibi mascots which you'll surely wish to bring home.

K

MAL Rated 7.74, Ranked #940 | Aired Fall 2012 | Produced by Gohands

K's story is dark and tragic but all you need are sexy bishounen to lighten things off, right? Plus, the art is outstanding, so it's a perfect feast for the eyes.

Amnesia

MAL Rated 6.46, Ranked #5082 | Aired Winter 2013 | Produced by Brains Base

What's more beautiful than having a new boyfriend every four episode? Amnesia is perfect for teenage girls with a desire to be surrounded by handsome boys for no reason.

Bakumatsu Rock

MAL Rated 6.24, Ranked #5711 | Aired Summer 2014 | Produced by Studio Deen

Rock and roll! Bakumatsu Rock is a musical anime where the characters are rebellious and edgy! They also lose their tops every once in a while so better watch out for that.

Diabolik Lovers

MAL Rated 5.91, Ranked #6274 | Aired Fall 2013 | Produced by Production I.G, Zexcs

Here's another set of vampires! Diabolik Lovers is a reverse harem. It has six different yet gorgeous vampire siblings fawning over one human girl. Makes you jealous, right?