Now that the BL (Boys Love) genre has become more welcomed in the mainstream, the dynamics of the main couples are changing, too. The leading example might be Given‘s main couple: Ritsuka and Mafuyu. For a long time, couples in BL weren’t exactly an ideal portrait. The genre has evolved steadily ever since it was created in the 70s, always reflecting how much culture itself accepted ideas beyond what was considered the norm.

The Given anime was released in 2019, and since then has been critically acclaimed, not only because it’s a great romance drama, but a solid musical anime too. There are three main couples in the series, but the one that takes the cake is the one consisting of the lead characters Ritsuka Uenoyama and Mafuyu Sato. Unlike the other two couples in the series, who already had some sort of relationship, Mafuyu and Uenoyama build theirs from scratch, and in the most genuine and loving way possible.

From Troublesome to Wholesome: A Transformation of the Standard BL Romance

Manga Created by Natsuki Kizu; Anime Produced by Lerche

Even not too long ago, the most popular Yaoi anime still presented questionable tropes: series like Junjou Romantica and Super Lovers, which are some of the most iconic ones of the genre, played with themes of tense nonconsensual interactions and appalling age gaps. Some tropes are still seen in current popular series, like in Dakaichi, but the new trend is for couples to develop healthier and sweeter relationships. Though the older series with problematic tropes are still enjoyable to an extent, the better values of modern romances are definitely a more favorable portrayal of the genre.

Newer BL anime hits like Classmates and The Stranger by the Shore are prime examples of this healthier blueprint for a leading couple. Communication and respect are now taken into account when presenting the couples, though drama still has to come from somewhere, so it’s not like new romances have become textbook examples of perfect couples either. There still are conflicts in this new generation of BL anime and manga, they’re just not based on taboo topics anymore, and rather, the hardships come from regular difficulties all romantic couples go through.

Given’s Main Couple Overflows With Love, Patience, and Empathy

The main plot in Given revolves around Mafuyu dealing with emotions and grief over the death of his previous boyfriend, Yuki. Mafuyu and Uenoyama start dating pretty early on in the series, with the latter not fully aware of his new boyfriend’s past. When he progressively learns more about Yuki, and how relevant he still is, rather than making it a problem by letting jealousy get the best of him, he decides to put his boyfriend’s feelings first. Uenoyama turns what could’ve been a spark of conflict into an act of pure love and warmth.

Uenoyama is perhaps one of the most selfless and devoted lovers in anime, and that’s what makes his relationship with Mafuyu so heartwarming to watch. Given is currently the top rated BL anime, and even though the other two couples the story focuses on aren’t as wholesome as Uenoyama and Mafuyu, their development is still based on proper communication and becoming a better person for the other’s sake. The amount of BL manga that releases every year only grows, but it seems like it’s the sweet ones that get adapted into anime more easily, like Cherry Magic and Tadaima, Okaeri.

The founding tropes of the genre are still present, and it’s likely that they won’t fade, but there is no doubt that the current trend has shifted to sweeter and morally correct romances. With successes like Given, Sasaki and Miyano, and even Yuri!!! On Ice (which isn’t technically a BL anime), it’s safe to say that wholesome couples are the new standard for the genre, with conflict coming from either external factors, or healthier types of friction.