Looking for BL comics/novels with plot beyond romance!

Enthriex 2022-08-04 05:47:54 UTC #1

After reading and engaging in some interesting conversations, I'm now curious of the possibility of people actually working on some BL stories that aren't 'romance' focused.

I'm looking for stories to read that aren't like slice of life and with the story revolving around the two guys in a relationship. (I have nothing against this, I actually like them, but I can't seem to find ones with more plot than that, thus why I'm asking)

cough Though if it's a BL that includes reincarnation or are thrown into another world I'll make an exception cause I really would love to read that XD cough

For example, it having another main plot and the romance being secondary to it. It doesn't mean I want it to be irrelevant, it can focus on it but have something more important going on.

Think of it as me looking for a story with the main male character being gay but the story not revolving around that!

So, I don't know if there is but I wanted to try asking to see if there's any! (Even if it isn't yours but you know of a manwha, manhua or manga like that please do tell! Novels are good too as long as the plot is good and well written/translated!)

Novels with pictures have bonus points since it really does help me imagine the characters! Kinda like what japanese light novels/webnovels do! Not a requirement but these are greatly appreciated

If people do recommend me some, I can't promise to subscribe to all of you, since I don't like subscribing just for looking good! I want to subscribe to those that I really like and that you can be sure you'll see me around!

Even if I don't sub, do use this thread so others can potentially find your stories based on what I'm asking to see

KUUPID 2022-08-04 06:38:20 UTC #2

I'm not sure if my story will count towards what you're looking for, but it does have reincarnation as one of its elements xD
Here's a quick synopsis ^^ I hope you'll give it a read sometime! Thank you~

Genre: BL, Romance, Fantasy
Synopsis:
If you were offered a chance to be with your long-time crush in the afterlife, would you take it? Heeyoon finally made it to Heaven but before she could confess her feelings to her favorite actor, he got reincarnated! Striking up a deal with God, Heeyoon agrees to be reincarnated as the opposite sex and make Song Yoo fall for her… Will she fulfill her mission or will she be hauled back to heaven before she can even seduce him?!

Enthriex 2022-08-04 06:51:31 UTC #3

Ohhh this seems interesting! It's kind of late here but I'll be sure to check it out! Thanks for sharing

LackofCoffee 2022-08-04 10:57:35 UTC #4

My story is a BL fantasy/adventure about an apothecary and thief, misunderstandings and dangerous secrets.

darthmongoose 2022-08-04 11:59:28 UTC #5

If you're looking for BL with more going on, the LGBTQ+ category is often a good place to look for that sort of thing.

I don't make something like that, but some good ones I know include:

Hollow - Retired Magical Boy with depression has to deal with the re-emergence of magic and the return of his crush.

Enix Sanctum - Hot catboy x Gangster who hates animal hybrids. A blend of action and BL you might dig.

Moth Prince - Ordinary guy gets lost in the woods and tangled up in the affairs of a fairy prince.

Magical Boy (Premium, Complete) - A young trans man has to deal with inheriting the family legacy of being a "magical girl" and the gender dysphoria it brings. Also has a BL romance sideplot.

Basically ANY of KR's Novels should provide what you're after too:
https://tapas.io/KRWilliams/series

ivanskilling 2022-08-04 12:50:20 UTC #6

My current BL novel follows the adventures of a bisexual guy as he joins a new startup. The main plot focuses on the ins and outs of the startup, the work culture, and the (often hilarious) issues that arise during the day-to-day operations. Also, the start of the novel has pictures of the company and the characters!

Genre: BL, LGBTQ+, Comedy
Hopeless romantic Yu Junming is over the moon when he lands a job at the RomCon startup helping clients to orchestrate their love stories in real life.

When he falls in love with both his boss, Grayson Black - a die-hard cynic, and a spunky undercover reporter, Fernanda who's on a mission to dig up dirt on RomCon, Junming has to pick a side. Preferably, the side which guarantees a job.

UrMom 2022-08-04 14:08:20 UTC #7

I don't make a BL myself (In spite of my title, and how my MCs look.), and I don't know what genres you're into, but I got a few comics.

^^ The developing relationship is kind of the main focus, but there's more to it than that.

starless 2022-08-04 15:02:49 UTC #8

Mine is pretty new so there aren't many things going on so far, but I focus on the adventure story more than just romance. It's a fantasy LGBTQ+ webcomic series about magic and affinity.

TreeHugger 2022-08-05 01:49:40 UTC #10

I don't want to share it if you truly are not interested, but I have a GL story that is more fantasy based than romance based if you want to see it. Just let me know :]

Esran_Art 2022-08-05 13:30:21 UTC #11

You could give mine a shot if it strikes your fancy It's a scifi with a few romances at the center of it, but there's a much larger plot at play for all the characters to grow in different ways.

"As agents of ARK, Ira and Jesse have been fighting for their lives ever since they escaped the ruthless labs of Vanbar Tech. Together they stop at nothing to obtain freedom for every last test subject that was left behind; a goal that will put their bond to the test.

Will they buckle under the pressure? Or will they manage to find a closeness unlike any they could have dreamed…?"

dreample2000 2022-08-05 13:58:58 UTC #12

You can try mine. It's BL about a guy who was raised up as a girl to marry a god from another world and is expected to live there ever after. So there's fantasy there. There's romance, but it's a plot device for character growth, not the focus. However, I'm currently on hiatus as my laptop died so while I take care of that, there's nineteen episodes available to binge on.

Title: The God of Fire's Spouse
Genre: BL, Drama, Fantasy
Summary: From ancient times, the Seung family enjoys wealth and power bar none. However, this privilege has a price: every hundred years or so, they must provide a bride to a god from another world, the God of Fire. For this generation, this duty fell to Su Yun, who as it turns out, is male. As he tries to fulfill his duty to his family while dealing with problems both mortal and divine, will he able to also find his heart's greatest desire?

Enthriex 2022-08-05 19:22:32 UTC #13

Ohh I'll check it out then Hope you manage to take care of it soon and continue the story, thanks for sharing! ^-^

Enthriex 2022-08-05 19:24:28 UTC #14

I see, sounds interesting I'll check it out! Thanks for sharing

AKG 2022-08-06 00:57:01 UTC #15

Hi! I'm writing one right now. It's new, but I have a bit of buffer, and have finished multiple novels in the past, if you're interested.

Summary:

"Gabriel has been famous since the day he was born. As the youngest son of top Guardian Keegan Masters, the spotlight is blinding. The problem? Gabriel's functionally invincible, and only all too willing to take advantage of it.

August Wright's possibly the most powerful Guardian of his generation: he just needs to graduate before anyone else figures that out. He just wanted a quiet, responsible life as a mid-ranked hero. Too bad he's been assigned to keep an eye on his polar opposite: Gabriel Masters."

boniae 2022-08-06 03:14:06 UTC #16

If you're up for something with a lot of content to sink your teeth in (like, roughly 300+ pages) my comic might be up your alley...?! Aside from it being a BL (and a super slow burn one at that) rather than romance, the major focus of the story is a mystery that the two main leads are trying to get to the bottom of. Very reminiscent of 90s delinquent/gang manga if you're into that kind of thing.

stiatent 2022-08-06 03:57:46 UTC #17

Comic I've been working on is more about brothers but BL is a part of the sub story because one of the brothers is gay, and both brothers meet potential love interests.
There's another gay couple later on in series

I'm a RL gay dude so I guess was aiming for both gay and straight characters adjusting to the situation of the story, than BL being the focus. Guess that would also make it the kinship between a straight and gay siblings.

The story follows two brothers Owen (12) and Evan (21) who are asymptomatic carriers of a virus that instantly mutate others into monsters. Their condition also grants them whacky powers based on states of matter (liquid, solid, gas). They try to survive the infected and rescue others without infecting them. They hope to reunite with their parents at a shelter, but that seems highly unlikely.
Further in, they encounter other carriers dubbed 'Sick Boys' caught in a battle royale and further complicating the outbreak.
So far, Owen can transform into Gas, Evan could calcify his saliva to make melee weapons (Solid).

On the BL side of things, Evan has feelings for Xun, a manager of a Gay night club, his powers are Liquid. He becomes the brothers' mentor and an ol flame also shows up.
Aiming for 4 seasons and the other gay couple show up in season 2, they were supposed to have a boy rescue boy kind of vibe. Some of the plot is tied to that gay nightclub Xun runs.

with regard to reincarnation

It's meant to appear like a biological sci-fi at 1st but its more dark fantasy, was heavily inspired by ancient cultures and their concepts of using vibration (sound) as both a weapon and spiritual enhancement. Reincarnation and ancient beings exists to some degree yet left open to interpretation to the viewer, but that's like 3rd act stuff.

bafflinghaze 2022-08-06 12:32:31 UTC #18

Hi there~

I have two BLs with transmigration and/or reincarnation:

This first one is pretty slice of life and fluffy (completed):

While this one has some kingdom building in it (in progress):

As for novels that aren't mine, this one has a regressor, i.e. the main character goes back in time before his family dies and tries to change things and there's a lot of plot before the romance:

If you like long xianxia novels, then you might like https://www.scribblehub.com/series/15679/heavenly-soul-bl/ (highly recommend!)

Enthriex 2022-08-06 16:24:48 UTC #19

I just checked it out I see you're also new on Tapas so I'll be sure to check on the updates too ^^

BTW, have you considered commissioning a cover for your novel? BL's tend to do better when people see the main couple in the cover, so it will help you pull readers if you look for an art style that you like and the artist is taking commissions! Will do wonders for your story Summary is alright but people feel compelled to read when they see the character's design!

Ofc this is only if you want ^^Thanks a lot for the rec and hope you do well on the platform :D!!

histo-shizuka 2022-08-06 16:54:38 UTC #20

I’m currently witting a Fantasy/BL that has the romance as more of a subplot and slow burn.

AKG 2022-08-07 00:46:44 UTC #21

I am in the process of getting ready to commission, just finding an artist. Thank you so very much for the support and I really appreciate the advice!