Male Protagonist (BL Novels)
This listing will also feature a male character as the main protagonist. Will generally include one or more of the following:
- BL elements
- Fairly intelligent or rational main character
- Not too creepy love interest
- Diverse genres
- Food for the soul
If you have read my translation projects and MTL projects, you might already have a sense of the type of BL novels that I will recommend.
This is going to be the longest list 🙂
Check out these legends before you continue.
W = Webnovel (first 40-60 chapters are free, the rest of the chapters will need to be unlocked with passes or money, of course you can always try googling)
Note: Novel Updates doesn't accurately reflect the amount of chapters translated by Webnovel. You have to visit Webnovel to find out.
C = Completed translation
IP = In Progress translation
D = Dropped translation
MTL = No translation
Apocalypses
The Earth is Online – C
Six months ago, tens of thousands of black phantom towers appeared all over the world, floating above the cities. Chemists, physicists, religious people… all of them could do nothing.
Six months later, people became used to the towers and no longer paid them attention.
One day, Tang Mo saw a flying insect crash into it instead of going through it. The next day, a sharp and clear child-like voice issued an announcement to all humans.
"Ding dong! November 15th, 2017. The earth is online."
The black tower's three iron-clad rules:
1. Everything is explained by the black tower.
2. 6 o'clock to 18 o'clock is the game time.
3. All players, please strive to attack the tower.
Tags: Action, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Romance, Sci-fi, Supernatural, BL
Translated Chapters: 245/245
Something to Note:
It can also fall under Escape Games.
Booming Economic Era
Epiphanies of Rebirth – IP
Some people begin their lives with the odds in their favor but still end up failing miserably.
Lin Jingzhe, having suffered many losses and setbacks, returned to his eighteen-year-old self just before failing his college entrance exam.
Business opportunities were everywhere in the early 1990s when the Chinese economy started taking off.
Now, this golden age would be his.
Tags: BL, Drama, Romance, School Life, Slice of Life, Business Management
Translated Chapters: 37/97 (as of 10/23/20)
Something to Note:
Check it out.
Investment Life – IP
If you had a chance to live again, what would you do?
Earn money, hold onto a thick leg, just find someone to live a happy life with? … Stepping on the beat of the times, riding the wind and breaking the waves, strategizing, using your knowledge to change yourself, and everything around you?
Based on reality and distinct historical occurrences in China's economic history, this novel tells the story of love, redemption and second chances.
Tags: BL, Slice of Life, Business Management, Economics, Poor to Rich
Translated Chapters: 27/226 (as of 10/23/20)
Something to Note:
This novel is all about investments. Romance won't happens till after 100+ chapter.
Entertainment
I Just Want to Be in a Relationship – C
In the last life, Movie Emperor Yu listened to the company and listened to his manager in order not to expose his sexual orientation. Until his death, he never had a relationship.
Yu Qing Huan didn't want to be a money making machine in his current life. He wanted to travel to the best place, see the best scenery, eat the best food and then find the best man to live a happy life together.
Hou Qu is a genius savant who can easily learn chemical formulas just by glancing at them. One day, he gets lost in the busy streets and Yu Qing Huan helps him.
Little does Yu Qing Huan know that his wish to stay out of the limelight may not ever be granted as he had unknowingly been locked on by a hungry wolf hidden in the shadows because of his single act of kindness…
Tags: BL, Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life, Romance, Heartwarming
Translated Chapters: 103/103 (as of 10/23/20)
Something to Note:
It features an autistic ML. There're some pretty hilarious scenes.
Rebirth of a Movie Star – C
In his previous life Bai Lang was a small star. He rejected his boss and s*upidly engaged in a relationship which he thought was true love.
He didn't expect that he would get betrayed, die of a heart attack and trouble his boss to accompany him on his last journey.
After his rebirth, he decided to give up on true love. As for his boss… since he wants something then just let him have it.
So this little star after his rebirth collected his boss, and then it became a true love story with his boss.
In between there are good friends/love rivals/scum men in the mix. A sweet story with a happy ending.
Tags: BL, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Children, Second Chance
Translated Chapters: 67/67
Something to Note:
A happy family BL novel 🙂
Very Happy – C
Li Zhao is a poor, 20-year-old actor who only thinks of where his next meal is coming from. After growing up in an child only facility, Li Zhao has taken on a very optimistic personality even while raising money for those he sees as family.
On the other hand, 28-year-old rich businessman Yan Ting is super pessimistic. Yan Ting: Life is no fun. What is the difference between life and death?
Li Zhao: Life is very happy.
The world in Yan Ting's heart was very grey until he met Li Zhao. He thought this must be the liveliest person in the world. Otherwise, how could Li Zhao be so lively in his heart every day?
Very happy x Unhappy.
Warm text with entertainment circle elements.
Tags: BL, Comedy, Drama, Romance, School Life, Slice of Life
Translated Chapters: 116/116
Something to Note:
Nothing original, but still very well written.
Escape Games
Card Room – IP
Xiao Lou was killed in an accident and reborn in the Card World.
Each card here represents a secret room and clearing the instance will give a reward. Xiao Lou draws a card and thinks he could draw all types of equipment and weapons. As a result: Su Shi, Li Bai, Tao Yuanming*… character cards keep coming one after another.
Xiao Lou, "???"
What was this escape game? What type of fate made him keep drawing character cards?
*famous poets of ancient China
Tags: Action, Adventure, Horror, Mystery, Romance, BL, Survival Game, Power Couple, Smart Couple
Translated Chapters: 261/598 (as of 10/22/20)
Something to Note:
This is literally the best escape game novel that I've read! Plus it has an amazing translation. Check it out.
High Energy QR Code – IP
Xing Ye entered a strange world full of traps and snares after scanning his 'deceased' brother's QR code to investigate the truth behind his death.
The first world:
System: Novice world, 4 players, PVP mode. Because your luck value is too low, you will be doing a 1v3.
Xing Ye: ……
System: You will not be told the rules or the identities of your opponents. You must discover everything by yourself.
Xing Ye: ……
System: You obtained a task prop: Mirror. It has no special skills and can't move or talk. It thinks everybody is ugly.
Xing Ye: ……
System: How did you win?
Xing Ye: I just killed them all.
Tags: BL, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance, Survival Game
Translated Chapters: 30/270 (as of 10/23/20)
Something to Note:
So good! One of the best novel in its genre. It also has one of the most analytical MC that I've ever read about and a lot of plot twists.
Plus I can actually understand all the hidden clues and explanations in the games!
Misplacement Game – IP
This novel is also named "The game I got is different from yours" | "Game is different, what to do" | "Every time the target is the big BOSS" | "Why is the BOSS of Horror games always the most handsome?" | "They are running for their lives, I am falling in love"… and so on.
The protagonist is a s*ave to beautiful faces – he likes good-looking people, can't say no to a pretty visage and is filled with thoughts of love. One day he bonded with a target-capture system where he can travel from world to world and experience love with the most handsome (key point!) target!
The number of players in each game is not set. The protagonist has only one target – the most handsome one. As he falls in love, he realizes… the other players perhaps, maybe, probably… have Horror? Survival? Escape-type games?
Tags: BL, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Romance, Supernatural
Translated Chapters: 131/140 (as of 10/24/20)
Something to Note:
Check it out.
Farming
In Progress
Historical
Fei Pin Ying Qiang – IP
The journey of a generation's male empress started because of four words.
"Send a dowry escort."
During the 19th year of the Yuanqing Era, Qi Yunruo boarded a carriage and entered through a corner door of the second prince's estate. Then, across the watery corridor, he gazed at the prince from afar.
———
The promotional record of a young teen married off as part of his legitimate sister's dowry.
From two people who never met before to two people who could understand each other's thoughts by just a glance.
There's a type of happiness sparked when the most suitable people meet in the most suitable place.
Notes:
In order for aristocratic women in imperial China to marry into a family part of the upper nobility, they must be of the legitimate line and must also have a dowry escort that married into that family. That escort would be a "ying" (媵) and could be considered a concubine.
Tags: BL, Drama, Historical, Romance, Ancient China, Imperial Harem
Translated Chapters: 61/77 (as of 10/24/20)
Something to Note:
The MC starts out as super helpless, but gradually works to improve himself.
Mo Flower – C
It is rumoured that the Vice Minister of Ministry of Rites is pregnant.
The cause of this incident is this:
"This day is really dull."
"Feeling bored?"
"It's a bit tedious to get through the day."
"Cong Qing, do you want children?"
"If I did, would the emperor be willing?"
And so a dark tide surged, causing an unexpected disaster, disturbing a pool of calm spring water—
"Are you crazy?"
"You recall, during the Autumn Hunt that one year, when you and I would meet at the prairie at night—I was already crazy for you then."
Passion is bottomless and wild; love is deep and without regrets.
Don't ask the world for everything, only seek the heart alone.
#One who passed their days in boredom and so initiated a bloodbath.
#Black-bellied Emperor, in the pursuit of some daily excitement, unhesitatingly jumped into a chaotic situation just to get off his feet. (no mistake)
Tags: BL, Romance, Ancient China, Doting Love Interests
Translated Chapters: 11/11
Something to Note:
A short story about an emperor and his lazy subject. There's no Mpreg.
The Path of the Cannon Fodder's Counterattack – C
Ling Xiao was secretly in love with a girl named Mo Qi; because of an accident, they both crossed into the ancient times.
Mo Qi who was preinstalled with the Mary Sue halo, in these ancient times, walked to the summit with a golden finger.
However, Ling Xiao continued to be exploited by Mo Qi.
After he no longer had any values to exploit, he soon became a pitiful cannon fodder.
The heavens decided to take pity on Ling Xiao.
And gave Ling Xiao an opportunity for rebirth.
After rebirth, he vowed that all his enemies would repay him with a debt of blood!
However, why have all these enemies of his, fallen into the mode of cutting their heads open?
"Hey, are you really that unremarkable person who used to follow behind Mo Qi?"
"So this dance was originally danced by you, sigh……"
"You are obviously a man, yet you move me so much."
"Enough! Since you have taken the initiative to provoke me, then you must concentrate on me!"
Ling Xiao expressed: If you want to counterattack, then counterattack. As long as your golden finger is bigger than Mo Qi's.
But how did Mo Qi's Mary Sue halo end up in his body! He is still a straight man who likes beauties! He definitely, definitely doesn't want to turn bent!
Tags: BL, Ancient China, Romance, Adult, Comedy, Drama, Mature
Translated Chapters: 71/71
Something to Note:
This novel is completely translated on the translator's website.
The Rich And Honorable ChangAn – C
His Mother was tormented to death from prolonged drugs poisoning , his father thought to send him away to a small village (Zhuangzi) in Jing Jiao so he could serve his filial duty to his mother (mourning), everyday he was bullied by servants. Xu Chang An, in this life, he could only watch the little man (villain) who had harmed his mother and was being depressed living in the small village. However, he did not expect to suddenly be given a wedding decree from the emperor to make him become the wife (Wangfei) of the first prince, Xiao Qing Yan.
He knew in his heart that this matter was his salvation but to Xiao Qingyan, who has a great prospect, this was a disaster. After the great wedding, he took advantage of his new status to avenge his mother and himself. Xu Chang An was aware of the emperor's intention that time when he was sanctioned a marriage, he all along tried his utmost to support Xiao Qingyan. Until by a lucky coincidence that the imperial government rewarded him, who'd performed great merit. The emperor promised to fulfill his wish, Xu Chang An without hesitation knelt down to request imperial decree to accomplish Xiao Qing Yan's greatest wish.
"Your servant have no other request, please Your Majesty to bestow decree to allow your servant leave His Highness peacefully. Thank Your Majesty's benevolence. Long live the emperor, long live for thousand of years."
Tags: Historical, Romance, BL, Mpreg, Slow Burn
Translated Chapters: 80/80
Something to Note:
Don't expect the shou here to be the kickass type.
Magical Realism
In Progress
MMORPG
Guide on How to Fail at Online Dating – C
The cousin that Jing Huan has been closest to since he was a child was labelled as "the other woman" in a certain popular online game: only after devoting herself did she know that the other party was a jerk with a girlfriend.
After several days of being bullied online by people in the game, his cousin went abroad in a fit of anger and sorrow.
Jing Huan couldn't take this lying down; he decided to take revenge for his cousin using the same method as that guy – buy a character in game and kill that slag guy thousands of times online.
With his strength and skill as the Great God when the game was first launched, wouldn't he be able to kill that guy and force him to quit the server in minutes?!
He went online, eager to fight, but made a discovery after conducting a round of investigations — this slag guy was the number one DPS server-wide, number one on the expert ranking list, number one on the wealth ranking list, number one on the popularity ranking list, and number one on the fame ranking list.
Conclusion: Can't screw him over.
Jing Huan felt despondent. He was just about to give up when he personally witnessed his dormmate's online relationship end right after meeting each other in real life. The other party had sent fake photos and changed their voice, and had even cheated him of his money, triggering his dormmate so much that he was almost admitted to a hospital.
Jing Huan felt enlightened as a sudden realisation dawned on him. After comforting his roommate, he moved the high-priced voice changer back to his rented house overnight.
Tags: Comedy, Romance, School Life, Slice of Life, MMORPG, BL
Translated Chapters: 119/119
Something to Note:
One the most well written novels with misunderstanding tropes. Plus it's hilarious. Check it out.
Waiting For You Online – C
At the age of 15, He Jin found himself a "husband" in an online game, their love was filled with loving affection and sweetness. However, because his study was being interfered with, his parent cut off the internet, he didn't even have a chance to say goodbye and had to disappear from the game.
8 years later, the online game in the past was about to come out with a revised edition and turned into a virtual reality game. He Jin decided to login again and unexpectedly discovered that his "husband" had become a powerful player and ranked number one in the whole server, moreover, he had not divorced him!
However, the husband that was abandoned by He Jin for eight years, his initial impression of him was that of a pure boy, but now he seemed to somehow have become…….a little evil?
Tags: BL, Comedy, Drama, Romance, School Life, Slice of Life, MMORPG
Translated Chapters: 161/161
Something to Note:
A nice read.
Modern
Daily Life of a Wealthy Woof – IP
High society CEO Big BOSS Lu expresses that he's felt stifled recently. Ever since a woof style creature intruded upon his home, his life has become a complete mess. A slight conflict in opinion and his couch is hijacked, his desk seized, his lap forcefully occupied, even his bed was forcefully dominated!
The small Samoyed, with his head resting upon his waste removal official's thigh and four paws facing the sky exposing a soft little belly, with a face full of untainted purity and a pair of innocent eyes: "Woof~"
Big BOSS Lu lowers his head and makes eye contact for three seconds : "…. Give give give! Whatever you want, I will give it to you!"
Tags: BL, Comedy, Romance, Pet, Doting Love Interest
Translated Chapters: 53/140 (as of 10/23/20)
Something to Note:
Love the beginning when MC was still a Samoyed. The ending…was kind of okay. It's the same problem I have with Reborn into a Hamster for 233 Days. The plot gets kind of boring after the MCs turn back to human.
Rebirth and Redemption – IP
A campus bullying incident led Chu Feng to receive a message of Rong Yun's suicide after ten years.
Rong Yun's relic is a novel based on him…
At this point, he came to know that Rong Yun had always liked him.
In deep regret, Chu Feng returned back to high school.
This time, he wants to protect Rong Yun, his achievement and let him have a different life.
At first, he only wants to compensate for his mistakes, but he didn't know when his compensation becomes true love.
Tags: BL, R*pe, School Life, Bullying, Second Chance
Translated Chapters: 16/143 (as of 10/23/20)
Something to Note:
This is a redemption story. The reborn MC spends the entire novel making up to the ML that he ruined last life. The r*pe happened right before the MC was reborn. Avoid this one, if you're sensitive to r*pe.
Strong Offense and Defense – IP
This is actually the story of a teenager who, after the devastating and spartan-like training of his crazy cool/Gong teammate, turned into a super amazing point guard that could blow up the skies even though he may seem low-key on the surface.
Also, Nie Chuan is Reese's first love.
Nie Chuan: I've decided to promote you to becoming my best friend!
Reese: If I can be your best friend, it just means that you have no friends.
Nie Chuan: Hey! How could you say that! Do you know what it means to be my best friend?!
Reese: I'm sleeping.
Nie Chuan: It means that when I get married, my bride may not necessarily be her, but my groomsman must be…
Reese: The groom must be me.
Nie Chuan: What– you want to snatch my bride away?! You're too inhumane!
Reese: Sleep.
Tags: BL, Comedy, Romance, Sports, College Life, Interracial Couple
Translated Chapters: 48/129 (as of 10/24/20)
Something to Note:
This novel is by the same author as my project [Rebirth] Sword Edge.
Primitive Life
Banished to Another World – IP
The scum Medicine God was banished to a savage other world, forced to undergo reformation!
The soul of Yan Mo, who had thoroughly offended the heavens, passed through to another world, not waking for long before realizing the cruel circumstances he was in.
He was hit unconscious by another person and carried back as winter food reserves.
The tribe that he was at was a super-Spartan type of primitive tribe.
The people here only cared about two things: Fighting strength! Fighting strength!
The former fighting strength is used on the battlefield, the latter fighting strength……
Checking illness? Chinese medical doctor? Drinking bitter dregs? What sort of toy is that? Are you conspiring to murder my tribe's young warriors? Kill!
Growing wheat? Raising pigs and chicken? We're warriors, not s*aves! Kill!
Teaching women how to make clothes and cook? Making soap and perfume for them? f*ck, unexpectedly seducing the tribe's women! Kill!
You say you're god's messenger? Come to guide us in the direction of a more beautiful life? Very good, give you one day's period, go and subdue all of our enemies and turn them all into s*aves to bring back. Impossible? Kill!
Yan Mo, "……"
Tags: BL, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural, Tribe Building
Translated Chapters: ?/659 (as of 10/23/20)
Something to Note:
This novel starts out with a great translation, but it was picked up by another group who does speed release with MTL. Still readable just not top quality. I encourage you to check it out, especially if you like my MTL Project Crossing to Live in the Wilderness Plains.
Stone Age Husband Raising Journal – C
What should you do when the person you like is no longer loyal? Find another one!
This time, in order to avoid trouble, Xiong Ye chose the weakest man in the tribe as his new companion.
In any case, he can afford him!
With his strength, he'll definitely be able to let his own man eat meat every day instead of grass.
* *
Zhou Ji, the 'weakest man' who had just transmigrated over from the apocalypse and likes to indulge in eating 'grass': "…"
He's not the same person anymore! He is clearly capable of killing the entire tribe by himself!
Tags: BL
Translated Chapters: 181/181
Something to Note:
Nice story. But I would have liked it better if the MC is the Gong.
Quick Transmigration
Don't Pick Up Boyfriends From the Trash Bin – IP
Chi Xiaochi: fourth-rate citizen at birth, three-time award-winning film emperor, second-rate temper, first-class looks. He crawled his way out of hell on hard mode to become a winner at life.
Then, he was smashed into a vegetative state by a chandelier.
061: Hello, here's a brief rundown on the scum gong reconditioning system. This system measures the regret level of the scum gong. Every time their regret level reaches one hundred points, you will be able to leave the current world. A friendly tip, usually, through dedication and self-sacrifice, our employees slowly foster a sense of dependency in the scum gongs, gradually making it so the scum gongs can't live without them.
Chi Xiaochi: How many regret points is a complete loss of reputation and standing worth? How about a fall from grace? Or wanting something but never being able to obtain it?
061: ……
Tags: BL, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Mature, Mecha, Romance, Sci-Fi, World Hopping
Translated Chapters: 130/284 (as of 10/26/20)
Something to Note:
Each world has a very unique story that's well fleshed out. One of the better novel in its genre.
Quickly Wear the Face of the Devil – C
A top hacker was chosen by the Lord God to be reborn into countless worlds, always as an expendable villain.
With no free will, every world became a dead end. Every one of his lives ended tragically.
Finally, after wrestling control of the Villain System, this ace hacker decided to enact revenge. Even if his very bones were rotten, he'd choose to occupy the very heights of morality, if only on the surface.
Thus, he would change his fate as an abused slag.
Tags: BL, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mecha, Sci-Fi, and more
Translated Chapters: 176/176 + extras
Something to Note:
This novel is literally the first one on NU that explodes this genre.
There Will Always Be Protagonists With Delusions of Starting a Harem – IP
Suddenly, the unmarried twenty-year-old Ye Zhizhou had many more relatives, yet it was too late for him to clearly understand the circumstances as he nearly died in a car accident. After that, he somehow managed to survive and was even forcibly bound to a Salvation System.
How is it salvation?
Harems destroy worlds! Preventing a harem will save them!
. . . .
Ok, prevent harems. After seeing the entire system introduction, the corners of Ye Zhizhou's mouth twitched. In order to return home safely, he decisively began his risky journey—he'd just treat it as if he was playing a large-scale strategy game.
Since then, the people the protagonist would rescue, he rescued first.The businesses the protagonist would make, he made first. The little brother the protagonist would take in, he took in first. The cliff the protagonist would jump off of, he jumped off of first. The gay s*x the protagonist would have, he'd have. . . . Wait wait, can't do this one, change it, let me change it.
???: No, you can do this one.
Ye Zhizhou (alarmed): Who's speaking?
???: Your husband.
Ye Zhizhou: . . . .
Tags: BL, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, World Hopping
Translated Chapters: 126/170 (as of 10/26/20)
Something to Note:
Expect plot twists!
Supernatural
Spirit Hotel – C
After being unemployed for a long time, Feisha Shi finally found a new job – the front desk manager at the oldest hotel in the universe.
This hotel has a fallen angel, vampire, werewolf, faerie, dwarf, titan, invisible person… just no humans.
This hotel serves customers who are fallen angels, vampires, werewolves, faeries, dwarves, titans, invisible people… still no humans.
This hotel's name?
Noah's Ark.
Tags: BL, Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life, Carefree Protagonist, Multiple POV
Translated Chapters: 123/123
Something to Note:
A mix of supernatural with western myths.
Xianxia
The Founder of Diabolism – C
As the grandmaster who founded demonic cultivation, Wei WuXian roamed the world in his wanton ways, hated by millions for the chaos he created. In the end, he was backstabbed by his dearest shidi and killed by powerful clans that combined to overpower him.
He incarnates into the body of a lunatic who was abandoned by his clan and is later, unwillingly, taken away by a famous cultivator among the sects—Lan WangJi, his archenemy.
This marks the start of a thrilling yet hilarious journey of attacking monsters, solving mysteries, and raising children. From the mutual flirtation along the way, Wei WuXian slowly realizes that Lan WangJi, a seemingly haughty and indifferent poker-face, holds more feelings for Wei WuXian than he is letting on…
Tags: BL, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Xianxia, Tragic Pasts
Translated Chapters: 126/126
Something to Note:
This novel is so popular. You might have heard of its adapted drama, The Untamed.
Did you like this chapter or post? Feel free to leave a like above or comment below.