Recs if you like The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong, Vol. 1...

Urgently seeking suggestions, any and all input is welcome! A list for men in sci-fi/fantasy who are pathetic, reminiscent of kicked dogs, described as poor little meow meows, drowning in their own emptiness, and/or generally have an intense aura of being a sad loser with no life. Having a capacity to be fixed is entirely optional. If you want to demonstrate why a man is a loser, feel free to do so at great length in the comments so that we all may further our studies in male patheticology.

Books with obsessive and/or codependent queer relationships (relationship doesn't have to be canon but the vibes™ should be there)

as an antidote to the ‘bury your gays’ trope, here are queers who defy death; who are reincarnated, immortalised, or escape death by the skin of their teeth. these characters may die at some point following this, but are allowed well-rounded arcs before that point.

please note that due to the nature of the list, spoilers may follow. enter at your own risk.

recommendations welcome!

All the volumes licensed in English that I could find on here. I've added ones I couldn't find whenever possible, and did my best to select the correct editions.

a compilation of danmei characters who stubbornly believe in their heterosexuality despite all evidence to the contrary. recommendations are very welcome!

Books set in an Asian or Asian-inspired setting or incorporates elements of an Asian culture or mythology. Only the first book in a series is listed.

danmei gongs who act particularly dog-like

a collection of men who pretend to be really innocent and weak to gain their lover’s favour. the title comes from the chinese slang term 绿茶 / green tea, which refers to someone who acts really pitiful and helpless, as if they’ve endured a lot of hardships, but in actual fact is very cunning and ambitious.

note: the origin of the term is quite misogynistic, hence why this list will not be including any women.

All Danmei/Baihe published by Seven Seas translated into english (Updated August 2025)

what happens after death? rebirth or transmigration, rebirth or transmigration.

do note that death is not a compulsory requirement for this list.

— “the fate that began in the world before is yet unended.”

a list of couples who are not only crazy about each other, but also crazy together. recommendations are very welcome!

— “you’re the pot to match their lid.”

Morally grey or straight up baddies? Aiming to collect books written from a villainous/morally grey POV so suggestion appreciated.

gay chinese novels

For those who have wandered close but yet to sink into this rabbit hole:

"Danmei (耽美) is a Chinese literary genre that focuses on romantic relationships between male characters."

read a few, and keeping an eye on the rest 👀 I'll be editing the list as I go! please feel free to suggest any additions 🌸

characters who embody the benevolence and grace of the divine, even in a world muddied with mortal follies.

— “the figure of the divine in the unrelenting abyss of hell.”

Inexhaustive list of danmei novels 👑

a compilation of chinese novels that explore the not-so-forbidden romance between master and disciple. as always, recommendations are very welcome!

Danmei is Chinese BL (boy's love), evolved from the japanese genre tanbi, which derived from an anti-naturalistic literary movement, with focus on beauty and aesthetic, which later on became the known genre of love between men (also known as yaoi). Danmei is a known genre mainly for women, also primarily written by women. It is an interesting genre to read into feminist studies, queer studies and probably also other literary studies. Other than that, it's great entertainment! Give it a shot :)