It is easiest explained, for those who don’t know, that shounen ai is more your standard romance anime. You may hear these terms used interchangeably here and throughout the internet, but there is some important distinctions between them. What is the Difference Between Shounen Ai and Yaoi? Updates are all the way at the bottom if you are looking. I typically don’t update my anime lists, but this has hugely grown in popularity and if I can help some people find a new series they love, then that is worth my time.