pls pls pls pls make a list of all danmei people should read. I am thirsty for love and angst and pls be my salvation
Omg I can't say no to that!
Full disclosure, I've only been reading danmei since May. Also, I only read official translations. Others may be able to give a wider range.
But since you asked so nicely, let's go!
1) Yuwu/Remnants of Filth
Obviously, my number 1 is going to be the danmei I spend 80% of my time here trying to convince people to read.
Yuwu is a gift for fans of angst, literally opens with the MC getting stabbed in the heart and Meatbun doesn't let up from there.
Fun fact - the only Meatbun without non-con elements in the primary ship.
Sad fact - it also lacks her usual comedy.
Why I love it: Mo Xi, my princess, genuinely the saddest boy in all of danmei. I'm ridiculously invested in Ximang's quest for happiness.
2) 2ha/Erha/The Husky and his White Cat Shizun
At it's heart (at least to where the official translations are up to) 2ha is a romantic comedy. Tropes you may have found in other danmei hit so good (ghost weddings and shizun fucking).
Fun fact - Has my favourite confession scene out of all danmei I've read.
Sad fact - Being Meatbun's most popular work, you can basically collect spoilers like pokemon cards. Not even ao3 tags are safe.
Why I love it - Meatbun's smut writing is S tier and Mo Ran is one of my favourite protaganists... although he has some competition.
3) Ballad of Sword and Wine
I feel like I need to formally apologise for sleeping on this series after reading the first volume. It’s so, so juicy! Obsessed with the character dynamics and it’s always a winner when the main couple starts to dabble with each other in the first volume. It’s not Meatbun levels of smut peddling but I appreciate Tang Jiu Qing’s hustle. If you love courtly politics, graphic descriptions of violence and the most insane levels of sexual tension you will ever read. You need this danmei in your life.
Fun fact - I am as obsessed with Cezhou as Xiao Chiye is with the nape of Shen Lanzhou’s neck.
Sad fact - The sheer amount of characters will drive you insane.
4) To Rule in a Turbulent World
Enter You Miao! His introduction made me fall in love with him just as fast as I did Mo Ran! There's a reason everyone raves about chapter 3. Hilarious, horny and wholesome. The side characters are amazing, the main couple is adorable and it's giving hints of political powerplays. Also the first danmei I've read that seems to really deliver when it comes to skinship. The main couple literally can't keep their hands to themselves.
Fun fact - I'm only 50% through but I am buying every single Fei Tian Ye Xiang 7 seas is about to release day 1.
Sad fact - there's no pictures. Also I'm not sure how angsty it's going to get.
Bonus: For the toxic yaoi fan in your life
Meatbun's most unhinged work. She's peddling all the toxic smut fans of bl mangas and manhwas will be familiar with. Even though it's modern it made me nostalgic for that reason. He Yu is a clown and I adore him. Meatbun is airing all her kinks with this one and I'm not mad about it.
Fun fact- This is the first modern danmei I've read. Also, one of the more fun uses of the straight man trope I've read.
Sad fact - Vol 3 cliffhanger!
Why I love it - It's just pure Meatbun chaos.
(Am I just exposing myself as a Meatbun stan, probably, but she delivers every time.)