Abstract: Boninite is a special type of magnesium-iron volcanic rock, primarily formed in unique geological environments associated with plate subduction. It serves as a direct geological record of the subduction initiation. The phenocryst are mainly olivine and pyroxene, with no plagioclase. Boninite is characterized by high Mg and Si, but lower Ti content. They are also and enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), but depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs) and medium rare earth elements (MREEs). Typical boninite exhibits a distinctive "U"-shaped rare earth element (REE) distribution pattern. The unique chemical composition of boninite reflects its unique mantle melting conditions, such as high temperature, low pressure, and relatively high water content. Primary magma was generated through re-melting processes in the mantle source, which has already undergone partial melting before. This unique melting process provides crucial insights into mantle source composition, degree of melting, and the role of fluids in mantle melting and the initiation of subduction. In this review, we discuss the mineralogy, geochemical characteristics, and petrogenetic mechanisms of subduction-related boninite, emphasizing its significance in geodynamics and magma evolution processes. Finally, we also summarized the current research issues and potential future directions in boninite studies.