Back in the 1970s a term was introduced as “Shōnen-ai” referring to works focused on platonic love between males; this genre is also known as Yaoi, Boys Love or BL in short form. The remarkable contributors from the Year 24 Group (a circle of female manga artists born around 1949) like Keiko Takemiya and Moto Hagio played a major role in developing early works, combining beautiful male characters with complex emotional narratives.Takemiya’s “Kaze to Ki no Uta” (The Song of the Wind and Trees) (1976) is one of the earliest example of BL manga. The works in this genre were produced mainly by female authors for female audiences. But it isn’t limited to only female authors or female audiences. This genre also attracts bisexual or gay male audiences and male authors also took part in producing many masterpieces.
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Yaoi to BL
In the 1980s, the term Yaoi became popular, representing male-male relationships without focusing on deep plot or character development. The acronym is often humorously said to stand for “Yama nashi, Ochi nashi, Imi nashi” (no climax, no resolution, no meaning), describing short and often explicit stories.
As the genre matured, the term “Boys’ Love” (BL) became more widely accepted in Japan, replacing Yaoi in most formal uses. While Yaoi can still refer to more sexually explicit content, BL refers to a broader category, including both romantic and sexual relationships between men.
BL Across East Asia
Manhwa (South Korea)
BL’s popularity soon crossed borders, with South Korea embracing the genre in manhwa (Korean comics) during the late 1990s. In the 2000s, popular webtoon platforms like Lezhin Comics and Tappytoon started presenting BL manhwa to the audience such as “Killing Stalking” by Koogi, “Painter of the Night” by Byeonduck, “Bj Alex” and “Jinx” by Mingwa so on and so on.
Manhua (China and Taiwan)
In mainland China, the genre is known as Danmei. Even with China’s more traditional cultural perspective, BL (Boys’ Love) has become quite popular especially in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The works on this genre are heavily censored which was most challenging for authors and audience both but BL has really thrived in online communities, where web novels have become a favorite way to share these stories such as the popular Chinese BL web novel “Mo Dao Zu Shi” (The Untamed) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. This danmein also has been adapted into an immensely popular animated series, a donghua, as well as a live-action drama.
Global Spread of BL in Movies and Dramas
As BL grew in popularity, adaptations in the form of live-action movies and dramas secured its position not just in Japan but also in South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, and other countries.
Japan
Japan continues to produce live-action BL dramas and films. Notable films include “Call Boy” (2018) and dramas like “Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!” (2020), a light-hearted romantic BL drama that gained international attention.
South Korea
Korea has produced an increasing number of BL web dramas and movies such as “Where Your Eyes Linger” (2020), “To My Star” (2021), and “Semantic Error” (2022), all of which have been critically acclaimed for their relatable storylines and portrayal of LGBT relationships.
Thailand
Thailand is perhaps the most famous country outside of Japan for producing BL dramas. The rise of Thai BL dramas began with “SOTUS: The Series” (2016), which paved the way for numerous BL productions, such as “TharnType: The Series” (2019) and “2gether: The Series” (2020). Thai BL has since become a major part of the country’s entertainment industry, with a large international fan base.
The Fujoshi and Fudanshi Communities
Fujoshi (腐女子)
The term fujoshi (literally “rotten girls”) refers to the primarily female fan base of BL works. The word was initially derogatory, implying that the interests of these women were deviant, but it has since been reclaimed by the community. Fujoshi are known for their passionate engagement with BL content, including creating and sharing dōjinshi (fan comics), writing fanfiction, and supporting the industry through purchases of manga, novels, and merchandise.
Fudanshi (腐男子)
While fujoshi are female fans, fudanshi are male fans of BL. Though their numbers are smaller, the fudanshi community has also played a role in expanding BL’s audience. In recent years, the acceptance of male BL fans has grown, with characters in BL media even representing male fans. For example, the anime “Fudanshi Kōkō Seikatsu” (2016) follows the daily life of a male high school student who enjoys reading BL manga.
Popularity, Controversies and Criticism
BL has gradually gained mainstream recognition, particularly in the digital era. Online platforms such as Webtoon, Pixiv, and Twitter have facilitated the creation and consumption of BL content, helping to democratize its distribution globally.
The increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ narratives in media, this genre also helped the majority of the audience to change their point of view about homosexuality in a positive light. Despite its popularity, BL has faced criticism for its sometimes unrealistic portrayal of gay relationships, especially when written by heterosexual women for a heterosexual female audience. Critics argue that the genre often fetishizes male-male relationships, objectifying the characters and misrepresenting LGBTQ+ experiences. There has also been an ongoing discussion about misogyny in BL, where female characters are marginalized or villainized.
However, modern BL creators are increasingly sensitive to these issues, with more works now focusing on realistic and respectful portrayals of queer relationships.
Conclusion
From its early beginnings in Japan’s manga industry to its widespread popularity in global dramas and webtoons, Boys’ Love has grown into a powerful genre that transcends borders and cultures. It has attracted a loyal fanbase in countries like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, China, and beyond. Communities such as fujoshi and fudanshi have been instrumental in supporting the genre and fostering fan-driven content.
While there are challenges in how BL represents LGBTQ+ experiences, the genre continues to evolve, offering both fans and creators the opportunity to explore complex human emotions and relationships in varied cultural contexts. Its future looks bright, as BL continues to grow in both diversity and acceptance on the global stage.