Correct terminology for Yaoi?
Fellow Fans,
I think it's about time we cleared up some misconceptions. C:
【 Y a o i 】 This term does not simply refer to anything with a relationship between two males, it comes from the phrase "Yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi". This translates to "No climax, no point, no meaning", so if sexual relations are not had, it can't be called yaoi. Jaja.
【 S h o n e n - a i 】This appears to be a really popular term among those who are aware that yaoi has explicit content. Many fans use it in a way that distinguishes between the hard core content found in yaoi and a romantic relationship between two males which does not include such scenes. In actuality, shonen-ai refers to a specific demographic of manga/anime created in the 70's and 80's; however, it originally referred to real life ***** and I have heard that it is being used in such a manner again in modern day Japan, so watch out!
【 B o y ' sxxL o v e 】Commonly referred to as BL. Honestly, if ever there was a need for an umbrella term in all this madness, BL should be the candidate. BL is used to categorize everything involving homosexual relationships (sex or no sex), but people have been using it as a way to describe material that focuses more on the romantic aspects of the story and less on the sex.
【 H o m o e r o t i cxxs h o u j o 】This refers to series with homosexual characters where the relationship is not the main part of the story. Examples would be Loveless and Gravitation. (Thanks Darth Kefka!)
【 S h o t a c o n 】This refers to a relationship with either two underaged boys, one adult and one underaged boy, or one underaged girl and one underaged boy. Usually whether it is a male/female relationship it cleared up with the term "straight" shota.
NOTICE: BOKU NO PICO IS SHOTA. IF SOMEONE RECOMMENDED THIS TO YOU IN JEST, DON'T WATCH IT! Unless of course, you like that sort of thing. wink
【 S l a s h 】 This is the term used when you put together two characters whose relationship isn't canon! What does this mean? Well, let's use my favorite pairing as an example. No matter how much evidence I compile in order to prove that there is something going on between Seto Kaiba and Joey Wheeler, as long as Kazuki Takahashi says they aren't together, they aren't. Putting the ridiculousness of my example aside, something is not canon unless the creator says the characters are in a relationship. :C
【 B a r a 】 Bara is a gay muscular male character. It is like calling someone a Bear normally. Series made for gay males is Gei-comi. Gei-comi can have Bara in it. It does not have to. They are not exclusive of each other. I have seen Bara in BL which is made for a female audience. Yet, people tend to use this term to describe a manga where a Bara is a main character. (Thanks Wryn!)
Bottom line: I don't care about the others. I just don't want people confusing the terms with yaoi. Some people just want homoerotic shoujo and light BL and end up getting suggestions that are yaoi when they aren't quite ready for it yet. I just don't want them to watch something they don't want to watch yet. D:
Example:
Milk Tea Panda
ಠ-ಠ
yaoi or shonen-ai?
someone was pretty pissed I recommended a manga with butt secks sweatdrop
Completely new to BL and want to take things easy? This was made for you!
Beginners, Beginners, This is for you!
Beginners, Beginners, This is for you!
She corrected a few things!
Hobo Undercover
Slash - that's actually not for just non-cannon specifically. The term originated from NORMAL male/male fics, where the pairings were specified as Male 1/Male 2 (so Male 1 SLASH Male 2.) Fandoms stole that, and used it for themselves. That's how people used to keep dominants over submissive in order (seme/uke), and like I said, fangirls down the road stole it.
She explained something very interesting for all Star Trek fans!
Deth Pixie
Just a fun little fact if you want it. The term 'slash' was created to describe Kirk/Spock from Star Trek the Original Series.
For a while if you said slash you were automatically talking about Kirk/Spock, it was quicker to say.
If you watch the series it's kinda clear why they needed to event the term. To quote Brittany of 'The Ship's Closet' they flirt "like they had just gotten out of prison".
She's not exaggerating.
It's even to make me believe that everyone in the 60's were blind, to not be able to see the gayness that was washing against their screens.
For a while if you said slash you were automatically talking about Kirk/Spock, it was quicker to say.
If you watch the series it's kinda clear why they needed to event the term. To quote Brittany of 'The Ship's Closet' they flirt "like they had just gotten out of prison".
She's not exaggerating.
It's even to make me believe that everyone in the 60's were blind, to not be able to see the gayness that was washing against their screens.
Community Member