Yaoi (やおい)

YAma nashi, Ochi nashi, Imi nashi
No point, No meaning, No Climax

Yaoi (???) is a genre that focuses on male/male relationships. The genre originated in Japan and encompasses manga, anime, novels and dojinshi. Boys Love (??????, Boizu Rabu?, but usually rendered as English, occasionally spelled Boy's Love or Boys' Love, or abbreviated BL) is the name of a common subtype of yaoi, which is specifically directed toward women. Although the genre is called Boy's Love, the males may be of any age; the term for works focused on underage boys is called shotacon.Yaoi has spread beyond Japan; both translated and original yaoi is now available in many countries.


Yaoi began in the doujinshi markets of Japan in the late 1970s/early 1980s, mostly as parody works; but male same-sex love had previously been presented in shonen-ai, june and tanbi works. BL authors and fans are careful to distinguish BL from “gay manga,” which is created by and for gay men. However, some male mangaka have produced BL works.


The Seme

Seme derives from the Japanese verb semeru (“to attack”). Often depicted as the stereotypical male of anime and manga culture: restrained, physically powerful, and/or protective. The seme is generally older and taller, with a stronger chin, shorter hair, smaller eyes, and a more stereotypically masculine, even "macho". The seme usually pursues the uke.

Uke from the Japanese verb ukeru (“to receive”). The uke usually has softer, androgynous, feminine features with bigger eyes and a smaller build, and is often physically weaker than the seme.