Yaoi, also known as Boys’ Love (BL), is a Japanese fiction genre that features homosexual relationships between men. This genre became popular in Japan in the 1970s, but began to gain popularity abroad in the 1990s. In this article, we will explore the history of yaoi, its influence on popular culture and the reception of this genre around the world.
Origin of yaoi
Yaoi was born in the 1970s in Japan, at a time when Japanese society was still very conservative about sexuality. Yaoi manga were often produced underground and distributed under the cloak in small circles of fans. Yaoi stories often centered on male characters with androgynous features and muscular physiques, who had intense and passionate homosexual relationships. Recurring themes in yaoi manga were desire, passion and romance, as well as the struggle against prejudice and discrimination.
Growing popularity of yaoi
Over time, yaoi has become increasingly popular with manga fans, especially women. Yaoi also began to gain popularity abroad, thanks to the emergence of the otaku culture (fans of Japanese culture) in the 1990s. Yaoi quickly became an integral part of the otaku subculture, and yaoi fans began to gather to share their love of the genre.
Influence of yaoi on popular culture
Yaoi has had a significant influence on Japanese and global popular culture. Yaoi manga have often been adapted into anime, dramas or movies, which has helped popularize the genre to a wider audience. Yaoi has also influenced other genres of fiction, such as shonen-ai (homosexual romance between teenagers) and bara (homosexual romance between adult men). Yaoi fans have also created an active online community, where they share fan fiction, fan art, and discussions about their favorite yaoi stories.
Reception of yaoi around the world
Yaoi has been received differently around the world. In some countries, yaoi is considered an innocent form of entertainment and is enjoyed by a wide audience. In other countries, however, yaoi is controversial because of its depiction of homosexuality and its erotic overtones. Some critics have accused yaoi of perpetuating stereotypes of homosexual people and reducing them to sexual fantasies. Despite this, yaoi continues to have a loyal fan base around the world.
