What Exactly is "Yaoi"?

When I first encountered the term "Yaoi," I had no idea what it meant. It was precisely stumbling upon terms like this that inspired me to create illustrated explanations of anime terminology. Now, years later, I'm not only providing definitions but also including examples. Although progress has been slow, I believe a comprehensive glossary will eventually come together. As the title suggests, this article will delve into the specific meaning of "Yaoi."

Definition of Yaoi

Yaoi is a subgenre within the "Boys' Love" (BL) category, primarily depicting romantic relationships between men. The term originated in Japan in the late 1970s and later became widely used across various media such as anime, manga, novels, and games.

So, what makes Yaoi unique? Compared to other BL subgenres, Yaoi works focus more on the sensual aspects of the relationship, often directly depicting sexual acts between men—this is the key distinction between it and "Shounen-Ai." Furthermore, Yaoi works are overwhelmingly created by women for a female audience, which also differentiates it from "Bara," a genre primarily created for and by gay men. Both Shounen-Ai and Bara are subgenres under the broader BL umbrella, with BL itself being a general term encompassing various styles.

The Subtle Differences Between Yaoi and Other BL Subgenres

Although BL includes many subgenres, the two most commonly used for classification are Shounen-Ai and Yaoi. This distinction helps readers determine whether a work focuses more on emotional storytelling or sensual depiction. Of course, this doesn't mean that Yaoi completely omits emotional development, or that Shounen-Ai entirely avoids intimate scenes. Overall, these subgenres are grouped under the "Boys' Love" umbrella precisely because their elements are often intertwined, making the boundaries between them quite blurry.

Recommendations

If you'd like to learn about other anime terms, feel free to check out the [Anime Glossary]. Below are some representative works in the Yaoi genre across anime, manga, and webtoons:

Yaoi Anime

• Yes ka No ka Hanbun ka

• Hyperventilation

Yaoi Manga

• Pink Heart Jam (Available on Manga Planet)

• Underneath the Uniform: A Twisted First Love (Available on Manga Planet)

Yaoi Webtoons

• Sign (Available on Lezhin)

• The Good Teacher (Available on Lezhin)

Have you watched any Yaoi anime or read any Yaoi manga? What are your thoughts on this creative genre? Click on “Xhentaidoll”