Introduction to yaoi, part 2

Wow. That took a lot longer than anticipated. I blame yet another cold setting me back, though the truth is I'm just incomparably lazy. Anyway, here are two sidebars that were originally supposed to run in the paper with my yaoi article but, for reasons best left unexplained, got cut at the last minute. The first is a simple glossary of terms. The second is a slightly humorous round-up of some notable titles. I've hyped these things so much now that you'll probably be terribly underwhelmed by them. Oh well. I shall find some way to make it up to you, dear reader. Never fear.



Yaoi -- (pronounced yah-o-ee) An abbreviation of the Japanese phrase "yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi," which loosely translates as "no climax, no punch line, no meaning." In Japan the term tends to refer to the more explicit, and less professional material, while here in the U.S. it's a catch-all term for the entire genre.

Shounen-ai -- (pronounced show-nen aye) Translates as "boys love." It tends to refer to the nonsexual, more romantic comics. Boys Love -- In Japan, this has become the catch-all phrase for the genre. Often known as BL.

Otaku -- (pronounced o-tok-oo) A geek basically. You can be an otaku about anything, for example model trains. It usually refers to hardcore anime and manga fans, however.

Seme -- "Top." The more aggressive and masculine character in your average yaoi romance.

Uke -- "Bottom." The more passive, feminine character. He's usually drawn to look prettier or more androgynous than the other characters.

Doujinshi -- (pronounced dough-jin-she) Manga made by fans and sold at conventions. Doujinshi are not always yaoi, nor are they always sexually explicit, but many are.

YAOI SAMPLES

So what does your average yaoi title read like? Here’s a quick run-through of some popular books:

“Only the Ring Finger Knows”
by Satoru Kannagi and Hotaru Odagiri (June)
Plot: High school student Wataru finds he has feelings for older classmate Kazuki. So why is Kazuki so hostile to him all the time?
Quote: “The Kazuki I love is standing right in front of me, but no amount of words can grant me Kazuki’s heart.”
Sexual content: Pretty light. Only a few kisses, hand-holding and goo-goo eyes.

“Yellow”
by Makoto Tateno (June)
Plot: Two drug “snatchers” — one straight, one gay — are roommates. Can they deny their true feelings for each other while taking on dangerous assignments?
Quote: “No matter how deeply someone loves another, perhaps there’s a love that cannot be shared in bed.”
Sexual content: Lots of groping and barely glimpsed sex scenes. Nothing is left to the imagination, but there’s nothing overtly explicit either.

“Gerard & Jacques”
by Fumi Yoshinaga (Blu)
Plot: Set before the French Revolution, the wealthy Gerard saves the young Jacques from a brothel (after sleeping with him) and takes him on as a servant.
Quote: “Now I’m going to treat you in the manner befitting a whore who angers his client.”
Sexual content: Lots and lots. Keep it far away from the kids.

“Stallion”
by Kosen (Yaoi Press)
Plot: A cowboy and a native American join forces to get revenge against a nasty gunslinger. Sexual hi-jinks ensue.
Quote: “If you want me to stop you’re going to have to make me.”
Sexual content: The book’s called “Stallion.” What do you think?

“Challengers”
by Hinako Takanaga (Drama Queen)
Plot: Young businessman Kurokawa falls head over heels for college student Tatsumi. How can he make his affections known without scaring him off?
Quote: “I know we’re only landlord and tenant, but if we just had more time together, I could make him understand how I feel.”
Sexual content: Pretty benign. Some kissing and little else, the emphasis is on comedy here.