Ten Yaoi Facts

Here’s TEN Yaoi facts that’s cool to know: 1. The BL Seme (Top) and Uke (Bottom) roles are usually based on three physical characteristics: the height, hair and eye shape 2. The Yaoi Industry in Japan generates over 20 Billion Yen or around 120 USD in annual revenues 3. Yaoi originated as a fan term in 1970’s Japan and stands for "Yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi" ("no climax, no point, no meaning") 4. The term "shōnen-ai" (Boy Love) was the first formal label for BL, but was later dropped due to term’s common misconception and association with illegal offenses, these days the rise of Thai, Taiwanese, and Korean BL had given the term a new modern and acceptable dynamics, Yaoi was somehow absorbed and most of the time integrated with BL works to the point that the difference was blurred out 5. Historically, the term Yaoi emerged from shōjo manga (girls' comics) which are made by women for women 6. The early known Yaoi work which are used interchangeable with BL Manga is Kaze to Ki no Uta" (1976) by Keiko Takemiya 7. Some specialized bookstores in Japan has “Yaoi Corners” decorated in pink with hearts objects and designs all over the place 8. A 1990’s Yaoi Drama had a lot of moans and deep voices that it became a viral ringtone in Japan 9. The “Yaoi hands” are explored extensively with various Yaoi works, this is a drawn oversized masculine hands that emanated from popular early Yaoi works 10. The term “Danmei” is used in China for Yaoi contents because the genre is technically banned, Yaoi fans became creative by building support among each other through niche online communities and secret forums