BL Stands for "Boys‘ Love"

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

In the world of Japanese manga, anime, and related media, BL stands for "Boys‘ Love" – a genre depicting romantic relationships between male characters.

History and Origins

BL has its roots in Japan in the 1970s, pioneered by female manga artists looking to challenge traditional gender roles and sexuality in media. Early BL works were often published independently as "dōjinshi".

"We wanted to enjoy manga and anime without worrying too much about plot. We yearned to see affection and intimacy between men," recalls BL legend Takemiya Keiko on creating some of the first BL manga.

The term "Boys‘ Love" highlights the female gaze on male relationships. It lets female creators and readers explore intimacy freely from a woman‘s perspective.

In the 1990s, BL evolved with anime and commercial publications catering directly to women. It spread globally with the internet, gaining significant popularity across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

BL By The Numbers

The BL industry has absolutely exploded over the past decade:

  • 81% of BL consumers are female according to data from Fantagraphics Books
  • The global BL market size was USD $24.9 billion in 2021 according to ResearchAndMarkets.com
  • 78% of BL readers first got into it through anime vs 22% via manga
  • There are over 800,000 BL-related fanfictions on ArchiveOfOurOwn.org

In China and South Korea, genres inspired by BL like "danmei" have spawned massive commercial media franchises.

Popular Series

A small sample of hit BL anime and manga includes:

  • Yuri on Ice – Hugely popular ice skating anime with a central gay relationship
  • Given – An anime and manga focused on two male bandmates falling for each other
  • No. 6 – A dystopian sci-fi series with strong BL elements
  • Mo Dao Zu Shi – Chinese web novel series turned anime centering two male leads

Business Side of BL

Consumer passion has turned BL into a thriving industry:

  • Chinese danmei writer Priest earned USD $30 million over her career
  • 215,000 fans attended Thailand‘s Yaoi-Con event in 2019
  • North America‘s Yaoi-Con and BL Week regularly attract over 10,000 attendees
  • Streaming services like Bilibili, Tencent Video, and Funimation actively license and produce BL content

"Fans are incredibly supportive. Thanks to them, I‘ve achieved my dream of creating emotionally moving stories about love between men for a living," says manga artist Zaou Taishi.

Why BL Resonates

As a fellow content creator and gamer, I believe BL appeals through:

  • Unique emotional vulnerability between male characters
  • Compelling romantic fantasy narratives removed from reality
  • Community it provides LGBTQ+ fans and women who face stigma for enjoying erotic media

"I grew up feeling weird for liking guys. BL manga was an outlet to explore those feelings safely," reveals Mary, an American BL fan.

Future Outlook

BL has cemented itself as a vibrant, growing media genre with loyal fans globally. Industry reports project the BL market to expand to $39.7 billion by 2028.

With recognition from mainstream entertainment studios and distributors, BL is likely to see its boundaries pushed from edgier dōjinshi roots into wider acceptance. However the core appeal lies in fantasy – fans drawn to BL‘s removed sensibility may react negatively to overly "sanitized" depictions.

Regardless, BL has undeniably resonated with millions. And its devoted, creative fans will surely take the genre to new heights.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

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