Boys' love (BL) is the common term used by the publishing industry to categorize works focusing on male/male relationships marketed at women. Historically these works were referred to as June, but most commercial works are now called BL. It is used as an umbrella term for:
-both commercial and amateur works
-works with no sex
-works with sex
-doujinshi about adolescents with little or no sex
-works in all types of media - manga, anime, novels, games, and drama CDs
-characters of all ages (not limited to 'boys')
-related terms such as yaoi, shounen ai, tanbi, June, and original June
While early fans of BL were probably fans of doujinshi, most Japanese fans on the net these days appear to be fans of commercial BL work - there are over a hundred such works published every month, more than two-thirds of them novels and the rest manga. BL novels are immensely popular - the number of novels published each month outnumbers pmanga tankoubon by about 2 to 1.
-both commercial and amateur works
-works with no sex
-works with sex
-doujinshi about adolescents with little or no sex
-works in all types of media - manga, anime, novels, games, and drama CDs
-characters of all ages (not limited to 'boys')
-related terms such as yaoi, shounen ai, tanbi, June, and original June
While early fans of BL were probably fans of doujinshi, most Japanese fans on the net these days appear to be fans of commercial BL work - there are over a hundred such works published every month, more than two-thirds of them novels and the rest manga. BL novels are immensely popular - the number of novels published each month outnumbers pmanga tankoubon by about 2 to 1.
by Bunneh February 1, 2004
Get the boys' love mug.The best romcom that has come out in a while. Includes the dreamy Peter K who falls and love with Lara Jean (who was never second best). You'll fall in love with the movie and all of it's actors especially when Peter puts his hand in LJ's pocket and spins her around. To all the boys is MUCH better than the kissing booth. If you haven't read the books then you're really miss out because they are so much better than the movie (even though the movie was AMAZING).
"Have you seen to all the boys i've loved before? Well you could really say that Peter K took her to the ski lodge and freaked it."
by khaidreams August 24, 2018
Get the to all the boys i've loved before mug.Commonly just BL is the replacement for Shounenai. Americans seem to have difficulty telling the difference, so here it is.
SA: The men are always effeminate both in appearence & personality, gay men didn't like it much, & unhappy endings were common. Contrary to perhaps even my own previous postings, this art is not COMPLETELY dead, some shounenai slips through the press. If it's new & fots this description, it's still shounenai.
BL: These days the men are more masculine both in looks & tude, gay men like it too, it's usually less dramatic, more sexual, & tends to end happily.
SA: The men are always effeminate both in appearence & personality, gay men didn't like it much, & unhappy endings were common. Contrary to perhaps even my own previous postings, this art is not COMPLETELY dead, some shounenai slips through the press. If it's new & fots this description, it's still shounenai.
BL: These days the men are more masculine both in looks & tude, gay men like it too, it's usually less dramatic, more sexual, & tends to end happily.
Shounenai: Ibu no Musukotachi, Kaze to Ki no Uta, & anything else from the 70s & early 80s.
Boyslove: Ai no Kusabi, BNSH, Gravitation, Fake, Ja-Dou, Psycho Blast.
Border line: Anything that lived through both periods. For example, Patalirro, Zetsuai, & Eroica are STILL being written & have made distinct changes to fit the times.
Boyslove: Ai no Kusabi, BNSH, Gravitation, Fake, Ja-Dou, Psycho Blast.
Border line: Anything that lived through both periods. For example, Patalirro, Zetsuai, & Eroica are STILL being written & have made distinct changes to fit the times.
by Allaiyah June 25, 2004
Get the Boys Love mug.A romance movie that I love very much. I wish my love life was like this. Noah is super cute and Lara Jean is an amazing actress! They are both great! If you haven't watch "To All The Boys I Loved Before" then you're missing out! Btw Noah is very hot as a kid in the movie and he's hot grown up too! He got dem abs if u kno wat I mean!
by IAmVeryMuchBoredThankYou March 4, 2019
Get the To All The Boys I Loved Before mug.