Its literal meaning in Japanese is 'boy love'. In Japan, it's associated with paedophilia and is an obsolete term. In the West, however, it's taken on new meaning to refer to the less graphic depictions of male/male romantic relationships aimed at women. More descriptive art and fiction are often referred to as yaoi. Female/female relationships are called either shoujoai or yuri, depending on how graphic they are.
Many people have different attitudes to its use. Others will demand you use the term BL/boy's love as they do in Japan, some will say it covers all m/m relationships, but most follow the above description.
Many people have different attitudes to its use. Others will demand you use the term BL/boy's love as they do in Japan, some will say it covers all m/m relationships, but most follow the above description.
by Kat January 21, 2004
Get the shounenai mug.Retro term once used in Japan to depics softcore romantic relationships between men, aimed for women's entertainment (& not for mockery either). Some people who have touble adjusting or reading Japanese or staying updated still call it Shounenai, but now it's called BL.
Go to Google.om, switch settings to Japanese language only, type in BL. You'll gets tons & tons of links. For you buffs who know katakana & cut-&-paste, try adding wods like gallery & illust for picture BL sites.
by Allaiyah January 14, 2004
Get the shounenai mug.Related Words
shounen ai • ShounenJin • Shounenblast • shounenprotagonist • shaunening • Shonendigest • Shonensai • Shouganai • shounen • Shounenhead
A meme page ran by the sexiest man alive. His erotic voice will make you aroused as soon as you hear it. Also loves traps.
by Dr.tenma 00 January 19, 2021
Get the ShounenJin mug.Anime, manga, or fanfic that depicts non-explicit relationships between two males. Usually focuses on the romantic/ loving/ emotional side of the relationship, unlike yaoi which focuses on the passionate/ lustful/ physical side. Usually no more than PG-13 rated.
by K. R. H. September 15, 2005
Get the shounen-ai mug.A popular definition of the three,currently most popular, shounen anime- Naruto, Bleach and One piece.
Used in context of current popularity,instead of past popularity.(for example why Dragon ball isnt listed is because the anime was finished)
Used in context of current popularity,instead of past popularity.(for example why Dragon ball isnt listed is because the anime was finished)
by misko November 20, 2007
Get the holy shounen trinity mug.by imherebecauseofthememes December 28, 2020
Get the Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun mug.Shinji Ikari is a shounen.
by Anime Guy October 5, 2004
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