Bishonen
Japanese word literally meaning 'pretty boy'. Now universally used by anime fans and Otaku to describe attractive males.
Bishonen by Lejindarybunny September 20, 2004
Get the Bishonen mug.
Related Words
Bishonen Jump Syndrome
Bishonen Jump Syndrome is what has most rampantly happened to Shonen Jump itself in the long run, having only grown bigger with the insane long term popularity of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure manga anthology series.
It’s likely thanks to Masami Kurumada’s Saint Seiya that Bishonen Jump Syndrome has only become more obvious throughout the history of Shonen Jump, although it’s not always there until Kinnikuman slowly grew a queer following throughout its original run.
Bishonen Jump Syndrome by Snapper2001 January 27, 2026
angsty bishonen
A male character in an anime who is usually somewhat feminine looking and is always brooding in some way. Usually
"Heero Yuy is so awesome, he's the perfect angsty bishonen" - Rabid GW Fangirl
"Ikaru Shinji might actually be a decent character if he weren't such an angsty bishonen."
"Ikaru Shinji might actually be a decent character if he weren't such an angsty bishonen."
angsty bishonen by Guy Blade November 6, 2003
bishounen
Literally means "pretty boy," as in an attractive member of the male gender. Also spelled "bishonen," and sometimes shortened to "bish" and "bishie/bishy." It is a Japanese word, adopted by female anime fans in the rest of the world to denote any male anime, manga, or video game character they happen to find good looking. Strictly speaking, "bishounen" should only refer to boys under age 20, since a "pretty man" would be "biseinen." However, most people prefer to use bishounen for men and boys of all ages, as it is so widely used.
Opinions on which males are bishounen and which are not vary according to personal tastes. The stereotypical bishounen generally has long hair, a slender, graceful figure, and lacks facial hair. Bishounen tend to appear androgynous or feminine. They are also likely to have certain personality traits, like sensitivity, secretiveness, moodiness, refinement, and a dark, tormented past.
This word is a noun, but is sometimes used as an adjective, as in the sentence "That guy is so bishounen." As an adjective, the word means "having or displaying the traits of a bishounen."
Opinions on which males are bishounen and which are not vary according to personal tastes. The stereotypical bishounen generally has long hair, a slender, graceful figure, and lacks facial hair. Bishounen tend to appear androgynous or feminine. They are also likely to have certain personality traits, like sensitivity, secretiveness, moodiness, refinement, and a dark, tormented past.
This word is a noun, but is sometimes used as an adjective, as in the sentence "That guy is so bishounen." As an adjective, the word means "having or displaying the traits of a bishounen."
bishounen by Stephanie M. July 1, 2003
bishounen
A hot anime/manga guy that catches the eyes of the female readers or watches. But is mistaked to much by parents & non-anime/manga people to be female charaters. Usually the charater is either a sad one or has a hidden past which draws people to them. Also known as a charater they the watches or reader will never forget.