Yaoi Magazine Profiles

This is just an update to let yaoi fans know that I will be doing profiles of the current magazines which are aimed at yaoi. Since it’s a growing subculture I wanted to pay special attention to them, I’m going to find out what their goals are, what kind of content within these magazines,etc.

So look out for that.

Yaoi: The Evolution of a Subculture

I came across this article on Aarin Secret which is a magazine that launched back in 2006. Their spring issue will be out soon, and their mag is devoted to the genre of yaoi.

Whether or not society is willing to accept this fact, homoeroticism has deep and intriguing roots in human culture. The evidence exists for all to see in countless expressions of art and literature.

During Japan’s Tokugawa era (1603-1868), a form of theatrical drama called Nanshoku became very popular. One of the brightest stars in this arena was a playwright named egyptMonzaemon Chikamatsu. Known as the “Japanese Shakespeare”, he wrote several dramas featuring romantic adventures and misadventures between males. One of these dramas was the tale of the merchant Hanbei, a former Samurai – who faces the tasks of selecting the most suitable lover for his younger brother, the inexperienced Samurai Koshichirō. Hanbei requires that the lover selected be as a brother to Koshichirō. He must be loyal to the point of committing seppuku (ritual suicide) with Koshichirō, if necessary. In the end, Hanbei rejects several noblemen, selecting instead a commoner named Koichibei – because his heart was the most sincere.

Read more.

Yaoi Video

I haven’t been able to post as much lately. Studying for midterms and trying to write a paper. Here’s a nice yaoi video for you to enjoy.

Yaoi Manga Review: I Shall Never Return volume 5

Author: Kazuna Uchida
Publisher: Deux Press
Rating: Mature (18+)

We are now at the end of the ongoing series of I Shall Never Return.

There’s a lot of action, it’s very climatic which is good because this is what I’d expect from a finale. Ken and J are in India at this point where they take pictures. Meanwhile, Ritsuro parents discover their relationship is much more than a friendship and soon conflict arises. Each of the characters experience some sort of obstacle, and Uchida does a fine job of showing the reader each of their inner conflicts. I also liked towards the end where the reader learns how Ken entered prostitution. I don’t thin any yaoi fan will be disappointed.

Even Moeko gets an appearance, and she’s very important to the plot. Which normally isn’t something that happens in a lot of boy love stories. I do however have several gripes, one being the rape scene which I didn’t think was really necessary and really didn’t do anything to further the plot.

The sex scenes were done well even though they weren’t very explicit. And the artwork wasn’t too bad as well.

Rating: 9

Bad Yaoi Boys

Enjoy your weekend!

Midwest Convention

There’s another convention that will be held here in the Midwest. It’s Bishie Con and it will be located in St. Louis, Missouri.

Boys’ Love (or BL) is a broad term referring to fictional male/male romantic relationships created for women, by women. It has a long history not only in Japan and the U.S. but all over the world!

Slash is the American term for Boys’ Love written or drawn about two characters from another work that would otherwise be assumed straight. For example, an artist might create artwork pairing Sirius Black and Remus Lupin from Harry Potter. Such a pairing would be called “Sirius/Remus”, hence the “slash”.

Learn more

41 Seconds

Here is something I wanted to share.

These guys are so hot. But I liked the ending the best.

Watch it

Walk Away Yaoi

Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Yaoi Manga Releases for February

Here some releases for the month of February.

A freelance writer named Tozaki is reunited with his high school sweetheart, coincidentally through an assignment. Discover what happens next in Pure Heart volume 1.

Death, a mysterious woman, and a completely different world. The Way to Heaven puts a whole new spin on the yaoi genre.

Haruka and Tokio are ready to take their relationship to the next level in Clan of the Nakagamis.

Love/Knot is the story of a private detective/assassin and finds himself the protector of a young man who had a near death experience.

BLUmanga is releasing a fantasy romance story entitled Black Knight.

Two detectives run an agency in Tokyo’s gay district. Their lives are rather boring, they have no money and have to scrape. But suddenly something sets one of them off. Find out what it is in Live For Love.

Deux Press will release a manga entitled Love Round!!

The final volume of S will be released. Find out what happens!!

*Note: Deux Press will be releasing Cigarette Kisses this Fall.

Delayed trial over obscene manga

Just recently a man was charged for allegedly possessing obscene manga.

The court trial for the Iowa man accused of possessing obscene manga has been delayed from its scheduled start date, which was Monday. Christopher S. Handley faces up to 20 years in prison over manga he received in the mail and manga in his personal collection. He was originally charged on May 8, 2007. Eric A. Chase, Handley’s defense attorney, requested the latest delay on January 22, and Judge James E. Gritzner granted the motion the next day. The new start date will be during the last two weeks of March, depending on the judge’s schedule.

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This story was reported back in November, but get this, apparently this man possessed some yaoi manga. It seems it was considered obscene because quite often in yaoi the characters are drawn in a way which makes them appear younger than what they are. The authorities must have thought it was child pornography. :s

Eric Chase, the lead lawyer for an Iowa man accused of possessing obscene manga, indicated to MTV’s Splash Page blog that some of the manga in question are yaoi. Christopher Handley was originally charged on May 8, 2007, and his case will go on trial on December 2.

Read more