While reading this blog, it is possible to run into terminology that you may not know. Take some time to familiarize yourself with these terms. 
*new terms are added.
Yaoi: Is the term used to refer to male homosexual relationships in doujinshi. The term is an acronym for yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi. Which translates to, “no climax, no point, no meaning.” Yaoi has come to mean something different in the West, more of an umbrella term. Yaoi is usually more sexually explicit.
Shounen ai: Also deals with male relationships, however shounen ai isn’t as sexually explicit. In Japan the term was used to describe ephebophilia, overtime in shoujo ai manga, the term was used to describe beautiful boys who were in love.
Slash: Is genre of fanfiction that deals with male homosexual relationships. They can be either sexually explicit or romantic. Normally, slash deals with male/male relationship in which normally within the canon they’re not involved in these types of relationships. For example, Spock/Kirk, slash takes their relationship and create it to be more intimate.
Seme: When referring to yaoi relationships, the seme is the dominant of the relationship. Usually has stereotypical behavior of being more protective and physically stronger. Seme’s are also sexually dominant.
Uke: Within yaoi relationships, the uke is the submissive one in the relationship. Uke’s are usually seen as being much more feminine and androgynous.
Mangaka: Is a person who draws manga.
Shotacon: Is a genre which deals with a fascination with prepuscent boys. The term comes a common name for boys, such as Shotaru.
Josei: Literally translates to woman, it also means ‘ladies comics.’ Josei stories usually are about day to day experiences of Japanese women living in Japan. The style of josei is different from shojo, such as drawing the characters without the large eyes.
Bishounen: Refers to beautiful boys. Comes from an ancient Japanese aesthetic category, normally applied to young boys between the ages of 13-17.
Hentai: Is a Japanese term which translates into sexually “perverted.” Which has negative connotations, in the West hentai has come to mean sexually explicit and pornographic anime and manga.
Manhwa: Is the Korean for print cartoons and comics. Specifically in South Korea.
Fujoshi: Japanese slang term for yaoi fangirl.
Boy’s Love: The manga which is reviewed on this blog is really boy’s love, sometimes abbreviated as BL. Boy’s Love is the term that deals with both dojinshi and commercial works as well.
One shot: One shot comics are comics that have no continuation. In the Japanese comic industry this concept is known as yomikiri which is an implication presented with only one volume. One shot comics are usually written for contests.
