boys' love
Male romantic fiction
Boys' love is a genre of fiction, originating in Japan, depicting romantic or sexual relationships between male characters.
The genre emerged from manga and anime created primarily by and for women.
Often abbreviated BL, it encompasses stories ranging from chaste romance to explicit content: She spent the weekend reading boys' love manga.
The possessive apostrophe reflects the Japanese term.
Angled line or swipe
- webnovelsFiction published online serially
- light novelsIllustrated Japanese young-adult fiction
- visual novelsText-heavy illustrated games
- subtextImplicit meaning beneath words
slow burn · angst · fluff · hurt/comfort · found family
Amateur work using existing characters
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- fanartUnofficial creative homages
- fan serviceGratuitous audience-pleasing material
- ship warsFandom disputes over relationships
Miniature Hawaiian guitar
- reversibleAble to be undone
- childhood friendsCompanions from youth
- age gapDifference in years lived
- office romanceRomantic involvement between colleagues
student-teacher · misunderstanding · confession scene · cohabitation · jealousy · yandere
Vertical-scroll digital comic
- manhuaComics from China
- serializationEncoding objects for transmission
- anthologyCollected literary works volume
- one-shotOccurring just once
Attracted to same sex
- LGBTQSexual and gender minorities
- representationDepiction or likeness
- queernessUnconventional identity or nature
- coming outRevealing one's identity
identity · pride · visibility · acceptance · homophobia · queer coding · chosen family · safe space
Emotional closeness between people
- emotional bondAffective tie between people
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
tenderness · passion · longing · pining · mutual pining · first kiss · happy ending
slash
Angled line or swipe
- webnovelsFiction published online serially
- light novelsIllustrated Japanese young-adult fiction
- visual novelsText-heavy illustrated games
subtext · slow burn · angst · fluff · hurt/comfort · found family
fanfiction
Amateur work using existing characters
- shippingTransporting goods to destinations
- fanartUnofficial creative homages
- fan serviceGratuitous audience-pleasing material
ship wars · OTP · canon · headcanon · fanzine · conventions · cosplay
uke
Miniature Hawaiian guitar
- reversibleAble to be undone
- childhood friendsCompanions from youth
- age gapDifference in years lived
office romance · student-teacher · misunderstanding · confession scene · cohabitation · jealousy · yandere
webtoon
Vertical-scroll digital comic
- manhuaComics from China
- serializationEncoding objects for transmission
- anthologyCollected literary works volume
one-shot · mangaka · speech bubbles · chibi · splash page
gay
Attracted to same sex
- LGBTQSexual and gender minorities
- representationDepiction or likeness
- queernessUnconventional identity or nature
coming out · identity · pride · visibility · acceptance · homophobia · queer coding · chosen family · safe space
intimacy
Emotional closeness between people
- emotional bondAffective tie between people
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
devotion · tenderness · passion · longing · pining · mutual pining · first kiss · happy ending
Gravitation
Titled scholarly volume