While many fans may not know there is not a difference really between “shounen ai”, yaoi, or BL, numerous sites with translated scanlations categorize them that way. Even though we may know about the history of the BL industry and how some subgenres varied under the larger genre umbrella, I like to consider how there are almost pseudo-categories outside of Japan that attempt to organize the variations with more rigid criteria. These criteria seem to hold little importance or meaning to the Japanese creators, industry, or fans.
— 34, They/Them, USA
documenting the BL fan experience