documenting the BL fan experience
I was maybe 12 and was beginning to question my identity (sexuality and gender), and it was the first time I related to something and felt like I “belonged”, like something clicked and I realized I was different. Since BL is “common” in Japan I…
Gei comi is a bit heavier and with more sex than BL, less bishounen, but I like it. It feels too real sometimes. I don’t always want to relate to stuff, sometimes I just want to vibe. — 23, He/Him, Japan
BL can be easy to find. But not in English. Online comic sites like Lehzin and Tappytoon toon are making it easier as they offer translations. But an annoying payment system makes it hard to enjoy. Pirating has led to publishers realizing there’s an audience. It’s also hard for people in areas that aren’t accepting of LGBT to read them/pay for them. So I’m okay with it.
— 31, She/Her, South Korea
I’m a bi man, and I use Fudanshi. People like to use my mlm identity in discourse, as long as I agree with them (otherwise I don’t count). I like m|m representation in BL, it’s fictional, it’s for fun! It doesn’t need to be 1:1…
Korea has a very active BL fandom. The stores carry many different stories and a wide selection. — 31, She/Her, South Korea
I think piracy has a part in making BL popular outside of Japan, but I prefer when people support the official manga.
— 23, He/Him, Japan
