Fudanshi (腐男子, lit. ‘rotten boy(s)’) is a slang term used, sometimes pejoratively, to specifically describe men who enjoy consuming Boys’ Love (BL) manga, commonly called Yaoi (やおい), or other forms of fictional M/M relationship-based media primarily marketed to women. Conversely, men who prefer BL works marketed directly to men are more often referred to as Fukei (腐兄, lit. ‘rotten big brother(s)’).
The opposite of Fudanshi is Fujoshi (腐女子, lit. “rotten girl”), a slang term to describe a woman who likes to consume Boys’ Love (BL) or other forms of fictional M/M relationship-based media.
The gender-neutral term to describe a person who likes to consume Boys’ Love (BL) or other forms of fictional M/M relationship-based media is “fumin” (腐人間).
Historical Context and Evolution
The emergence of fudanshi as a distinct subset of BL fandom can be traced back to the early 2000s in Japan. Initially, BL media was primarily marketed towards women, but it gradually gained a diverse audience, including men who found these stories appealing. The term “fudanshi” itself started as a playful way to recognize male fans within a predominantly female fan base.
BL media has roots in the “shoujo” manga of the 1970s, where pioneering works by the Year 24 Group, a collective of female manga artists, began exploring the emotional and romantic lives of young men. Over the decades, this genre has evolved and expanded, influencing a wide array of media and creating a global community.
From the beginning, BL works have evolved uniquely for a “female audience,” making “men who enjoy BL” rare. Many men feel a strong resistance or rejection to the female-centric expressions typical of women-targeted content.
Even among homosexual men, not all enjoy BL, and it is generally not accepted within the gay community, with many showing disgust when BL is mentioned.
Since it’s a niche hobby even among those aware of it, it’s difficult to publicly claim it, especially since it targets women, not men.
Common Misconceptions
Men who enjoy fictional depictions of male-male romance do not necessarily love the same sex in real life. This is similar to how women who enjoy Yuri (百合), a type of manga about relationships between women, are not necessarily lesbians. It’s important not to conflate two-dimensional preferences with real-life situations.
Tendencies of Fudanshi
Like male readers who enjoy Yuri, fudanshi tend to view pairings from a detached perspective compared to fujoshi, who are often particular about who is dominant or submissive in relationships.
It’s unclear how many “dream guys” (male equivalent of “dream girls”) prefer BL between a male protagonist and other male characters. While there is plenty of secondary creation that is both “for fujoshi” and “dreamy,” it’s often created by female authors.
Some men simply prefer bromance and don’t have a strong attachment to BL, analyzing it from a meta perspective or seeing it as a female interpretation of bromance, while others, who may like female characters or hetero or Yuri content, find BL more appealing due to the heroines’ often singular focus on the hero in hetero narratives.
Boys’ Love Demographic
Most fans of Yaoi and Boys’ Love are women, and such preferences are often despised by men. However, there are men who enjoy anime and novels in the BL and Yaoi genres, and they sometimes refer to themselves as fudanshi, a play on the term fujoshi, which is typically used for women. The term can also be used for men who like Yuri. Furthermore, men who show understanding towards fujoshi are also called fudanshi, as represented by the term “Fudanshism.”
Sexual orientation of Fudanshi in Japan
- Gay (male homosexual): (18.9%)
- Bisexual, prefers men: (31.5%)
- Bisexual, prefers women: (27.0%)
- Heterosexual (18.0%)
- Asexual (does not find others sexually attractive) (4.5%)
Source: Fudanshi ni Kiku 2 (腐男子にきく2) written by Tai Matsuyoshimoto and published in 2010 by Milk Caramel (みるく☆きゃらめる)
Why do men read Yaoi?
According to Tai Matsuyoshimoto, who is openly a fudanshi, since the early 2000s, there has been an increase in men actively (not as a subject of ridicule) watching Yaoi and Boys’ Love works. Initially, these men often started with male-oriented Shota works and gradually became interested in female-oriented Shota Boys’ Love works. This has also led to the emergence of the “otokonoko” genre, which features characters that look like girls but are male.
Among the purchasers of Boys’ Love magazines, there are also homosexual men who turn to Boys’ Love as an alternative to gay magazines, which are harder to obtain. However, the equation fudanshi = homosexual does not always hold true. According to a web survey conducted by Matsuyoshimoto in July 2010, about 50% of the responses were “only men” or “predominantly men” for bisexuals, while the existence of heterosexuals was also confirmed at 18%. However, Matsuyoshimoto believes that the social pressure to be heterosexual is considerably weaker among fudanshi.
Fudanshi in Modern Culture
Today, fudanshi are an integral part of the BL fan community. They participate in fandom through various activities such as consuming media, attending conventions, creating fan art, and writing fan fiction. The acceptance of fudanshi has grown as discussions around gender, sexuality, and fandom have become more open and inclusive.
The internet has played a significant role in the spread and acceptance of BL media and the fudanshi community. Online platforms provide spaces where fans can share their interests without fear of judgment, connect with other fans, and explore their identity and sexuality through fandom.
Challenges and Perceptions
Despite the increasing visibility and acceptance, fudanshi can face stigma both within and outside the BL community. The term “rotten,” originally a self-deprecating joke within the community, sometimes contributes to misunderstanding and prejudice. Moreover, the perception that men should not engage with media that explores emotional vulnerability or non-heteronormative relationships persists in some circles.
However, many fudanshi find that participating in the BL community allows for a valuable exploration of gender and sexual identity, offering a refuge from traditional gender roles and expectations.
Fudanshi Characters
- Ryou Sakaguchi (Fudanshi Koukou Seikatsu) – The protagonist of “The Highschool Life of a Fudanshi,” who is an avid BL fan and often finds himself in humorous situations due to his uncommon interest among his peers.
- Kenjiro Hato (Genshiken: Second Season) – A college student who cross-dresses to integrate into the fujoshi group within the Genshiken club. Hato’s interest in BL and his gender identity are central themes of his character arc.
- Mikuni Sato (Fudanshi Shokan) – Featured in a story about fudanshi who gets magically summoned to another world where his knowledge of BL gives him unexpected powers and popularity.
- Takayuki Abe (Mo Dao Zu Shi) – Although not the main focus of the series, he is a modern-day fudanshi who enjoys discussing BL and its tropes, adding a light-hearted element to the otherwise dramatic series.
- Shuumei Sasaki (Sasaki and Miyano) – A side character known for his appreciation of BL, contributing to the main characters’ evolving relationship by providing BL manga and fostering discussions about BL themes.