BL/YAOI started in 70s Japan amongst female mangaka for female audiences. Observers/academics have theorised that whilst female fans love to see love and intimacy between beautiful boys and men, the repeated/widespread inclusion of emotional and sexual violence is a reflection of the female hetero experience superimposed onto the characters they create. Understandably, male gay observers have not been hugely impressed, since they feel it is their experience being misappropriated. I guess as they were not the primary target audience, things have been slow to change, plus "Bara" was their antidote, with, at least initially, mainly male (+/- gay) mangaka for male gay audiences. Ive read that there is still. a degree of misogynism in East/SE Asia, so this may also be why female mangaka continue with this tone. Now, years later, the audiences for both are more mixed not only in gender, but also in sexuality and region, and the personal morals of readers are more easily expressed and communicated. I guess, if there is any "answer", its to read what you want to, and avoid what you dislike. I avoid shotacon, so I'm supremely uncomfortable when artists draw what are supposed to be consenting uke.adults with childlike proportions/faces/bodies. Then again, one of the most attractive things about manga/manhwa/manua is the art, which can be mesmerising in any sub-genre, like it is here. How beautiful are Hunter and Yujin????!!! Thankfully, guys, its just fiction (?)
BL/YAOI started in 70s Japan amongst female mangaka for female audiences. Observers/academics have theorised that whilst female fans love to see love and intimacy between beautiful boys and men, the repeated/widespread inclusion of emotional and sexual violence is a reflection of the female hetero experience superimposed onto the characters they create.
Understandably, male gay observers have not been hugely impressed, since they feel it is their experience being misappropriated. I guess as they were not the primary target audience, things have been slow to change, plus "Bara" was their antidote, with, at least initially, mainly male (+/- gay) mangaka for male gay audiences.
Ive read that there is still. a degree of misogynism in East/SE Asia, so this may also be why female mangaka continue with this tone.
Now, years later, the audiences for both are more mixed not only in gender, but also in sexuality and region, and the personal morals of readers are more easily expressed and communicated.
I guess, if there is any "answer", its to read what you want to, and avoid what you dislike. I avoid shotacon, so I'm supremely uncomfortable when artists draw what are supposed to be consenting uke.adults with childlike proportions/faces/bodies.
Then again, one of the most attractive things about manga/manhwa/manua is the art, which can be mesmerising in any sub-genre, like it is here. How beautiful are Hunter and Yujin????!!!
Thankfully, guys, its just fiction (?)