BL

びーえる
noun
boys' love; male-male romance genre
informalcolloquialmedia
1. boys' love; male-male romance genre
A genre of fiction, primarily manga and novels, featuring romantic or sexual relationships between male characters. Primarily created by and for women.
BL漫画(まんが)を読(よ)んでいる。
I'm reading a BL manga.
この本屋(ほんや)にはBLコーナーがある。
This bookstore has a BL section.
BL作品(さくひん)がドラマ化(か)されることが増(ふ)えた。
More BL works are being adapted into dramas.

Etymology

Abbreviation of English 'Boys' Love'. A Japanese-coined term for male-male romance fiction.

Usage

A major genre in Japanese manga, novels, and increasingly in live-action dramas. The audience is primarily women. Not synonymous with gay literature written by or for gay men.

Related words

Related Words

Related: GL (girls' love)
Related: 受(う)ける (the 'bottom' or receiving partner)
Related: 攻(せ)める (the 'top' or pursuing partner)
Related: 腐女子(ふじょし) (female BL fan)
general
Added 2026.1.21 10:00 · Revised 2026.10.7 3:24
07500/07752_biieru