Queer Transfigurations: Boys Love Media in Asia

The boys' love (BL) genre was created in Japan in the early 1970s by young female manga artists to challenge oppressive gender and sexual norms. It has since grown into a global media phenomenon, with strong local fan communities and locally produced BL works in other parts of Asia. Queer Transfigurations is the first detailed examination of the BL media explosion across Asia, bringing together twenty-one scholars from diverse disciplines to explore its media, fans, and sociocultural impacts. The book demonstrates that BL is transnational and transcultural in diverse cultural contexts, and has helped to bring about positive changes in the status of LGBT(Q) people and communities and enlighten local understandings of gender and sexuality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press

The boys' love (BL) genre emerged in early 1970s Japan as a creative response by young female manga artists to challenge prevailing gender and sexual norms. Over time, BL experienced an extraordinary surge in popularity, evolving into a global media phenomenon that has permeated various forms of entertainment, including anime, prose fiction, live-action dramas, video games, audio dramas, and fan works. The male-male romantic and sexual relationships depicted in BL have found a particularly enthusiastic reception in other parts of Asia, where strong local fan communities and locally produced BL works have cultivated a devoted following. These works have taken on new meanings and exerted significant cultural impacts, resonating with audiences across the region.

Queer Transfigurations: Exploring the BL Media Explosion Across Asia is a groundbreaking work that delves into the intricate world of BL media, its fans, and its sociocultural impacts in a dozen countries across East, Southeast, and South Asia, as well as beyond. The book brings together a diverse group of twenty-one scholars from various disciplines, including anthropology, fan studies, gender and sexuality studies, history, literature, media studies, political science, and sociology, who offer their expertise to shed light on BL media and its fandoms.

Through their contributions, Queer Transfigurations reveals the far-reaching influences of the BL genre, showcasing its transnational and transcultural nature in diverse cultural contexts. The book underscores the positive impact that BL has had on the status of LGBT(Q) people and communities, as well as on local understandings of gender and sexuality throughout Asia. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling to challenge norms, promote inclusivity, and transform lives.

In essence, Queer Transfigurations demonstrates that fifty years after the first BL manga appeared in print, the genre continues to reverberate and transform the lives of individuals and communities. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts alike, providing a comprehensive examination of BL media and its profound impact on society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780824888992