Boys love Comics as a Representation of Homosexuality in Japan

Abstract

This thesis will focus on a genre of manga and anime called boys love, and compare it to the history of homosexuality in Japan and the homosexual culture in modern Japanese society. The boys love genre itself will be closely examined to find out which tropes are prevalent and why, as well as what its main demographic is. The thesis will then describe the long history of homosexuality in Japan and the similarities that are found between the traditions of the past and the tropes used in today’s boys love. Lastly, the modern homosexual culture in Japan will be examined, to again compare and contrast it to boys love.