Seme or Uke?

I really thought that I didn't have a preference. I really thought that I loved all of my bishies equally. After commenting on the SH forum, I think I realized that may not be the truth...

For the uninitiated, I shall briefly define the terms used in the title: "seme" and "uke". In North America, you might translate them as "top" and "bottom", but that doesn't really do it justice. In the world of Yaoi there are some nuances that delve deeper into these definitions.

Seme: Yes, the majority of the time is the "pitcher", or the one performing the penetration, to get all technical and such. However, you can usually figure out who that is before the sex even starts, or if it is missing altogether, like in many shonen-ai stories. Essentially, the seme is the instigator, the assertive, confident character of the pair. He is the one who approaches the other. Traditionally, he is taller, and slightly more muscular. He gives off a cool air about him and often oozes "sexy".

Uke: The "bottom", or "catcher". He is the one getting fucked, to get all crude and such. He is usually identified by larger, doe-y eyes, shorter in stature, and mildly naive. Often, he is unaware of his sexual preference, and is often nervous at the prospect of loving another man. He is sexy in his innocence and often feminine charm. He is the "girl" in the relationship.

For the most part I find that within the stories, roles are defined purely by the physical, so essentially who "pitches" and who "catches", but in further analysis, there are several characters I have met who cross the line between both, but not because their position in sex has changed, only because their personality is unexpected.

As mentioned at the beginning, I thought I love both equally, and that it depended upon the story. As I tried to make my point, I slowly realized that I really do tend towards the seme. I like the ukes, often think that they are cute, but in a friendly, little kid kind of way. Semes, on the other hand, drive me to hard breathing and hash-marks on my face... Semes get me hot and bothered, in all the best ways. (o^_^o)

Do you have a preference?

Yokozawa no baai FTW!!!!

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! I'm currently having to wipe the tears from my red face having just finished reading September Scanlations' English translation of Sekaiichi Hatsukoi(SH) - Yokozawa Takafumi no Baai! There are only a few pictures, but mostly it is a light novel. Although it is not 100% Nakamura Shungiku, it still comes across in that same, wonderfully BL way!

I mean, I love Nakamura sensei's works, like Junjou Romantica(JR) and the SH manga, but holy crap did the peeps over at September Scanlations do an awesome job! It has a nice flow and was sooooooo touching! I had started reading it directly from their site but then just downloaded the files once they were available. If you like JR, SH, touching love stories, grumpy tsunderes, and HOT HOT MAN SEX, then you have to read it! And if you don't, why on Earth are you reading this blog? (Seriously, I'd really like to know!)

Real or imaginary?

I always have questions going on in my head about the yaoi I read. For instance, there are some that clearly depict sex acts, with full on genitalia, some with creative angles in order to tastefully hide them, and then there are some that just "blur" it... (Level C! Invisible penis!). Sometimes the blurring is pointless, since we have outlines, fluids depicted, hands and fingers defining it...

So, it makes me wonder. Are there some yaoi mangaka who are just being help back by Japanese decency and censorship laws? But then, if that's the case, how come others are able to go all out? Does it depend upon the magazine that initially publishes it? I also believe that sometimes it is the mangaka who does not want to draw it, but does not want to leave it out, either because of personal discomfort or because of lack of confidence drawing realistic penises. Remember, MOST yaoi mangaka are women, so these are both plausible possibilities.

What do you think?

What's the appeal?

As I sit here in Starbucks contemplating my next article for Culture Magazine, I realize that the yaoi I was reading last night in bed is still open in my browser. I finish the last few pages that my eyes refused to stay open for and then continue with my Sunday morning ritual.

But this has made me wonder, what exactly is it that I find so appealing about this genre? Is it the porn aspect? I mean, a lot of the titles I read are pretty darn hot. Is it the love stories? I would only be able to make that case if the stories I read weren't full of incredibly unhealthy relationships where one person is borderline physically abusive, and/or over-protective and jealous. The sweetness of the love realized always comes across tainted to me as the dominating character states "No really, no other man is allowed to talk to you, touch you, look at you, breath the same air as you..." Were it a real-life relationship I would be appalled. So why do I barely even flinch when it comes to yaoi? Is it the fiction aspect? Is it the lack of real people? Is it the lack of female oppression?

I've often wondered if my comfort level, as a women, was the fact that it was men being oppressed by other men, and not women suffering from this all to common plight. I mean, I can understand why that would at least instill some semblance of distance from the violence... but is it enough? I don't know.

Anybody have any ideas? I'd love to know your thoughts.

Will post soon!!

Hello my fellow Fujoshi! Worry not! I will be posting soon. I am currently in Toronto for FanExpo. Can't wait to tell you guys about some of the people I met and yaoi I bought!!!