This exhibition introduces the history of the "Boys’ Love",

a genre popular to Japan and worldwide, spanning over 50 years. 

It explores the roots and evolution of Boys Love via displays of

 precious original artworks and magazines.

Exhibition Outline

【INTRODUCTION】

１．The June Era

The magazine June was founded in 1978. It mainly featured works with a theme of love between men and fostered BL authors, contributing significantly to the development of BL culture. In this area, we will comprehensively introduce the secret stories of the founding of June as told by former editor-in-chief Toshihiko Sagawa, the cultivation of BL manga artists in the magazine, and the works and authors who were born from the magazine and later led the BL genre.

Furthermore, we will display valuable original artworks, such as the cover of the first issue drawn by manga artist Keiko Takemiya, who has a deep connection with June, and the artwork Kaze to Ki no Uta: Gosui no KISS which is also the exhibition’s key visual.

2. Yaoi

The term yaoi² is an acronym of the phrase “YAma-nashi, Ochi-nashi, Imi-nashi” (no climax, no punch line, no meaning), and is said to have originated from a doujinshi published back in 1979. Subsequently, the yaoi boom in the late 1980s led to the birth of "coupling" - parodies of existing mainstream anime and manga works, depicting male characters from popular series in sexual scenarios, typically in a seme-uke (dominant/submissive) dynamic. Major conventions like Comic Market (Comiket) experienced a surge in yaoi interest groups (circles), turning the subculture into a mass social phenomenon, and in this section of the exhibition we will take a deeper look into this transformation.

²For this exhibition, "yaoi" is defined as derivative fan-made BL works.

3. Blooming BL Culture

From the early 1990s, BL manga and novel magazines were launched one after another, drawing more and more attention to BL culture. This area will introduce you to popular magazines such as MAGAZINE BE×BOY which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, along with actual exhibits.

In this period, more and more authors active in both BL and non-BL works started appearing - one of which is Yu Asagiri, whose original artwork will be on display.

Today, BL receives international recognition, and events are held all over the world. Come and learn about its ever expanding body of work, the outgrowth of its sub-genres, and its path to becoming a transmedia franchise.

【Satellite Venue】

Books and magazines exhibited in the main Edit and Art Gallery venue will be made available to read at the Book Street satellite venue on the same floor.

There will also be a display of obi³ of BL books. Typically, obis provide an introduction, catchphrases, and promotional phrases for the book, serving as an important appeal point for readers to pick it up. However, BL obis are known for their bold catchphrases. In cooperation with the exhibition, Marco, a freelance writer who has been introducing BL obi on his website Coffee Writer, will have a selected display of BL obi that caught his attention over the years.

³Obi: The belly band, also known as an advertising wrap, is the printed strip of paper wrapped around the book when you first get it.

Event Outline