The seme/top is the boy, the uke/bottom is the girl: This one's addressed in depth above, but along with all its other problems, it's a homophobic stereotype and manages to be both misogynistic and misandristic.So here's a few pitfalls to look out for, both in actual writing and in interaction with other fans. Also, getting off on guys doing it does not make you immune to having homophobic attitudes or an instant ally, any more than the stereotypical straight males drooling over Les Yay are always and forever feminists and supporters of women's rights and lesbian rights. There are people of all orientations and genders (or lack thereof) which read and write BL / Slash Fic, both as original media creations and fanfiction and roleplaying. While you may think BL or Slash Fic is a straight women's only space, it isn't. You can also have what is called a Total Power Exchange relationship, which means one is strongly dominant and one is strongly submissive but that the couple has previously negotiated and agreed to the idea.īeware Of Homophobic And Transphobic Stereotypes See: Wanko/Nyanko dynamic, wherein the wanko (puppy) character is usually the seme and often at the mercy of the willful nyanko (kitty). In Japanese, the term "Riba" refers to "reversible" couples with no fixed roles.įurthermore, a character who is sexually dominant is not necessarily in control of the relationship outside of the bedroom. The sexually receptive/submissive partner, and often more of a Bishounen, but again, this is simply a trope, not a rule.
Stereotypically often more masculine, but that's absolutely not a rule. Refers to the character who is sexually dominant and does the penetrating. Barring a three- or more- way relationship, there are two main characters in traditional BL/yaoi: the Seme and the Uke.