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Which One do You Prefer BL or GL?
Jan 5, 2017 4:19 PM
#1
| Hello peeps of MAL!!! I got bored so I wanted to create a forum where I can get peoples opinions I don't want to start a fight this is fair opinion I have been reading BL manga for over 2 years now, and have completed more than 100 series, thou I have never read GL before, maybe it's because I am girl, but some of my girl-friends read yuri even though they are female so I thought maybe I could try too!! haha it's funny when I tried reading one I couldn't find, one that new beginner can read!! So I wanted to know your opinion, since this is anime/manga website and BL/GL can be counted here I thought it was safe for me to post it :) I keep everything to myself no body knows in real life, I cannot talk about it outside of websites which one do you prefer better? Also Do you have any good GL manga for a new starter? |
Jan 6, 2017 12:24 AM
#2
| I started watching anime and reading manga with yuri. So… But anyway, as long as it's good, I don't care for the sex or gender of the protagonists. At first I read mostly anything, but now I enjoy quite a lot the bombastic (and often tragic) old-school shōjo, or more realistic mature shōjo/josei. Because here the characters feels alive with real emotions. The "recent" trend of cute moe-blobs or pseudo-bishōnen doing cute things isn't much my taste anymore, even if there is a good one managing to have a good feel from time to time. I also enjoy when there is a real plot/substance beside the yaoi/yuri. And finally, I have an high taste for cross-dressing, be it otokonoko (male) or otokoyaku (female). So when I have an otokonoko-yaoi or an otokoyaku-yuri, I'm quite happy. Historically, yuri is a shōjo thing like yaoi, and today is an hybrid genre for both males and females. So it should not be that difficult to find. Like I said I have a taste for mature shōjo/josei ones, like Moonlight Flowers, Love my Life, Applause, Pietà and to a certain point, something like Philosophia. They're nice, feel real, the emotions are strong in them… I'm a little sad to not being able to find that much yaoi like that (I only managed one TT). More typical excellent ones should be things like Bloom into You, Tamen de Gushi, Octave, Girl Friends, Kimi Koi Limit. I won't recommend the old-school or otokoyaku ones because they're a peculiar taste of mine… |
Jan 6, 2017 12:30 AM
#3
| Honestly, I tend to lean towards BL a lot since A) It's what I was first exposed to so I'm probably biased B) The first yuri I watched sucked imo (Strawberry Panic, if you were wondering) C) I find that BL tends to have better writing?? Not sure why that is idk maybe I'm just a fujoshi but the only yuri I've ever enjoyed was Sakura Trick ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ |
Jan 6, 2017 7:06 AM
#4
| BL and GL aren't genres that I seek out so I don't prefer either one. But this thread brings up a question, hence my reason for commenting. When I think of BL and GL I tend to think of shounen-ai and shoujo-ai. Which to my understanding could either be a non-sexual relationship or it could just mean closeness between same sex characters. That is different from yaoi or yuri in that these two depict a much more explicit or sexual relationship. Am I wrong or misunderstanding something? |
Jan 6, 2017 9:13 AM
#5
| I don't know, but I do know is that I prefer yuri over yaoi... |
Jan 6, 2017 9:20 AM
#6
TFO1013 said: But this thread brings up a question, hence my reason for commenting. When I think of BL and GL I tend to think of shounen-ai and shoujo-ai. Which to my understanding could either be a non-sexual relationship or it could just mean closeness between same sex characters. That is different from yaoi or yuri in that these two depict a much more explicit or sexual relationship. Am I wrong or misunderstanding something? That's how it works on MAL and some other Western websites (but not all) yup. In Japan it is different (and some Western websites and fans prefer to follow the Japanese way). In Japan, "BL" and "GL", for "Boys' Love" and "Girls' Love", are publishing categories, meaning they are like "shōnen", "seinen", "kodomo" et cætera. Of course, in a more broad way, BL/GL are also used to describe the genres. Then you have "yuri", which is interchangeable with "GL", there is absolutely no difference between the two names. "Yaoi", by tradition tends to refer to dōjinshi works, thus "BL" is for commercials work, and "yaoi" is for amateur works. And then "shōnen'ai" and "shōjo-ai" aren't used in Japan, not with that meaning at least. Those two words having pedophilia connotations. Japanese peoples didn't make two separate genres "non-sexual" and "sexual" like Westerners did. |
Jan 6, 2017 9:36 AM
#7
lady_freyja said: TFO1013 said: But this thread brings up a question, hence my reason for commenting. When I think of BL and GL I tend to think of shounen-ai and shoujo-ai. Which to my understanding could either be a non-sexual relationship or it could just mean closeness between same sex characters. That is different from yaoi or yuri in that these two depict a much more explicit or sexual relationship. Am I wrong or misunderstanding something? That's how it works on MAL and some other Western websites (but not all) yup. In Japan it is different (and some Western websites and fans prefer to follow the Japanese way). In Japan, "BL" and "GL", for "Boys' Love" and "Girls' Love", are publishing categories, meaning they are like "shōnen", "seinen", "kodomo" et cætera. Of course, in a more broad way, BL/GL are also used to describe the genres. Then you have "yuri", which is interchangeable with "GL", there is absolutely no difference between the two names. "Yaoi", by tradition tends to refer to dōjinshi works, thus "BL" is for commercials work, and "yaoi" is for amateur works. And then "shōnen'ai" and "shōjo-ai" aren't used in Japan, not with that meaning at least. Those two words having pedophilia connotations. Japanese peoples didn't make two separate genres "non-sexual" and "sexual" like Westerners did. Ah. That makes sense. |
Jan 6, 2017 9:49 AM
#8
| I am pretty much into BL lately (the genre is also quite popular in Germany though, while GL is still more of a niche), thanks to a good friend of mine. It's surprisingly a widely accepted genre with my friends. Didn't expect that tbh. Since I am a girl, I tend to not read much of GL because it doesn't interest me. Still planning on reading a bit in the future though, if the story and characters are good. Then I couldn't care less about the gender. |
Jan 6, 2017 3:21 PM
#9
lady_freyja said: OWO those are really good ones, I am not sure but I seriously couldn't find my taste thou I will try the ones you wrote it down and thank you for answering in detail helped me understand a little bit about you when it comes to BL, GLI started watching anime and reading manga with yuri. So… But anyway, as long as it's good, I don't care for the sex or gender of the protagonists. At first I read mostly anything, but now I enjoy quite a lot the bombastic (and often tragic) old-school shōjo, or more realistic mature shōjo/josei. Because here the characters feels alive with real emotions. The "recent" trend of cute moe-blobs or pseudo-bishōnen doing cute things isn't much my taste anymore, even if there is a good one managing to have a good feel from time to time. I also enjoy when there is a real plot/substance beside the yaoi/yuri. And finally, I have an high taste for cross-dressing, be it otokonoko (male) or otokoyaku (female). So when I have an otokonoko-yaoi or an otokoyaku-yuri, I'm quite happy. Historically, yuri is a shōjo thing like yaoi, and today is an hybrid genre for both males and females. So it should not be that difficult to find. Like I said I have a taste for mature shōjo/josei ones, like Moonlight Flowers, Love my Life, Applause, Pietà and to a certain point, something like Philosophia. They're nice, feel real, the emotions are strong in them… I'm a little sad to not being able to find that much yaoi like that (I only managed one TT). More typical excellent ones should be things like Bloom into You, Tamen de Gushi, Octave, Girl Friends, Kimi Koi Limit. I won't recommend the old-school or otokoyaku ones because they're a peculiar taste of mine… |
Jan 6, 2017 3:22 PM
#10
jakenpon said: That's what I am also thinking, my friends read yuri but I am more towards yaoi.Honestly, I tend to lean towards BL a lot since A) It's what I was first exposed to so I'm probably biased B) The first yuri I watched sucked imo (Strawberry Panic, if you were wondering) C) I find that BL tends to have better writing?? Not sure why that is idk maybe I'm just a fujoshi but the only yuri I've ever enjoyed was Sakura Trick ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ |
Jan 6, 2017 3:33 PM
#11
Schlopsi said: You're lucky my friends don't read yaoi, they actually say it's disgusting while they themselves talk about yuri, so I clouldn't talk about it to my friends :(I am pretty much into BL lately (the genre is also quite popular in Germany though, while GL is still more of a niche), thanks to a good friend of mine. It's surprisingly a widely accepted genre with my friends. Didn't expect that tbh. Since I am a girl, I tend to not read much of GL because it doesn't interest me. Still planning on reading a bit in the future though, if the story and characters are good. Then I couldn't care less about the gender. |
Jan 6, 2017 3:48 PM
#12
qiaoen_joechen said: You're lucky my friends don't read yaoi, they actually say it's disgusting while they themselves talk about yuri, so I clouldn't talk about it to my friends :( That's unfortunate. But interesting that they rather tend to read Yuri instead. I would have thought they'd decline both genres then. Hmm. If you feel like talking about it, talk to me then. Always love to receive some great recommendations. ;) Well, there is actually one friend, who can get quite controversial while discussing BL/GL-stories and he loves to tease me with that fact, but that's okay. Most of my friends tolerate it but don't read it in an extend like I do. Except that one person, who introduced me to the genre. She is the only person who really enjoys discussing the stuff, handing out recs, etc. while I don't feel the need to bother the others with that. If the topic comes up, okay. If not, still fine. |
Jan 7, 2017 1:53 PM
#14
| I like both but GL is little bit better for meeh *~* |
Jan 9, 2017 1:20 AM
#15
| Both as long as the story's good. =D |
Jan 9, 2017 2:27 AM
#16
| None. And no offense but the 5th option is dumb. Take it off. |
Jan 9, 2017 5:16 PM
#17
| I like both. I'm a bit more undeveloped in yuri I've read though, I really should read more. Both have a lot of more fetishistic work in their genres but I'm thankful for them both as categories and I just wish it was easier to dig up the best stories within the genres. |
Jan 10, 2017 4:12 AM
#18
| Both if they are done well! (-: |
Jan 10, 2017 4:15 AM
#19
| Oh and read Tamen De Gushi a gl story? kind of. If you havent already, I believe its still publishing. (-: |
Jan 16, 2017 8:59 PM
#21
| Neither, but since I'm a man, yuri is more tolerable. |
Jan 16, 2017 9:35 PM
#22
KusattaTamago said: I also Think that if the story is good I will be able to read itBoth as long as the story's good. =D |
Jan 16, 2017 9:36 PM
#23
waalex11 said: 5th option is just fine, there is at least one person who doesn't know what GL and BL is. LOLNone. And no offense but the 5th option is dumb. Take it off. |
Jan 16, 2017 9:37 PM
#24
bunicat said: Alright I will try reading that one too :) it feels little weird to read yuri lol XD thanks for the recommendationOh and read Tamen De Gushi a gl story? kind of. If you havent already, I believe its still publishing. (-: |
Jan 16, 2017 9:38 PM
#25
Gexis said: LOL, I won't argue with you since it's free based opinion. However you might come to like one when you try reading it!! that's what it happened to me lolNone both are terrible...... |
Jan 16, 2017 9:39 PM
#26
Faederwulf said: Hehe thanks for answering kindly unlike some people in here XDNeither, but since I'm a man, yuri is more tolerable. |
Jan 16, 2017 9:40 PM
#27
qiaoen_joechen said: Gexis said: LOL, I won't argue with you since it's free based opinion. However you might come to like one when you try reading it!! that's what it happened to me lolNone both are terrible...... Uhh yeah no that will never happen. |
Jan 16, 2017 9:42 PM
#28
Gexis said: ehey come on you can't just predict it and I love that picture you know HAHAHAHAHAHA XDqiaoen_joechen said: Gexis said: None both are terrible...... Uhh yeah no that will never happen. |
Jan 19, 2017 1:46 AM
#29
Jan 19, 2017 3:17 AM
#30
| I prefer BL, but there's nothing wrong with GL and I have some GL manga and anime in my collection (I'm one of the few people who actually did like Strawberry Panic) |
| ~Where's Gnasty Gnorc? I'll torch him!~ |
Jan 20, 2017 4:26 PM
#31
| Both are good. Both are relevant. God bless. ♥ |
« KILL WITCHES GET BITCHES » – official 魔法少女 “mahou shoujo“ credo |
Jan 20, 2017 7:33 PM
#32
| I prefer yuri cause I'm a lesbian and its what I can related to most, but I don't mind watching yaoi if I happened upon it. I just don't actively search out yaoi series like I do with yuri series. |
Jan 13, 2022 11:48 AM
#33
| I just dont fw since majority of the time women are portrayed as villains |
| []()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()[] Pringles |
Jan 15, 2022 6:43 PM
#34
| "Sadly" it's boys love in anime and manga. Outside of anime and manga, it's much more balanced and of course I prefer lesbian couples a bit, because I'm a lesbian. There is rarely girls love with an actual plot, or lesbian characters and couples as a normal part of the cast and the plot. Often everything revolves around the lesbian couple or about being queer or "the forbidden love". I like slice of life and drama too, but it's still not my favorite. Also it's often not done that well, imo. A lot of lesbian characters in anime and manga are overly infantilized or they are just very moe and overly cute and tender as well. While I like moe sometimes, there is still missing something and there is too much of it for me. There is a lot of stuff like Sakura Trick and other moe series that have yuri baits and are about girls coming close to each other in a very cute way. Most are fine and all, but still... I miss lesbian characters that look and behave like adult women / older teenagers actually looking and acting their age. You rarely get that in anime and manga. While there are boys love series like Mo Dao Zu Shi, Banana Fish etc. and in general more gay characters that aren't so cliched or fetishized, from my experience. Not counting the typical yaois here, but in series where they are just a part of the cast. |
removed-userJan 15, 2022 6:48 PM
Jan 15, 2022 6:53 PM
#35
| Well, I used to watch/read BL, but once I discovered that I was a woman, I could no longer relate to male characters, so now I have absolutely no interest in watching/reading BL anymore. I haven't actually given GL a chance before, as many GL anime/manga are written by men, and are aimed at the male audience, and I am not the demographic there, not to mention they rarely have decent storylines. I will however, attempt to track down some of the few decent, light-hearted GL titles down in the near future. |
Jan 17, 2022 11:42 AM
#36
| Boys' love, because the terms are not symmetric and b.l. is actually a genre opposed to g.l., which is simply anything that features two or more female lovers. Nonsense such as YuriYuri is still “g.l.”; had all the characters been male it would not be “b.l.”, as it lacks the common dramatic tropes. Therefore, it's rather comparing apples to oranges and similar to asking whether one likes psychological thrillers, or titles with male protagonists, which is of course a strange comparison. — Indeed, many argue that “honorary b.l.” exists which does not necessary feature two male love interests, but nevertheless has the other tropes of the genre. I've even seen titles which have two female love interests in b.l. recommendation lists, with the writer arguing that it reads as one would expect a b.l. narrative to. _Maneki-Neko_ said: This is not my perception necessarily, but as I said, “b.l.” is an actual genre in how the term is used, and “g.l.” is used in the same way as “female protagonist” is and can be anything, as such anything called “b.l.” or recommended as such has many of the tropes of “teens' love”."Sadly" it's boys love in anime and manga. Outside of anime and manga, it's much more balanced and of course I prefer lesbian couples a bit, because I'm a lesbian. There is rarely girls love with an actual plot, or lesbian characters and couples as a normal part of the cast and the plot. Often everything revolves around the lesbian couple or about being queer or "the forbidden love". I like slice of life and drama too, but it's still not my favorite. Also it's often not done that well, imo. A lot of lesbian characters in anime and manga are overly infantilized or they are just very moe and overly cute and tender as well. While I like moe sometimes, there is still missing something and there is too much of it for me. There is a lot of stuff like Sakura Trick and other moe series that have yuri baits and are about girls coming close to each other in a very cute way. Most are fine and all, but still... I miss lesbian characters that look and behave like adult women / older teenagers actually looking and acting their age. You rarely get that in anime and manga. While there are boys love series like Mo Dao Zu Shi, Banana Fish etc. and in general more gay characters that aren't so cliched or fetishized, from my experience. Not counting the typical yaois here, but in series where they are just a part of the cast. There is quite a bit of teens'-love-esque material that features female pairings, but one has to search in specific circles to have them recommended as outside of it, such titles as YuruYuri often show up. |
napkinmonsterJan 17, 2022 12:05 PM
Jan 19, 2022 6:27 PM
#37
| Probably BL purely because I've experienced more of it that GL. Back when I hadn't read/watched ANY yaoi but I had watched some yuri, I was convinced that yuri was infinitely better than yaoi. So I guess once I read and watch more yuri it'll be about equal |
Jan 21, 2022 9:12 AM
#38
qiaoen_joechen said: Hello peeps of MAL!!! I got bored so I wanted to create a forum where I can get peoples opinions I don't want to start a fight this is fair opinion I have been reading BL manga for over 2 years now, and have completed more than 100 series, thou I have never read GL before, maybe it's because I am girl, but some of my girl-friends read yuri even though they are female so I thought maybe I could try too!! haha it's funny when I tried reading one I couldn't find, one that new beginner can read!! So I wanted to know your opinion, since this is anime/manga website and BL/GL can be counted here I thought it was safe for me to post it :) I keep everything to myself no body knows in real life, I cannot talk about it outside of websites which one do you prefer better? Also Do you have any good GL manga for a new starter? I'm not sure if you have read these already or not but Citrus is one of the top Yuri mangas to read and has an anime. Bloom into You is another good series. The ones that I think are cute and not super fast paced would be Doughnuts Under the Crescent Moon and Whisper Me a Love Song. If there are any others, feel free to add guys ^^ |
Jan 26, 2022 8:45 PM
#39
| I'm into BL, idk it's just something about two men getting together lol |
Jan 26, 2022 9:01 PM
#40
Stargazingx said: A reason most bourgeois, to be sure.I'm into BL, idk it's just something about two men getting together lol |
Jan 26, 2022 9:16 PM
#41
Stargazingx said: See my post above.napkinmonster said: I take it your not into BL?Stargazingx said: I'm into BL, idk it's just something about two men getting together lol I simply like it not for the bourgeois reasons you do. |
Jan 26, 2022 9:22 PM
#42
napkinmonster said: ok big word, from what I've seen on your profile your into some pretty weird stuff like rape & manipulation, but ok. Please enlighten me as to why your into BL? My reasons for liking something doesn't have to be the same as yours.Stargazingx said: See my post above.napkinmonster said: Stargazingx said: A reason most bourgeois, to be sure.I'm into BL, idk it's just something about two men getting together lol I simply like it not for the bourgeois reasons you do. |
Jan 26, 2022 9:26 PM
#43
| women are more sexually fluid or more open to bisexuality so go for it to see if youre part of that statistic |
Jan 26, 2022 9:31 PM
#44
Stargazingx said: Rape and manipulation of course, as well as complex, mixed-feelings.ok big word, from what I've seen on your profile your into some pretty weird stuff like rape & manipulation, but ok. Please enlighten me as to why your into BL? My reasons for liking something doesn't have to be the same as yours. He is of a lesser, bourgeois mind, who would so care for the so-called “genders” of some lines on paper, especially when it often not be so clear. — I've said long ere that by the description given Naoto Kogama is not “male” but “hermaphrodite”. |
Jan 26, 2022 9:43 PM
#45
Stargazingx said: You are allowed to like whatever you desire., and I am allowed to call you bourgeois for whatever reason I desire.napkinmonster said: ok that's what your into, I'm not allowed to see gender in what I'm reading apparently, but you have the right to call my opinion middle classe because I like reading about two guys getting together ok dude or whatever gender you areStargazingx said: ok big word, from what I've seen on your profile your into some pretty weird stuff like rape & manipulation, but ok. Please enlighten me as to why your into BL? My reasons for liking something doesn't have to be the same as yours. He is of a lesser, bourgeois mind, who would so care for the so-called “genders” of some lines on paper, especially when it often not be so clear. — I've always said that by the description given Naoto Kogama is not “male” but “hermaphrodite”. But know well that mine is a superior mind free of such bourgeois inclinations. |
Jan 26, 2022 9:47 PM
#46
napkinmonster said: Sure whatever helps you sleep at night, your basically someone who thinks your superior to others opinions on what they like or dislike, but your just a troll who likes to talk shit on others posts. How about you expand your vocabulary too because that's the only word you seem to know to insult someone.Stargazingx said: You are allowed to like whatever you desire., and I am allowed to call you bourgeois for whatever reason I desire.napkinmonster said: Stargazingx said: Rape and manipulation of course, as well as complex, mixed-feelings.ok big word, from what I've seen on your profile your into some pretty weird stuff like rape & manipulation, but ok. Please enlighten me as to why your into BL? My reasons for liking something doesn't have to be the same as yours. He is of a lesser, bourgeois mind, who would so care for the so-called “genders” of some lines on paper, especially when it often not be so clear. — I've always said that by the description given Naoto Kogama is not “male” but “hermaphrodite”. But know well that mine is a superior mind free of such bourgeois inclinations. |
removed-userJan 26, 2022 9:58 PM
Jan 26, 2022 10:22 PM
#47
Stargazingx said: Indeed.Sure whatever helps you sleep at night, your basically someone who thinks your superior to others opinions on what they like or dislike Not just anything, but caring about the genders of some lines on paper. I cannot take this as serious. — The man who cares for such nonsense is the same man who would no longer enjoy food he once finds tasty, after being told what is inside of it. Such a lesser form of cognition is beneath me, of course. |
Jan 26, 2022 10:27 PM
#48
napkinmonster said: Your probably someone who has no friends and spends too much time online trying to shove your bullshit beliefs down someone's throat. Your basically saying people should be ignorant of certain things, talk about brainwashed. In my opinion your a Narcissist, I bet you know what that word means. Go troll someone else byeStargazingx said: Indeed.Sure whatever helps you sleep at night, your basically someone who thinks your superior to others opinions on what they like or dislike Not just anything, but caring about the genders of some lines on paper. I cannot take this seriously. — The man who cares for such nonsense is the same man who would no longer enjoy food he once finds tasty, after being told what is inside of it. Such a lesser form of cognition is beneath me, of course. |
removed-userJan 26, 2022 10:32 PM
Jan 26, 2022 10:43 PM
#49
Stargazingx said: The reaction of a bourgeois, lesser mind exposed to his lesser way of thought, indeed.Your probably someone who has no friends and spends too much time online trying to shove your bullshit beliefs down someone's throat. Your basically saying people should be ignorant of certain things, talk about brainwashed. In my opinion your a Narcissist, I bet you know what that word means. Go troll someone else bye |
Jan 26, 2022 11:25 PM
#50
Stargazingx said: Indeed — He who cares for the so-called “gender” of a post on an internet message board is indeed of a most bourgeoisn inclination.And I'm a female since you can't seem to grasp that, but I guess you don't see gender, but that's what I identify as maybe that makes you bourgeois |
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