Shonen-ai
Shōnen-ai (pronounced /So:neN\\ai/) (少年愛) (from shōnen, boy, and ai, love), refers to anime or manga that deals with love between young men, especially of the bishonen variety.
Shōnen-ai is usually less explicit or sexual than yaoi. Usually the characters involved in shounen-ai are of a much younger age than those in yaoi. The term is no longer in use in Japan today, having be replaced by the English phrase "Boy Love," which refers to both nonexplicit and explicit content.
Shōnen-ai is very popular in Japan, especially among schoolgirls and housewives, and is often to be found as part of shojo anime or manga.
Warning: Plot details follow.
Some series that include shōnen-ai elements of various degrees include:
- Fushigi Yûgi
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Revolutionary Girl Utena
- Sailor Moon
- Gravitation
- X
- Ranma 1/2
- Fruits Basket