Ep.15 What Did You Eat Yesterday? Pt.2
Written by Cordelia Shan, edited by Grace
In this episode, I guess, so we are going to have this special episode on Boys Love Manga and some real tv adoptions.
Listen to full episode :
What is BL, Boys’ Love
If you walk into a bookstore in Japan today, somewhere on the shelves you are likely to find various books depicting romantic and sexual relationships between various kinds of male characters who are beautiful, sometimes stylish, sometimes school boys. This genre is called, “boys love,” commonly abbreviated as BL, which is popular and well-known by the world. Just like what is recorded in the first episode and volume of Gaikotsu Shotenin Honda-san, BL has a large group of fans all around the world, and many people fly to Japan and go to their bookstores to buy BL books.
These male queer stories might be found in the form of manga, or in the form of “light novels” (raito noberu), a style that targets young adults
ugh …which.. Okay….
BL Manga and Feminist
If you pull one of those BL books off the shelf and start reading, you might find out that these good looking boys in the stories do not think of themselves as “gay.” Or give the reader from outside Japan the impression that it is very okay to openly be gay in Japanese society. But, the fact is, BL is not associated with the real LGBT community in Japan.
Boys’ Love, a manga genre that liberates Japanese women to create a world of their own, is an escapism from social structure. The term “boys’ love” emerged in the early 1990s, but the material began being created in the 1970s as female writers broke into the male-dominated world of writing manga for girls. Therefore, in BL manga, it is common to find a male character with a higher the social status who is more often on the side of uke (meaning a bottom) and is crazily in love with someone from a middle or lower class. At the very beginning, these stories and settings of romance between beautiful boys release the female readers from a judgemental gaze in the real world, at work, at school, on the street, or even on a bus, and create a world that frees them from the male-dominated social norms of reality.
One of the most interesting aspects of BL manga is its relationship to feminist discourse. On the one hand, BL manga has been criticized by some feminist scholars for its depictions of romantic and sexual relationships between male characters that can sometimes reinforce patriarchal norms and ideals.
For example, some critics argue that the "uke-seme" dynamic in many BL manga, where one character takes on a more passive, submissive role while the other takes on a more dominant, active role, can be seen as replicating traditional gender roles and reinforcing the idea that men should be dominant and women should be submissive.
On the other hand, however, BL manga has also been praised by some feminist scholars for its ability to offer a space for female readers to explore their own desires and fantasies, free from the constraints and expectations of traditional gender roles.
In this way, BL manga can be seen as a form of feminist resistance, a space where women can explore and challenge gender norms in a way that is not always possible in the real world.
Furthermore, the fact that BL manga is created by and for women is itself a feminist statement. By centering the desires and experiences of female readers and creators, BL manga challenges the male-dominated norms of the wider manga industry and offers a space for women to express themselves and their desires on their own terms.
In conclusion, while the relationship between BL manga and feminism is complex and nuanced, it is clear that BL manga has the potential to be a powerful force for feminist resistance and exploration. By offering a space for female readers and creators to explore their desires and challenge traditional gender roles, BL manga has the power to disrupt and subvert patriarchal norms and ideals.
Another interesting aspect of BL manga and its relationship with feminism is the way it explores issues related to consent, power dynamics, and agency within romantic and sexual relationships.
In many BL manga, the relationship between the characters is often depicted as one where the seme character (the more dominant, active partner) takes the initiative in pursuing the uke character (the more passive, submissive partner). However, despite the power imbalance inherent in this dynamic, there is often a strong emphasis on consent and respect for the uke character's boundaries and agency.
This can be seen in the way that many BL manga depict the seme character asking for the uke character's consent before engaging in sexual activity or expressing their feelings. In this way, BL manga can be seen as modeling healthy, respectful relationships that prioritize consent and communication.
Furthermore, the fact that BL manga is created and consumed primarily by women means that it offers a unique perspective on issues related to consent and agency in romantic and sexual relationships. By centering the experiences and desires of women, BL manga offers a counterpoint to mainstream media narratives that often prioritize male pleasure and desire at the expense of women's autonomy.
In this way, BL manga can be seen as a feminist tool for exploring and challenging traditional gender roles and power dynamics within romantic and sexual relationships. By foregrounding issues of consent and agency, BL manga offers a nuanced and complex view of desire and intimacy that is often lacking in mainstream media.
Food and Food Making in What Did You Eat Yesterday?
Food is a central theme in many of Yoshinaga Fumi's BL manga, such as "Antique Bakery" and "What Did You Eat Yesterday?". Through her stories, Yoshinaga explores the complex relationships between food, gender, and identity.
In "Antique Bakery," for example, the main characters are all men who work in a bakery. The story focuses on their relationships with each other and with their customers, many of whom are women. Through their interactions, Yoshinaga explores the ways in which gender roles are constructed and performed in Japanese society.
One way that food plays a role in these constructions is through the idea of "home cooking." In Japan, home cooking is often seen as a symbol of femininity and domesticity, with women expected to take on the role of primary cook and caregiver in the family. By featuring men who work in a bakery and who are skilled at baking, Yoshinaga challenges these gender norms and shows that cooking and baking can be enjoyed and appreciated by people of all genders.
Similarly, in "What Did You Eat Yesterday?" food is used to explore the relationship between Shiro and Kenji. Shiro is a lawyer who is passionate about cooking and often prepares meals for Kenji, his partner. Through their conversations about food, we see how their relationship is built on a mutual appreciation for good food and a shared desire to create a home together.
However, food also serves as a source of tension and conflict in their relationship. Shiro is often critical of Kenji's eating habits, which he sees as unhealthy and lacking in nutrition. This tension reflects the larger societal expectations around food and gender, with men often expected to consume large quantities of meat and alcohol in order to prove their masculinity.
Overall, Yoshinaga Fumi's BL manga use food as a way to explore the complex intersections of gender, identity, and culture in Japan. Through her stories, she challenges gender norms and shows that cooking and food can be enjoyed and appreciated by people of all genders.
Another aspect of food and gender in Yoshinaga Fumi's BL manga is the way in which it can be used to express intimacy and affection. In "What Did You Eat Yesterday?" for example, Shiro often expresses his love for Kenji through the meals he prepares for him. Similarly, in "Antique Bakery," the bakery's owner expresses his love for his former lover by baking him a special cake.
Through these examples, Yoshinaga shows how food can be a powerful tool for expressing emotions that might be difficult to put into words. It also highlights the importance of shared experiences around food as a way of creating and maintaining social bonds.
At the same time, however, Yoshinaga also shows the ways in which gender norms can limit these expressions of intimacy and affection. In "What Did You Eat Yesterday?" for example, Shiro struggles with how to express his feelings for Kenji in a way that is socially acceptable for a man. This tension reflects the larger societal expectations around masculinity and emotional expression in Japan.
Overall, the use of food in Yoshinaga Fumi's BL manga serves as a way to explore and challenge the gender norms and cultural expectations that shape relationships and social interactions in Japan. By using food as a lens through which to view these issues, she is able to highlight the ways in which seemingly mundane activities and behaviors can reveal deeper societal tensions and conflicts.
Another interesting aspect of food and gender in Yoshinaga Fumi's BL manga is the way in which it can be used to challenge traditional gender roles and expectations. In many of her works, Yoshinaga portrays male characters who are skilled cooks and take on traditionally feminine roles in the kitchen.
For example, in "What Did You Eat Yesterday?" Shiro is the main cook in his relationship with Kenji, and takes great pride in his culinary skills. Similarly, in "Antique Bakery," the character Chikage is a talented baker who owns his own pastry shop. These characters are not only skilled in cooking and baking, but they also find great pleasure and satisfaction in these activities.
By portraying male characters who defy traditional gender roles, Yoshinaga challenges the idea that certain activities or interests are inherently masculine or feminine. Through her characters' passion for cooking and baking, she suggests that these activities can be enjoyed and valued by people of any gender.
At the same time, however, Yoshinaga also acknowledges the challenges that come with challenging traditional gender norms. In "What Did You Eat Yesterday?" for example, Shiro faces criticism and judgement from his coworkers when they learn about his culinary skills and his role as the main cook in his relationship with Kenji. This reflects the larger societal pressures to conform to traditional gender roles and expectations, and the difficulty of breaking away from these norms.
Overall, the use of food in Yoshinaga Fumi's BL manga not only explores the relationship between food and gender, but also serves as a way to challenge and subvert traditional gender roles and expectations.
One example is the way that the protagonist, Shiro, often takes on the role of the primary cook in his relationship with his partner, Kenji. In many ways, Shiro's cooking serves as a form of caretaking, reinforcing traditional gender roles where women are expected to be responsible for cooking and caring for their partners.
However, at the same time, Shiro's cooking can also be seen as subverting these traditional gender roles. As a gay man, Shiro's decision to take on the role of the primary cook challenges traditional notions of masculinity and femininity. By embracing his love of cooking and using it to care for his partner, Shiro is redefining what it means to be a man and challenging the rigid gender roles that are often imposed on men.
Another example of the role of food and gender in the manga can be seen in the way that Shiro and Kenji's relationship is depicted through their shared meals. In many scenes, the act of cooking and sharing food is used as a way to signify intimacy and connection between the two characters.
For example, in one chapter, Shiro and Kenji's relationship is strained after a fight. However, when Shiro cooks a special meal for Kenji, the act of sharing food serves as a way for the two to reconnect and reaffirm their love for each other.
Another example of the role of food and gender in What Did You Eat Yesterday? is the way that the manga explores the connection between food and cultural identity. Throughout the series, Shiro is depicted as having a deep connection to his cultural heritage, which is often expressed through his cooking.
For example, in one chapter, Shiro is shown preparing a traditional New Year's meal, which includes dishes like ozoni (a soup made with mochi) and datemaki (a sweet rolled omelette). By cooking these traditional dishes, Shiro is not only celebrating his cultural heritage but also passing on these traditions to the next generation. This connection between food and culture is also seen in other scenes throughout the manga, where Shiro uses food as a way to connect with his family and friends.
At the same time, however, the manga also challenges traditional notions of cultural identity and belonging. As a gay man, Shiro is often depicted as being on the fringes of Japanese society, struggling to find acceptance and a sense of belonging. However, through his cooking, Shiro is able to connect with others and find a sense of community, regardless of his sexual orientation.
Overall, the role of food and gender in What Did You Eat Yesterday? is complex and multifaceted. By exploring the ways in which food can be used to express cultural identity, challenge traditional gender roles, and build connections between people, the manga offers a powerful commentary on the ways in which food and gender intersect in our daily lives.
Ending
BL manga started in around the 1970s, but only in 2008 a large number of BL titles were available for loan in a public library in Osaka, at the same time this female-dominant culture became an ongoing social inclusion policy for LGBT communities in Japan.
Reference
Manga on Amazon Canada page: link
Movie Website in Japanese: link
Movie BMG: link
TV Show website in Japanese: link
