Abstract
This study explores the intersection of gender, participatory culture, and media resistance through Boys’ Love (BL) fan works derived from Shonen Jump manga, a historically male-dominated and heteronormative space. It investigates whether female fans’ reinterpretations of male characters challenge mainstream gender norms or reinforce them. Employing Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) and intertextuality, the research examines how BL creators repurpose Shonen Jump narratives through visual and textual storytelling. A key contribution of this study is its comparative analysis of BL interpretations across different decades (1990s–2020s), tracing the evolution of gender representation in Slam Dunk, Naruto, Gintama, Haikyuu!!, and Jujutsu Kaisen. This diachronic approach highlights how changing societal attitudes toward gender and sexuality influence BL fan works. Additionally, the study engages with feminist media theory, fan studies, and queer cultural studies, building on scholars such as Jenkins (1992, 2006), Mizoguchi (2011), and Nagaike (2018). By analyzing fan-created content on platforms like LOFTER and AO3, the study explores the ideological and ethical implications of female-driven homoerotic narratives. It critically engages with debates on whether BL fandom subverts patriarchy or simply redirects female desire through male characters without addressing structural gender inequalities. Ultimately, the study seeks to answer: (1) What are the differences between mainstream Shonen Jump narratives and BL adaptations? (2) Is fujoshi participation in BL an act of resistance or a form of ideological compromise? This research contributes to discussions on media hegemony, gender agency, and the transformative potential of fandom.
Presenters
Yishan NiuStudent, Media and Communication Studies, Beijing Normal University – Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Guangdong, China
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
BL STUDIES, FAN CULTURE, GENDER REPRESENTATION, CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
