The Yaoi Tropes that Need to Stop
The significance and narrative landscape of Yaoi cannot be overstated. For many, Yaoi provides representation, escapism, and emotional richness. However, like any genre, Yaoi has its share of tropes that continue to persist, sometimes on how authors portray storytelling. This article aims to bring awareness to more problematic tropes that audiences perceive as needing change, in order to invite discussions that could enhance the genre's future.
If you are writing Yaoi or creating any form of Yaoi media please use this as public research. We want to personally thank the Yaoi SubReddit for adding to this article.
The data for this analysis was obtained from various user-generated comments and opinions from the Yaoi SubReddit. While these are not representative of the entire Yaoi community, they provide a snapshot of recurring concerns. The comments have been weighted based on the level of importance ascribed by the number of upvotes, with percentages calculated accordingly.
The Yaoi Tropes that Need to Stop
Tropes in Omegaverse Narratives (18.2% of Total Concerns)
Omegaverse stories featuring abusive alpha characters
Weak, feminine omegas who have no choice but to love the alpha
These tropes limit the potential richness of Omegaverse stories, which could otherwise explore dynamics beyond these binary roles.
Abusive Relationships (14.1%)
Semes are often abusive, both emotionally and physically
Stories that try to redeem the abuser without sufficiently addressing past behaviors
While some argue that abuse may fit a particular narrative, the lack of address or resolution to these issues is concerning.
Plot Shortcuts and Lazy Storytelling (10.6%)
Unconvincing setups where characters met as children but don't remember
Miscommunications driving most of the plot
Introducing external characters simply to create tension between the main couple
These tropes often result in disengagement from the reader due to their overuse and lack of originality.
Inappropriate Relationships and Unrealistic Physical Depictions (9.8%)
Relationships between adults and minors
Monster-sized anatomy that becomes distracting
Not only are such narratives ethically problematic, but they also disrupt the reader's ability to immerse themselves in the story. Yaoi containing any minors is a huge level of concern to most readers which is valid and should be taken very seriously when approaching the subject.
Trivialization of Consent and Sexual Violence (32.3%)
Light treatment of rape, often followed by an immediate forgiveness or romanticization
Dubious consent and half-hearted protests during sexual encounters
This is the most significant category of concern, often criticized for its harmful portrayals which deviate from responsible storytelling.
Others (15%)
Lack of anatomical accuracy, often reflective of a lack of understanding of male physiology
Female-coded ukes and hyper-masculine semes that are not reflective of real-world relationships
Stereotypes that paint women as antagonists to gay men
The Yaoi genre is fraught with tropes that range from annoying to highly problematic. Most pressing are issues related to the trivialization of sexual violence and consent, accounting for nearly a third of all concerns. Abusive relationships and lazy storytelling also feature prominently. If Yaoi is to evolve as a genre that can be both enjoyable and respectful to its wide-ranging audience, these tropes will have to be critically examined and addressed.
This research is but a starting point. It invites writers, readers, and critics to engage in discussions that could redefine what Yaoi can be—a genre that not only entertains but also enlightens.
