Curious

[eluneth]

Having spent just about all day reading oneshots from Lililicious, I suddenly started wondering - does anyone have an idea of what kind of demographic typically reads yuri in Japan?

Comments

[meepalicious]

If I had to guess, I'd say roughly the same demographic that reads yaoi, only largely lesbian or bisexual? I've got no idea, just a guess.

[eluneth]

That would be a logical guess, but I was also curious as to whether straight, school-aged girls might read it because of the very platonic and school-based dynamics of traditional shoujo-ai stories, like, say, Marimite.

[skwerlie]

I think it depends on the series- I'm sure I've read somewhere that there are some yuri magazines that are aimed toward girls, and some that are aimed toward guys. Age wise... probably high school and up? Class S may have a lower age demographic and probably mostly aimed at a female audience.

[eluneth]

That was very useful - thanks! I was largely wondering about Class S-type stories, since they use so many of the standard shoujo tropes and are so platonic in nature. I'm going to have to do some more Wikipedia-ing on the subject, because I'm really curious now. (I've been interested for a while in adolescent same-sex relationships that are accepted by mainstream culture as a sort of educational, preparatory experience.)

[skwerlie]

While I don't really know too much about yuri culture in Japan, I'd suggest that for the very reason that Class S exists (same sex relationships are considered normal in adolescence), it's probably also popular among girls of that age group. I really like Class S, not that I mind stories with same sex romantic or sexual relationships, but I always kind of thought there is a special kind of friendship that girls can form, where it's not about dating and boy-girl attraction and all that, just strong bonds of friendship. If that made sense at all XD;

[eluneth]

Oh, definitely! I think that nowadays [vast generalization alert!] it's more common among girls than boys because girls are often more willing to be emotionally vulnerable than boys. And because that tendency is accepted as a more feminine trait, it's much more subject to comment and disapproval when boys do have that kind of friendship.

[vox_veritas]

When you find out, can you please tell me? :-P

Rey (my husband) is very new to this subculture, and I told him once that yuri is for girls since I feel it's too fluffly for boys. He refuses to believe me.

[eluneth]

Well, it depends on what KIND of yuri you're reading, as with all things... *cough*

[vox_veritas]

So there are sub-categories? Oh my. I don't think I can ever make Rey understand all this. He's quite familiar with the kind of girl-to-girl action not normally associated with otakus, though.

[eluneth]

From my experience, at least, I can think of several subcategories - platonic, typically school-based stories ("Class S") that I think are frequently read by general aficionados of shoujo; more fanservicey sorts of things for heterosexual males or lesbians/bisexual women; and more recently, more serious, mature stories intended specifically for lesbian/bisexual/transgender/etc. readership. Uh, that was a very superficial summary. It's the overlap between the first two subgroups that largely has me confused, with the kind of epic fantasy/sci-fi anime series that swim around in between. I still get the impression that a lot of the fandom is male, though, especially because several such series are based on H-games. :X Sorry if I didn't exactly help you out with Rey there.

Also,
He's quite familiar with the kind of girl-to-girl action not normally associated with otakus, though.
...wait, explain? XD;; (I must warn you that I'm in the midst of an all-nighter to finish an essay, so I am not exactly at my best and brightest. cough.)