Fujoshi, many have probably heard of them and might even have a picture of what they are, but do you know what they are exactly? This week QooPedia explores the life of a Fujoshi.
Fujoshi (腐女子) is a synonym of 婦女子, which means grown/respectable women. However, the Fu (腐) in Fujoshi means rotten, so the term Fujoshi quite literally translates to Rotten Lady. The term is a self-deprecating phrase which is used to describe BL/yaoi fans. It is said that the term was first coined by Japanese media, but was then adopted by yaoi fans themselves, wearing the label with pride.
▲ Kiss Him, Not Me
Behaviours
Much like otaku, fujoshi are not necessarily restricted to a certain genre. However, there are series that seem to tackle the fujoshi market. Series like Yuri on Ice skates over a BL backdrop which is quite unconventional in Japan.
With that being said, a fujoshi can and will pair male characters from other series from other genres together for their own fantasies. Don’t believe me? Digimon seems innocent enough, right? A group of chosen children saving the Digimon world. Did you know that Ishida Yamato and Taichi Yamato is quite a big fujoshi CP?
▲ Digimon Tri
Originally, the term was used to describe yaoi fans exclusively, but much like otaku, the term gradually became more common and recently, it has even been used to describe a female otaku. Personally, I feel that using the term fujoshi for female otaku doesn’t seem quite right. at the core, fujoshi originates from a love for yaoi. As much as you generalize the term the yaoi element must still be present.
Are there any more you’re interested in learning? Seen or heard something you want to know more from anime? Let us know, maybe we can help you learn more!