Who would have thought that gentle, ephemeral beautiful guys would become one of the most recognizable images in the world of anime and manga?
The term "bishonen" ( ⁇ ⁇ ) comes from two Japanese words: "bi" ( ⁇ ), which means "beauty", and "shonen" ( ⁇ ⁇ ), which means "boy" or "young man". In the anime and manga world, the term bishonen is used to describe boys or young men with stunning looks bordering on feminine.
Despite their beauty, Bishonen often have a high level of combat skills or supernatural abilities. They are also known for their sophisticated, elegant and romantic style, which complements their charming appearance.
As an example, the popular bichonen characters that almost everyone knows are Yagami Light from "Death Note" and Tuxedo Mask from "Sailor Moon".
Yagami Light's intelligence and ambition make him a rather manipulative character, while he is a classic example of a bishonen with his sophisticated appearance.
Яґамі Лайт
Taxedo Musk (Mamoru Chiba) is a mysterious and romantic hero who helps the main characters in the most difficult moments.
Такседо Маск (Мамору Чіба)
Bishonen is not just a popular trend in anime and manga. It is also part of Japanese culture and history. The concept of bishonen takes its origin from the tradition of Edo times, where young men were often depicted as ideals of beauty.
Nowadays, bishonen plays an important role in Japanese pop culture. They formed the basis for numerous manga and anime genres, including yaoi, shoze, and more. They also became the basis for many "idol" groups in Japanese music.
Therefore, despite their external tenderness and beauty, bichonen are able to influence a large audience, because they embody not only external beauty, but also a deep inner world.
