A Midsummer BL Festival

[insaneneko]

The August Pafu has a feature called "The Midsummer BL Festival," which is essentially an introduction to BL anthologies. I had never been too interested in anthologies, but seeing the sheer variety out there has peaked my interest. The feature starts off with some basic stuff like "what is an anthology?" and then continues in the question and answer format. I found links for the works mentioned and paraphrased parts of the text, as well as adding some of my own comments. Some of the featured anthologies sound really appealing...

Are there only themed anthologies in BL?
The answer is, of course, no.

For those who want to enjoy a slightly different atmosphere:
BGM
Standing for "Boys Guns Men," it has a similar line-up of artists as "MARBLE" and the "Catalog Series"...

OPERA
This is a themed anthology, but it has a similar line-up to "EDGE" (which features covers by Tada Yumi--the artist of the Yukikaze manga! According to her site she is published in "OPERA" as well!). The big draw is the artist basso (whom I am completely unfamiliar with ^^;). More details at the publisher's site.

For those who want to enjoy new artists:
mellow mellow
There's detailed info at this blog, this is full of one-shots or series that can be read as one-shots.

Cita NIUM
The subtitle is "A BL magazine for adults that attacks with all it's might" (or something like that :P), it basically seems to be not-WAFF. I think the covers are done by Nitta Youka?

For those who like to enjoy the story to one's heart's content:
CRAFT
An established anthology that had in its pages BL masterpieces such as Kari Sunako's "Noharanoharano" and Konno Kita's "SALVA ME" (and other's I'd never heard of).

What themes should I get my hands on?

Megane (glasses)
All sorts of megane characters, be it uke or seme, hetare or beast, just makes any work that much more appealing.

Megane de, suit (cover image)
This is part of the "Megane de xxxx series," in which the megane is paired with something. In this case, suits.

Megane Catalog
This is the first volume of the "Catalog Series," which is known for unique artists who write good stories.

Hetare seme
All those characteristics that should be minuses, but seen through a fangirl's eyes they become strong points: that is the "hetare." Recently what's particularly popular is the "hetare seme," who can't be aggressive because he cares too much for the other guy. And there's nothing like the younger puppy-like seme! --> Rabuteku 11: hetare seme

Those who lead and those who serve them--master and servant; lord and retainer; employer and employee --> Aqua zettai ryouiki: mibunchigai (cover image)

What themes are there other than the popular and standard ones?
Homely guys! --> b-boy phoenix: fuzaiku (cover image)

What's drawing attention now?
Gotta be "butlers."--> BL Style

Comments

[petronia.livejournal.com]

Ah, basso is like my favorite artist du jour. XD Opera's not unlike reading the early issues of SSBB - sort of eclectic and uneven.