Linus Lam's Coverage of Yaoi-Con 2001

With a complete focus on yaoi themes and exclusive related interests, fans of this particular genre did not hold their breaths when it came to active audience participation. The discussions roamed free and numerous questions were answered in what was a clear and determined effort to be as informative and educational as possible about an area that raises many eyebrows.

Yaoi-Con 2001
Panels and Discussion 4


Ai no Kusabi Discussion: Tools of love and genetic engineering in are the driving plot devices in this engaging manga and anime series that focuses on the relationships between the 3 main characters, Iason Mink, Riki, and Guy in a futuristic computer-driven society Tanagura where people are divided into different ranks that are based on their hair colors. Filled with bishounen ai and angsty romance, it's a sure winner for many interested fans.	Nansohku: Homosexuality in Edo, Japan: Take a step back in time as members discussed the yaoi roles and relationships in ancient feudal Japan when student-teacher relationships took a metaphorical step forward in samurai "knighthood" bishounen manga. Samurai have often been associated as a men-only partnership and many yaoi mangas have reflected on the historical legends and romances that have evolved throughout the ages.

Publishing Doujinshi in the United States: With more and more great artists interested in publishing their own works, panelists spoke about concerns ranging from copyright laws in the west, online resources for publishing, use of authentic comic materials such as Deleter paper and comic tones, the need for higher-quality doujinshis, digital experimentation, and use of custom photo tones on special xerox transfer sheets.	Yaoi, the Real World, and You: Members spoke freely about the real-life and fictional dating relationships between yaoi and yuri, common interests in J-rock like Malice Mizer and Gackt, nervousness and struggling with realism in yaoi fanfictions, and of course, anime interests that have found their home in yaoi like Weiss Kreuz, Card Captor Sakura, Clamp Campus Detectives, Gundam Wing, Fushigi Yugi, and many more.

Forbidden Colors: An Erotic Art Lesson: And now the area you've all been waiting for, how the heck do you draw that ultimate climactic moment? Experienced yaoi artists get to the point: you won't see the penis because of publishing concerns, but you definitely exhibit a lot of style in the artsy gloops and convenient product placements in choice scenes. Highlights also featured proper graphics of other bodily secretions, sexual foreplay, partner kissing, thumbnailing storyboards, and even a very fun group participation workshop involving storyboarding a climactic yaoi love scene.