10/14 Faculty Colloquium
Title: Transcultural Boys Love media and its fandom in Asia
Speaker: Dr Sae Shimauchi (Associate Professor, International Center, Tokyo Metropolitan University)
Host: Professor Tien-yi Chao, National Taiwan University
Date & Time: 1420-1620 (Taipei Time); 1520-1720 (Japan Standard Time); Tuesday 14 October 2025
Venue：Google Meet (link to be e-mailed to registered participants)
Registration form:
Abstract
This presentation explores the rise of Thai Boys’ Love (BL) dramas in Japan and their implications for transnational fandom and queer media discourse in Asia. Thai BL gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by fan-led translation and cultural mediation, and has become a site of cross-cultural exchange. These dramas increasingly depict diverse queer identities, engage with real social issues, and challenge heteronormativity by presenting narratives that connect fiction with lived realities. At the same time, Japanese BL media and fandom often employ de-queering strategies, framing same-sex romance as “bromance” or “universal love,” which risks erasing queer specificity. By situating Japanese fandom within wider Asian contexts, this presentation highlights tensions between universalizing discourse and queer visibility. It argues that sustaining BL as queer media requires critical reflection and continued dialogue that links fandom practices with the lived struggles of LGBTQIA+ communities.
Bio
Sae Shimauchi (Ph.D., she/her) is an Associate Professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University, International Center. Her research lies in the intersection of international education, cultural studies, sociology, gender, queer, media & fan studies, ranging from theory to practices.
