The Lazy Re-blogger

random stuff

[biggest-gaudiest-poltergeist]

i'm begging you guys to start pirating shit from streaming platforms. there are so many websites where you can stream that shit for free, here's a quick HOW TO:

1) Search for: watch TITLE OF WORK free online

2) Scroll to the bottom of results. Click any of the "Complaint" links

3) You will be taken to a long list of links that were removed for copyright infringement. Use the 'find' function to search for the name of the show/movie you were originally searching for. You will get something like this (specifics removed because if you love an illegal streaming site you don't post its url on social media)

4) each of these links is to a website where you can stream shit for free. go to the individual websites and search for your show/movie. you might have to copy-paste a few before you find exactly what you're looking, but the whole process only takes a minute. the speed/quality is usually the same as on netflix/whatever, and they even have subtitles! (make sure to use an adblocker though, these sites are funded by annoying popups)

In conclusion, if you do this often enough you will start recognizing the most dependable websites, and you can just bookmark those instead. (note: this is completely separate from torrenting, which is also a beautiful thing but requires different software and a vpn)

you can also download the media in question (look for a "download" button built into the video window, or use a browser extension such as Video DownloadHelper.)

[biggest-gaudiest-poltergeist]

if the "Complaint" links are not visible for you:

Option 1: try the DuckDuckGo search engine instead (bonus: dedicated to privacy! doesn't track your data!)

Option 2: go directly to LumenDatabase.org (the website that collects the complaints--and therefore the removed links) and search for the title you want. look for results titled "DMCA (Copyright) Complaint to Google" featuring the media you're looking for. Proceed to Step 3 (above).

[sunny-draws-things]

GUYS PIRATING IS BAD.

DO NOT PIRATE ANYTHING. NOT SHOWS/MOVIES. NOT GAMES OR SAFER GAMES. AND CERTAINLY NOT BOOKS. AND DO NOT DOWNLOAD YOUTUBE VIDEOS. AND NEVER EVER EVER WATCH MUSICALS WITHOUT GOING TO THEM AND DONT USE ADBLOCKERS/OTHER ADBLOCKER TO AVOID ADS AND VIRUSES PIRATING IS VERY HARMFUL TO THE CORPORATIONS WHO WORKS VERY HARD TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE AND THEIR MONEY. ANYONE WHO PIRATES IS BAD. BAD PIRATING. EVIL. OH AND THIS

[buried-in-stardust]

Writing a song from a story, "You in the Starry Sky", about a young woman and her best friend

[eng by me]

[josephinecarttanneur]

Heated Rivalry studies

[potatomode]

Pls. do not re-post or use outside of tumblr without my permission. I still have some unfinished fanarts from before this, but for some reason I can’t stop thinking about Ilya’s necklace and its significance, so off I go to do a quick fanart just to get it out of my system and move forward with the rest 🫠

I might do a more polished one in the future.

[spicyvampire]

No boss, I can't go to work tomorrow, Thailand just announced a new bl called "Knot" I need a week to process this, and like this is also a literal day after I got double mpreg confirmation from my chinese omegaverse bl, you can only imagine the type of stress I'm under

[absolutebl]

BL Master Post

WHAT IS BL?

To define a piece of cinema as BL or Boys Love it must be the following:  

a dramatic live action film or series  

with a fictional narrative that is dependent upon (and driven by) a romantic relationship between two men (or boys)

that is explicitly stated (to the viewer) and emotionally and/or physically consummated on screen as part of the plot

with at least one half of the couple on a journey of self discovery and/or self acceptance/actualization

If you removed the romantic arc and its consummation from a BL (point #3), the whole story would fall apart. (Which is why I do not think of Manner of Death as BL. It’s gay romantic suspense, a different genre. Also Not Me. However, like anything genre this is all very much open to interpretation and this is just my opinion.)

Note from the future because MoD keeps coming up: I gotta say I waffle all over the place with Manner of Death. Possibly because it was one of the first major shows to push into khun (adult) territory out of Thailand. Now we are getting a lot more, so I might be shifting my feelings as the industry shifts. But I still hold that if you remove the romance arc from that show, it would STILL hold together as a story, since the plot is dependent on the mystery element (not the two characters getting together). That means probubly not BL (since BL should be romance DRIVEN.) 

But that’s IMHO, I tend to focus on narrative first, tropes second, marketing third. If you switch that order, MoD becomes a BL since it’s adapted from a y-novel and targeted at the BL audience featuring a branded BL pair. So like everything pop culture, it’s a matter of perspective (and there’s the director’s intent to take into account too). 2022 is certainly effecting my perspective. 

Generally speaking, I personally believe BL should also involve certain tropes and expressions of affection/intimacy specifically derived from the yaoi manga tradition and be produced by an Asian country. An “I know it when I see it,” kinda thing. 

More on defining the genre to come but first… TERMS! 

Other terms germane to this discussion:

ROMANTIC 

Narrative implication that love (physical and/or emotional and/or intellectual) and therefor connection between two (or more) individuals is important to the well-being and ultimate contentment of the protagonist(s) and success of the story. 

All BLs are romantic. 

ROMANCE (aka the modern romance genre or A Romance) 

A story in which the relationship between two (or more) people drives a plot that ends with them happily together either forever (HEA) or temporarily (HFN). These narratives primarily function as comfort for consumers. 

While all BLs are romantic, not all BLs are romances. 

BROMANCE 

(or censored bromance) 

A story in which the intimate friendship between two men drives the plot and where romantic interest between the two is implied (usually using BL derived archetypes and tropes) but never explicitly stated or consummated. Bromances often end amorphously with the status of the pair as a couple left unresolved. Some of these can be considered queerbaiting and some of them are the result of censorship/homophobia. 

Since BL by definition demands the relationship be explicitly stated as a romantic union (whether consummated or not) bromances =/= BL. That said this term only really comes into play with China and (minimally) South Korea & Japan. 

EROTICA 

A story in which a sexual/physical relationship between two or more people drives the plot that may or MAY NOT end happily. These narratives primarily function as titillation. 

Very few even high heat BLs are erotica, although plenty of them (particularly from Japan or Taiwan) are erotic. 

YAOI 

Japanese manga tradition of graphic novels depicting fictional narratives dependent upon (and driven by) a romantic relationship between two men using the heterosexually dysmorphic seme/uke dynamic, originally drawn & scripted for and by women with the intention of entertaining and titillating a specific audience demographic. Yaoi is usually romantic but it is not all technically romance, as the genre does not require a happy ending. 

All live action yaoi adaptations out of Japan are now considered BL (like 2021’s Given) but not all BL can be considered traditionally yaoi anymore, not even the stuff from Japan.

Most (but not all) BL:

Can trace its roots back to the Yaoi tradition.

Is produced by Asian countries, in Asian languages, (now) for an international audience. Or at least with the international market as an ultimate hopeful goal.

Is written by, and targeted at, straight adult women. (This IS changing, and is somewhat country dependent.) 

Does not cater to a queer viewer or contain honest representations of gay/queer characters or sexualities (AKA doesn’t have a queer lens).

Utilizes a voyeuristic lens, where the gayness of the characters and their emotional/physical connection (and appearance) is designed to encourage an emotional/physical reaction in an audience made up primarily of non-gays. 

Contains a differential power dynamic between the protagonists, whether seme/uke or not, that leads to glorification and over-romanticization of obsessiveness, possessiveness, and jealousy that in reality would be deeply problematic for any real relationship.

Much of this has been changing since I originally wrote this post. I think this has to do with exponential growth in BL output since 2019, most specifically from Thailand and Korea. 

Things audiences expect, so we get a ton of, but actually aren’t required to belong to the genre:

1. A happy ending

Lots of gay romance is BL, but not all BL is gay romance. Plenty of BL ends in death (murder, suicide, accident) or circumstances separating the couple forever. This is because yaoi owes more to erotica than it does to the traditional romance genre (and BL comes originally from yaoi). 

Prior to 2017 when Thailand seriously entered the scene in a big way and began influencing taste, a statistical majority of BL actually ended unhappily.

2. Younger protagonists. 

Most BL produced revolves around boys aged 16-26 (hence the “boy” part of “Boy’s Love”). However, origin yaoi contains plenty of stories set in the workplace involving men older than 26 (and plenty of Japanese live action yaoi adaptations continue to do so, 2020s Cherry Magic is a classic BL but the protag is 30). So one might amend this to: 

Expect a certain amount of innocence or naiveté in at least one half of any given BL couple.

3. Character archetypes such as: 

seme, uke, faen fatal, cinnamon role, tsundere, wise mentor, absent family, grumpy + sunshine pairings. 

5. Romance tropes such as:

 long term pining, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, fated mates, fake boyfriends, there’s only one bed, forced cohabitation, meet cute, childhood crush. 

6. Problematic tropes that come from yaoi such as: 

heterosexual dysmorphia, gay for you, stepbrothers, obsession, codependency, salvation, dubious consent & non-consent (rape), whipping boy/ownership. 

7. Visual tropes which I track on this blog like: 

wound tending, hair drying, piggyback rides, and so many more… 

While most BL will have some of these elements, a drama doesn’t have to have all 7 elements to be considered BL. 

COUNTRY BY COUNTRY

BL expectations of Japan

Consistently produces small amounts of BL since 2005, can now be divided entirely into two types:

1. Cinematic BL with high production values, traditional Japanese style atmospheric cinematography, more actually gay narratives and no guaranteed happy endings, these can run the gambit from a classic romance like Restart After Come Back Home, a mature reunion romance like His the movie, or a erotic piece like Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese.

2. Live action yaoi with workmanlike production values, romcom and slapstick trappings, which are exactly what they’re billed as and have all the things we would expect.

Strong seme/uke dynamic.

Traditional highly staged and stylize yaoi filming and framing techniques.

High school, university, or workplace settings featuring coming of age and coming out narratives.

Innocent sexuality with perhaps a kiss or two but probably nothing more.

Either dark (depressing) or light (happy) endings.

More about the history of Japanese BL here, plus my top ten picks. 

BL expectations of Thailand

Mass producing BL since 2016, exponential growth.

Strong seme/uke dynamic, fetishization of height difference.

High school or university set and linguistically nested in an informal (guu/mueng) or semi-formal phi/nong system. (So very little polite formal or adult register speech. And therefore very few fully adult characters.)

Coming of age and coming out narratives.

Physical consummation of the romance that at least involves some very good kisses.

Happy endings.

Favorite tropes include: sing your feelings, I saw you feed him, wound tending, hugs & cuddles, cheek & forehead kisses, shoulder sleeping, under the clear umbrella, and sponge bath.

Responsible for the pink milk, gear jewelry, engineering smock, and shrimp pealing = gay markers. 

Can be divided into higher production Thai BL versus Thai BL pulps. 

Poor to average production & post production value.

More about the history of Thai BL here, plus my top ten picks. Also I have a massive Thai BL master post. 

BL expectations of Korea

Has engaged in inconsistent production since 2007, been massively ramping up since 2019.

Weak semi/uke dynamic (unless it’s a high school setting).

Strategic use of yaoi tropes/archetypes and stylistic filming sequences, very thoughtful use of visual tropes paired to narrative elements.

Older actors play younger protagonists.

A wide range of settings beyond high school and university.

Sanitized sexuality with a marked preference for chaste kisses at the very end.

Will occasionally include BL or GL as a subplot in het Kdramas. Will occasionally trot out a bromance in non-romance Kdramas. 

Usually happy endings for their explicitly marketed BL.

High production & post production values.

More about the history of South Korean BL here, plus my top ten picks.  

BL expectations of Taiwan

Minimal but consistent production since 2017. 

Weak semi/uke dynamic, masc gay representation, less homophobia. 

Representations of marriage equality. 

Overuse of traditional yaoi tropes now considered problematic like stepbrothers, dubious consent, and stalker behavior.

Little to no yaoi filming or staging techniques.

Older characters playing younger protagonists because…

High heat.

Will include BL as a side plot in het dramas.

Happy ending not guaranteed.

Average production & post production values.

More about the history of Taiwanese BL here, plus my top ten picks. 

BL expectations of China

Consistent and increasing production since 2012, decline and reworking into bromances since 2016′s increase in censorship. 

Strong semi/uke dynamic.

Amorphous endings.

Responsible for the flute or fan = gay marker. 

Bromances since 2018 (based on originally m/m novels)

Little to no yaoi filming or staging, China prefers its own stylistic filming traditions.

Very high quality production & post production values.

Pre 2018:

Overuse of traditional yaoi tropes especially those now considered problematic like whipping boy, stepbrothers, obsession, trauma, and rape.

Average to poor production & post production values.

More about the history of Chinese BL here, plus my top ten picks. 

BL expectations of the Philippines & Vietnam 

Are not yet fixed because they are so new to the scene.

So far they tend to avoid university settings and fixed seme/uke dynamics.

They tend to have more honest queer rep and depictions of class struggles, family life, and gay domesticity.

Physical consummation of the romance at least involves one or two very good kisses.

Poor production & post production values (with a few noted exceptions).

Where do I draw my data? 

Ongoing spreadsheet of 400 BLs and counting that I have watched. A professional relationship with cinema, the film industry, and narrative analysis. This post (as many of mine are) is from a marketing analyst perspective, which means my interest is in audience expectations, demographics, analytics, statistics, and market share. Your emotional feels about these dramas are yours to own and experience, but, sadly, do not count as relevant data. Sorry peanut. 

BL Wave Data - 2020 Quick Summary

Have BL Series Gotten Shorter Over the Years?

BL STARTER PACK - Watchlist Introduction to BL 101

These are to my taste so happy endings only. I also tried to pick stuff I think of as most palatable to a western audience so with the least amount of dubious consent and problematic tropes.

STAGE ONE - softness + classic archetypes + ultra romantic + high production values

Semantic Error (repping for Korea on Viki) 

A Tale of A Thousand Stars (repping for Thailand on YouTube)

Cherry Magic (repping for Japan find it Indie Subbed) 

To My Star (repping for Korea, watch the movie version on Viki)

Be Loved In House: I Do (repping for Taiwan on Viki)

Gameboys (repping for the Philippines on Netflix)

These 5 will also give you a good idea of the different styles of BL from the different countries.

STAGE TWO - complex story + some roughness + classic tropes

These ones all have a bit of a barrier to entry for various reasons. But once you kinda know what you are in for with BL, they will satisfy and a few of them might become your favorites. These ARE my favorites. I like a little edge.

Until We Me Again (Thai on YouTube also Viki) trigger warning for the original meaning of the term, suicide & death. I hate HATE unhappy endings and this is still my favorite Thai BL. The main couple on a second chances, reincarnation, soulmates arc has a happy ending. And UWMA features Thailand’s most famous side couple. It’s the main couple’s previous selves who end sad. Just be aware going in and you should be fine, unless you suffer from triggers in which case pass. But I have to say this is one of the best queer romance stories ever filmed. EVER.

2gether + Still 2gether (Thailand on YouTube) if UWMA sounds like too much for you then you might be in for this brand of toothsome fake relationship ridiculousness. 

Color Rush (Korea on Viki you want the movie version) a genius piece of filmmaking that uses magical realism as an allegory for the queer experience. Possibly my favorite BL of all time.

Long Time No See (Korea on GaGa) - more violent and higher heat than Korea normally goes, but this will rep for Strongberry, they’re the premier Korean queer production house and every BL stan should know about them because reasons.

Seven Days (Japan - grey Seven Days: Monday - Thursday, Seven Days: Friday - Sunday) - one of the best live action yaoi mangas ever made. Hands down my favorite Japanese BL.

HIStory 2: Crossing the Line (Taiwan on Viki) - has the stepbrother trope because Taiwan never met a problematic trope it didn’t want to play with, but the main couple are fucking ADORABLE. 

We Best Love 1 & 2 (Taiwan sadly only on WeTV) - is one of my comfort rewatches, so know that about my taste going forward.

You Are Ma Boy (Vietnam on YouTube) - Vietnam is a baby in the field but this will give you an idea of their style. (I talk more about it here.) or @heretherebedork has a pinned master post.

My Day the series (Pinoy, was on YouTube not sure where it’s got to) just a ton of fun, my favorite offering from the Philippines. Yes, above Gameboys.

Utsukushii Kare AKA My Beautiful Man (Japan GaGa) - one of the best most Japanese BLs to release in the last decade. It used seriously old school yaoi derived problematic and kinky tropes, like whipping boy, for a truly classic piece that also manages to hit up themes of communication, consent, and self acceptance. It’s a wonderful BL but uniquely dirty and harsh, in the best possible way. 

LINKIES TO MORE RESOURCES POSTS FOR UNDERSTANDING BL

First you have been reading my BL MASTER POST: WHAT IS BL? 

Here’s my: BL Foundations Syllabus: BL 101 Film Course - An Introduction to the Genre

BL Review & Information Content Providers/Blogs OFF Tumblr 

Archetypes in BL

Defining Seme/Uke

How do they determine who will be the Seme or Uke? 

Blushing Maiden Trope & Seme/Uke sex negative BL

Only I care - femme fatal in BL

Tropes in BL

BL Bingo or Drinking Game TROPES LIST - most of the visual tropes I talk about with links

Stepbrother Trope & the Nature of Taboo in BL

Whipping Boy Trope (Utsukushii Kare example) 

Once popular tropes that have died

Tropes that are seme/uke dysmorphic - visual tropes that when executed in a BL tend to always favor either the seme or the uke

Narrative BL

Heat & Angst in BL + Terms Explained - terms explained high heat, high angst, dub con, non con, seme/uke D/s tsundere

Metonymy in BL

Religious representation, setting, and narrative devices in BL

Love Triangles & Tropes

BLs With The Best Stories - Top 10 BL Narratives with best story structure and scripts and how I assess quality of these elements 

Hallmarks of BL

Giving Good Kiss in BL

Central Aperture Framing - Linear framing using pathways and apertures to draw focus to the central figure(s).

Peekaboo Framing - When the director uses doorways, windows, mirrors, or other apertures to give the audience the impression of looking at something they maybe shouldn’t.

Yaoi filming, staging & framing techniques in BL

Cultural Differences in BL

History of BL why this kind of romance is popular in Asia but not the West?

ASIAN GL History of GL - Popularity Struggles

BL Breakdowns by Country

THAI BL MASTER POST

Thai BL Pulps Explained

Top 10 BLs Out of Thailand + History of the genre there

Top 10 BLs Out of Japan + History of the genre there

Top 10 BLs Out of China + History of the genre there

Top 10 BLs Out of Korea + History of the genre there

Top 10 BLs Out of Taiwan + History of the genre there

Taiwan futzes with seme/uke and Taiwan HIStory series damaging tropes, why? and BL in Taiwan & Gay Marriage

The Dark Side of BL

Industry BL (gets me either salty or into data)

Have BL Series Gotten Shorter Over the Years?

BL Wave Data - 2020 Quick Summary is the industry growing? How fast?

Is BL Taking Off? Growth in terms of audience, investment, international market penetration between 2020-today (end of 2021)

BL - The Second Coming: Your favorite BL is getting a second season! Should you be scared or excited? Let’s look at data.

Workshopping High Heat in BL

Actors & Speculation about Sexual Identity

Chinese mf censorship, fight me

Queerbaiting, bromances & The Devil Judge 

Will BL Get More Honestly Queer? 

10 Thai BL Fun Facts - Crazy/weird/random/awesome things I know about the BL world

I have a ton of stuff about Thai Bl and the language/culture, and the various tropes individually, but in an effort to make this concise (insert maniacal laughter) I’ll leave those off.

BL Docs & NonFic Resources on YT

BL History

Strongberry on BL (Korea)

Thai BL

TED Ex BangKok (growing up gay in Thailand)

Chinese masculinity

Perth on working on a BL show (Thailand, Aussie perspective)

(source)

This post is sorta kept up to date, but only half heartedly. Probubly got through 2021. 

[unforth]

Danmei and Baihe C Novels and Manhua Officially Licensed in English

Things are getting licensed fast enough that keeping a list like this up-to-date is basically impossible, but I saw someone asking in the tags so I figured I'd try. All titles are danmei unless otherwise noted (very little baihe is licensed so far). I've included Chinese titles and linked novelupdates for each title when I was able to find them, but sometimes publishers change the original titles so much that I can't track them down, apologies.

Basically: this is everything I know of as of August 26, 2024. There might be more. I tried. Resources used to compile this list: Danmeinews.com is a great resources; this Carrd, last updated in March 2023; list of danmei with official licenses on NovelUpdates; a similar list on Goodreads; danmei-specific list on Reddit that to my eye looks accurate for the larger publishers but isn't thorough for some of the smaller ones.

-

Seven Seas:

The full list of danmei novels licensed by Seven Seas is here. The full list of danmei manhua licensed by Seven Seas is here.

These titles are in various stages of publication, from "entire series released" to "license literally announced less than a week ago." As far as I know, all Seven Seas titles are available world-wide, through major distributors and libraries, and in e-book and print formats.

Mo Xiang Tong Xiu titles:

The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System (Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong)

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Mo Dao Zu Shi)

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Mo Dao Zu Shi) manhua

Heaven Official's Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu)

Meatbun Doesn't Eat Meat titles:

Case File Compendium (Bing an Ben)

The Husky and His White Cat Shizun (Erha he Ta de Bai Mao Shizun)

Remnants of Filth (Yuwu)

Meng Xi Shi titles:

Thousand Autumns (Qian Qiu)

Peerless (Wushuang)

priest titles:

Guardian (Zhenhun)

Stars of Chaos (Sha Po Lang)

Fei Tian Ye Xiang titles:

Dinghai Fusheng Records (Dinghai Fusheng Lu)

Dinghai Fusheng Records (Dinghai Fusheng Lu) manhua

Joyful Reunion (Xiang Jian Huan)

Legend of Exorcism (Tianbao Fuyao Lu)

Other titles:

Ballad of Sword and Wine (Qiang Jin Jiu) by Tang Jiuqing

I Ship My Rival x Me (Wo Kele Duijia x Wo de CP) manhua by PEPA

HET: Love Between Fairy and Devil (Cang Lan Jue) by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang

Run Wild (Saye) by Wu Zhe

The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish (Canji Baojun de Zhangxin Yu Chong) by Xue Shan Fei Hu

You've Got Mail: The Perils of Pigeon Post (Fei Ge Jiao You Xu Jin Shen) by Blackegg

-

Rosmei:

Rosmei licenses are Singapore distribution rights only. There is a list of international partners organizing group orders here. I've personally placed my orders through Yiggybean, as discussed in reply to this ask.

These titles are only being released as print editions.

Eta: titles that weren't originally on JJWXC (of which there are several here) WILL have e-book editions.

Ning Yuan titles:

BAIHE: At the World's Mercy by Ning Yuan

BAIHE (I think???) The Creator's Grace by Ning Yuan

priest titles:

Coins of Destiny (Liu Yao)

The Defectives (Can Ci Pin)

Drowning Sorrows in Raging Fire (Lie Huo Jiao Chou)

Other titles:

Albert from Earth by Jie Mo Jun

The Bat (Bian Fu) by Feng Nong

Breaking Through the Clouds (Po Yun) by Huai Shang

Don't You Like Me (Ni Shi Bushi Xihuan Wo) by Lv Tian Yi

The Earth is Online (Diqiu Shangxian) by Mo Chen Huan

Everyone Loves the Cannon Fodder (Chuan Cheng Wan Ren Mi de Paohui Zhuma) by Qie Zai Shan Yang

Global Examination (Qianqiu Gao Kao) by Mu Su Li

Gold Class Enforcers (Jinpai Dashou) by Pao Pao Xue Er

How to Survive as a Villain (Chuanyue Cheng Fanpai Yao Ruhe Huming) by Yi Yi Yi Yi

Kaleidoscope of Death (Siwang Wanhuatong) by Xi Zi Xu

The Killer of Killers (Sha Qing) by Wu Yi

Nan Chan by Tang Jiuqing

Obsessed (Ki Ma) by Wu Chen Shui

Wine and Gun (Jiu yu Qiang) by Mengye Mengye

Wow, You Guys are Really Good at Gaming (Nimen Nansheng Da Youxi Hao Lihai O~) by Yi Xiu Luo

-

Peach Flower House:

Peach Flower House titles are primarily for sale through their website and through some distributors, such as Amazon.com. Whether titles are e-book only, print only, or both varies by title.

Da Feng Gua Guo:

The Imperial Uncle (Huang Shu)

Peach Blossom Debt (Taohua Zhai)

Other Titles:

Golden Terrace (Huang Jin Tai) by Cang Wu Bin Bai

In the Dark (Zai Hei An Zhong) by Jin Shisi Chai

Little Mushroom (Xiao Mogu) by Shisi

University of the Underworld by Ziloi

-

Via Lactea:

The full list of danmei novels licensed by Via Lactea is here.

Via Lactea titles are primarily for sale through their website and through some distributors, such as Amazon.com. All titles are either print-only or e-book + print. Only a handful have actually been released, the rest are licensed and presumably in progress.

Jing Shui Bian titles:

Salad Days (Jing Jiu)

Silent Hearts (Mo Mai)

Other Titles:

Apocalypse (Quanqiu Jinhua Hou Wo Zhan Zai Shiwulian Dingduan) by Qi Liu

As I've Told You Before by Sheng Jiang Tai Lang

Dawning (Liming Zhihou) by ICE

Embrace You Till the End of the game by Hu Yu La Jiao

Euthanasia (Anlesi) by Feng Su Jun

The Fall of Summer (Ting Shuo Ni Hen Nan Zhui) by Jue Chu

Falling (Luo Chi) by Yu Cheng

Psycho (Feng Zi) by Xiao Yao Zi

Limerence (Wo Xichen Ni Nan Pengyou Henjiule) by Jiang Zi Bei

Lingering Game (Chanmian Youxi) by Tao Bai Bai

Lip and Sword (Chun Qiang) by Jin Shisi Chai

May I Touch Your Spirit? by Qing Mei Jiang

The Missing Piece (Maoheshenli) by Kun Yi Wei Lou

The Omega Who Wants His Baby Back by Yao Yao Yi Yan

Raising Myself in 2006 by Qing Lv

Rose and Renaissance (Wo Zhi Xihuan Ni de Renshe [Yule Quan]) by Zhi Chu

Killing Show (Sha Lu Xiu) by Fox

Soul Vibration (Linghun Saodong) by Dr.solo

To Rule in a Turbulent World (Luan Shi Wei Wang) by Gu Xuerou

A Tyrant's Cover-up Plan by A Ci Gu Niang

Was I a Scummy Bottom? by Cheng Zi Yu

-

Monogatari Novels:

It is unclear to me if Monogatari Novel titles are available for world-wide distribution, but there are group orders being organized or I think they can be ordered directly from their webpage; they are based in Spain. These titles can also be ordered from at least some major retailers. Note that there has been some controversy about Monogatari Novels.

BAIHE: A Clear and Muddy Loss of Love (Jing Wei Qing Shang) by Please Don't Laugh

BAIHE: Female General and Eldest Princess (NuJiangjun he Zhang Gongzhu) by Please Don't Laugh

How to Survive as a Villain (Chuan Yue Cheng Fanpai Yao Ru He Huo Ming) manhua by Yi Yi Yi Yi

The Legendary Master's Wife (Chuanshuo Zhi Zhu de Furen) by Yin Ya

The Silent Concubine (Ya Nu) by Qiang Tang

BAIHE: Soulmate manhua by Wenzhi Lizi

-

Aloha Comics:

A tiny, Hawaii-based press focusing on manhua. Titles appear to primarily be available through Diamond Comics. There are also pre-orders on Yiggybean. All of these are pre-orders, though the earliest are coming out by the end of April 2024 (about two weeks after when I'm posting this).

All these titles are manhua!

Day Off by Qing Cai

Here U Are by DJUN

Link Click by Li Haoling and Haoliners (not technically danmei!)

Nirvana in Fire (Lang Ya Bang) by Hai Yan (not technically danmei!)

-

Chaleuria:

As far as I can tell, Chaleuria has not updated their webpage since April 2023, so the current status of in-progress titles is unknown. All titles are digital and/or e-book, and I'm not sure how to purchase them as I haven't tried.

The Complete Guide to the Use and Care of a Personal Assistant (Zhuli Shiyong Zhinan) by Why Radiance

Deep in the Act (Ru Xi) by Tongzi

Fake Slackers (Wei Zhuang Xue Zha) by Mu Gua Huang (no longer available)

From Body to Love (Leng Yan E Nan: Xian Shenhou Ai) by Wan Wan Yi Xia

Interstellar Power Couple (Xingji Qiangli Lianyin) by Kun Cheng Xiongmao (no longer available)

Intoxicated Friends (Zui Qing Zhi Pengyou) by Ye Shu Ying

The Long Chase for the President's Spouse (Zongcai Zhui Fu Lu Manman) by Three Thousand Crow Language

No Money No Divorce (Mei Qian Lihun) by Shou Chu

Reborn into a Hamster for 233 Days (Chong Shengcheng Cangshu de 233 Tian) by Yi Shu

Records of the Dragon Follower (Cong Long Ji) by Yueren Ge

Urban Tales of Demons and Spirits (Dushi Yaogui Lu) by Qie Er

World Hopping: Avenge Our Love (Ni Wufa Yuliao de Fenshou, Wo Du Neng Gei Ni Song Shang) by Xiaomao Bu Ai Jiao (no longer available)

-

Webnovel:

When I first made this list, I heard that Webnovel had a few titles but couldn't actually find them - but now I've found them, thanks to a list someone else put together. I'm including direct links to them, since I had so much trouble finding them at all.

Comrade: Almost a Cat-astrophic Love Story (Jintian ye Yao Nuli Dang Zhimao) by Demonic Fire (link)

My Boyfriend is a Dragon (Nanpiao Shi Tiaolong) by Chubby Strawberry Sauce (link)

The National Sweetheart Livestreamer is a Pro! (Quanmin Zhubo Shi Duiba) by Mo Shang Wang (link)

-

Honorable Mentions:

There are a handful of titles I know of that are official translations of C Novels. These are not books with contextual queerness, but for folks with an interest in Chinese history and culture, they are worth checking out anyway, especially because understanding these stories can help understand the above books. Also, some have active shipping fandoms (for example, I've written for Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Daomu Biji). I've included two above under the entry for titles from Aloha Comics (Link Click and Nirvana in Fire) and here are a couple others I currently know of:

Dream of the Red Chamber (Hong Lou Meng) by Cao Xueqin, available for free from Project Gutenberg

The Grave Robbers' Chronicles (Daomu Biji) by Nanpai Sanshu (six volumes are available in English from Things Asian Press)

Journey to the West (Xiyou Ji) by Wu Cheng-en, from University of Chicago Press

The Legend of the Condor Heroes (She Diao Yingxiong Chuan) by Jin Yong from St. Martin's Press

Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi), attributed to Luo Guanzhong, available in multiple translations

The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants (Zonglie Xiayi Chuan), attributed to Shi Yukun, from Chinese Literature Press

Water Margin (Shuihu Zhuan) by Shi Nai'an from Tuttle Publishing

I will add to the "Honorable Mentions" list if I find any other more mainstream titles with official translations.

-

A handful of other licenses are mentioned on the Carrd I linked at the beginning of this post; I have no idea the status of those titles and wasn't able to find information on them while putting together this post other than what was listed on that Carrd, so I've omitted them.

Some final notes based on my experiences purchasing from some of the above:

Seven Seas translation varies but the editing is general strong and the editions are sturdy and nice. Extras that have come with final volumes are lovely. I am buying literally everything they publish except for You've Got Mail, due to information about the author that was shared with me that the author is a transphobe. Note that Kinnporsche by Daemi is not danmei as it's Thai (and I've heard unsavory things about the author - I don't have a link for that as the information was shared with me on Discord, and I encourage you to do your own research rather than taking my word for it). No judgement if you make a different choice than me, to be clear, I'm just sharing the information I have and why I personally am not buying the books). Note that Seven Seas isn't without controversy, especially for treating their contractors poorly resulting in them unionizing. Some people have also been unhappy with the fidelity of their translations compared to the original Chinese (I've been satisfied personally but ymmv).

Peach Flower House has inconsistent inconsistent editing quality, but the books are very readable, and I'm excited that they're working with translators such as E. Danglars. I haven't bought any of their special editions so can't speak to their extras, but I've bought all their print translations and will continue to do so going forward.

I've now read three titles published by Via Lactea and while the translations are decent I could wish the editing was more consistent. Everything reads as if it would have been improved by one more thorough proof read.

My first book from Rosmei arrived, and I found the translation and editing to be very strong. I can't speak to how accurate it may be to the Chinese original, but it read smoothly and had very few errors. Overall, though they've made some mistakes, they've been communicative and responsive, for example they've already issued a statement related to a recent controversy over perceived poor marketing for At the World's Mercy.

Tl:dr, the above is absolutely everything I personally know about mlm and wlw Chinese novels and manhua that have been licensed for English publication. I hope it helps someone.

Now go forth, and buy some books!

[korol--reznii]

[ Danmei in order of appearance: "Heaven Official's Blessing," "Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation," "Scum Villain's Self-Saving System," "The Husky and His White Cat Shizun," "Remnants of Filth," "Thousand Autumns," "Peerless," "Stars of Chaos," "Guardian," and "Ballad of Sword and Wine." ]

[willgrahamscock]

I cannot believe there's absolutely no way to watch free shows and movies anymore, there are too many paid streaming platforms and pirating websites have viruses and ads preventing you from watching it uninterrupted((.)) id rather follow the rules and purchase media moving forward because it is too inconvenient. Seriously, free and no ads or viruses with 1080p streaming is DEAD.

[part-time-zombie]

Exactly! It's freaking annoying when I want to watch movies but I would have to subscribe to like 24 different services . Just to watch the shows that I like.

[violetyakumo]

Same with Anime, it's too difficult to find decent streaming platforms nowadays. It's like having to Wave goodbye to an era where you can find shows on yt (.) to enjoy.

Anime used to be all over the place, subscription services are kind of a pain to get (.) just to watch shows.

Manga as well, they've all been thrown into the fire (.) to be paywalled.

[the-haiku-bot]

Manga as well, they’ve

all been thrown into the fire

(.) to be paywalled.

Beep boop! I look for accidental haiku posts. Sometimes I mess up.

[colbertt]

[fedonciadale]

Master meta post

*** On Semi-Hiatus with my tumblr and my writing. I’ve become ill and need long treatment  and I’m not up to writing or engaging with the fandom much. I hope I’ll be up to at least writing fic soon.!***

Master meta post

So I decided to put together some of my metas/ask posts (that tend to become metas occasionally) for convenience and pin this post.

I have not yet linked all (obviously), but I will revisit this post once in a while and add links…

Also for my numerous ask - evolved into metas I usually added some that I think are representative.

ASOIAF - Bookwise

Meta series on “Singers singing songs and their impact on character in ASOIAF”: part 1: Jon

part 2: Sansa

part 3: Daenerys

part 4: Starks and Lannisters

An ask about Florian and Jonquil (note the excellent additions!)

What is a bittersweet ending? (x, x, x, x)

Meaning of Ice and Fire

GRRM is not a Nihilist

First men and Children of the Forest

Politics in ASOIAF/GoT

Legitimacy of Kings in Westeros

Claim to the throne, right to the throne and the making of Kings

Daenerys and her understanding of history

Marriage annulment

Northern Independence asks (x, x, x)

Food sharing in Westeros

Parallels to Wars of the Roses

Starks

Sibling dynamics: Everyone was the odd one out once in a while

Sansa and Arya (mostly answers to Did Sansa bully Arya? (x, x)

Succession in the North: Was Sansa disinherited (x, x, x, x, x, x, x, x)

Septa Mordane

Dragons vs. direwolves

Targaryens

Would Jon on the throne mean a Targ restoration?

Why did the Targs practice incest and what are the political repercussions?

Jon Snow’s Targ name

Shipping:

Jonsa, Jon€rys and the logic of shipping

Shipping and canon shipping

Why is Jonsa hated?

Bulverism

Show rants:

Catfight at Winterhell: rant, asks (x)

Annulment of marriages in the Middle Ages

Daenerys and her understanding of history

Doubts prior to season 8

Circular storytelling

The full cirlce of Westeros

Why the endgame doesn’t make sense: 1 (Bran) , 2 (Tyrion), 3 (Arya), 4 (Sansa), 5 (Jon)

Women:

Women in Westeros and misogyny - Cersei

Women in Westeros and misogyny - Brienne

Sansa and Feminism

Arya and her feminitiy

Catelyn the advisor

Comparison of Jonsa with other ships

Jonsa and Jon€rys (my oldest post, Nov 2016)

In General: Incest, Endogamy, Exogamy, Genetic attraction phenomenon

Cousin marriage in the Middle Ages

In-world opinions on Cousin marriage, Targ incest

Does a Jonerys marriage solve any problems?

Foreshadowing for Jonsa, Jon€rys and J0nrya

Jonerys foreshadowing

Why Jonerys is incompatible

Comparison of Jonsa and Jonerys foreshadowing

What was GRRM’s original idea?

J0nrya and the original outline

So called J0nrya foreshadowing (= Jonsa foreshadowing in disguise)

Will there be a Jon€rys baby? (x, x, x, x, x)

Arya and Jonsa, J0nrya reunion

Political J0nrya marriage after Sansa’s death?

J0nrya as a possibility in books and show

Anti Dany/Jon/Sansa threesome for Targ restoration

Anti Sansan 

Anti Sanrion

Does Jon have a crush on Alys?

Alys Karstark as possible marriage candidate

Sansa Stark

The Trident incident (x, x)

The ‘Horseface’ question

Precanon crush?

Sansa is Jon’s type

Arguments against Sansa and “Rickard Forrester” as a rando last minute love interest

The Broken Tower in Winterfell

Sansa’s ‘betrayal’

Sansa won’t be disfigured

Sansa’s wishes

Sansa and the Northerners

Sansa and Alysanne Parallels

Sansa and Lady

Dany and Sansa as foils

Sansa as the ‘original villain‘

Does Sansa trust Littlefinger?

Is Sweetrobin getting poisoned?

Sansa and Sweetrobin

Ned and Cat

The man who passes the sentence

Was Ned in love with Ashara and did he have sex with her?

Ned and Cat as parents

The Starks value life

Literal tropes:

Relationship tropes in GoT and ASOIAF

Accidental incest and secret parentage and their outcoming

The function of secret parentage in fiction

What even is incest?

Jonsa and Beauty and the Beast

Fairy tales:

The trickster cat

The Bear and the Maiden fair

The Pig boy

Allerleirauh

Comparisons with Tolkien:

Beren and Luthien: part 1, part 2, part 3

Aragorn and Arwen

The Girl in Grey:

Various asks on the Girl in Grey (x, x, x, x, x)

DarkDany stuff

Why conquer Westeros at all?

A Storm that hits

Conquerors landing on the shore

Will Dany die as a saviour?

Questioning sharply (Dany’s descent into darkness)

Dany and politics

Dany’s ‘hero’s journey’

Dany and Galadriel

Setting up Dany as a villain: the Leni Riefenstahl connection (mostly @une-nuit-pour-se-souvenir but it started with my ask

Dany is not an abolutionist

Fire and Blood:

Methods of foreshadowing

Alysanne

Jaime

Succession in Fire and Blood

Fire and Blood tidbits

Will Arya kill Dany?

Archmaester Glydaen and his bias

Political Jon

Jon the Player, Jon the Deceiver?

Cersei and Aurane Waters as a parallel to Jon and Da€nerys

Deceiving and Lying Starks

Jon the Negotiator

Jon’s political skill on the show

Starks and their political skills

Asks about Political Jon (x, x, x)

Other:

Jaime Lannister as Hand of the King

Jaime as Hand - Hints in F&B (1, 2)

Tully mud, blood, death and sudden change

Rains of Castamere and the futility of revenge

Stark words and Stark obligations

Parallels to Outlaw King

Crack:

Why we should ship Tormund and Dany

HP Verse:

Everything wrong with the HP verse

Good Slytherins

Internalized misogyny in HP and the girly girl

Is S.P.E.W fake woke?

Grey characters in HP

Classism in the HP verse

Is Draco smart?

Hogwarts sorting: How it should go

JKR’s writing

Arthur Weasley and muggles or classism in HP

On redemption arcs: Draco,

On ships in HP: Fremione and Harmony; Anti Romione

My thoughts on : Ginny, Ron

[kitnjon]

Incorrect Jonsa (insp.)

[vibiul-deactivated20230828]

Jon and Sansa by Michael Kormack, CelticBotan and Lauren K Cannon

[sayruq]

Jonsa Month: Day 1: Costumes

[paloma-nevada]

[trollslanda]

local dragonboy heartbroken sister doesn’t want to kiss, runs away