BL visual trope du jour
staggered couple framing
when characters are staged so that one appears offset or smaller than the other
In BL this technique is often used to flip the power dynamic - that is to emphasize the uke being in a superior position of control/agency for a change, because of story conceits, as an act of contrition, or because he is jokingly assuming a contrasting power position.
This one is common in cinematography in general, but the style when applied to BL and sme/uke power dynamics comes directly out of yaoi.
Here’s a very interesting example of the two semes in Cutie Pie, notice how they are using the same framing technique but not staggered? There’s not preferential weight given to the seme character... because they are both semes.
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