Yaoi, to use the Japanese definition is Boy's Love (BL). BL deals with sexual relationship between two males. When I first found out about yaoi, I naturally assume it was for gay men. Nope. Most of the creators of yaoi I understand, are women and are written for women. I was surprised to find out the majority of the fan base tend to be heterosexual women. There is another subset called bara that is basically yaoi for gay men audience.
I've heard and seen yaoi for the past several years but never had a chance to check out Yaoi Con so when they moved down to Long Beach this year, I figured I'll go and spend a day there.
The convention was held at Westin Long Beach which I would describe as better than average con hotel. The entire con was held on the third floor with panels, video room, art show, library, main events, fan market (artist alley) & dealer hall.
Looking at the panel list, it is of course, lean heavily toward yaoi such as Character Development in Yaoi, Baker Street BL, Slash Mountain, Our Resign Bishounen, Exploring Dark Fantasy : BDSM in Yaoi but there are non-yaoi ones such as Tiger & Bunny Fan Panel, Surviving Masquerade, Overcoming Writer's Block. One panel I didn't expect to see at a con : How to Launch a Successful Kickstarter Project !
The guest of honor was Uki Ogasawara with industry guest Jo Chen. I admit, I really only go to cons for cosplay so I didn't really partake in any autograph signing or panels.
This is probably the first con I went to where it was majority female. I saw a few guys (mostly photographers) around but mostly women. Some I talk to were there for the yaoi and seem giddy about it, others I talk to were more indifferent - citing the reason they were there was to hang out with their friends. It was also unusual to be at a con and not hear loud sequels of delight or the general antics of younger fans. Yaoi Con is 18+ and they do check. They're very strict on this. You will need to have a badge AND a wrist strap on at all times. Both have an identifying number on it and it matches your name on their records.
The cosplay was above average. I saw a lot of creative outfits like the Avengers redone as dresses as well as yaoi characters. I was impressed with the Saber cosplayer - her armor was steel and was told weighs 50 pounds. A good number of cosplay photographers showed up. One actually came out from Texas. You can't really shoot on any other floor besides the 3rd floor where the con was held due to hotel policies but most folks went out to a patio area to get photos.
Speaking of Texas, I met a few folks who came in from out of town for this con - Las Vegas folks as well as those from Northern California. I believe there was someone from Seattle there and I know there was at least one international one. The attendance wasn't bad - I'm bad at estimating but I can say it is their first year at a new location so it takes time to build up.
The main attraction it seems - at least what I gathered from talking to different people is the Bishounen Auction. The way I understand is guys submit to be in the auction, the convention selects a certain number and they go on stage to perform. I sat through a few of the contestants before I took off. The first guy danced a bit, the second had a yaoi-parody song which the audience loved. Each guy has a skit, or dance, or song they do and at the end, they are auction off. Video was not allow so I didn't shoot any footage but photos are aceeptable. Bidding starts at $50. And there are bidding wars ! I watched two women battle it out to a few hundred bucks. The guys can strip if they wanna but at bare minimum they must have their underwear on. The auction is open to guys and gals meaning a guy or a girl can bid. After you win your bishounen, he is yours till 2 am. Yours meaning he'll do what you want him to do within reason. Obviously since they don't wanna be shut down as prostitution, it's not as crazy as you think. Think of it as a host or butler. Teams of 4 can bid together. All the money that the bishounen is auctioned off for goes to help fund next year's Yaoi Con. I gotta say, it was very entertaining and if you have a chance, check it out.
As for food choices, there's plenty of restaurants a few blocks away - About 5 minute walking. There is also the Blue Line station right next door to the hotel - if I knew about this, I would have taken the subway and skip driving and parking ($8 at hotel).
So from my one day at Yaoi Con, it feels like any other anime con I've been to with the exception that it is heavily geared toward yaoi culture. Would I go back again ? Definitely !
Did you go to Yaoi Con ? If so, how did you like it ? Write in the comments below !
Did you go to Yaoi Con ? If so, how did you like it ? Write in the comments below !
