What is a fudanshi?

A fudanshi is a Japanese term that describes a male fan of yaoi and other genres of homoerotic media, including manga, anime, and video games. Unlike fujoshi (female fans of yaoi), fudanshi are less common and often face more social stigma due to the traditional expectations of masculinity in Japanese culture. Fudanshi typically participate in fan communities, online or in-person, where they can share their interests and engage with other fans. Some fudanshi also use this interest as a way to explore and express their own sexuality. Recently, the term has gained popularity among LGBTQ+ communities outside of Japan as a neutral term for men who enjoy homoerotic media.