[Qoo Otaku] BL Manhwa Is Not Yaoi Manga

“Someone Else’s BL Comic” by bbobariee
(Source: TappyToon)

BL comics! Who doesn’t love them? Well if your a BL literature lover, then you are more than likely acquainted with BL manga, otherwise known as yaoi. However there has been a current rise on a new type of BL literature and graphic novel, known as manhwa. Both use the same concept which is of course BL fiction in graphic novel form. But the main internal differences to get from the two are the art style, story style, and panel lay out. Even though both are the same and different at once, readers cannot get enough of either of the two. Yaoi manga has been an original but now is the time to get familiar with its counterpart.

Source: ChinaSmack

Let’s not discuss the basic differences of manhwa and manga as such explanations are already available HERE. We will go straight ahead to the key elements of manhwa.

▍What’s so special?

Source: Shiraii

Contrary to yaoi manga’s anime type of art style, manhwa’s realistic approach to their art and design in their novels stands out from the crowd. It has proportional characters we see in American comics, but it also has the simple, plain coloring – low intensity of light and shadow – in Japanese manga. It’s difficult to trace back to how this unique style developed, but it could be the influences of both Japanese manga and American comics.

The story style is also realistic. Yes, every story is different as they are all published by different authors, but the story styles differ in a way that is actually intriguing. Yaoi manga typically picks up at a rather fast pace in the storyline. There is a lead up to climatic chapters but it’s not quite dramatic. While in manhwa, it may have its touch of fantasy here and there, most of the novels follow relatively realistic settings and plots.

Manhwa follows a steady course within their storylines to not rush the plot or good bits to the reader. Each chapter builds to the story helping to smoothly lead to a climactic scene or chapter. It is not all done so suddenly. That may be due to the fact most BL manhwa follow a system in which they categorize each chapter as an episode, and once the episodes collectively reach a climactic point later in the story, that is considered a season. This way helps readers follow along step by step and keep up with the flow of the storyline.

▍Think You’ve Heard of Manhwa?

Source: RADIOACTIVE-LOSER

Possibly, actually you more than likely have. With the sudden rise of BL manhwa, many yaoi fans find titles by chance or through new release announcements. With a new hot topic being the only thing people talk about for a while, one is bound to stumble upon all the commotion even by chance. Though you may have or have not read a BL manhwa, you at least may have heard of a couple title names just out of sheer popularity. Does 19 Days, Killing Stalking, or Blood Bank ring a bell for you? All three are very well known popular titles that helped set the stage of BL manhwa for many yaoi lovers.

Source: arachnephobia-revy

So to all die hard fujoshi and fundanshi, manhwa is not manga – but it is still a category of graphic novel that deserves all the appreciation it receives from fans and readers. That is not to say Yaoi manga is paled by comparison. That is to let everyone know more about the other BL arts apart from manga. I have already made a recommendation HERE – it may be perfect for beginner to learn about the world of BL manhwa!