Internet
bishounen
What does bishounen mean?
An idealised, delicately handsome and frequently androgynous male character, a staple of shoujo and boys' love works.
"Every otome game is stuffed with brooding bishounen."
Origin
Japanese 美少年 (bishōnen), 'beautiful youth (boy)'.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bishounen?
It's an idealised, delicately handsome and often androgynous young male character.
Where do bishounen appear?
They're a staple of shoujo and boys' love works, and common in otome games.
What does the word mean literally?
The Japanese 美少年 (bishōnen) literally means 'beautiful youth' or 'beautiful boy'.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
