Making no difference between original works and dōjinshi, it is used for any manga work focusing on the physical aspect of a homoerotic relationship. In the Western perception, the use of the term is different from the Japanese one. It is to be noted that Boys' Love is more specifically used for original works published by commercial publishing companies. In the last decade, the word was used less and less, and substituted with Boys' Love. The term is mainly used for derivative and parody works made and published by dōjin circles.
Yaoi is usually created by female authors and aimed at a female audience. In the Western perception, the use of the term is different from the Japanese Yaoi (やおい, yaoi) is a genre of Japanese fictional works that focus on homosexual relationships (both romantic and erotic) between male characters. Yaoi (やおい, yaoi) is a genre of Japanese fictional works that focus on homosexual relationships (both romantic and erotic) between male characters.
