Okay, some of these question don't really apply for my current fannish behaviour, as I currently only fan Western shows, but I'll answer those that apply!
Are you interested in/have any experience with/in slash/Boys Love/yaoi/ m/m etc.? If yes, do you notice a difference in how it is approached/explored depending on the source culture of the material? Examples/details appreciated.
Well, yes, obviously. I cannot speak for very recent developments in Japanese source materials, since I'm hardly up to date, but here's what I think: Western fandom has in the last decade or so been massively influenced by gender studies, feminism, queer theory and all kinds of other cultural theory that have crossed over into popular culture. As a consequence, a sizable part of Western fandom is more aware of gay stereotypes and the potential for misogyny in slash and tries to avoid them. These days you don't see as much fanfic with a clear top/bottom dynamic, or cliches like "only gay for you". While this sort of fanfic still gets written, the stories and authors that are "in" right now tend to depict slash as far less romantic or effeminate.
Perhaps Japanese fandom has not gone through such big changes because in anime/manga you get source material that's actually depicting gay romance, and has done so for decades. Shonen Ai/Yaoi is an established genre, rather than a fannish subculture. And I think fans develop their work faster and more creatively than source materials and pro artists, because fans always operate in groups and with direct feedback. So while gay romance in Japanese sources is also moving away from very effeminate men and romance novel plots, the underlying power dynamics and cliches seem to prevail more strongly.
Oh, also, if I don't already know it (ie know you in person) and you're comfortable sharing it, what gender do you identify yourself as?
no subject
Are you interested in/have any experience with/in slash/Boys Love/yaoi/ m/m etc.? If yes, do you notice a difference in how it is approached/explored depending on the source culture of the material? Examples/details appreciated.
Well, yes, obviously. I cannot speak for very recent developments in Japanese source materials, since I'm hardly up to date, but here's what I think: Western fandom has in the last decade or so been massively influenced by gender studies, feminism, queer theory and all kinds of other cultural theory that have crossed over into popular culture. As a consequence, a sizable part of Western fandom is more aware of gay stereotypes and the potential for misogyny in slash and tries to avoid them. These days you don't see as much fanfic with a clear top/bottom dynamic, or cliches like "only gay for you". While this sort of fanfic still gets written, the stories and authors that are "in" right now tend to depict slash as far less romantic or effeminate.
Perhaps Japanese fandom has not gone through such big changes because in anime/manga you get source material that's actually depicting gay romance, and has done so for decades. Shonen Ai/Yaoi is an established genre, rather than a fannish subculture. And I think fans develop their work faster and more creatively than source materials and pro artists, because fans always operate in groups and with direct feedback. So while gay romance in Japanese sources is also moving away from very effeminate men and romance novel plots, the underlying power dynamics and cliches seem to prevail more strongly.
Oh, also, if I don't already know it (ie know you in person) and you're comfortable sharing it, what gender do you identify yourself as?
Female