Counter Strike
- The Midwest's Yaoi and Slash Convention
- St. Louis, MO
Contents
4. What is there to do at Bishie Con?
Bishie Con is a convention for artists and writers who create Boys' Love, whether it be yaoi, shounen-ai, or fan-slash... and, of course, the fans who enjoy it!
The "Bishie" in the convention name is a shortening of the word "bishounen", meaning "pretty boy" in Japanese.
What is Boys' Love, slash, yaoi, shounen-ai, etc.?
Boys' Love (or BL) is a broad term referring to fictional male/male romantic relationships created for women, by women. It has a long history not only in Japan and the U.S. but all over the world!
Slash is the American term for Boys' Love written or drawn about two characters from another work that would otherwise be assumed "straight". For example, an artist might create artwork pairing Sirius Black and Remus Lupin from Harry Potter. Such a pairing would be called "Sirius/Remus", hence the "slash".
Yaoi is used several different ways. In both Japan and America, it is often used simply as another word for Boys' Love, but there are many who use the term "yaoi" (a Japanese shortening of the phrase "Yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi" or "No climax, no point, no meaning") to make a distinction between more explicitly sexual Boys' Love and lighter romance (called "shounen-ai"). Yaoi has a huge following around the world because it is usually created for women, by women.
Shounen-ai refers to light romantic Boys' Love and the BL innuendo found in most popular shoujo ("written for girls") anime and manga series. Often these are short romantic comedies like Eerie Queerie! and Gravitation.
Bishie Con is meant for more mature fans, both in your real age and the age you act. During the day, there will be serious discussions of yaoi and its impact on society as well as art sessions, games, and a focus on shounen-ai rather than more explicit yaoi.
It is not meant to be like a Yaoi-Con for the Midwest. While some daytime events may have an age limit (and IDs WILL be checked), younger attendees ARE allowed.
In the evening (after 10:00), the age limit will become 18 for all events, panels, and viewing rooms.
Read more about our age limit and other rules on the Rules and Regulations Page.
What is there to do at Bishie Con?
Bishie Con will feature three tracks of panels and workshops, a dealers' room and artists' alley, anime showings, a manga reading room, events, and games!
You will also get a chance to meet fan artists, industry reps, and mangaka up close and personal!
Some of the awesome events we have planned are: a host party, a crossplay contest, art workshops, fan fiction roundtables, and game shows!
Fan artists, doujinshi creators, fan writers, yaoi publishers, mangaka, costumers, and more! All of them will be more than willing to give you tips and show you how to create your own yaoi. You will also be able to buy manga and doujinshi directly from the creators!
Of course, there will also be fans, and plenty of them! You'll find yourself in the company of yaoi fans and crossplayers from across the country (and maybe around the world).
Check out the Guests and Sponsors page for information on our guests of honor.
Of course! Costuming and role-playing is encouraged.
You don't have to crossplay. You can dress as a boy, girl, or anything you want.
We DO have rules about nudity, though. Even when the convention becomes 18+ at night, you must keep all "bits" fully covered. Anything that would get you arrested or ticketed on the streets of St. Louis is NOT appropriate. We ARE in public, ladies (and gentlemen)!
Bishie Con is owned and run by Kawa Kon, who also have a general anime fandom convention in St. Louis. Visit their other convention at kawakon.com.
Do YOU want to join the staff? Just email the con chair at katrina@bishiecon.com for details on how to join us!