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Omegaverse BL - Japan (Part 1)

[This is a summary of these posts 1 , 2. Corrections and critiques are welcome.]

mibu no tsugai

Omegaverse, which was born in 2015, has become a large [BL sub-]genre with over 1000 works as of 2023.

Omegaverse basics

α/β/Ω settings – a setting wherein beings [usually humans] are divided primarily into male and female and secondarily into α, β, and Ω genders which has huge impacts on their lives. Secondary gender is determined through blood tests taken at school during childhood or adolescence. [While this is the basic premise, there is only one rule – every rule is to be bend and broken.]

α (Alpha) – occupies the highest echelon of this fictional setting. Comprised of talented elites. Male alphas [depending on the work may] have knot at the base of their penis.

β (Beta) – Ordinary. Largest in number. Doesn’t experience heats, release pheromones or have knot. Usually born of β parents.

Ω (Omega) - experience heats, release pheromones that seduces alpha and beta automatically. Both men and women can become pregnant during the heat cycle. Occupies lowest strata of society - below α or β.

Roots

Born in the west – from furry moe culuture that incorporated a now discarded theory of ranking in wolf packs.

Became popular in Japan around 2014. First appeared in derivative works, then in self-published works and finally in commercial BL.

commercial BL debut

“Omegaverse Project” published in March 2015 by Fusion Productions - a BL anthology specializing in Omegaverse.

terminology

pair – A setting-specific bonding established when α bites Ω's nape during coitus during omega’s heat period. Henceforth, paired Ω’s pheromones can only be smelt by his α. Usually lasting till death but if an α unilateral breaks it off, Ω’s health and life itself could be threatened. Sometime, Ω covers their nape with a choker to avoid unintentional pair. In some works, forming pair bond is viewed as destiny and in some others destined pairs exist.

heat - begins in the late teens. Roughly once every few months. Involves strong pheromones secretion and intense lust and desire to breed with heightened fertility almost guaranteeing pregnancy if contraceptives aren’t used. Fated encounters such as those of destined pairs can trigger heat.

heat suppressant – drugs to suppress heat/heat cycles. Some works involves inhibitors that offer complete or partial immunity for alphas from getting pulled into whirlpool of lust. There are individual differences when it comes to compatibility of drugs, and strong side effects may occur.

rut – (sometimes extreme) heats of α. Could be triggered by Ω pheromones and heat. Could be characterized by additional features such as aggression, heightened physical abilities and protectiveness especially towards Ω.

nesting - The act of unconsciously bringing the personal belongings of someone or someone you like into your bed to create your own nest.

bitching - gender change to Ω. Could be triggered by (prolonged) exposure to α pheromones, etc. Converting to α = studding; Converting to β = neutraling.

α or β→Ω: Bitching ビッチング

Ω or β→α: Studding スタディング

α or Ω→β: Neutering ニュータリング

(To read more about gender changes)

Everything associated with omegaverse vary from work to work.

-

α (seme) x Ω (uke) – royal road progression (odo) of omegaverse

Kono Te wo Hanasanai de by Sakimoto Saki

Kamisama Nanka Shinjinai Bokura no Eden by Ichinose Yuma

unconventional – works that overturn the premise

α・β×Ω Romantic Joutou by Moriyo

Ω×α Boku no High Spec Kareshi-sama by Yotsuashi

β×Ω City ​​Lights Birthday by Hongou Chika

α×α Bokura wa Unmei Janai by Binzoko Keima

α×? Kowamote no Rinjin ga Ω datta Toki no Taishohou by Nikuya Inui

(source)

Looking at popular works and what made them popular

Commercial BL manga - works listed in chil-chil.net

Commercial BL novel - works listed in chil-chil.net

2015 Dawn of the Commercial BL Omegaverse

Omegaverse Project – omegaverse as niche [sub-]genre. Therefore, what got published was also content did not conform to the mainstream:

 Romantic Joutou by Moriyo - β×Ω pairing

Sayonara Koibito, Mata Kite Tomodachi by Yoha – disturbing content including a violent r4pe.

Paradigm Shift by Pii - β becomes Ω

Content catering towards a niche audience.

The popularity of these three works mark a big turning point for omegaverse which from the onset was willing to go beyond the framework.

2016 Birth of popular series, popularization of Omegaverse

Kashikomarimashita, Destiny by Sachimo

Another masterpiece that not only soared to popularity but also became gateway for may new fans. Characteristics – setting akin to medieval Europe, α×β, fighting fate and instinct.

Tadaima Okaeri by Ichikawa Ichi

A slice of life BL that tipped its toe into severe social circumstances such as familiar disapproval surrounding marriage and discrimination based on secondary gender which probably struck too close to home for some reader’s comfort. In the same vein, Kurui Naku no wa Boku no Ban by Kusabi Keri depicted omega sacrificing his body for the sake of promotion. Another popular manga that catered to niche interest was Pendulum: Kemonohito Omegaverse by Hasumi Hana.

2017 the Year of KUSEGATSUYOI!

(クセが強い = unique)

The three highest rated works from this year are unique and pushes a bunch of boundaries.

Sayonara Alpha by Ichinashi Kimi – shota α in a fated mates/destined pair narrative

 Ai to Makoto by Moriyo – α・Ω×Ω 3P with twins (α & Ω). Moreover, Ω twin is riba.

Shounen no Kyoukai by Akabeko – looks like odo but is far from it.

Omegaverse seem to make a lot of unsual plotlines palatable – at least better than regular settings.

2018 Light-hearted comedic works trend

2018 witnessed a 180 degree turn in terms of what got really famous. It was a year of lighter works. Even the covers are lighter.

Kekkon Shite Kudasai! by Tsurugi Ichiro – unique Ω

Megumi to Tsugumi by SI Mitsuru

Both of them are comedies that would appeal even to those who are not necessarily into omegaverse.

Okusama wa Alpha by Natsushita Fuyu - α×α romantic comedy involving α uke struggling with gender roles while seeking professional help along with his husband and α pregnancy.

Gender doesn’t matter, what matters is you!

Omegaverse is finally a popular BL sub-genre.

2019 Finally! A Odo Work is the most popular

[I too am frankly surprised by how long it took for an odo omegaverse to become the most popular.] This is probably due to the expansion in readership base – as it is no longer a niche interest, expanded readership is probably most comfortable with works that are easy-to-understand odo omegaverse.

Kiraide Isasete by Hijiki

Anti Alpha by Okuda Waku

Both these works featured odo

Yukyu Omega by Fujimine Shiki – broke away from the popular imagination of a pitable Ω

2020 Speedy & Business Relationships

Meppou Yatara to Yowaki ni Kiss by Koshino – destined pair but not the type they are into

Unmei no Tsugai ga Omae da Nante by Haruta – mate finding service, a reflection of IRL dating apps

Maku ga Oritara Bokura wa Tsugai by Zarame Same

Are you really into me or just my body?

2021 Omegaverse as a habit of living things

Kamisama Nanka Shinjinai Bokura no Eden by Ichinose Yuma – depicts [what-if] first α and Ω characters ever.

Gochisou Ω wa Chuu to Naku by Hanasawa Namio – funny and heartwarming depiction of apex predator behavior paired with beastman omegaverse

2022 Omegaverse + A New World View

While in 2021 works that viewed α, Ω, and β as from a new perspective became popular, 2022 saw popularity moving to works with unique worldviews.

Ruby Red wo Kamikudaku by Saku Hiro – Ω can see pheromones.

Aijitsu to Hanayome by Nagisa Ayumu – sweet romance between God α x villager Ω in the backdrop of a setting wherein Ω are offered as sacrifice to God due to their lust-inducing nature.

Kono Te wo Hanasanai de by Sakimoto Saki – α×Ω odo omegaverse that depicts the burden associated with each [secondary] gender.

Omegaverse BL works that are popular range from those with classic progession (odo; royal road) to those with unique worldviews. This sub-genre with a premise rife with rigid class system and reinforced discriminations has become a sanctuary for narratives that emphasizes looking beyond gender.

(source)

PART 1 (you are here)

PART 2