#maybe we’re all doomed yaoi/yuri

[m4sonn]

Guys hear my out Jally but they’re homura and Madoka from madoka magica.

[absolutebl]

Hello ABL,

After looking at your spreadsheet of doom, can you tell us how many shows have been released this year 2022 (including the shows that ended in 2022 like bad buddy) compared to the last 2 years by country. It will provide some perspective.

Thank you ❤️

I can but I usually do exactly that at the end of the year since the number announced is different from the number that actually air, so I have to wait until forth quarter closes.

So can you wait until the end of the year for the true stats in proper analysis?

Here's last year:

BL 2021 STATS & TRENDS BY COUNTRY (I reposted for ya) 

Here’s some rough numbers on the major producers that I track (includes microfilms and added new discoveries to previous years):

THAILAND

2020 = 22 

2021 = 42 

2022 = 108 so far

flipping heck, I genuinely thought their exponential growth would start to plateau at this point, no wonder I am struggling to keep up 

TAIWAN

2020 = 4

2021 = 11

2022 = 5 so far 

I don’t think we are due many more this year, maybe 2 if we are lucky 

KOREA

2020 = 7 

2021 = 17

2022 = 16 so far 

I thought they’d get over 20 this year and I think they still might make it. 

JAPAN

2020 = 8 (but 3 of those are pinks)

2021 = 6

2022 = 17 so far 

This was the biggest trend I did not see coming. I had no idea Japan, of all places, would respond to market pressure like this. Honestly I think it’s mostly a “HAY, we started this, what is Korea doing? Oh, I don’t think so. Let’s show em how its done.” AKA they aren’t taking this like they did Jpop, subconscious attitude. 

My 2022 BL Trend & Growth Expectations from 2021 were:

THAILAND will produce the same kind of thing as they did in 2021 with perhaps a few darker offerings, better queer rep, and a fall off in the pulps as money dries up. I don’t see how they can possibly keep up this level of exponential growth, their overall quality is seriously suffering. If we’re lucky, we will get at least 6 experimental pieces with stronger story and atypical setting (like KinnPorsche). ANNOUNCED? 73 BLs for 2022 (many of these are seed project fundraisers, I expect about half to die in pre-production or move to 2023.)

TAIWAN has increased steadily over years but I think they’ll go down from 2021, and 6 is the max we can expect in 2022. I want them to do a gay spoof on Boys Over Flowers but they don’t have the funds. *sad sigh* (This is assuming China doesn’t carry out its political threats, in which case the world’s got more serious problems to worry about.) ANNOUNCED? 5 BLs for 2022 

KOREA. I expect them to double their BL output next year (from 11 to 20+), perhaps including something a little longer after the success of Light On Me. Of course, imma pipe dream Yuri on Ice staring Enhyphen’s Park Sung Hoon and you can’t stop me (but Japan probably will). ANNOUNCED? 15 BLs for 2022

JAPAN, look I have cried out for years for ninja/yakuza yaoi adaptations and something more adult domestic like Our Dinging Table, and Japan has announced both. BOTH I tell you. I am SO EXCITED for Japanese BL in 2022. Come on Japan, you can do eeet! ANNOUNCED? 4 BLs for 2022

VIETNAM should continue to improve steadily, and give us as many as it can, I’m just hoping it doesn't fall down the Pinoy rabbit hole of no story. They are evolving quickly, if Mr Cinderella is any indication, good things are coming. ANNOUNCED? 2 BLs for 2022

CHINA nothing but a few heavily censored bromances. ANNOUNCED? 1 bromance co-project with Thailand for 2022

2022 BL line up (announced projects, trailers, etc) as of the end of 2021 is here.

2021 audience analysis and thoughts here. I discuss growth in terms of audience, investment, and international market penetration. How I think pandemic viewing #s figured into it. Possible new production models. And changes in BL actors and their pairs. (Pure speculation since I don’t have access to these numbers.)

2021 BL Wrap Up - Top Trends analyzed & discussed