In today's world, Otokonoko occupies a central place in our lives. Whether it is politics, technology, history, or any other area of interest, Otokonoko is a topic that sparks the interest and curiosity of millions of people around the world. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to Otokonoko, delving into its relevance, its impact on society, and the different perspectives that can be had on this topic. From its origins to its evolution today, Otokonoko has been the subject of debate, reflection and analysis, and through this article we will seek to shed light on various aspects that surround it.
You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Japanese. (March 2018) Click for important translation instructions.
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Cross-dressing |
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Otokonoko (男の娘, "male daughter" or "male girl", also pronounced as otoko no musume) is a Japanese term for men who have a culturally feminine gender expression. This includes amongst others males with feminine appearances, or those cross-dressing. "Otokonoko" is a play on the word 男の子 ("boy", from the characters for 'male' and 'child'), which is also pronounced otokonoko; in the slang term, the kanji for "child" (子) is substituted with "daughter"/"girl" (娘).
The term originated in Japanese manga and Internet culture in the 2000s, but the concept reflects a broad range of earlier traditions and examples of male cross-dressing in Japan, such as onnagata in kabuki theater.[citation needed] Its popularity increased around 2009, with the rise of dedicated maid cafés, fashion stores, cosmetic products, and a range of popular media in the otaku culture. It is often combined with the cosplay of female fictional characters by men (crossplay).
By extension, otokonoko is also a genre of media and fiction about feminine-looking or feminine-dressing men, and often contains erotic or romantic elements. It is mainly aimed at male audience but also appears in a lot of shōjo manga.[citation needed] Otokonoko characters have also begun to appear in mainstream Japanese popular entertainment such as manga, anime, and video games.