ナカムラアスミコ　サクヒン　ニ　オケル　ケッコン　ヒョウショウ　ノ　ブンセキ

Abstract

The comic artist NAKAMURA Asumiko debuted in Japan in the year 2000. Her published works defy classification into a single genre; they are not confined to shōjo manga (Japanese girls’ comics) or Boys’ Love (BL), nor can they be placed in any other category. This article discusses the representation of marriage in Nakamura’s comic works. Specifically, she often portrays romantic relationships between men and describes such relationships as marriage. Current Japanese law does not permit homosexual marriage, and the term “marriage” invokes thoughts of family renewal registration and romantic love ideology. The two boys, the protagonists in these comics strive to find a way to be together in matrimony. First, I analyze present-day BL culture. MIZOGUCHI Akiko’s “evolved BL” refers to “BL works that motivate present-day readers to overcome homophobia, heterosexism, and misogyny.” Second, with reference to family registration, I compare the actual situation of heterosexual common-law versus legal marriage, including the romantic love ideology, with its emphasis on marriage as connecting love, sex, and reproduction. Third, I consider criticisms of same-sex marriage as serving to reinforce gender norms and as generating discrimination against other sexual minorities. I analyze Nakamura’s Classmates series (2008–2022) and Double Mintz (2013) as ways of practicing the re-reading of “marriage.” Lastly, I propose reading Nakamura’s works with reference to the logic of Eros in Plato’s Symposium. Many fictional works belong to BL and other genres, such as a story set in an era when homosexual marriage is legal and same-sex human reproduction is possible biologically or artificially. However, Nakamura’s story is set in our present-day society. The protagonists, a homosexual couple, think over their future as a couple. They started with the idea of “marriage,” but as it was associated with adoption, they re-evaluate the meaning of “marriage” for themselves throughout the series and finally hold a wedding ceremony of their own design. I conclude that the philosophy underlying Nakamura’s works and the way she has chosen to represent relevant social issues can provide support to overcome homophobia, heterosexism, misogyny, and other difficulties in today’s society