Bishōjo

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The bishōjo style of drawing uses large, limpid eyes for increased cuteness, as in the character of Nyū from Elfen Lied.

Bishōjo (美少女, Bishōjo^? ; びしょうじょ; literally, "beautiful young girl", also spelled bishoujo) is a Japanese term used to refer to young and pretty girls, usually below college age. Bishoujo is not listed as a word in the prominent Japanese dictionary Kojien. A example of Bishōjo is Sailor Moon and Tokyo Mew Mew.

1 Bishōjo in manga and anime
2 Moé style
3 Bishōjo contests
4 See also

[edit] Bishōjo in manga and anime

Bishōjo are seen in almost all genres of anime and manga, ranging from shōjo to mecha, but especially renai games and so-called harem anime. It is sometimes considered the most mild form of fanservice, particularly if older women would be more appropriate characters. A "bishōjo series" is a series directed towards a male audience predominantly featuring such characters, and usually a single token male character, if any. The main draws for this audience are typically the art and the attractive female characters, and the term is sometimes itself perceived negatively as a "genre" solely depending on its marketability of cute characters.

It is distinguished from the similar sounding shōjo demographic by referring to the gender of the characters, not the intended audience. Shōjo is manga/anime for girls; bishōjo is manga/anime about pretty girls, usually (though not always) targeted towards a male audience.

[edit] Moé style

Main article: Moé

Moé face drawings.

Moé eyes drawings.

A style called "moé style" is often used for (but not limited to) drawing bishoujo. It is very common in manga and anime. Features typical of the moé style are:

Big eyes
Big pupil and Iris
Thin eye brows
Double eye lids
Short body figure
Slim limbs
Small simple nose
Flat face
Slim body frame

Furthermore, the transparent feel of the pupils and the star-like reflections in the eyes are often exaggerated, regardless of surrounding lighting.

[edit] Bishōjo contests

A beauty pageant, the Japan Bishojo Contest, has been run since 1985. Singing star Aya Ueto first became famous through this contest televised at the age of twelve. Model and actress Ryoko Yonekura also won a bishōjo contest in 1992.