'Bishonen' is the Japanese term for 'beautiful boy', meaning a guy that has more feminine than masculine features and is considered pretty by Japanese standards.

These guys in real life are often idols, actors or public figures with an overzealous female fandom.

In anime and manga, these are popular characters, known by their refined personality, or in some cases, a tough personality that serves as contrast.

This would be the case of actor Ken'ichi' Matsuyama, who played L Lawliet in the live action movies. He recently revealed to be gay, but still he has a great fandom worldwide, which is awesome.


One of the ultimate bishonen characters would be the protagonists of the various Final Fantasy series, Cloud.

And the list goes on, with even specific series full of bishonen characters, like Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, known also as Wallflower or Perfect Girl Evolution.