Senpai Is an Otokonoko is a romance and coming-of-age series that stars an anime character who says he’s an "otokonoko." Makoto Hanaoka dresses and behaves like a girl, but what does "otokonoko" mean in Japanese and in the series?
What Does Otokonoko Mean in Japanese?
In Japanese, the word “otokonoko” refers to “boy, male child, or baby boy.”
In other words, otokonoko, in its most straightforward meaning, directly translates to “boy” in English and is commonly used in everyday Japanese without any additional cultural or subcultural connotations.
However, in the realms of anime and manga, the word “otokonoko” has taken on a more nuanced meaning, as it has become a Japanese anime slang for male characters who dress and look like girls, which most of the anime community interestingly labels as “trap” characters.
The concept is similar to the Western idea of cross-dressing but is often portrayed with its unique cultural subtleties in Japanese media.
In fact, otokonoko has similar anime archetypes such as Bishounen, Josou Danshi, Monster Danshi, and Orekko, but they are borderline different from each other.
Some of the most popular otokonoko anime characters include Hideyoshi Kinoshita of Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu and Hime Arikawa of Himegoto.
What Does Otokonoko Mean in Senpai Is an Otokonoko? Title Explained
In Senpai Is an Otokonoko, Makoto Hanaoka calls himself an “otokonoko” simply because he dresses and looks like a girl despite being born as a boy. He also behaves in a manner traditionally associated with girls.
From wearing the school’s girls’ uniform, adopting feminine speech patterns, liking feminine objects, to smiling cutely in front of his boy schoolmates, anyone would easily identify Makoto as a very cute and feminine high school girl.
It's not easy being an otokonoko, despite Makoto's earnest desire to express and reveal his true self, as others, including his family, would judge him and throw negative remarks at him, for they refuse to accept him for who he is.
Thankfully, Makoto has good friends by his side who are ready to support him no matter what.
There’s Makoto’s childhood friend, Ryuji, who keeps a photo of Makoto on his student ID, and of course Saki, who is incredibly attracted to Makoto.
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