Toxic yaoi refers to yaoi ([male/male]) that portrays unhealthy, manipulative, or abusive dynamics between male characters. This tag is used to denote relationships or interactions where the behaviors exhibited would be considered damaging or toxic in real-life contexts. It does not imply fetishization of abuse, but rather identifies content that includes toxic tropes often seen in darker, more dramatized yaoi pairings.

This tag is useful for filtering or finding works that contain emotionally charged, morally ambiguous, or outright abusive situations in male/male relationships.

Common Traits:
-Power imbalance (e.g. one partner consistently dominates or controls the other)
-Emotional manipulation or blackmail
-Gaslighting or guilt-tripping
-Dubious or non-consensual situations
-Obsession, stalking, or possessive behavior framed romantically
-One-sided affection with disregard for boundaries
-Repeated toxic cycles (breakups, manipulation, reconciliation)

These dynamics may be presented seriously, romantically, or even comedically, but are always considered dysfunctional when viewed from a realistic standpoint.

Not to be Confused With:
Consensual BDSM yaoi – where power dynamics are negotiated and healthy
Standard yaoi/shounen-ai– which depict male/male romance or sex but not necessarily toxic
Rape/non-con – although they may overlap, toxic yaoi can include emotional or psychological abuse without physical non-consent

Examples of Toxic Yaoi Scenarios:
A manipulative seme (top) who emotionally coerces the uke (bottom) into a relationship.
A character using sex to control or punish their partner.
A possessive yandere-type character threatening harm to keep the other from leaving.
A relationship where one party repeatedly cheats or lies, but is always forgiven.
Partners who constantly argue or hurt each other but remain in the relationship.
One partner treating the other as inferior or property under the guise of love.

This tag helps users either seek out or avoid such content, depending on personal preference or comfort.

See Also:
yaoi, abusive relationship, non-consensual, yandere, possessive