You’ve probably seen a/b/o written on a story description, or opened a fic that throws around words like “heat,” “rut,” and “presenting.”

If you’ve ever wondered the a/b/o meaning or found yourself asking questions like “can an Alpha even be submissive?” you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll break down what the omegaverse is, the a/b/o meaning, how the dynamics typically work, and why the genre has become so popular.

What is the omegaverse?

Omegaverse — also called the a/b/o universe — is a fictional world-building trope where society is organized around a secondary biological hierarchy layered on top of traditional gender.

Instead of (or in addition to) male and female, characters are also categorized as alpha, beta, or omega, and this second designation shapes everything from social status to attraction to relationships.

The trope originated in fanfiction for the TV show “Supernatural” in the early 2010s. Writers in the fandom began experimenting with wolf-pack-inspired dynamics (dominant “alphas,” submissive “omegas,” and a more neutral “beta” majority) to explore power dynamics, biological attraction, and soulmate-style bonding between characters such as Sam and Dean Winchester, or Dean and Castiel.

Since then, omegaverse has spread far beyond its fandom origins and become a recognizable subgenre in its own right. It now appears in original romance novels (many self-published and bestselling), webcomics and manga (particularly popular in Boys Love/yaoi spaces), and fanfiction across dozens of other fandoms, from anime to K-pop to superhero franchises.

A/b/o meaning

A/b/o — alpha, beta, and omega — are three biological designations that define social structure and relationships in omegaverse fiction. Each label carries its own set of traits, and understanding them is key to understanding how these stories work.

Alphas are typically portrayed as dominant, physically strong, and protective, and experience “ruts.” In many stories, they hold higher social status and are drawn to omegas both biologically and romantically. Alphas are often written as natural leaders, though as we’ll cover later, this doesn’t mean every alpha character fits the mold.

Betas are the most “ordinary” designation, closest to how people function in the real world without the added biology. They don’t experience heats or ruts, and they’re less central to the romantic tension that drives most omegaverse plots. Because of this, betas are often side characters or background figures, though some authors intentionally center them to subvert expectations.

Omegas are usually written as the more nurturing or submissive designation, and they’re biologically capable of experiencing “heats” (periods of heightened fertility and attraction that often drive the central romance or conflict in a story). They typically have the ability to become pregnant. This trait is tied to being an omega, not to gender, which means male omega characters can get pregnant and give birth just as easily as female ones. 

Omegas are also frequently the protagonists in omegaverse romance, with the plot centered on their relationship with an Alpha love interest.

Beyond the three main designations, omegaverse stories come with their own vocabulary.

Omegaverse glossary

Can an alpha be submissive in omegaverse?

One of the most common questions newcomers ask is whether an alpha can be submissive in omegaverse fiction. The short answer is yes — and it’s actually one of the more popular ways authors put a fresh spin on the trope.

It’s easy to assume that “alpha” and “submissive” are mutually exclusive, especially since so much early omegaverse fiction leaned hard into dominant-alpha, submissive-omega dynamics.

But designation and personality aren’t the same thing. An alpha’s biology might make them physically dominant or give them certain instincts, but that doesn’t dictate how they behave in a relationship, in bed, or in day-to-day life. Plenty of authors write alphas who are shy, nurturing, anxious, or who actively prefer to submit to their partner despite their biological classification.

This kind of subversion has become such a common device that it’s practically its own micro-trope, sometimes tagged as “submissive alpha,” “switch omegaverse,” or “power bottom alpha” in fanfiction communities.

Readers often enjoy it precisely because it undercuts expectations — watching a physically dominant, socially high-status character choose vulnerability adds emotional complexity that a straightforward alpha/omega pairing doesn’t always offer.

Some authors take this even further by exploring “omega alphas” or “alpha omegas” — characters whose biological designation doesn’t match their personality or role at all — which has helped push omegaverse into more flexible, character-driven territory rather than a rigid biological formula.

Ultimately, the rules of omegaverse are dictated by the author, not a universal canon. So while a submissive alpha might go against the genre’s earliest conventions, it’s entirely valid — and increasingly common — in modern omegaverse fiction.

Omegaverse in popular media

Omegaverse started in fanfiction for the TV show Supernatural, but it quickly spread to fandoms with strong found-family or ensemble dynamics — anime and manga fandoms, K-pop idol fanfiction communities, and various superhero franchises are especially common.

Writers found that the a/b/o structure worked well anywhere characters already had built-in group hierarchies, since it gave them a ready-made way to explore loyalty, power, and romantic tension.

Beyond fanfiction, omegaverse has become a genre of its own, especially within BL (Boys’ Love) manga and Boys Love manhwa:

• Platforms like Lezhin, Webtoon, and Tapas host numerous original omegaverse series, many originating from Korean manhwa (comics), a medium that’s gained significant international popularity in recent years.
• Sites like MyAnimeList and Anime-Planet maintain running lists of omegaverse-tagged manga for readers looking for recommendations.
• Fanfiction site Archive of Our Own (AO3) likewise has works with a wide variety of tags

Self-published romance fiction has also embraced the trope heavily, with platforms like WebNovel hosting hundreds of omegaverse novels and web serials, often organized by familiar romance sub-tropes like “fated mates,” “enemies to lovers,” or “second chance” dynamics layered onto the a/b/o framework.

Because omegaverse is fan-driven and constantly evolving, specific popular titles shift frequently — and vary a lot in content and audience rating. If you’re looking for recommendations, tag-based browsing on the platforms mentioned above, or curated omegaverse shelves on Kindle Unlimited tend to be the most reliable way to find current, well-reviewed titles suited to what you’re looking for.

Robin and Aventurine both receive summer-themed reworks of their kits for the occasion, each headlining their own half of the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners.

Below is a breakdown of the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners, including release date, new 5-star characters, Light Cones, and reruns.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 release date

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 launches on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 livestream codes

Click here to redeem Honkai Star Rail codes.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners: Complete list of characters

Phase 1 banners

Robin Summeretto headlines the first half of the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners. She takes on her role as head of the Oak Family while quietly investigating Gopher Wood’s “legacy,” all without stepping away from the stage.

In battle, she sings alongside her bird band to buff the team, building up Vibes as allies take action. Once her Vibes reach their threshold after her Skill is used, the team enters a Fever Pitch, gaining stacking attack buffs that scale with how often allies act.

Her Ultimate lets her select a teammate to act immediately and regenerate Energy, while raising her own Vibes further.

The Phase 1 Light Cone banner pairs Robin’s signature, “Rise and Sing.”

Phase 1 of Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners runs from Wednesday, August 26, 2026 through Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Phase 2 banners

The second half of the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners shifts focus to Aventurine, who trades his usual gambling den for a beach.

Aventurine Waveflair works his connections behind the scenes even during a vacation, using the downtime to test his theories about a traitor among the Ten Stonehearts.

His combat style draws on his surfer persona, attacking with a beach volleyball or by riding the waves. Using abilities, or having teammates act, builds Punchline and Fervor; once Fervor caps out, he triggers a bonus Elation Skill that hits every enemy and adds several instances of random single-target damage.

During his following Aha Instant, that Elation Skill grows stronger, scaling with the number of actions the team has taken.

Aventurine’s signature Light Cone, “Summer Rides the Surf,” is featured on the Phase 2 Warp banner.

Version 4.5 Phase 2 runs from Saturday, September 12, 2026, through Monday, September 28, 2026.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 new Light Cones

• Rise and Sing (5-star) – Robin Summeretto’s signature
• Summer Rides the Surf (5-star) – Aventurine Waveflair’s signature
• A Little Getaway (4-star)

Honkai Star Rail 4.5’s story

With Lord Ravager Asat Pramad’s threat resolved by the Express Crew, a new danger emerges: the Voracity. Their arrival plunges Planarcadia back into crisis, pushing the Trailblazer to look beyond the planet for aid.

To find the strength needed for Planarcadia to survive, the Trailblazer sets out to evade the Voracity’s interference and reach Astropolis, the IPC’s headquarters, where navigating the company’s upper management becomes the path to securing real help.

Astropolis is framed as the crown jewel of the IPC’s business empire — both a luxury address for corporate elites and a vacation spot for tycoons and officials across the Pan-Cosmic Trade System.

This Trailblaze Continuance chapter finds the Trailblazer on an unexpected interstellar getaway alongside Robin and Aventurine, even as both companions work cases of their own in the background.

Honkai Star Rail 4.5 events

Alongside the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners, the update adds a set of new events.

Overdrive: Whirlwind Grand Prix is a racing event in which the Trailblazer takes on the role of team principal, building a crew to compete for the title of brightest new stars on the track.

Minuscule Great Adventure runs alongside the Grand Prix as a lighter, stage-based challenge event.

The Divergent Universe also receives an update, with the “Planar Fissure” and “Realm of the Strange” modes both getting double-drop events.

A new piece of Trailblaze Fashion arrives in the form of an electronic emoti standee headwear item called “Aw, Look Up Here.”

From version 4.5 onward, players can speed up story dialogue by toggling the feature on or off at any point during story missions.

The permanent mode Currency Wars: Zero-Sum Game receives an expansion, alongside system-wide optimizations.

Honkai Star Rail x Moondrop and Zenless Zone Zero collaborations

Separate from the Honkai Star Rail 4.5 banners, HoYoverse pairs Honkai Star Rail with audio brand Moondrop for a Sparxie-themed collaboration, bringing online and offline events across multiple regions.

A crossover with Zenless Zone Zero is also slated for a future version, bringing characters from that game into the Trailblazer’s cosmic journey.

Registration for the test is open, allowing fans to sample the high-speed chaos across multiple platforms before its slated launch in 2027. 

When does the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta start?

Applications are open for the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta, but the hands-on portion doesn’t begin right away. Here’s the full timeline:

Players have roughly a month to apply before SEGA locks in its testing pool, with the actual test itself running for a 48-hour window in mid-September.

How to sign up for the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta

Getting on the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta list takes just a few steps:

1. Head to the official Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta announcement page.
2. Sign in with the platform account you’d like to test on.
3. Fill out and submit your application before the window closes on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
4. Keep an eye on your inbox as SEGA will notify selected players ahead of the test.
5. If you’re picked, download the client and jump in when the servers open on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Not everyone who applies is guaranteed a spot, so it’s worth signing up early rather than waiting until the deadline.

What’s playable during the Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta

This isn’t a full slice of the game — it’s a focused look at the multiplayer side.

The test build runs on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5, with English and Japanese language support.

Testers have access to both online multiplayer modes, 2 maps, 6 vehicles, 4 playable drivers, and a handful of vehicle customization options to tinker with.

Notably, Nintendo Switch 2 support is planned for the full 2027 release but isn’t part of this particular test round.

Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta game modes

Two modes are on offer during the test.

Pickup Race is the more straightforward of the pair, where cabbies race to pick up and drop off as many passengers as possible before anyone else.

Cops ‘n’ Cabbies flips the tone into something more chaotic, pitting taxi drivers against police in a mode that leans harder into combat than pure racing.

Both modes support Ranked play against similarly-skilled drivers, as well as Custom Matches for players who want to set their own rules.

First look at the West Coast map in Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta

SEGA also dropped a new trailer built like a travel guide, spotlighting the game’s starting location: the West Coast. Expect sweeping coastal roads, a colorful cast of passengers, and side activities scattered across the map.

The map even features real-world brand tie-ins like IHOP and Amoeba Music, both of which make an appearance as in-game locations, with more regional partnerships expected as additional maps are revealed.

What is Crazy Taxi World Tour?

This time, though, the scope has expanded in two directions: a story-driven “World Tour” campaign following protagonist Axel across globally inspired cities, and — for the first time in series history — full online multiplayer support for up to six players across both co-op and competitive modes.

Crazy Taxi World Tour is the next entry in SEGA’s long-running arcade racing series, built around the same high-speed, open-city driving the franchise is known for.

The Crazy Taxi World Tour Closed Beta arrives as SEGA leans further into online-first design for its arcade catalog, a notable shift for a series historically built around solo, score-chasing runs. Betting on multiplayer gives Crazy Taxi a modern hook while keeping the series’ core identity — fast cars, tight timers, and a healthy disregard for traffic laws — intact.

The test is less about final polish and more about stress-testing the online systems ahead of a 2027 launch. If Pickup Race and Cops ‘n’ Cabbies land well with testers, it could set the tone for how the rest of World Tour handles competitive play at release.

The official Genshin Crunchyroll collaboration lands alongside the Genshin Impact Version 7.0 update, pairing HoYoverse’s open-world RPG with the popular anime streaming platform.

As Travelers prepare to set foot into the frigid region of Snezhnaya, this limited-time Crunchyroll Genshin Impact crossover gives players an easy way to score extra resources. From free Primogems to a special traveling companion, here is a guide on what is up for grabs and how to claim your loot.

Genshin Crunchyroll collaboration: Everything you need to know

The Genshin Crunchyroll collaboration runs for over a month, starting on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and ending on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:59 AM PT.

It is a claim-and-redeem promotion in which eligible Crunchyroll subscribers log in via an official campaign page to generate single-use redemption codes.

For standard Fan tier subscribers, the promotion unlocks an in-game bundle loaded with Primogems, Hero’s Wit, Mystic Enhancement Ore, and Mora.

Upgrading to the Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan tiers grants that same bundle alongside an exclusive bonus familiar, the Neo Terminal: Floating Leaf Model, better known as the fan-favorite free Aranara pet companion making its debut on the America server.

To qualify, players must hold an active paid Crunchyroll subscription in the US, Canada, or select Latin American countries (excluding Cuba) and play on the America server with an account at Adventure Rank 2 or higher.

Free trial accounts are not eligible, and all generated codes must be redeemed before they expire on Wednesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:59 a.m. PT.

How to get free Aranara pet and free Primogems in the Crunchyroll Genshin Impact collab

Follow the steps below to claim your free Aranara pet and other rewards:

1. Head to the official Crunchyroll x Genshin Impact collaboration page starting Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
2. Sign in with your Crunchyroll account to generate your single-use code(s) based on your tier.
3. Paste your code via the in-game menu or through the official HoYoverse code redemption portal.
4. Claim your free Primogems and free Aranara pet directly from your in-game mailbox.

Genshin Impact boards the train to Snezhnaya in Version 7.0

Released globally in September 2020, Genshin Impact is HoYoverse’s hit free-to-play open-world action RPG that captured millions with its anime aesthetic and massive, elemental-driven fantasy world.

Version 7.0 opens the gates to Snezhnaya, the seventh and final main nation of Teyvat. A frozen land dominated by relentless blizzards, advanced technology, and a massive train network connecting sparse settlements to the capital city of Snezhnograd, Snezhnaya serves as the home base for the Fatui.

In this chapter, players board trains across snowbound icefields, wield firearms in a brand-new third-person shooter exploration mode, and dive into an Archon Quest involving a catastrophic energy crisis.

While Genshin Impact has previously teamed up with food chains, tech brands, and external game franchises like Horizon Zero Dawn, HoYoverse is no stranger to partnering with Crunchyroll across its broader catalog. The developer previously collaborated with the streaming platform on Honkai Star Rail to offer free Crunchyroll Mega Fan trials and in-game Stellar Jades.

The Genshin Crunchyroll partnership marks the very first time Genshin Impact has crossed over with an anime streaming platform to deliver an exclusive in-game cosmetic release.

Starting August 2026, Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! is rolling out its biggest cross-border celebration yet — a wave of exclusive shops, fairs, and cafe collaborations hitting more than 140 Animate stores across Japan and other markets.

This is the third chapter in the ongoing SEGA × Animate Global Cross-Border Project, and it’s the largest one so far for the Colorful Stage fandom, spanning exhibitions, limited merchandise drops, and themed cafe items that fans have been asking to see outside Japan.

What’s happening in the Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! global rollout

The rollout has three separate, overlapping events:

1. Domestic Summer Fair – a nationwide bonus-item campaign at every Animate store in Japan, plus the online shop.
2. Overseas Only Shop & Fair – a revival of the pop-up concept first tested in Japan back in 2023, now landing in cities across East Asia and North America.
3. Gratte Cafe Collabs – themed drinks and treats at select Animate cafe counters, with their own set of collectible extras.

Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Summer Fair 2026 in Japan

Every Animate store in Japan, plus the Animate Online Store, is hosting the Summer Fair for about a month.

It is important to note that the Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Summer Fair 2026 event is limited to Japan, and that participants cannot request a specific design. 

Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Only Shop and Fair schedule overseas

Eight cities and regions outside Japan get their own exclusive shop or fair window, each with slightly different dates. It is worth checking your local store’s social media before you go, since terms vary by market.

Exclusive shop dates and locations

Fair-only dates and locations

Spend the equivalent of roughly JP¥1,100 yen on Colorful Stage or Gratte items, and you’ll walk away with a randomly assigned postcard, 26 designs in total.

It is important to note that exact thresholds vary by market. Thailand’s version, for example, is set at 300 baht.

Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Gratte Cafe Collaboration

For the coffee-and-merch crowd, select Animate locations are turning their in-store Gratte cafes into a Colorful Stage pop-up, serving “Graphic Lattes” (yes, the character art gets printed right onto the foam) and icing cookies decorated with the cast.

There’s also a separate paid bonus tied to the cafe collab: trading acrylic coasters (roughly JP¥20 extra each), sold in six character-group sets — Virtual Singer, Leo/need, MORE MORE JUMP!, Vivid BAD SQUAD, Wonderlands×Showtime, and Nightcord at 25:00. Designs within each set are assigned at random, so completionists should budget accordingly.

This isn’t the first time SEGA and Animate have teamed up. It’s the third installment in their Global Cross-Border Project, which has previously brought other SEGA IPs to Animate stores in Japan and overseas.

The event spans eight markets outside Japan: Taiwan, South Korea, mainland China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and the US, alongside the domestic fair in Japan.

As with pop-up events like this, dates and availability are subject to change, so it’s worth a last-minute check of the official Animate pages or your local store’s social accounts before heading out.

Honor of Kings has teamed up with anime franchise Dan Da Dan for a massive crossover that leans fully into the anime’s occult vibe, bringing themed hero skins, a collectible minion, a free Chiquitita Spriteling, and a stack of in-game events.

If you have ever wanted to fight as Okarun or watch Momo zap someone across Hero Gorge, this is the closest thing you are going to get.

HOK Dan Da Dan skins release date and availability

The Honor of Kings x Dan Da Dan collaboration event brings supernatural action to the battlefield throughout August 2026.

The limited-time crossover officially launched on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and runs through Monday, August 31, 2026, on global servers.

How to get HOK Dan Da Dan skins

Players can acquire the HOK Dan Da Dan skins through several in-game event mechanics. Participating in the limited-time Dan Da Dan Wish Draw allows you to pull for skins using event tokens or Wish Coins.

The Okarun – Lam skin became available on Saturday, August 1, 2026, while the Evil Eye Jiji – Mozi skin joins the draw pool on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Drawing from the event grants Redemption Coins, which can be exchanged directly in the Dan Da Dan Redemption Shop for 498 coins each to claim the Lam or Mozi skins.

For free-to-play players, completing daily login tasks and event missions yields Spiritual Power Redemption Coins, allowing players to unlock the Momo – Daji skin completely free after gathering 12,000 coins.

Unlocked HOK Dan Da Dan skins can also be traded between players through the Consignment Shop.

How to get free Chiquitita Spriteling in Honor of Kings

Players who stay active in game can join the Free Spriteling Collab Costume event and earn lucky draw tokens along the way.

These tokens unlock a lucky draw for Golden Eggs, which crack open to reveal a range of prizes, including the free Chiquitita Spriteling.

Hero adjustments arrive alongside the HOK Dan Da Dan skins crossover

Honor of Kings also rolls out mechanical adjustments to several heroes, including Ao’yin, Zilong, and Yang Jian, plus wider balance tuning across the roster.

Zilong’s Skill 1 range scales with level and his ultimate applies an Induction Mark, while Yang Jian’s long range damage no longer triggers Heaven Earth Form at full energy.

Cai Yan, Dun, Wuyan, and Zhuangzi also receive balance passes across their damage, shield, and duration values.

Ghosts, aliens, and chaos: The world of Dan Da Dan anime

For players who are new to the series, Dan Da Dan is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu, who previously worked as an assistant to Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man.

The manga is serialized in Shonen Jump Plus in April 2021 and stands as one of Shueisha’s most popular ongoing series, with millions of copies in circulation worldwide.

The story follows Momo Ayase, a high schooler born into a family of spiritual mediums, and Ken Takakura, nicknamed Okarun, a classmate obsessed with the occult.

A dare pushes the two into investigating a haunted tunnel and an alleged alien abduction site, and they end up caught between real ghosts and real aliens, along with the supernatural abilities that come with each encounter.

Dan Da Dan blends horror, comedy, and shonen-style action into a single story, drawing inspiration from tokusatsu heroes like Ultraman alongside horror classics.

The anime adaptation is produced by Science SARU and stands out for its animation style and faithfulness to the source material. Two compilation films, Dan Da Dan: First Encounter and Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye, expand the story further, with additional seasons continuing the adventure.

The franchise’s rise from a niche supernatural manga to a global anime phenomenon makes it a fitting addition to Honor of Kings’ growing list of anime collaborations.

Past HOK collaborations include Attack on Titan, which featured iconic hero skins alongside a dedicated Titan Showdown game mode, and a multi-phase Jujutsu Kaisen partnership that brought fan-favorites like Yuji Itadori and Satoru Gojo to the roster.

Other major franchises have also left their mark on the game, including Bleach, Detective Conan, and the classic Inuyasha crossover that transformed Biron and Sima Yi into Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru.

Genshin Impact 7.0 is the update longtime players have been anticipating for years, inviting travelers to the nation that’s loomed over the game’s story since the Prologue.

Genshin Impact 7.0 release date

Genshin Impact 7.0 launches on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, bringing with it the first playable slice of Snezhnaya.

Genshin Impact 7.0: Complete list of banner characters

Phase 1

Leading the charge is Odette, a 5-star Cryo Sword user who moonlights as a celebrated ballerina in Snezhnaya while secretly operating as one of La Signora’s Fatui assassins.

Odette also brings Snezhnaya’s new mechanics with her. Rather than introducing a brand-new elemental interaction from scratch, her kit repurposes two reactions players already know. Superconduct and Cryo Swirl become Stellar-Conduct and Stellar Swirl respectively when she’s involved, both falling under a broader “Stellar Glimmer” umbrella that she can then amplify for the whole party.

Her Elemental Skill summons a dance double that pelts enemies with continuous AoE Cryo damage and buffs the whole party’s Stellar Glimmer damage.

Trigger the skill a second time and Odette joins her double for a short duet, closing with a burst of AoE Cryo damage that itself counts as a Stellar Glimmer reaction.

Her Elemental Burst then layers on multiple waves of AoE Cryo damage while further boosting her own Stellar Glimmer output — a kit that rewards players who lean fully into the new reaction rather than treating it as a side bonus.

Phase 1 runs for three weeks starting Wednesday, August 12, 2026 until Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

It goes live alongside the version update through the “Swan’s Shadow in Silken Ice” Event Wish.

Odette’s best-in-slot weapon, Whitelake Frostfeather, is also available on the weapon banner.

Phase 2

Phase 2 runs for three weeks starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026 until Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

Get a free Alyosha through the Archon Quest

Not every new face in 7.0 requires a wish. Alyosha, a Snezhnayan hunter who fights alongside his dog Tugarin, is a 4-star Electro Polearm user who’ll be handed to players simply for progressing through the new Archon Quest chapter.

In battle, he buffs the party’s Stellar-Conduct damage and keeps nearby teammates topped up with HP regeneration — support utility that should slot neatly into Odette-focused teams, or really any Electro-Cryo comp looking for a sustain option.

Version 7.0 events: ice racing, target shooting, and a free Diona

Snezhnaya’s arrival comes with a full slate of limited-time activities themed around the region’s frozen setting.

Players can look forward to racing trains across ice and snow, testing their aim in target-shooting challenges, tackling a set of Domains, and guiding a Jack Frost to its destination.

Clearing these challenges nets a batch of rewards, including a free copy of Diona for anyone who hasn’t picked her up yet.

Miliastra Wonderland goes spooky for summer

Miliastra Wonderland is getting its own seasonal detour with a summer-tales-turned-spooky-stories event.

It’s a smaller addition compared to the Snezhnaya content, but it comes with its own reward track, including a new head accessory for players who see it through.

Yaoi has come a long way from being a niche corner of anime fandom. Between yaoi anime adaptations and the live-action Boys’ Love (BL) boom coming out of Thailand, the genre now has dedicated streaming sections, a large and active fanbase, and a catalog that keeps growing every season.

The good news is you don’t need to dig through sketchy sites that threaten your laptop with viruses. Between major anime platforms and dedicated BL streaming services, most yaoi titles now have a legitimate home — official translations included, instead of the fan-subbed uploads that used to be the only option.

This guide covers what yaoi actually is and where you can stream it legally, without needing a VPN, a throwaway email, or a lot of luck.

What is yaoi?

Yaoi is a genre of anime and manga centered on romantic and sexual relationships between male characters, created primarily by and for women.

It falls under the broader Boys’ Love umbrella, a term that’s become the more common label in official licensing and marketing, especially in the West.

You’ll see both terms used interchangeably, though yaoi tends to carry a stronger association with explicit or mature content, while BL is used more broadly to cover everything from sweet, all-ages romance to adult-rated stories.

The word yaoi originated from the phrase yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi—literally “no climax, no resolution, no meaning.”

First used among Japanese doujinshi creators in the late 1970s, it playfully described works that skipped intricate plots in favor of romance and intimacy. Over time, the once tongue-in-cheek label evolved into a recognised commercial genre.

From those fan communities, yaoi grew into its own commercial category, with dedicated magazines, publishers, and eventually anime adaptations. Today, yaoi is a massive part of Japan’s media landscape, with hit series spawning multiple seasons, spin-off manga, drama CDs, and live-action adaptations.

Where can I watch yaoi

Yaoi and BL content today splits across two main formats: anime and manga adaptations, which are available on major anime streaming platforms, and live-action BL dramas, largely driven by Thailand’s booming BL industry.

Availability changes constantly due to licensing, so it’s worth checking a couple of these platforms rather than assuming one has everything.

All prices listed are approximate USD figures and may vary by region, currency, and billing platform.

The uke/seme dynamic is the backbone of how most BL pairings are built, and understanding the seme side of that equation unlocks a lot about how these stories are structured.

Below, we’re breaking down what is seme in BL, its meaning, how the role functions in the uke/seme dynamic, and the characters who make the role iconic.

What is seme in BL? Seme meaning

At its core, what is seme in BL? The term “seme” comes from the Japanese verb semeru, meaning “to attack,” and as a noun it translates to “attacker” or “the one who attacks.”

Outside of fandom, “semeru” is actually a martial arts term, used in disciplines like kendo to describe an attacker’s stance or pressure. Within BL (Boys’ Love) and yaoi media, the seme meaning takes on a much more specific role.

In BL, “seme” refers to the character in a romantic pairing who takes on the more dominant, assertive, or “top” role in the relationship.

This is really the heart of what is seme in BL, describing one half of a pairing dynamic. BL pairings are traditionally built around two complementary roles, with the seme on one side and the uke (“the one who receives”) on the other.

The uke is generally framed as the more receptive, submissive counterpart to the seme.

Like many BL terms, seme made its way from Japanese doujinshi and yaoi fan circles into the wider, English-speaking corners of fandom as Boys’ Love found an international audience. Once you’ve got a handle on what is seme in BL, the rest of the genre’s shorthand starts to click into place.

Seme’s role in the uke/seme dynamic

To really understand what is seme in BL, it helps to look at this pairing dynamic as a whole rather than the seme role in isolation. The seme is generally positioned as the more assertive partner, the one doing the pursuing, protecting, or emotionally “drawing out” the other over the course of the story.

This means the seme’s arc revolves around confronting feelings first, taking the emotional risk, or pushing past the uke’s hesitation to move the relationship forward. The seme is typically also framed as the initiating partner in intimate scenes, which is where the term’s literal meaning (“to attack”) most directly comes into play.

The uke, by contrast, is stereotypically the one being pursued. They are the more hesitant, reactive presence gradually won over as the story unfolds.

It’s worth noting that these are common patterns in BL, not strict rules every story follows.

Common seme archetypes in BL

Once you’ve got the basics of what is seme in BL down, it’s worth knowing that not every seme is cut from the same cloth. Fandom and creators alike have shaped a set of recurring seme archetypes over the years, each carrying its own personality quirks and storytelling beats.

No single archetype has a monopoly on the role, and a lot of the fun for fans comes from spotting which traits a series decides to mix and match.

Seme in popular BL media

Looking at how seme characters play out on screen or page is often more useful than any definition, since it shows how much range the role really has. Below are a few well-known BL titles and their leading seme characters.

Victor Nikiforov (Yuri!!! on Ice)

Yuri!!! on Ice is technically a sports anime rather than straight-up BL, but fans have long read Victor and Yuri’s dynamic through a BL lens. Victor checks a lot of seme boxes at first glance: charismatic, self-assured, and the one who upends Yuri’s life by declaring himself his coach out of nowhere.

Ritsuka Uenoyama (Given)

Given’s Ritsuka is a quieter, more understated take on the seme role. He’s not chasing Mafuyu so much as slowly, almost reluctantly, opening himself up to someone else’s grief, and figuring out his own feelings along the way.

Takano Masamune (Sekaiichi Hatsukoi)

Takano leans into the oresama side of the seme spectrum — sharp-tongued, controlling at work, and not used to being told no. But his history with Ritsu Onodera cracks that exterior, revealing a stubborn, almost insecure sincerity underneath all the bravado.

Hua Cheng (Heaven Official’s Blessing)

Hua Cheng flips the script on what a seme’s dominance can look like. He’s one of the most powerful characters in the series, yet his role in Xie Lian’s life is built on patience and devotion rather than control. Centuries of quiet loyalty, not assertiveness, are what define him, proof that the seme archetype has room for softness at its core.

Summer’s arrived in New Eridu, and HoYoverse is celebrating the occasion by releasing ZZZ Remielle skins and more.

Zenless Zone Zero’s Version 3.1 update is bringing a full lineup of ZZZ summer skins, plus standout looks for the game’s newest Agents.

Between beachwear, an evening gown, and one free unlock, the ZZZ 3.1 skins give Proxies plenty of reasons to head back into the Outfit Store.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new skins in Version 3.1, including when they drop, how to unlock each one, and what they look like in-game.

ZZZ 3.1 skins release date and availability

The Version 3.1 skins go live alongside Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.1 “The Long Goodbye” on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

The update also brings the Fantasy Resort summer event “Summer Waves Roll In,” which is where most of the beach-themed outfits tie in.

Five outfits are included in this release. The ZZZ Lucy summer skin is called Princess on Holiday, while Vivian’s Iris of the Shore returns to the Outfit Store for anyone who missed it the first time around.

Sigrid joins the ZZZ summer skins lineup with her own swimsuit outfit, Majestic Wavechaser. Remielle Dan gets two ZZZ Remielle skins: a beach-ready summer outfit called Seashade Pas Seul, and an evening gown outfit called Moonlight Whispers.

Most of these are shop purchases, but one of them can be earned without spending a cent.

How to get the ZZZ 3.1 skins

The ZZZ Lucy summer skin Princess on Holiday is the only free outfit in this version. Proxies just need to complete the main storyline of the “Summer Waves Roll In” event, which runs through the Fantasy Resort alongside the Version 3.1 update. Finish the story missions, and the outfit is added to her wardrobe automatically.

The rest of the lineup is paid. Vivian’s Iris of the Shore returns to the Outfit Store in Version 3.1, available for direct purchase like any other skin, while Sigrid’s Majestic Wavechaser is a paid release available in the Outfit Store for the duration of the patch.

ZZZ Remielle skins, Seashade Pas Seul and Moonlight Whispers, are also shop purchases. Proxies can buy either one individually, or grab both together as a bundle at a 30% discount, which is the better deal for anyone who wants her full wardrobe.

New season, new looks: All ZZZ summer skins in Version 3.1

ZZZ Lucy summer skin – Princess on Holiday

Lucy trades her usual look for a bright pink zip-up crop jacket layered over a cropped top, paired with a short pleated white skirt and a matching red cap worn backward over her signature ponytail.

The whole outfit leans into a playful, resort-ready aesthetic, right down to the pink accessories she carries while cruising the shoreline.

Vivian – Iris of the Shore

Iris of the Shore leans into an aquarium theme, dressing Vivian in a lavender-and-white ruffled one-piece with a plunging center panel and a black bow tucked into her hair. The soft purple palette and delicate frills give the outfit a dreamy, almost mermaid-like look.

Sigrid – Majestic Wavechaser

Majestic Wavechaser puts Sigrid in a fitted blue-and-white one-piece swimsuit with cutouts, along with a pair of goggles pushed up into her hair. The color palette and structured cuts nod to her Ice Attack kit.

ZZZ Remielle skins – Seashade Pas Seul and Moonlight Whispers

Seashade Pas Seul dresses Remielle in a white-and-lilac swimsuit built around a shell-and-wing motif, with cutout panels at the waist and delicate draped fabric. Her large feathered wings carry over from her base design, giving the outfit a distinctly celestial edge even in a beach setting.

The complete tonal opposite of her summer look, Moonlight Whispers puts Remielle in a black gothic-inspired evening dress with a front zipper, sheer long sleeves, and dark feathered wings. Star-shaped accents and lace-trimmed stockings round out the design, which comes with both a veiled and an unveiled variant to choose from.