History Main / Uke

'''Just list examples of characters who, if they are ukes in the ''original work''; if the original character is strong, and/or if the original work isn't yaoi, it should go to Ukeffication instead'''

'''Just list examples of characters who, if they are ukes in the ''original work''; if the original character is strong, and/or if the original work isn't yaoi, it should go to [[Ukeffication]] instead'''

'''Just list examples of characters who, if they are ukes in the ''original work''; if the original character is strong, and/or if the original work isn't yaoi, it should go to [[Main/Ukeffication]] instead'''

'''Just list examples of characters who, if they are ukes in the ''original work''; if the original character is strong, and/or if the original work isn't yaoi, it should go to main/Ukeffication instead'''

'''Just list examples of characters who, if they are ukes in the ''original work''; if the original character is strong, and/or if the original work isn't yaoi, it should go to Ukeffication instead'''

** When it comes to ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'', Sanada Yukimura is pretty much the designated Uke (albeit usually a very HotBlooded one). We can't exactly blame the fangirls though; not only is he [[{{Keigo}} archaically polite]], [[IdiotHero naive]], and [[BattleButler eager-to-please]] (not to mention a total {{Bishounen}}), he's also usually paired up with the pinnacle of [[TestosteronePoisoning GAR]] that is [[{{Seme}} Date Masamune]].

* Another yuri example occurs with Hikari and Nagisa in ''LightNovel/StrawberryPanic''.
* The definition of "angsty uke" above nicely fits Takaya/Kagetora from ''LightNovel/MirageOfBlaze''. Particularly in the the first OVA.

* Just plain ignored in ''LightNovel/KyoKaraMaoh'', as the main character is [[EveryoneIsBi still literally the only heterosexual in the world]], and no relationship has even gotten to the 'holding hands' stage. Though what passes for an OfficialCouple has lost support from a surprising number of fans because "they're both ukes”. It really doesn't help that the main character is a catcher on a sandlot baseball team.

* Both Sunao/Ran and Nanami in ''LightNovel/{{Sukisho}}''. Nanami is a bit of an unusual example, in that he's a WholesomeCrossdresser.

* Yumi is the uke to Sachiko's (and Sei's) seme in ''LightNovel/MariaWatchesOverUs'', though the series typically avoids the archetype and it keeps it on a HideYourLesbians case. Yumi helped [[TropeCodifier codify]] the way an uke should be in a yuri series. She's shorter than both Sachiko and Sei, wears GirlishPigtails, and is prone to bouts of awkwardness.

* You can also make a case for Kouta from ''LightNovel/{{Kanokon}}'' He's an innocent, friendly country-boy who finds himself thrown into enough sexual situations by his girlfriend [[{{Seme}} Chizuru]] to have him labeled as the Great Erotic King. Note that Chizuru is [[MarshmallowHell taller]], [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld older]], and ''far'' more aggressive in her pursuit of Kouta. Most of these pursuits, however, are [[BlackComedyRape played for laughs.]]

A character associated with the BoysLoveGenre, the Uke (or "Neko" in Girls' Love works) makes up the "receiving" half of a relationship (whereas in real life, sex roles are generally not as rigid as that portrayed in Yaoi and are also not "assigned" according to perceived masculinity). Typically the [[OppositesAttract polar opposite]] of the {{Seme}}, the Uke is sometimes [[InTouchWithHisFeminineSide more feminine]] than his counterpart; just how much "more feminine" this can be varies, from simply looking more childish or "[[{{Bishonen}} beautiful]]," or being more emotional and/or [[LuminescentBlush blushy]] or just less overtly macho than his partner, to, on the other end of the spectrum, having outright [[WholesomeCrossdresser crossdressing habits]]. Almost always, the Seme is OneHeadTaller than the Uke (or at least a few inches). So prevalent is this custom that a well-known (and oft-derided) process in SlashFic is {{Ukefication}}, or feminizing one half of a slash pairing to fit this character type regardless of canon characterization. A major draw of the BoysLove is that you get two hot guys for the price of one, so in the more explicit titles expect to see lots of his [[{{Fanservice}} cute little bod]].

A character associated with the BoysLoveGenre, the Uke (or "Neko" in Girl's Love works) makes up the "receiving" half of a relationship (whereas in real life, sex roles are generally not as rigid as that portrayed in Yaoi and are also not "assigned" according to perceived masculinity). Typically the [[OppositesAttract polar opposite]] of the {{Seme}}, the Uke is sometimes [[InTouchWithHisFeminineSide more feminine]] than his counterpart; just how much "more feminine" this can be varies, from simply looking more childish or "[[{{Bishonen}} beautiful]]", or being more emotional and/or [[LuminescentBlush blushy]] or just less overtly macho than his partner, to, on the other end of the spectrum, having outright [[WholesomeCrossdresser crossdressing habits]]. Almost always, the Seme is OneHeadTaller than the Uke (or at least a few inches). So prevalent is this custom that a well-known (and oft derided) process in SlashFic is {{Ukefication}}, or feminizing one half of a slash pairing to fit this character type regardless of canon characterization. A major draw of the BoysLove is that you get two hot guys for the price of one, so in the more explicit titles expect to see lots of his [[{{Fanservice}} cute little bod]].

There is a trend of making the Uke more outwardly emotional than the Seme; even an angsty Uke will be more vocal in his angst than an angsty Seme who will just hide it all behind a stoic mask, and emotionless Ukes are relatively uncommon. This is due in large part to the fact that Seme/Uke relationships customarily exhibit a frequently flustered Uke - something much more difficult to pull off if the Uke is the stoic type.

Another take on the character, often more common in BaraGenre or fusions between yaoi and bara, is the {{Ojou}} uke - a princess-styled male/prince/royalty/other character of wealth and power outside of the bedroom that is the sexually submissive partner in it and who is often known for the "topping from the bottom" and [[DramaQueen diva]] approach.

Uke and Seme are more or less the modern version of the historical trope, LoverAndBeloved. Related to MasculineFeminineGayCouple. Western equivalent is TheTwink, although while the twink is more effeminate he is not necessarily either younger or less experienced. Indeed, the twink will often be the more experienced (at least with men) of the two: sometimes in more cynical works because he was forced out of the closet at an early age due to his effeminate mannerisms/dress sense.

Note that this usage of the word originated in the BoysLoveGenre fandom; among "regular" Japanese people it just means "defend". It is also a term used in the Japanese martial arts (especially those based on holds and throws such as judo and aikido) to indicate the person doing ''ukemi'' -- allowing themselves to be thrown/held by the ''tori'' or ''nage'' (the partner doing the throwing) and doing so safely. Japanese gay men won't necessarily know the BL meaning of the term (remember, BL is primarily intended for straight women. Actual gay people often avoid this literature because they know it is fetishizing them). Even the BoysLoveGenre itself has evolved and diversified enough with time that even many BL fans these days will simply use "uke" to indicate who is the receptive partner, with little implication regarding their personalities or physical builds (which may diverge heavily from the norms described here). Non-{{otaku}} English speakers won't know what it means at all, unless they do judo. English-speaking gay men occasionally find the use of the term as a blanket replacement for the more general "bottom" out of the context of the BL genre obnoxious, feeling that [[GratuitousJapanese their native language has got that concept covered already]].

* ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': Louis de Pointe du Lac is the more submissive, placid, and [[PrettyBoy prettier]] [[note]]Louis is younger, thinner, and more boyish-looking than Lestat[[/note]] partner in his relationship with {{Seme}} Lestat de Lioncourt, and is usually the bottom when they have sex. While Lestat is more masculine-looking with a square jawline and broad shoulders, he's only ''slightly'' taller (178 cm / 5'10" vs. 175 cm / 5'9"), but power is denoted in other ways. They're vampires, and Lestat is Louis' [[ILoveYouVampireSon maker]] (the vampire who turned him) and chooses to be his [[LoverAndBeloved mentor]]. Since vampires get StrongerWithAge, Lestat is much more powerful than Louis. Lestat is a white man in early 1900s New Orleans, while Louis is a black Creole, so when they go on a fancy date to the opera and want to avoid conflict, Louis performs as Lestat's valet.

* ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': Louis de Pointe du Lac is the more submissive and placid partner in his relationship with {{Seme}} Lestat de Lioncourt, and is usually the bottom when they have sex. They're both {{Pretty Boy}}s and Lestat is only ''slightly'' taller (178 cm / 5'10" vs. 175 cm / 5'9"), but power is denoted in other ways. They're vampires, and Lestat is Louis's [[ILoveYouVampireSon "maker"]] (the vampire who turned him) and thus his [[LoverAndBeloved mentor]]. Since vampires get StrongerWithAge, Lestat is much more powerful. Lestrat is a white man in early 1900s New Orleans, while Louis is Creole, and so when (for example) they go on a fancy date to the opera and want to avoid conflict, Louis performs as his Lestat's valet.

* ''LightNovel/AiNoKusabi'': Riki while being a very masculine, feisty, angsty and brooding biker.

* In ''Manga/TheTyrantFallsInLove'', the uke [[{{Tsundere}} Souichi]] is a walking bucket of homophobic rage who doesn't hesitate to [[ArmorPiercingSlap punch]] Morinaga at the slightest provocation.

* Saida Nika’s ''Raubritter'' features Neneko Karamaru, a college-aged girl who seeks out [[TomboyAndGirlyGirl cousins]] Shinobu and Yokana to assist in searching for her missing older sister. Though she’s attracted to both women, [[TheTwink she’s unaware as to how attractive the]] [[{{Seme}} friendly, yet lustful cousins]] [[TheTwink find her, particularly her innocence, small body, and naiveté,]]]] that is, until she [[TeamworkSeduction finds herself in a threesome in the bath with them]] (Which is implied to have happened more than once) … and later on forms an OfficialCouple with Yokana.

Also see {{Keet}}, InTouchWithHisFeminineSide, MasculineFeminineGayCouple. Western equivalent is TheTwink, although while the twink is more effeminate he is not necessarily either younger or less experienced. Indeed, the twink will often be the more experienced (at least with men) of the two: sometimes in more cynical works because he was forced out of the closet at an early age due to his effeminate mannerisms/dress sense. For all you [[GameOfNerds baseball fans]] out there: he's the [[UnusualEuphemism catcher]].

* ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': Louis de Pointe du Lac is the more submissive, placid, and [[PrettyBoy prettier]] partner in his relationship with Lestat de Lioncourt, and is usually the bottom when they have sex. While Lestat is only ''slightly'' taller (178 cm / 5'10" vs. 175 cm / 5'9"), the AgeLift and RaceLift denote power in other ways -- Lestat has far more vampire power (as an [[StrongerWithAge older vampire]]) as well as more societal privilege (as a white man).

* ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': Louis de Pointe du Lac is the more submissive, placid, and [[PrettyBoy prettier]] partner in his relationship with Lestat, and is usually the bottom when they have sex. While Lestat is only ''slightly'' taller (178 cm / 5'10" vs. 175 cm / 5'9"), the AgeLift and RaceLift denote power in other ways -- Lestat has far more vampire power (as an [[StrongerWithAge older vampire]]) as well as more societal privilege (as a white man).

* A rare, male het version: Seth Cohen from ''Series/TheOC'' is the uke, his girlfriend Summer is the {{Seme}}. This quote even lampshades it:
-->'''Summer:''' I wanna be on top this time.\\
'''Seth:''' But you're always on top...

* Ste in Hollyoaks, pretty much. What the pre-watershed show is allowed to show in regards to actual sex usually seems to end up with him being pushed against a wall/onto the nearest available surface. Also doubles as a LoveMartyr, given that his two relationships thus far have been with cheating ClubKid Noah and emotionally closeted FetishizedAbuser Brendan.
* Tobias Beecher of ''Series/{{Oz}}'' when he's with [[{{Seme}} Chris Keller]].
* On ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'', it's implied more than once, with more than one girlfriend, that Ted (another rare het example) usually bottoms.
* In a strange turn of events in ''Series/{{Conan}}'', Conan and Andy Richter end up slowdancing (imitating the inauguration dance of the Obamas) while LaBamba sings a song behind them. The lyrics end with ''They'll probably get married and adopt a baby / Andy's the man and Conan's the lady.'' Andy pumps his fists while Conan protests, demanding to know why he's the lady, but eventually just throws his hands and says "Alright, I'm the lady."

* ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': Louis de Pointe du Lac is the more submissive, placid, younger, slightly smaller PrettyBoy compared with his lover Lestat de Lioncourt, and is generally the bottom when they have sex.

* ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': Louis is the more submissive, placid, younger, slightly smaller PrettyBoy compared with his lover Lestat, and is generally the bottom while they have sex.

* ''Webcomic/ThePizzaDeliveryManAndTheGoldPalace'': As confirmed by the author, Seo-an is a {{Seme}} but will be an {{Uke}} for Woo-won only.

* PlayedWith in ''Webcomic/ThePizzaDeliveryManAndTheGoldPalace''. Seo-an has been confirmed to be the Uke to Woo-won's Seme. However, he was also stated to be an Uke for Woo-won only, and is tall, muscular, black-haired, emotionally cold, and the more experienced one in gay relationships.

* PlayedWith in ''Manhwa/ThePizzaDeliveryManAndTheGoldPalace''. Seo-an has been confirmed to be the Uke to Woo-won's Seme. However, he was also stated to be an Uke for Woo-won only, and is tall, muscular, black-haired, emotionally cold, and the more experienced one in gay relationships.

Additionally, the Uke is almost always the more inexperienced one of the pair, if not an outright [[NatureAdoresAVirgin virgin]], to fit with his traditional role as the "receiver" and is often ObliviousToLove, requiring the more experienced Seme to make the first move. However, more sexually experienced ukes are a growing alternative.

[[folder:Film]]

* Joshua Preston from ''VisualNovel/BlissStageLoveIsYourWeapon'' is the fiesty kind - Even when he isn't on the gay romantic path, he's the more submissive partner.
* Joshua from ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou''. Though, Joshua is more of a subversion. He may be effeminate, sure, but he is also {{manipulative|eBastard}} and very emotionally closed off.

* [[DudeLooksLikeALady Lucius]] of ''VideoGame/FireEmblemElibe'' and [[SugarAndIcePersonality Soren]] from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'' are both magic users with effeminate appearances (the latter less so) and attachments to big muscly mercenary men.

* In ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'', Marik is very much the oblivious uke to Bakura's frustrated {{Seme}}. This is especially obvious in the spin-off fanfic ''Marik & Bakura Go to Censored Town'', which deliberately panders to [[{{Yaoi}} yaoi]] fangirls (for charity, of course). [[spoiler:Subverted in the end when Marik seduces Bakura, not the other way around.]] Another fic that he wrote for charity again shows that [[spoiler:Marik tops - it seems like Bakura is instead an AggressiveSubmissive and actively enjoys being the bottom.]]

* In Creator/{{Clamp}}'s classic ''Manga/TokyoBabylon'' there is Subaru Sumeragi. Where to begin? Physically at sixteen he's small and skinny with big green eyes, [[RavenHairIvorySkin raven-black hair that frames his face]] and often gets mistaken for a girl as he's so darn pretty. His twin dresses him up in outrageous outfits that range from cute to his iconic skin-tight black pants, turtleneck and scarlet-colored red jacket. Emotionally, he's very shy, tender-hearted and soft spoken; he jumps and blushes like fury at even the slightest hint of flirtation from BastardBoyfriend [[{{Seme}} Seishirou]]. Subaru is kind, soft hearted and gentle - he kicks ass true, but he doesn't like to hurt people and wishes everyone could be happy. [[FriendToAllLivingThings He also loves animals]].
** Later on in the follow up ''Manga/{{X1999}}'', Subaru is twenty-five, painfully depressed and severely broken-hearted thanks to evil and possessive [[BastardBoyfriend Seishirou]]. Subaru's much more quiet than before, but just as gentle and kind like always - though anything but his altruistic former self. Not to mention he's still as slender and beautiful as ever - he gets even ''more'' beautiful when he grows out his hair like it was when he was sixteen near the end of the manga. Subaru's ''definitely'' one of the best example of ke there ever was.
** Not forgetting the main character of ''Manga/{{X1999}}'' Kamui, who is super pretty, small-built and emotionally ''wrecked'' - even Creator/{{CLAMP}} refers to the boys as "sisters" due to how similar they are. And in ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'', their alternate universe versions are twins - being chased of course, by alternate-universe ''still'' BastardBoyfriend [[{{Seme}} Seishirou]] who is ''obsessed'' with Subaru ''yet again''.

* Loads of [[RussianHumour Russian political jokes]] portray Dmitry Medvedev as this, with [[UsefulNotes/VladimirPutin Putin]] being his BastardBoyfriend {{Seme}}.

* Ste in Hollyoaks, pretty much. What the pre-watershed show is allowed to show in regards to actual sex usually seems to end up with him being pushed against a wall/onto the nearest available surface. Also doubles as a LoveMartyr, given that his two relationships thus far have been with cheating ClubKid Noah and emotionally closeted BastardBoyfriend Brendan.