Yaoi-Con 2008 | A Celebration of Male Beauty & Passion in Anime & Manga

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OK here's the prototype. :D Imma give it a run and see if anything needs to be changed.

Q: What are the requirements to be a Bishi?
A: You must be biologically/genetically/bonafide male. Some of us other Bishi’s may ask you to validate your male junk, juuust to make sure. =) Good charisma helps too!

Q: How do I apply as a Bishounen for the auction?
A: You can apply online here: http://www.yaoicon.com/forms/form_bishauction.html
Alert! Just applying doesn’t mean you’ll be accepted. The more detailed you are in your application without giving too much information the better your chances are. As stated by Isis:

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As the competition for slots get fiercer, the less likely we are to choose you if you just want to stand there on stage. The more detailed the description of your costume and performance are in your application, the more likely you are to be selected.

If we've never seen you before, that serves as your audition. If you don't feel confident that you will be prepared this time, what I would suggest is that you simply participate in other bishie related events, and just watch the auction and get an idea of what is expected.

Q: How do I know if I have been accepted for the Bishounen Auction?
A: Typically you’ll receive an email from Isis in regards to your application. Whether you are, are not, or she needs more information for your approval. I believe it’s normal for her to make her decision between 1-2 months before the convention. Make sure you give her an email that you check often when you apply. What helps Isis with her decision are various factors;

1 - Your looks. (Yes we’re shallow. We’re BISHI’S for crying out loud.)
2 - Your act. Be creative! (Your ability to draw in the crowd. If you’re a horrible actor or you’ve been going through puberty for the last 5-6 years and you’re planning to sing, save yourself the embarrassment. Bishi’s don’t do things anyone would be embarrassed about…at least not in public.)
3 – A photo of you in the costume you anticipate to be used in your pre-auction performance. (Face it, if you’re dressed as something undesirable…well, ‘nuff said.)
4 – The last and near final decision (I say near final because there’s always something you can do to get yourself hosed from the line up) is when you meet Isis in person at the convention. If, when you meet her and it’s obvious you photoshopped your face 10 pounds because you thought you’d be in shape by Yaoi Con, you risk rejection. Being a Bishi is also about being honest.

Q: I received the approval email from Isis YAY! So now that I’m a Bishi for the Auction, what can I expect? Are there any basic things to keep in mind?

A: You can expect a lot of things. However being a Bishi is not always just about YOU. It’s also about your ‘customer service’ to the attendees.

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Being a Bishounen is not just the auction and over. You will be on show for the entire weekend. Please be sure you want to dedicate this amount of time before you apply.

With that said, here are the highlights;

First and foremost, you can expect yourself to follow the Bishounen Code of Conduct. Yes, we have a code. (Arrr the Code, matey.) A short summary of “The Code” can be found on the bottom portion of the online Bishi application that you agreed to when you clicked [Submit]. A more detailed description can be found in the contract you sign with your buyer at the auction.

You can expect to have a lot of pictures taken of you at any event you participate in. So don’t be camera-shy!

At Bingo, Auction, Pictionary, or any other Bishounen event, expect fans (girls and guys) to want to see you in your skibis. So you shouldn’t be skibi-shy.

Expect to be on your best behavior. When a real life Bishi gets angry and makes a scene, it’s not as hot as would be in the doujinshi version. (Remember what I said about Bishi’s not doing embarrassing things? Temper tantrums are one of those things unless it’s part of your character.)

A quote about a Bishi on stage at the Auction:

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To put it simply, (it’s about) attentionwhoring. You're the star - so milk it for what it's worth, wear your best/coolest outfit or cosplay and put on a show. While you could just sit there and look pretty, the audience gets more mileage if you have a skit, show off some tricks, work that hot body, etc., like tpod said. :wink: You want the audience to pay top dollar for the luxury of carting you around on their arm.

Q: Is being a Bishi safe?
A: I would have to say 200% safe. If you’re getting harassed because someone is behaving inappropriately, you’ll want to tell any of the staff. If you can’t find the staff, find another Bishi! We’ll help you out. If no staff or Bishis are available, run to any other con attendee. Pick one that you like since s/he may usurp your contract since now you have a witness of the unacceptable behavior, and BAM! You instantly fall in love with them. I believe the offenders receive one warning. After that, their passes are revoked so as not to distract the Bishis from doing what they do…being beautiful!

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As for being safe, yes. If you feel like you are being pressured to do something that would make you feel uncomfortable at ANY time, you may end the "date". Just find a Ycon staff member to assist you in this manner. We do not tolerate any sort of non-consentual advances. Of course the opposite is true as well. Bishies may not pressure their dates either.

How much does a Bishi typically go for?
Here’s an answer from one of our Ycon vets:

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Don't really expect any specific range. There's a lot of factors that will determine how high and how quickly the bids go (not just physical appearance/costume!) but stage presence, how well the audience responds to the skit, and so forth. Though some competition among the boys does make them try harder. ;)

What is the highest bid so far?
Currently I believe it is about $1700.

Lowest Bid?
I think it was $75….?


[b]- Hiccups - [b]
“I wasn’t chosen for the auction. I guess I can’t be a Bishi.”
Not so fast Negative Nancy! Hope lies in the quote below!

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The good news is, even if you aren't chosen for the auction, there are other events during the weekend that we need Bishies for. We encourage you to participate in them as it lets us see what you can do. Think of it as an audition. And if you are a local and attend the local cons, come find us. We are happy to talk to you.

That's all I got for now. If I find other later, I'll be sure to add them in here. Any corrections that need to be done, let me know and I'll definately fix it.