I've noticed that in a lot of yaoi the seme says at some point in the story the the uke or something the uke does is "not cute".

I've been wondering why this happens so often. Is this something cultural (as in specific for Japan)? Is the uke required to be "cute"? Does it happen just in yaoi/ shounen-ai/ BL stories? Or is it something "lost in translation", so to say, an in the Japanese the seme actually says something else?

Additional: What is YOUR thought on it? Do you find the use of this remark appealing?

Thanks!

Well there has to be something "cute" for the guy to become uke...or so I think.
Like in a normal relationship, the difference between the guy and the girl is obvious. But in BL, since they're both guys, there has to be something that makes the two guys different. It can be their behavior or their looks. Being "cute" is what makes the uke an "uke". Now sometimes the uke does something bold or is being cold - mostly at least - and the seme wouldn't think of it as something "cute" that the "uke" usually would do. I'm not sure if I understood the meaning behind your question right, but that's what I think.

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K n e e l .... This is the difference between your and my eye-level.
Rai from Noblesse

I agree. Where I have this, I think it's usually a commentary on behavior. The uke is usually cute, or more deferential to the seme, but occasionally the uke will stand up to the seme or otherwise be 'not cute'. I think it's most often said sardonically, and probably the seme thinks that being 'not cute' once in a while is cute in itself.

Because mangakas lack creativity and like to re-use boring lines. ಠ_ಠ
(same thing with 'hm, you're so interesting' when the uke did absolutely nothing interesting or the usual 'you're so wet, your body is so honest blabla')

Some semes want their ukes to show them affection, so when they don't, they're not cute. For example, http://www.mangago.com/read-manga/doushitemo_furetakunai/ an/doushitemo-furetakunai-chapter-3.html/10/
I think Togawa-san wanted Shima to go along to what he was saying; to accept their relationship. However, Shima didn't, deeming him not cute. It's all about the context.

I think the comment is actually the seme flirting with the uke. He's just teasing or light bullying. I don't think the seme really thinks that the uke isn't cute (or else they wouldn't be together in the first place).

I actually have a bigger problem with the word "cute" being used at all. When I think of the word "cute", I usually think of kids or puppies or something like that. I don't really think of my crushes as cute. I'd rather manga use words like "hot" or "sexy" when they talk about love interests. But maybe this has more to do with the Japanese language.

this actually happens in shoujo manga too. sometimes when the girl acts out or speaks up to the male love interest or whatever, she is referred to as "not cute". i think the "cute" aspect is attributing feminine characteristics to the uke, or female, in shoujo manga's case so that the roles in the relationship are more clear. there is a distinct line between feminine and masculine roles in the relationship, so there might be some retaliation when one doesn't conform to them.

i can only stomach this line when used playfully or in a sarcastic manner, in both BL and shoujo. otherwise it reeks of too much sexism ;(

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;D

This.

I've said this about pets and children. You're so not cute, that's not cute, you're not as cute as you think you are, etc. In a lot of yaoi the uke is treated like a child or a pet, something that's supposed to be cute, silly, fun, in a dumb wholesome way. When the uke is a brat (like a bad pet or smart-mouthed child) they're "not cute" and the seme often points it out. It's harder to deal with and manipulate children and pets when they're not being cute. I see this line more often in yaoi that has the uke act very childish to make up for the fact that he's obviously male. When the uke is drawn more effeminate there's less need to make him childish in order to contrast him with the mature male seme. It's just part of the het stereotyping, with a dash of the Japanese "beauty=innocent=cute" stereotype.

I prefer ukes who are never cute, the ones who are insulted if their seme calls them cute. In that case if a seme uses the "you're not cute" line, then the uke's reaction is usually "I'd hope not!" It's done for a laugh, and to show the seme's frustration with the fact that he's seducing a mature guy, who won't fall for the crap that a dumb but cute kid would.

I honestly hate that in yaoi, because it feels the relationship is simply made of roles rather than both being equal. I think no matter whether the uke is in fact cute physically, in his personality or just tough as heck it shouldn't make a difference. I mean if I wanted a feminine & masculine role to enjoy reading it, I would read a plain shoujo romance with a girl and a guy, who's roles are VERY made clear.
What I like most about yaoi is it goes against the norm & experiments with different kinds of personalities and characters. It's hard finding a yaoi like that because people drift off from an actual two guys and I wonder if one of them is actually a girl.
Just because you give someone a male part doesn't make them a guy if they are constantly acting like girls.
To sum it all up, this is why I like it when the uke is older or manlier than the seme, or just is as big, because I actually feel like I'm getting a more realistic point of view( lolz, not that yaoi is always very realistic at all xD) So a cute anything about the uke, I think the seme should always find him cute, but not let that define the relationship.