Can Shonen at least in fiction ever be used to mean a character whose 20-21?

GenkaiPower · 16 Apr 2024

I was reading a manga and it uses this term to describe someone I believe was 20-21
Their age isn't mentioned but since this word was used to describe them does it mean they are for sure not that age and all? Someone told me it just means minor or juvenile?
https://fairytail-sokuhou.up.seesaa.net/image/9-4-6c19e.jpg

mdchachi · 16 Apr 2024

Generally speaking it means minor or juvenile but it can also be used to refer to young guys. It's the same way "boy" can mean a juvenile or a young adult.
Why are you so obsessed with these words related to young people and the "true" age of fictional characters? That's what all of your threads have been about.

GenkaiPower · 16 Apr 2024

mdchachi said:
Generally speaking it means minor or juvenile but it can also be used to refer to young guys. It's the same way "boy" can mean a juvenile or a young adult.
Why are you so obsessed with these words related to young people and the "true" age of fictional characters? That's what all of your threads have been about.

Want to gauge character ages
by young guys you mean young adult right?

mdchachi · 16 Apr 2024

GenkaiPower said:
Want to gauge character ages
by young guys you mean young adult right?

Yes. My understanding is that legally this word refers to people under 20.
But 20-21 would not be unusual in a social context.

If the character is 25 or 29 what difference would it make?

Can Shonen at least in fiction ever be used to mean a character whose 20-21?

GenkaiPower

Kouhai

mdchachi

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GenkaiPower

Kouhai

mdchachi

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