Lolicon vs. Shotacon — What's the Difference?

Lolicon (ロリコン), also romanized as rorikon or lolicom, is, in Japanese contexts, an idealization of and desire for the sexualized depiction of young girls, particularly within manga. A Japanese portmanteau of the English phrase "Lolita complex" (rorīta konpurekkusu), the term describes this attraction (see § Definition and scope), an individual with this desire, or the lolicon genre of media such as manga and anime, in which childlike girl characters ("lolis") appear in erotic or pornographic contexts.

Shotacon (ショタコン, shotakon), abbreviated from Shōtarō complex (正太郎コンプレックス, shōtarō konpurekkusu), is, in Japanese contexts, the attraction to young (or young-looking) boy characters, or media centered around this attraction. The term refers to a genre of manga and anime wherein prepubescent or pubescent male characters are depicted in a suggestive or erotic manner, whether in the obvious role of object of attraction, or the less apparent role of "subject" (the character the reader is designed to associate with).

Attraction (often erotic) to young or young-looking girl characters.

A sexual complex where an adult is attracted to young, typically prepubescent boys, or the fictional depictions thereof.

An individual who is attracted to young or young-looking girl characters.

An individual with such a fixation.

Erotic or suggestive artwork depicting young or young-looking girls.

Erotic or suggestive art, manga, anime or other media featuring underage boy characters.

Sexual attraction to or fascination with young girls in general.