Are chunen males reading shonen manga, hentai?

[Yowai]

For no particular affiliation or connection, I'd like to ask that question.

In Japan, my understanding was that as long as the reader (not I) does not giggle audibly, reading shonen manga in public places (especially trains) was acceptable.

What are your views?

[mystic_kendoka]

shonen manga? wats tht?

[kgh]

On a typical day, I generally find people of various ages reading all flavors of manga on the train ride to and from my office (80 min. a day in all). I have never honestly noticed much attention given to what a person is reading on the train, much less heard anyone ridiculed for their choice or literature. However, most "books" (other than the telephone book sized manga), have a plain, generic book cover in place, so you are never sure what a person might be reading. Also, most people are either too preoccupied reading their own material, gazing blankly at a keitai or sleeping to notice.

[kgh]

To answer your question mystic:

Shonen manga are aimed at guys up to the age of 18 and generally revolve around the antics of male characters. Dragonball is a good example. As many young men cut their teeth on this type of manga, it is not uncommon for them to continuing to read them into adulthood. Because of this, series have developed aimed specifically at the older reader.