Shotacon (ショタコン, shotakon) is a Japanese abbreviation for the Shōtarō Complex, a term describing affinity or sexual preference for underage boys. Outside Japan, shotacon refers primarily to artwork that depicts Shōtarō-like characters (shotas) in cute or sexual ways. The term "Shōtarō" itself comes from the name of a main character in the 1956-1966 manga Tetsujin 28-go, an energetic, prepubescent boy detective.