Trap

A trap is a mechanical device used to capture or restrain an animal for purposes such as hunting, pest control, or ecological research.

In the anime community, a trap is a character drawn as a female but is biologically a male. It can also mean a boy who looks and sounds feminine, and generally acts like one as well. The term "trap" carries unfortunate implications however, and it doesn't help that many of the archetype's examples are highly sexualized by both creators and fans.

This kind of archetype tends to perform well in the International Saimoe League contest, and suck at everything else. Hell, ISML has even organized an Exhibition tournament in 2014 just for them! And for some reason, the winner of that contest is awarded the Lapis Scepter (male grand prize), which carries the same weight as all the other male winners of this contest! maybe the staff REALLY wants Hideyoshi to win one

Notable Examples

• Hideyoshi Kinoshita  (Baka and Test) - ISML 2014 Male champion.
• Souji Mitsuka  (Gotta be the Twin-Tail)
• Saika Totsuka  (Oregairu)
• Ruka Urushibara  (Steins;Gate) - Ruka's biological sex is actually a plot point in the VN / anime
• Felix Argyle (Re:Zero)
• Rider of Black aka Asstolfo   (Fate/Apocrypha) - currently the poster boy of the archetype.
• Hideri Kanzaki (Blend S)
• Chihiro Fujisaki (Danganronpa 1) - His reason for cross-dressing is also a plot point in the game / anime.
• Ryuunosuke Akasaka  (Sakurasou)
• Keima Katsuragi (TWGOK) - despite his androgynous appearance, he is an active harem protagonist.
• Shidou Itsuka (DAL) - same situation as Keima -- he also has a harem of girls.
• Nagisa Shiota (Assassination Classroom) - His appearance is exploited in the story at one point, involving him cross-dressing as a girl. This outfit ends up being one of his most famous.