And away we go!
Yuri Anime
jinstevens reports that the first DVD of the fourth season of Maria-sama ga Miteru lead anime DVD sales in Japan. More importantly, at the time that it was reported, it was at 216 in *overall* DVD sales. I think that’s staggering. (Here are links to the Japanese-language Collector’s edition and the DVD only. And for pity’s sake – don’t ask me if it’s licensed yet. Do you think I wouldn’t tell you if it was?)
Speaking of which – Right Stuf has announced that they have pushed the release date for the third season, the OAV box set for Maria Watches Over Us a month back, to March 24th. For quality purposes, they assure us. :-)
Kadokawa TV is making a foray into their own streaming anime channel – and including English subtitles. One of their initial offerings is the less than stellar Girls Bravo, which combines Yuri and wrestling artlessly. :-)
***
Yuri Manga
Sean gleefully informs us that Ah! Megami-sama/Oh My Goddess Volume 31 has some Yuri that, while not soul-satisfying, isn’t as entirely icky as it could be.
Some new Japanese Yuri Manga up on the Yuricon Shop for your purchasing pleasure:
The second and final volume of
Comic Yuri Hime 15<
Junsui Adolescence, the collection of Kazuma Kowo’s stories for Yuri Hime
***
Other Yuri News
On the Yuricon Mailing List, Erin points towards good news for fans of webcomics Khaos Komix and Simply Sarah, because they are coming out in hard copy. She also offers this list of queer-themed comics from Lililicious for your webcomic enjoyment.
Several people have given the nod to Mendol – Ikemen Idol, a Japanese live-action, gender-bending comedy in which three pop idol wannbee girls are transformed into three male pop idols, wackiness ensues. This show is of the “broad comedy” style favored by Japanese TV so expect weird gestures and sound effects. There is some Yuri, I’m told.
Eugene Woodbury has written an essay which starts one place, ends another and touches upon Yuri in spots. It’s an interesting read.
Grace wants us to know that we are cordially invited to a launch party in Tokyo for the book Sparkling Rain, a recently released anthology of short stories and comics by lesbian and bisexual Japanese women. Fans of Plica-chan will want to note that Plica’s creator, Asamiya Sae, will be there.
Date/Time: Saturday, January 24th, 2009 7-9:30 PM
Location: PA/F (Performance Art/Feminism) Space
3F Phoenix Bldg, Babashita-cho, Shinjuku-ku
Tel.: 090-6717-9366Given limited space at the venue, those wishing to attend are asked to
send a RSVP with the number of persons attending by January 23rd to
artqcaravan@ gmail.com.
(I have *just* received my review copy of Sparkling Rain! Thanks to James, the editors and New Victoria. I’ll be sure to let you all know how it is, asap.)
***
That’s exhausted my list for this week, but keep the news coming! It’s one exciting week of Yuri after another these days. :-)
Thanks for the link to Eugene Woodbury’s essay! :) It was extremely interesting. And I’ll have to check out Mendol and that episode of Oh My Goddess. (Now I’m curious. ^^;;) For some reason the Amazon Japan link only shows Strawberry Shake Sweet 2 being available via the marketplace… hopefully it’s just temporarily sold out, and it’ll be back in stock soon.
@Katherine – SSS 2 only just came out yesterday, so that’s why it may not be on Amazon yet. Or maybe they ran out of their initial order. Or something else. :-)
Thanks, it’s probably one of those reasons. I myself like to think that the initial order sold remarkably well, and they’re just re-stocking it. :)
I hate to sound like an idiot but I’m not sure whom else to ask….I’ve been trying to order HxB Vol 9 for quite a while now and I’ve been getting the same story for all of my usual haunts:
HxB Vol 9 is now out of print and there are no plans to backorder it.
Needless to say, I’m very surprised and a little worried. Do you happen to know what the gossip is about this situation?