It’s been a while since we’ve had a review of the quarterly Rakuen Le Paradis manga magazine. When Nishi UKO-sensei’s brilliant Yuri series Collectors wrapped up, a few issues passed before there was any new Yuri content.

In Rakuen Le Paradis, Volume 25 (楽園 Le Paradis 第25号),  we have a surprising entry by Nakamura Asumiko-sensei, “Meijirobana no Saku.” Set in a private school for girls, a morose girl finds herself abandoned by paren s who are desperately attempting to save their failed marriage. Rubi faces the prospect of staying at her boarding school alone over the holidays. Only it turns out that she won’t be alone, at all. A strict upperclassman by the name of Steph will also be in the school. 

Steph has no interest in Rubi, and proceeds to freeze her out unless she’s scolding or insulting. Alone together in this big school, Rubi doesn’t have anyone to talk to. Until one day, she breaks down over her parents’ neglect and their ongoing battles with each other and finds herself begging Steph to please just…be there. Rubi finds herself worshipping at Steph’s feet. While they never become friends, Rubi’s anger has gone, and when the other girls return, she’s able to be more open and friendly and despite Steph’s uncaring, greet her cheerfully. 

This story is primarily interesting to see a prolific BL artist, known more for character insight than her art, take a look at typical Yuri tropes. This story is labeled “Chapter 1” so I’m hoping we get more vignettes from Nakamura-sensei. 

The rest of the magazine has shifted to strongly heterosexual, away from earlier days when it frequently had Yuri and BL stories, although Kashmir’s “paranorma” got as close to Yuri as their work ever gets, really. Well two girl hold hands, anyway.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

Starting with Volume 26, Kowo Kazuma-sensei is returning to her Yuri series Junsui Adolescence, so that ought to be worth taking a look at!