Today, for Part 3 of the Finale 100 Years of Yuri event, I would like you all to welcome Nicki Bauman, whom you may know as The Yuri Mother. Nicki is a terrific resource for current news about Yuri and LGBTQ+ women in anime, manga, games, and media. and I hope you will all give her a warm welcome!

Once again, there were no formal criteria. Nicki said of her choices, “I didn’t work with any criteria beyond that I had to have loved the titles. I did try and ignore their importance and impact on the genre and focus solely on those works that I loved the most. But beyond that, I did not employ any specific criteria.

“Experiencing and sharing the joys and challenges of the Yuri genre is one of the greatest pleasures of my life. I have access to one hundred years of incredible works within a genre that is rapidly evolving and changing in varied landscapes and across multiple demographics. As I look back on the fantastic titles of the past century and forward to the future of Yuri, I am overwhelmed by how many amazing creations I have read, watched, played, and loved. Some works I admire because of their impact on the culture, or their historical significance, however for this list, I have chosen only my favorites. The titles, old and new, that continue to resonate with me long after I have put them aside. The following series impacted my life in profound and numerous ways. This is my personal best of 100 years of Yuri list!”

Titles have been edited so series available in English use official English-language titles, and Japanese-only are in Romaji (with Kanji in parentheses).

Amongst Us
Despite being only a few years old and updating just once a month, if that, Amongst Us has captivated me with its funny and beautiful story of two strong musical women in love. This “Alternative Universe” slice of life webcomic was born out of the author’s passion for her characters in Carciphona and sees Veloce and Blackbird together without a care for the original story’s canon or the confining tropes of the genre. If nothing else, this one is worth a read because of its astounding artwork that never ceases to amaze.

Bloom Into You
In many ways, Bloom Into You receives accolades and praise it does not deserve. No, it does not break all the conventions and tropes of Yuri. However, I will not scoff at over a million copies sold, a stellar television anime, a stage show, an anthology series, or a light novel side-story. There is a reason Bloom Into You is so successful and beloved; it is good. Yuu and Touko’s relationship only scratches the surface when it comes to this series, which sees some fantastic side characters explore their identities with proper lesbian role models (Sayaka, I am talking about Sayaka).

Butterfly Soup
This small indie visual novel, Butterfly Soup, about girls playing baseball and “memeing” is also one of the most profound and emotional reflections on racial and sexual identities, abuse, and homophobia. It highlights how we heal and thrive through our friends, community, and passions. Even with this much dense and heavy material, it is one of the funniest and lightest games I have ever played and left me feeling affirmed and loved. It can even be played for free, although I recommend donating to the creator as she is hard at work on a sequel.

The Conditions of Paradise
No “best of all time” Yuri list is complete without Morishima Akiko. There are few creators, if any, who have given more to the field of lesbian manga then her. My only question was which of her fantastic works I should list. In the end, despite how much I love Hanjuku Joshi (半熟女子) and Yuri Bear Storm, I had to single out The Conditions of Paradise. This spectacular collection of stories about adult women in meaningful and mature relationships is a must-have for any queer comic lover, and I am so thrilled to see that after over a decade, it is finally licensed in English.

Fluttering Feelings
Fluttering Feelings (설레는 기분) was a beautiful and gentle Korean manhwa about two people falling in love with each other and the awesome effect that has on each of their lives. It was gorgeous and thoughtful, showcasing a slow build and evolution of the relationship between Seol-A and No-Rae. As each of them struggled with their own identity and emergent adulthood, they learn and grow. Sadly, there will never be a conclusion to this manhwa, and its inclusion on this list is my love letter to its late creator, Ssamba.

Fu~Fu (ふ~ふ)
Series like Citrus and White Lilies in Love Bride’s showcase beautiful lesbian weddings in Yuri manga, however, this was not always the case. Yuri before the late 2010s hardly ever featured lesbian marriage, and if it did, it was never the focal point of a story. Fu~Fu (ふ~ふ) is one of the few exceptions. This charming manga from the early 2000s celebrates the affectionate love and care two adult women have for each other, culminating in a magnificent wedding.

GIRL FRIENDS
The Yuri genre has seen more than its fair share of high school girl-meets-girl love stories. However, despite the tired trope, this manga series is so detailed and engaging with its dramatic high school romance that I cannot help but include GIRL FRIENDS. Mari and Akko’s friendship and budding courtship has so many ups and downs that when they finally got together, I practically cried out in joy. The series does not stop there, as the two young women explore their relationship emotionally, socially, and physically, including looking towards a future together.

The Gym Teacher and School Nurse are Dating! / Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei wa Tsukiatte iru ( 羽山先生と寺野先生は付き合っている)
If someone challenged me to think of a wholesome Yuri story with low stakes and a high “awww” factor, I would have a tough time coming up with anything better than Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei. The series follows two coworkers, a physical education teacher, and a school nurse, as they awkwardly navigate a new relationship. Fortunately, they have the full (occasionally overbearing) support of their students, fellow teachers, and principal to help them.

This manga will be available in English in Autumn 2020.

Kase-san Series
Kase-san is easily the most excellent high school romance story to grace the genre. It forgoes most of the typical melodramatic tropes and instead follows more grounded realistic story arcs. Kase and Yamada deal with real issues in relationships such as jealousy, sex, and worrying about the future. However, what makes this series remarkable, is its continuation, bringing the characters out of high school and into the real world where they continue their efforts navigating their relationship. Additionally, the 2018 OVA, Kase-san and Morning Glories, is a lovely visual adaptation of some of the series highest points.

Kindred Spirits on the Roof
While I do not mind the inclusion of sex in principal, I often find its use in Yuri to be immature at best and grotesque at worst. Thankfully, more creators are starting to use sex sensually and thoughtfully while still allowing their works to be titillating. Chief among these titles is the adult visual novel Kindred Spirits on the Roof. It presents a fun, if slightly ridiculous, adventure following several different and distinct couples, all of whom have human explorations of sexuality and sex that, while explicit, are not pornographic, but grounded and relatable.

Lovestruck
The mobile gaming market presents the perfect opportunity for exciting visual novel stories to be told and experienced by a whole new set of gamers. While some western apps have dominated the field with platforms such as Choices and Chapters, Voltage Inc’s Lovestruck has consistently delivered the highest quality stories using traditional visual novel style sprite work and gorgeous CGs. Lovestruck is not just a single game, but a collection of amazing otome titles in various worlds, many of which feature lesbian and non-binary romances. Whether you like fighting the evil Witch Queen’s army with your girlfriend, helping your wife maintain peace between humanity and monsters from Greek mythology, or saving your daughter from the Yakuza with your ex-gangster partner, there is a story for you here!

Maria Watches over Us
This Class S series is one of the most important and impactful Yuri works of the past few decades. The massive success of the light novels, and the four superb anime seasons it inspired, helped revive many tropes of Yuri that influenced many series in the twenty-first century, including Strawberry Panic and Bloom Into You. However, even if it was not such an important work, Marimite remains one of the most complete and praiseworthy Yuri series, with a strong cast of main and supporting characters, all of whom have intricate and complex stories and relationships.

My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness
The rise of art websites gave new pathways for creators and readers to connect, allowing for new and different stories to succeed. However, the most significant creations from these platforms are not more school romances or sapphic melodramas, but those that detail real honest human experience. No author has exposed herself more beautifully or tragically than Kabi Nagata in her spectacular personal essays My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness, My Solo Exchange Diary, and Genjitsu Touhi Shitetara Boroboro ni Natta Hanashi (現実逃避してたらボロボロになった話). The manga redefines what Yuri can be and uses the medium to explore issues of mental health and identity in an exceptionally moving memoir that captured my attention and heart.

Our Dreams at Dusk Shimanami Tasogare
Including this manga series feels a little bit like cheating, as it is far more LGBTQ+ than Yuri. Thankfully, Haruko and Saki’s magnificent story allows me to feature this incredible series on this list. Our Dreams at Dusk details a realistic portrayal of LGBTQ+ people and the importance community can have on a young person discovering what it means to be gay or trans. Each situation and story presented by the queer members of the drop-in center is splendidly told, with astounding visuals and writing that effectively communicate many queer experiences, struggles, and the ways we overcome them together.

Revolutionary Girl Utena
Just like with Maria Watches Over Us, this title is highly influential but, more importantly, it is incredible. I cannot think of a more astonishing or powerful Yuri work than the movie, although the original television anime and Saito Chiho’s manga are both fantastic in their own right. Utena reminds us all how unique and special this genre can be, and how cool it is to be gay and wield a sword. It was indeed a revolution for the genre, for many of its viewers, and certainly for me.

Sexiled: My Sexist Party Leader Kicked Me Out, So I Teamed Up With a Mythical Sorceress
Ameko Kaeruda’s humorous feminist light novel series Sexiled: My Sexist Party Leader Kicked Me Out, So I Teamed Up With a Mythical Sorceress is a delight. The light novel reflects many of our society’s unfortunate inequalities and failures and dares place these aspects against a team of overpowered women with magic and Big Lesbian Energy. Sexiled is so cathartic, profane, and outrageously fun, and I demand everyone read it now!

Strawberry Marshmallow
I love a good laugh, and there are plenty of great Yuri offerings that can get a chuckle out of me, like Kyoko’s jokes in Yuri Yuri or Tohru’s latest misconception about human society in Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid. However, nothing in my life has ever come close to the well-timed barrage of humor and adorableness that is Strawberry Marshmallow. This slice of life Yuri-ish series never fails to send me howling on the floor as I laugh at Miu’s antics, sympathize with poor Chika’s mediocrity, and treasure Matsuri’s bumbling cuteness. No matter where I am or what is going on in my life, I can return to Strawberry Marshmallow and be comforted and entertained by it.

SQ Begin With Your Name
Also known as Their Story and Tamen di Gushi, Tan Jiu’s wildly successful Yuri manhua has dominated the Yuri conversation in online communities like Tumblr, Comic Walker and Weibo, where it originated. While it suffers significantly from an inconsistent schedule and meandering plot, it has some excellent moments that remind me why so many people love it. Scenes like Sun Jing standing up against rape culture in the amusement park or when Qiu Tong finally kisses her are as close to perfection as any comic can get. The writing and characters are all brilliant and hilarious, moving between dorky comedy to more intense love and emotion effortlessly.

Strawberry Panic!
Strawberry Panic! takes the familiar tropes of Yuri and cranks them up to 11, pushing itself to the point where it is practically a parody of Yuri melodramas. And yet, I cannot think of a work that I love more. From the anime’s surprising alteration of “S” elements to the pulse-pounding light novel series, I adore everything about Strawberry Panic!, except maybe the manga adaptation. Part of my infatuation is absolutely nostalgia, as it was my first Yuri series ever and set me on a journey to become a Holy Mother of Yuri (a totally meaningless title). It affected me in powerful ways that helped me realize who I was and how I wanted to live my life.

Yuri Life
Kurukuruhime’s successful Yuri doujinshi series about Yuri cohabitation translated beautifully into a full colored printed book. It hosts a massive collection of amazing stories about (mostly) adult women living together with their partners and facing everyday struggles of work, jealousy, sex, and being two different people. The simple premise allows for the creator to exercise a tremendous amount of creativity and presents us with the perfect package about healthy people being in love.