Today we’re looking at Syrup: A Yuri Anthology, Volume 1, in English this month from Seven Seas. By the time I considered reviewing Syrup Shakaijin Yuri Anthology ( シロップ 社会人百合アンソロジー), Seven Seas had already announced that they had licensed it. And, because a number of Yuri anthologies by Futabasha, Kadokawa and Ichijinsha had been pushed out at the same time, (many of them indifferent,) I never previously reviewed the Japanese edition here. ^_^

Syrup is notable for two reasons. One, the collection is entirely stories about adult women (indicated in the Japanese by the word Shakaijin – people in society. We might half-jokingly say “productive members of society” – i.e., adults. Within the limitations of each artist’s style, the characters can be seen and understood to be adults.

The other, more notable, reason is that there are a lot of notable names in this collection. Kodama Naoko, Yoshimura Kana, Amano Shuninta, Mocchi_au_Lait ,Ohi Pikachi, Kurogane Kenn and Morinaga Milk all have entries here, as do names you may be less familiar from Okazu, but who have been around a while, like Ito Hachi, Yukiko, Shioya Teruko, Goumoto and others.

The stories are a nice selection of doujinshi/short-story tropes and most have positive ends,. The only minor, but nagging, issue I have is that many of these stories feel very like not-gay, not-women are writing. Those kinds of stories were women are behaving in or saying or doing things that they don’t typically do. Like answering “I like you” with “I’m a virgin!” Uh…ohhhkayyyyyy…. I’m not saying no one has ever done that, and heaven knows that lesbians can be really awkward about dating…these just felt off the mark if you know what I mean. There was a lot more male gaze perviness from the female characters than is, in my opinion, usual for women. But none of the stories were unacceptably off-putting and several were very sweet. ^_^

Unexpectedly, my favorite story was by Kurogane Kenn. I know, I know, that’s crazypants. But his melange of otaku fervor, lesbian life and Comic Market hit the spot for me.

Ratings: Everything is variable, but this is art from some of the top names in the Yuri business.

Overall – 9

Syrup is a very good Yuri anthology for your growing Yuri anthology section of bookshelves and a great way to add work by some of the best in Yuri for your Pride month purchases.

Many thanks to Seven Seas for the review copy. ^_^