The cover of Comic Yuri Hime, January 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年1月号) begins a new Yuri cover story. Where 2020’s cover story was art-focused, with few words that just gave context to the image, this year we have separate stand-alone short stories in a ridiculously small type size that forces me to use a magnifying glass to be able to read it. It is a vaguely time-wimey story that uses a desk as a point of contact between young women in different times. The stories are by Ren Hanna, with quirky illustrations by Kesshin. If it were in 12-point type I’d probably be enjoying it. ^_^

This issue starts off with a new concept  manga from Usui Shio. In “Onna to Tomodachi Kekkonshitemita” Sera is an freelance writer who needs a good idea to write about. She pitches an article on same-sex marriage. Her best friend Ruriko (who is pretty obviously is in love with Sera,) volunteers. And so Sera and Ruriko get married, I trust Usui-sensei completely to do a good job with this story and so far (I just read the next installment yesterday) I’m not going to be disappointed.

Also in the “not a disappointment” category is Takeshima Eku’s “Sasayaku Youni Koi wo Utau” in which watching Yori continues to be a delight. AND it looks like we’re getting an actual post-they like each other arc! Whoo! You can also enjoy this story in English as Whisper Me A Love Song. It’s charming.

Kakaze’s “Lonely Girl ni Sakaraenai” is moving past it’s initial pitch and Sakurai and Honda are finding themselves having experiences neither of them would have been able to imagine previously.

“Kimi to Tsuzuru Utakata,”by Yuama is taking a deeply emotional turn, but I’m rooting for things to move past the obvious conflict here.

And wow, do I actually have no idea at all where – if anywhere, “Watashi no Yuri ha Oshigoto desu!” by Miman is going. Holy crap. This arc has lead everyone to saying stuff they mean. I’m not sure I have ever read this many chapters of, “you need to hear this.” I love it.

“Hello Melancholic” has now officially ended. I am going to miss it, honestly. Minato’s journey hit me in all the right places. /sniff/

Usui Shio is gunning for my favorite author of 2021, with some breathtakingly real chapters for “Kaketa Tsuki to Doughnuts.” I swear to all the gods, if people keep having actual conversations in manga, I’m gonna die of happiness.

SPEAKING of conversations, Ohi Pikachi’s “Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsukiatteiru” was a-ma-zing. Asuka confronts her family with whom she has a very bad relationship…and her being with a woman is only another brick in that wall, until Saki helps her face herself and her parents. Next on to Saki’s family. We already know how her sister feels, so this one ought to go well. ^_^

This issue also includes a chapter of a serialized novel (in slightly larger typeface than the cover,) about a girl who admire idols so much, she wants to become one. It’s not a bad opening gambit for what it a pretty worn trope already.

And, finally, Inui Ayu-sensei details the happy times she spends with her girfriend in her autobiographical comic. This time, they go out to breakfast, because why not? ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 8

There continues to be series I am not following, and those I am, that I have not mentioned. In my opinion, this was an excellent first volume of the year, with a lot of stuff for many different fans. Including those who are inexplicably still reading “Yuru Yuri.” Why? Seriously. The continuing existence of that series bewilders me.