Archive for January, 2021


Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou. Volume 3 (私の推しは悪役令嬢。)

January 25th, 2021

I don’t really know how to review this book. ^_^;  There’s so much to tell you and so little I can say!

In Volume 1, we met former office worker Oohashi Rei, who wakes up one day in the world of her favorite otome game, “Revolution,” as the protagonist Rae Taylor. As Rae, she opts out of the usual romance routes and instead focuses all of her acumen and knowledge of the game on her actual interest, the villainess Claire François. Then the revolution comes crashing down over the two of them.

In Volume 2, Claire and Rae, now a couple, work together to create a better world for themselves, their friends, their country, and…

spoiler warning/ Because both these books are available from Seven Seas in English, I am going to assume you have read them. If you have not read them, this review will contain inevitable spoilers, starting with the cover, because it is right here next to these words and I can’t hide that. If you haven’t read the first two volumes, this review may be largely incoherent and there are even MORE spoilers ahead. Don’t keep reading if you want to avoid spoilers. Do go read Volume 2, then come back. ^_^ /spoiler warning
So, going back to my previous statement.

Claire and Rae work together to create a better world for themselves, their friends, their country, and…their children.

Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou. Volume 3 (私の推しは悪役令嬢。), which I read on US Kindle in Japanese*, begins a year after the revolution. Claire, Rae, and their children Aleah and Mei**, the orphans they adopted in the tear-jearker epilogue to volume 2, are a happy family who are dealing with some major issues that are clearly foreshadowing future plots. Rae and Claire are teachers at the Academy they formerly attended as students, when they are approached by the government with a life-changing request: Diplomatic relationships with the Bauer Kingdom’s former (possibly current?) enemy, the Nur Empire is being established. A team of exchange students are being shared between the two countries. Several students from the Academy are going…and so are Claire and Rae, who decide to take Aleah and Mei with them.

We’ve already established that all norms are off the table in this series, so the plot here is a little bit of everything – school drama, romance, socio-political drama, and some other things and then the demons arrive. From this point on the book is spinning plates and juggling balls and then an axe or two on a high-wire.  And it all works, except I have about 300 questions. ^_^  I’ll just hope that some of that is clarified in future chapters and, eventually, volume 4.  I was worried through the entire first half of the book about two things that were never the problems I thought they’d be. But…what? Why? How? I’m not unsatisfied, I just want more!

I’m going to be really impatient until all of you have read it, too, so I can scream all my questions at you! ^_^

The second half of this volume are a series of deeply schmaltzy and satisfyingly goopy extra chapters that cover a number of celebratory events in Rae and Claire’s life, like birthdays and Christmas and their wedding. Rae and Claire get more and more touchy as the story goes on. Apparently Inori-sensei has offered up the bed scenes as an extra on her Pixiv Fanbox (which I think is a terrific idea and admit, I’m tempted. For the record, her Fanbox is being translated into English and Korean, so don’t be afraid to support her.) Rae and Claire’s wedding is a very pointed commentary on modern Japanese life and laws and an incredibly sweet scene. For a second time, the final scene of the book had me reaching for the tissues. How far Claire and Rae have come in a year is laid bare for all for us to see. (happy tears)

But, Erica! I hope you are flailing your hands at me in an attempt to get my attention. Did you say Rae and Claire’s wedding?!? Yes. And that is not the only wonderfully gay bit – nor is it arguably, the most important gay thing in this book. There are at least three other incredibly important conversations that I hope like heck have made a difference for someone, somewhere. And Rae and Claire are VERY clear about what they are to one another to the people around them in so many words.  They are physically affectionate with each other and with the twins, as well. I honestly loved that affectionate kisses and hugs and touching were just normalized in this story.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 9
Characters – 10
Service – Kind of? You’ll have to trust me that its fine, really.
Yuri – 10
Queer – 10

Overall – 10

Absolutely fantastic, but I have so many questions.

What about <spoiler>? What did they do?
What is the deal with <spoiler and spoiler>?
Were the <spoiler> there for shits and giggles?
What is going to happen with <spoiler>????
Why on earth is <spoiler>?????????

*The one thing I do honestly like about using Kindle for Japanese-language books is the translation function. It’s not perfect, but it helps not having to do more than highlight a term once the JP dictionary has been downloaded.

** In case it is not obvious, Aleah rhymes with Claire in Japanese and Mei rhymes with Rae.





Yuri Network News (百合ネットワークニュース) – January 23, 2021

January 23rd, 2021

Yuri Manga

Just as I was working on last week’s report, Yen Press announced two new Yuri titles: The Whole of Humanity Has Gone Yuri Except for Me, and the Nakatani Nio Short story collection, Farewell to my Alter, (which I reviewed here in Japanese last summer) Thanks to Senior YNN Correspondent Sean G for the heads up!

Syrup Yuri Anthology, Volume 2 is out from Seven Seas.

Travel-ish, Yuri-ish Futari Escape, Volume 1 (ふたりエスケープ ) from Comic Yuri Hime is available.

YNN Senior Correspondent Shannon L. wrote in to let our French-speaking friends know that Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou is getting a French release as Escale à Yokohama from Meian! They are describing it as a “feel-good” story. Which is true, if you ignore that it is also a science-fiction story about the twilight of humanity. I envy our French readers, this is a magnificent series.

Seven Seas is promoting a Yuri pack of manga on Twitter, featuring 5 Yuri titles!

On Twitter, Kaishaku announced the publication of Volume 1 of their new sequel(ish) to Kannazuki no Miko, Himegami no Miko (姫神の巫女).

 

 Anime News

YNN Correspondent Evie wants you to know about the upcoming anime for Tai Ari Deshita. ~Ojou-sama wa Kakutou Game Nante Shinai~ (対ありでした。 ～お嬢さまは格闘ゲームなんてしない～). Komatsu-san has the details on CR News about this game competition anime set at a girl’s school!

The new anime EX-ARM has already been the target of much critical analysis of the production team and the animation. Now it’s added a new chapter of conversation (or controversy, if you prefer that kind of clickbait headline ) with a possibly(?) censored same-sex kiss. Yuri Mother has the details. Personally, I think the whole anime is a decent example of The Peter Principle, with everyone involved just completely out of their depth and leadership promoted to their level of incompetence.

My Next Life as a Villainess All Routes Lead to Doom! anime is getting a second season. Fans of Maria and Katarina will be so happy. ^_^ ANN’s Rafael Antonio Pineda has the report. 

PA WORKS has debuted a promotional video for upcoming anime Shiroi Suna no Aquatope (白い砂のアクアトープ). It’ll hit a lot of buttons – pretty location scenery, nice animation, “girl zoo” Yuri anime.

Blue Period, which has a gender nonbinary character (I haven’t actually read the volume, which is on my to-read pile) is getting an anime. I’m not sure how sensitive the character portrayal is, yet, but I’m told that it is not negative or malicious.) Alex Mateo has the details on ANN.

 

The first Okazu goal for 2021: Sustainably pass 100 Patrons. This will put us nearer to our next Microgoal. More Yuri Studio Videos, a raise for our writers here on Okazu and another new queer creator we’ll support! Become an Okazu Patron today!

 


 

Yuri Light Novel News

The second volume of Girl’s Kingdom is available for pre-order on Kindle and up on the Yuricon Store. An exchange student is going to throw Misaki’s life into turmoil, oh no! ^_^

 

Other News

Fans of Comic Yuri Hime series Wataten, Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita! (私に天使が舞い降りた!,) might be excited to learn that Wataten 5’s first Solo Concert Delicious Smile! is set to stream overseas on February 6, 2021.  Visit E+ for ticket information.

 

Become a YNN Correspondent: Contact Us with any Yuri-related news you want to share and be part of the Yuri Network. ^_^

Thanks to our Okazu Patrons who make the YNN weekly report possible! Support us on Patreon to help us give Guest Reviewers a raise and to help us support more queer creators!





Hana ni Arashi, Volume 5 (はなにあらし)

January 21st, 2021

While we’re able to enjoy Makoto Hagino’s slow-burn high school Yuri romance, A Tropical Fish Years for Snow in English, there is another Shogagakukan title with a similar feel – the ongoing story of two young women in love for the first time. Nanoha is outgoing, Chidori is a bit more reserved, but they are both happily ensconced in their group of friends and doing fun things together. And, they are in live.

Hana ni Arashi, Nanoha to Chidori, Volume 4 provided another new flex when confronted with the “sempai turned me gay” script. Where Sayaka just flat out gets pissed off and is extra gay at sempai when they meet later just to freak her out, Nanoha is there for Chidori and the two of the let sempai know that they are, in actual fact, an item. So there. At the end of the volume, while fireworks explode above them, they kiss.

In Hana ni Arashi, Volume 5, (はなにあらし) they obsess about that kiss to the point of distraction, in the most adorable way. Then the school festival comes and huddled together under a sheet waiting to scare customers at the haunted house, they are wholly distracted by one another. But once they have a moment to talk about their feelings about the kiss, they end up kissing again.

Nanoha looks for all the world, like a cute energetic femme, but she was a boyish basketball star in middle school, we learn, as an old kouhai of hers transfers in. Mai was injured playing and has decided to distance herself from sport. Mai’s familiarity with Nanoha makes Chidori feel a bit jealous, but we can see she has good cause, as Mai is planning on stealing her beloved sempai away. I’m not that worried, conflicts in this series don’t last more than a few chapters, and Nanoha is more likely to state plainly how she feels about Chidori. We’ve dealt with Chidori’s past….now it’s time to set Nanoha’s past behind her, and move on to the future.

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 7
Characters – 8
Yuri – 6
Service – 2 Less service, but the gaze is still creepier than I like. But I feel that way about almost everything these days.

Overall – 7

I find this series less overwrought  and more service-y than Tropical Fish, but just as earnest, and a little bolder, ultimately. It’s hard to not like watching Nanoha and Chidori overheat at the memory of that kiss. ^_^ If Viz were to pick this up, I think it would do quite well for them.





A White Rose in Bloom Volume 1

January 20th, 2021

Periodically (pun intended) I subscribe to a manga magazine named Rakuen Le Paradis. It’s technically a Jousei magazine, but is an unusual one. Hakusensha lets their artists have a pretty long leash and so, one finds both men and women creators in its pages creating things that are not conventionally “for adult women.” The stories I’ve seen in the magazine range widely from cute school drama to BDSM. The stories have been straight, BL and Yuri. Some years it was heavily Yuri, and others less so. One of their best known BL names turned their talents to Yuri and so in 2019, we were treated to Nakamura Asumiko’s Mejirobana no Saku.

Now, in 2020, we’ve gotten a chance to read this series in English as A White Rose in Bloom, from Seven Seas. This volume is a perfect blend of a classic Yuri at a private girls’ school story with highlights of the modern world intruding at every turn.

Ruby Canossa’s parents are having trouble and she’s very much caught in the middle. Tossed by their selfishness into an uncomfortable and lonely holiday break nearly alone at school, Ruby find a cause to believe in. But her relationship with the only other girl who stayed behind for the holidays, school star “Steel” Steph, is still awkward, uncomfortably intimate and hard to navigate. As Ruby starts to build some stability, her parents make it impossible for her to stay, but she doesn’t want to leave.

YMMV, but I like Nakamura’s balance of overly dramatic expressions on Ruby, to Steph’s almost complete lack of expression. Nakamura’s got a Goya-esque style that gives everyone a long, lean look that suits the halls of a storied school for wealthy girls. Kudos to translator Jocelyne Allen and the entire Seven Seas team for another excellent job on a book that I hope people won’t overlook, thinking it’s just another school romance.

This book is marked volume 1. There is no Volume 2, yet. Rakuen Le Paradis (楽園 Le Paradis) magazine is only released 3 times a year and the magazine is pretty chock full of top talent, so not every story is featured every issue. I’m so far behind in Rakuen issues (the last one I read was Issue 30)I don’t even know what happens! I’m clearly going to have to make some time to catch up. But it definitely is continuing. Issue 34, the current issue (available in Japanese on Global Bookwalker) lists a new chapter in the table of contents. Good! I really want to know what happens!

Ratings:

Art – As I say, YMMV, but 8 for me
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Service – There is a little, but not what you might expect.
Yuri – 7

Overall – 8

In the meantime, you can enjoy Nakamura-sensei’s great nonplussed facial expressions and slapfighting in the hallways of a staid old institution…and wonder what on EARTH is going on with that headmaster, because she honestly looks so untrustworthy I am sure she’s a blackmailer in her spare time. ^_^

Thanks to Seven Seas for the review copy!





Strawberry Fields Once Again, Volume 1

January 18th, 2021

Akira is resigned to being a loner. She doesn’t want to deal with real people and is content, she tells herself, with keeping her relationships 2-dimensional. So when transfer student Pure states that she is from the future, is Akira’s lover and she’s traveled through time to attend high school with her, “skeptical” doesn’t even come close to how Akira feels about it.

Strawberry Fields Once Again, Volume 1 looks and feels very shoujo manga (or seinen version of shoujo…). In this case, however,  even though it apparently walks and talks like a duck, it is not a duck. For this simple, goofy, instantly emotional premise hides a much more complicated tale. Believe Pure…this is a science fiction story with a pleasingly complex plot, wrapped in a Yuri romance.

I was surprised as heck to have heard Yen Press picked this series up, but I’m kind of glad they did, just because it broke my brain a few times in Volume 2 and repeatedly in Volume 3. In fact, as I said in my review of the Japanese Volume 3, it took me three readthroughs to make sure I had actually followed the plot. I expect it will be significantly easier in English, although the story will remain convoluted…until it makes sense.

Amanda Haley does a fine job with the translation and I wish good luck to her in upcoming volumes.  Absolutely no mark against Haley’s work, the translation notes coming before the extra chapter threw me off, but I did enjoy the extra chapter itself with the antics of a hyper Yuri fan, and Kinosaki-sensei’s amusingly meta rendition of the “the iconic Yuri couple,” the Queens of Yuri, as I like to think of them. ^_^ Abigail Blackman’s lettering has moments of excellence. I know it takes more time, but personally I wish companies gave letterers time and money to also rework the art/fx; it’s not a deduction for the letterer, but for the company.  Folks like Sara Linsley and Jeannie Lee are really pushing lettering into previously unseen excellence, which makes companies that skimp here look…skimpy. I’m always, always, always, going to push for the most authentic reading experiences possible, because I truly believe that is what fans want. Which is why I don’t agree with translating genre terms. We understand SciFi to be a a valid genre term, we don’t need it “explained.”. Yuri and BL are also valid terms.) Thanks to Yen for giving us an authentic manga reading experience here. ^_^

Knowing what I know, ratings have changed a little.

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 7
Character – 8
Service – 3
Yuri – 6

Overall – 7

As a science fiction story, this series is messy and fun. As a Yuri romance, I find that I look back on it with more fondness now than I felt when I initially read it.  Thanks to Yen Press for the review copy – I’m looking forward to having a chance to reevaluate this series and see what I think this time around. Strawberry Fields wo Mou Ichido, indeed. ^_^