Galette magazine has done a pretty solid job of weathering a few challenging years and every single volume, collection or artbook published by Galette WORKS is a veritable triumph for a crowdfunded work. Before we get into the content, just think about what this magazine has gone through – switching crowdfunding platforms, having the comic shows they regularly sold at being canceled, and of course the general (and personal) stress of the pandemic. So, for Galette to be getting a quarterly journal out, along with collected volumes and Galette MEETS, is something for them to be proud of and for us to admire.

And, while Galette No. 18 (ガレット) is down in pages a bit from the pre-pandemic issues, what we are getting is both high quality and still some of the biggest names in the genre!

We start with another excellent cover by pen.

Aoto Hibiki is back with a story about a high school girl who falls in love with an older woman…who is not at all prepared to take advantage of a younger woman.

Morinaga Milk’s “Watashi no Kawaii Neko-chan” has turned towards a plot complication I’m not particularly fond of, but I have no doubt all will be well, eventually.

“Tsuki-chan” by Morita Miyuki is a one-shot about an adult who realizes her friend means more to her.

I have no idea where “Liberty” by Kitta Izumi and Momono Moto is headed, because Maki isn’t a confrontational sort, but I’m thinking we might just be pushing that last button. Liz needs rescuing and Maki is a good set of arms for her to fall into when she leaps.

Hamano Ringo offers up “100% Magic” about a woman at a call center and the woman who falls for her….not because of her voice.

And “Motto Hanjuku Joshi” by Morishima Akiko has now turned it’s sights towards my favorite couple of the original story, Ran and her former student, Mari who are still together now that Mari is a college student…and still fucking with Ran’s head. I love that this story has encompassed all the characters of the original Hanjuki Joshi series and expanded the cast out now. With Seven Seas picking up more of Morishima-sensei’s work, my fingers are crossed for this series – and the Galette sequel – one day in English.

When I said that this magazine is down in page count, don’t get the wrong idea…it’s still a solid 200+ pages of excellent Yuri content.

Ratings:

Overall – 9

This volume is available in print on Amazon JP through 3rd-party sellers, or from  Galette‘s Booth.pm shop….or in digital format on Bookwalker JP. 

I hope the magazine makes it through what is an objectively difficult year and is able to celebrate a successful 5th anniversary.