Comic Yuri Hime, October 2023 (コミック百合姫2023年10月号) begins with another moody cover by mebachi. It has been a cover story very full of emotion, but…sort of free-floating out there to be interpreted at will. Impressionistic storytelling with every-day art.
The opening stories this month are not my faves, including “Kyou ha Kanojo ga Inai Kara” which has just been licensed by Seven Seas as My Girlfriend’s Not Here Today.
Usui Shio’s “Onna Tomodachi to Kekkonshitemita” is coming to an end next issue, but in this one, Ruriko and Kurumi have an important conversation like two adults, which was deeply refreshing.
Also refreshing and relaxing is Takeshima Eku’s “Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau” in which Shiho and Aki finally have a normal conversation. Phew. Will they make it as an item? No way to know – Shiho is pretty high-strung, but maybe they have a shot at being something to one another.
This was followed by Aonoshimo-sensei’s full-color report of Anime Expo in Los Angeles. That was a lot of fun, seeing Claire and Rae experiencing American fan culture at it’s friendliest.
In “Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou.” Rae’s story about her first love comes to a crashing halt with rejection and bullying and a painful love quadrangle. She very lightly tells us that they all made up later, but it’s hard to not sympathize with Claire and Lily being angry.
And, then, once again Claire has a problem – it is very hot out. Lene and Rae create a main course (not a dessert! Claire insists) to cool her down, in “Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou. Maid Kitchen.”
We finally, finally get the story of Shizuku’s trauma in “Kimi to Tsuzuru Utakata” and it really wasn’t about the thing that happened in school, but what happened afterward when she stated writing. Which makes much more sense.
“Odoriba Skirt Ni Naru” edges closer to the quadrille. Kiki gives Michiru the best present of all – her own tuxedo coat resized to fit her new partner. Michiru tells Kiki how she feels about her.
There is a cute one-shot by Kashikaze about two students passing notes.
“Osoto Gohan wo Go-issho ni” is heading back to camping, this time overnight. Whee!
There are a lot of stories I’m reading in the magazine right now where I am just waiting for a plot to happen. Magical school zombies and post-apocalytic travelers and friendly zombies in ancient China…it’s all good stuff, I just need to see a plot sometimes?
A brand new utterly goofy, derivative story called “Extreme Super Darling” with an average girl, Ikeda Rio, in a school of Yuri stereotypes elites. We have Haruka/Michiru pair, Chikage and Yurika. Rio ends up being challenged to a duel by Chikage because of a misunderstanding. The art is over-the-top with 70’s shoujo stylings and I think I like it! ^_^ Ikeda Rio…really.
All in all a good issue. Some things will come to an end next month and some things will begin. Time and Yuri move onward.
Ratings:
Overall – 8
The November issue is out now, featuring a new story by Kodama Naoko. If you like her brand of Yuri, keep an eye out!
