Comic Yuri Hime, July 2024 (コミック百合姫2024年7月号) is 800+ pages of Yuri. I am still boggling at the size of this thing. If they used paper the same thickness as they used to, this volumewould be absolutely massive. Even with the laser-thin paper used now, it’s a pretty hefty tome. And, for once, this volume is less about the upcoming and ongoing anime and more about just…the manga. There is so much manga in this volume.
The opening story is a new one by Tamasaki Tama “Muryoku Seijo to Munou Oujo ~ Maryoku Zero de Shoukansareta Seijo no Isekai Kyuukoku-ki ~” another new fantasy isekai. It is…not terrible at all, even though it starts kind of rough. Nana has not managed to make anything of her life and is feeling quite depressed when she is brought to another world along with another woman to save a kingdom as Saints…only she has no power here, either. Until she meets Princess Lilium who has power but cannot use it. Together they are able to manifest the Princess’ power in explosive combination. And hopefully, they’ll save the kingdom.
In “Sasayakuyou ni Koi wo Utua,” by Takeshima Eku, having resolved all the complicated relationships among SSGirls and Laureley, where can the story turn to next for cute reactions to love? How about Miki, Himari’s bestie? Turns out her band (instrumental, not light rock,) senpai is in love with her.
Clarice is turning out to be a smart and capable Marquess in “Gakeppuchi Reijou ha Kuro Kishi-sama o Horesasetai!” In this chapter she learns that her the whole staff left aT Black Knight Frost’s mansion are four maids. Everyone else has been driven off by the threat of monsters and the threat of their monster employer. Clarice, who is determined to save her family, explores ways to Frost-sama’s heart, but is not successful…when news arrives that monsters are attacking a merchant carriage that is headed their way. (I ask myself, though, why is a merchant coming to this monster-infested place with one carriage and no entourage of guards? What could he be selling that would make that journey worth it? …anyway…)
“Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou.” has added a short interlude, as Rae is accompanied by Lily on what the Cardinal thinks is a date and Rae understands as part of the investigation of noble corruption. I have no doubt that this side quest is so we can see Lily in “cute” clothes. ^_^
Stellvia no Bouquet” takes a moment to explore Ellen’s feelings about Riza, as she faces down the loss of her mentor.
Shigizawa and Gotou have it out at last in “Utsotsuki Hanayome to Dousei Kekkon-ron” and Shigizawa loses to herself.
I haven’t talked about “Koharu to Minato” much, but his love-love comic essay has moved from the end page into the magazine proper and continues to be a sweet, idealized day in the life of a couple. I’ve just finished Volume 1 of this series and will be reviewing it shorty. It is very cute.
“Kiraware Majoureijou to Dansou Ouji no Kon’yaku” has added new characters and a mystery – which is more interesting than the unsurprising romance between Ciel and Eve. Who is Eve’s mother and how is Eve able to do dark magic?
Oh yay, an historical Yuri set in the Taisho period about clothing. I am 100% excited for this new title by Sheep D, “Kanaria ha Kiraboshi no Yume wo Miru.” A girl with a dream, and a mother determined to crush it, and a beautiful Occidental girl will shake up the fashion world in Taisho Japan.
I was going to wine about the length of the titles, but I have decided that I actually prefer these longer, more descriptive titles over, like, “Fashion” or something like that. Still a pain to transcribe, though ^_^;
As always, of course, there are other stories I read, but have not mentioned and others I did not – indeed, there are several series I have never read more than one chapter. The offerings are leaning heavily towards fantasy right now…but let’s be honest, isekai is hot. There’s still a bunch of great work about adult lives and competent women in our reality and another world in this issue.
Ratings:
Overall – 9
With 800 pages, there is definitely something for just about everyone! The August issue is out, and I started reading it this week. There’s great stuff in there and I can’t wit to tell you about it.
