I wrote up a formal report for ANN, so look for that in the near future, but today I want to talk about my personal experience at the Yen Press Yuri Cafe.

The Yen Press Yuri Cafe is open through February 13 at Enoch’s, an art cafe at 480 10th Ave., in NYC. In weather that is more tolerable, it’s about a 15 minute walk from Penn Station. A fantastic location and a really lovely little cafe. I will definitely be back to it, the staff was outstanding. One of the staff came up with her own Yuri stickers. I’m gutted that I didn’t get her name, but thank you!

My wife and I started off at a very early hour because years of experience has taught me that NJ Transit will always fail me. I was not wrong. We were delayed. And our cab driver tried to rip me off….something that has never happened before in my entire life. So we showed up just as our 12 o’clock slot opened. The folks at the door were welcoming and warm, which was much needed. 

If you’re headed there today, please dress warmly in layers. We shouldn’t loose fingers or toes just for our love of Yuri. ^_^

As the Yen promotional material said, there was a themed menu for the event, and each menu item purchase came with a coaster. We – of course – just ordered all four items. My wife scored us a seat on the sofa near some Yen and Ize Press folks, and we chatted for a bit about the cafe. There was a little Yuri library, which I did not even see until I saw my wife’s pictures(!), as that was behind me and the entrance table. Apparently, that was the original plan, have folks drop in to sit, read, chat and have something to drink, but the response was so huge that they had to reboot. Kinokuniya was selling books and merch and there were some giveaways from Yen and Ize as well.

I spent some time talking to folks. We talked Yuri manga and anime and the state of the Yuri industry and how amazing it was to just…be in a space that is all about Yuri. Despite the cold, everyone dressed up and people looked absolutely fantastic. A few folks recognized my name. Thank you to everyone who stroked my ego by telling me they had read my book. Extra super props to Stella for having a copy with her, which I signed (aaahh! squee! I was so happy) and Macey who hadn’t been able to make my book signing, but got a pic with me. Macey, if you’re reading, please correct my spelling of your name and send me a copy of that picture, please.)

I am also mortified that I cannot remember the name of the lovely person with the awesome Love Bullet Itabag. Thank you for letting me get a picture. Please feel free to remind of your name, and I’ll add the credit. 

I got to interview one of the folks at Yen, which will be in my ANN report, but my informal chats also brought up that they will be announcing a GL title in the near future that is gonna be huge. No joke, 2026 is going to be a year of BIG Yuri/GL licenses! I cannot get over how much we have passed that tipping point, where publishers  don’t have to be convinced to get Yuri, it’s just another genre. Also, how utterly weird it is that no anime companies are on board with that yet. 

The cafe was lovely, but as it was small, it was very full, so when our hour was up, we were ready for a break. My wife and I walked over to Midtown Kinokuniya, where we hung out for a few hours with folks who had been at the cafe. Azalea, Jordan, Emily and Abby, thank you so much for spending time with us and making it a delightful day. We had some more food and drinks and shopped for Yuri. 

Probably the most exciting things I saw in Kino were really nice Girls Band Cry Figurines of which I could not get a great picture, sorry. 

and a copy of MemeSHE Yatsura Kashikokute Oroka na Watashitachi o Hokan Suru Kanojiyotachi no Monogatari, a book of essays by Suzuki Suzumi that were originally published in DaVinci magazine, with illustrations by Sumiko Arai, creator of The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t A Guy At All.  The essays explore how women are depicted in media. It’s on my to-read list, but I did not get this copy, so grab it while you can!

Love Bullet and The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t A Guy At All were everywhere. My wife overheard a conversation between a Kino employee on the phone with the Cafe event, commenting that things were sold out and what they could put on the table to replace what was selling out at the cafe.  ^_^

I picked up three Japanese-language books, which I will read for future reviews. 

My friend Abby @abbysayswords who joined us, is a Revolutionary Girl Utena evangelist and outstanding cosplayer. Check out her IG for amazing photos. She has a brilliant Utena Itabag that never fails to delight. 

And that was a wrap for our day. Thank you Yen Press, Enoch’s, Kinokuniya and all the amazing Yurijin who braved the seriously bitter cold to spend a day celebrating Yuri. The only complaint anyone had – and by anyone, I mean we all kind of had it – was that it was a lot of people in a small space and we all were feeling overwhelmed and peopled out when we were done. I have a headspace for that for events, but I am also recovering today. ^_^;

Check out my ANN report when it goes up and if you can, definitely drop by the Yen Press Yuri Cafe, running through February 13. And of course, visit Kinokuniya, who understands Yuri and is promoting the heck out of it. This was in the front window!