Yuri Event

Meggie, the director of Yurithon, has written in to tell us all about the event. She says, “Yurithon is part of a larger convention called Otakuthon, which is the major anime convention in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This will be the 5th year that Yurithon is taking place.

Yuri Manga

Woo-hoo! Thanks to YNN Correspondent Emily-chan, there’s some lovely news this week. “Nishi UKO will be releasing a new book, Tonari no Robot, on November 14th. The series is about a robot and her high school student neighbour, the only one who knows her secret, and all eight chapters are to be compiled into this one volume. Also, although it ran in Akita Shoten’s Princess GOLD, which appears to be a shoujo magazine, I’ve seen at least one reader say that they thought that it felt like something that could have been serialised in Yuri Hime instead, so there might still be something for Yuri fans.” Yay, great news Emily, thanks for writing in.

While we’re at it, let me remind you that Nishi UKO-sensei has a new book out this summer too, Houseki-iro no Koi (宝石色の恋) which hit shelves on July 31.

The September issue of Comic Yuri Hime is already available (although, with the closing of the local Sanseido, I don’t yet have it, myself,) and the November issue is avialable for pre-order.

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Comics/Manga of Note

via YNN Correspondent  Elizabeth F., a little webcomic about being a Magical Girl that really ought to be a whole series. ^_^

Courtesy of pro manga translator William Flanagan, here’s a link to the Out-of-Print Manga Library.  These are untranslated Japanese manga for which the copyrights have run out or the creators have allowed them to go online. Free legal and a great door into those kinds of manga that never, ever get translated. (Not hentai, just all the other stuff you’ll just never see.)

Here’s a cool Kickstarter for Valor: A Fairy tale comic anthology about courageous heroines. It’s already made it’s goal, but it’s something to keep an eye out for!

Also via Elizabeth, ODY-C, is a new gender switch version of the Odyssey, in space. How awesome is that?

The X-Button on ANN provided us all with the fictitious pitch for an alternative, child-friendly version of the Simoun anime  (look about 1/3rd down.)

Also from ANN, if you’re in the New York City area on October 10 check out the iConiQ fan ensemble musical tribute to Sailor Moon. I’ll be on the other side of the country, but if you can make it, please consider writing something up for us here on Okazu!

While we’re on Sailor Moon (and that never happens…) ANN reports that the Sailor Moon Musical, Petite Étrangère is getting it’s first out of Japan show in Shanghai.

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LGBTQ Live-Action News

OMG! Netflix has Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah ze Moveeh for rent or stream with English subtitles. Squee! Really, everyone out to watch this musical about a transexual who turns into superheroine Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, based on a very popular Filipino comic book. It was great. Grab the popcorn and have a blast.

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That’s a wrap for this week! Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There’s a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage – stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent’s badge. Thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network!

Comic of Note

Today’s headline isn’t a manga and it isn’t LGBTQ, but you, my dear readers, really would like it and I want to you to know about it. It’s called Wayward. “Rori Lane is trying to start a new life when she reunites with her mother in Japan, but ancient creatures lurking in the shadows of Tokyo sense something hidden deep within her, threatening everything she holds dear. Can Rori unlock the secrets of her power before it’s too late? JIM ZUB (SKULLKICKERS, Samurai Jack), STEVE CUMMINGS (Legends of the Dark Knight, Deadshot), and JOHN RAUCH (INVINCIBLE) team up to create an all-new Image supernatural spectacle that combines the camaraderie and emotion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with the action and mystery of Hellboy.”

Wayward is on pre-order until August 27th. If you know anything about American comics, you know that pre-orders can make or break a new title, so place those pre-orders today with your Local Comic Shop!

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Yuri Anime

Many thanks to eagle-eyed YNN correspondents Grisznak and Jst for this news item! The headline is a lie, this anime isn’t going to be Yuri, except in the back story, but ANN reports that a new Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha anime has been greenlit. This time, the story is Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha ViVid (which I reviewed briefly several years ago now.) Vivid follows Vivio’s life in school and training for a large martial arts competition, along with another clone of an ancient ruler, a young woman named Einhart Stratos. It’s high on the loli factors, and there’s a lot of high kicks which means a lot of crotch staring, but still has some good elements. Like all the Nanoha franchises the characters are likable. 

We get to see both Nanoha and Fate as Vivio’s parents, but up to the last point I read in the manga (Vol. 4 or so), we don’t really get to see them together much. So, expect low Yuri, but appealing attacks. ^_^

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Yuri Manga

A new Yuri doujinshi anthology is on the scene. Yurigaoka Jogakuen (百合ヶ丘女学園) is the circle and the anthology is Fleur de Lis. There are some very interesting names contributing, so if you can grab a hold of either of the two anthology volumes, get 2 copies, so I can have one too. ^_^

Comic Yuri Hime collection Ashita no Kimi ni Hanataba wo (明日の君に花束を) by Katakura Ako hits stands next month.

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Yuri Light Novel

Yuri Light Novel series Adachi to Shimamura (安達としまむら) has spawned a Volume 3. I have Volume 2 here to try and slog through, but now knowing that it will not end the series, I’m not sure if I want to read it. (For the explanation of my ambivalence, take a look at my review of Volume 1.)

I’m also ambivalent about Yuri-iro Gakuenryou:  Koibito ha Roomate (百合色学園寮　恋人はルームメイト), which screams “parting the gauze curtain” all over it, from the cover to the title to the description. Yuri love triangle at a girl’s school, zazoom!

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Other News

Japan has licensed an American-made anime. 

Via Rica Takashma, Oscar Francois de Jarjeyes graces the cover of a Japanese magazine, in women’s clothing.

CBR has a terrific look at the Gender in Comics Panel at this past San Diego Comic-Con.

We’ll round this week’s report out with some super fun Sailor Moon Senshi redesigns that includes one that has Rei and Minako sharing a bike, so I approve. And, if you’re in need of a timesink, here’s a search for Uranus x Neptune fanart on Deviantart. You’re welcome. ^_^

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That’s a wrap for this week! Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There’s a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage – stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent’s badge. Thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network!

Yuri Anime

How excited was I to read on ANN that Crunchyroll is streaming all 70 episodes of Card Captor Sakura? Ridiculously happy. I have the Tokyopop release, but they had some technical issues with the last two volumes and I’d love to just watch it in HD. NIS is re-releasing the series on 3 DVDs sets (Set 1, Set 2 and Set )3 and a Hybrid Blu-ray set . I’m of the opinion that the BD for this series should be worth it. When CLAMP is good, they are very good. ^_^ The stream starts August 12. I can’t wait!

The Yuyushiki anime series is being released by Sentai Filmworks on DVD and BD, as well.

It’s not Yuri, specifically, but there’s a *lot* of Yuri doujinshi for Kantei Collection, (Kancolle for short)  and it is, not terribly surprisingly, getting an anime. Fujieda Miyabi is spearheading one suchdoujinshi anthology, also not terribly surprisingly. ^_^ (This isn’t being shipped outside Japan, unfortunately. I’d like to see it.)

The good folks at ANN spotted the Yuru Yuri OVA trailer out in the wild ahead of it’s November Japan theatrical release.

Victoria McNally recaps Episode 3 of Sailor Moon Crystal with Yuri goggle set on “not all that high, really” and still sees plenty of Yuri. ^_^

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LGBTQ Manga/Comics

Via YNN Correspondent Elizabeth F., the “Pathfinder comics has a fabulous lesbian couple as the leads.”

Volume 6 and Volume 7 of Shimura Takako’s Wandering Son are, somewhat amazingly, for sale. I’m not sure how these are doing for Fatagraphics, but I’d love to see them blow sales records out of the water.  Volume 7 was as far as I’ve heard about, what with their kickstarter last year. It would be a bloody shame if this series stops short here. Do buy these, please.

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Other News

Because some folks really seem to like this kind of thing, here s Fudanjuku, a “woman as boys” pop idol group video, that feels like the beginning of a bishounen game. ^_^

You may have heard that Cosmopolitan magazine has tried their hand at lesbian sex tips. Well, here’s an actual lesbian’s attempt at using them. (NSFW, funny as hell.)

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That’s a wrap for this week! Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There’s a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage – stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent’s badge. Thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network!

Yuri Manga

Pure Yuri Anthology Hirari is ceasing publication immediately, with the shipment of  Volume 14. My copy arrived a few days after the announcement broke. :-(

est em has announced that she’ll be wrapping Golondrina up with Volume 6, now that Ikki magazine is closing shop, ANN reports.  This tale of a young lesbian training to be a matador has thrilled and fascinated me. I can’t wait to see what will happen. There’s always a chance it’ll come out in English. Viz has the Ikki licenses, but there’s other possibilities as well.

Amano Shuninta’s philosophia doujinshi series, has been collected into a single volume and, along with, Mani’s Girl @ Girl, Bousou Girlsteki Mousou Renaiteki Suteki Project, Volume 2 (ボウソウガールズテキモウソウレンアイテキステキプロジェクト(B・G・M・R・S・P)), and Tsuki to Sekai to Etoile, Volume 3,  (月と世界とエトワール) will get a release this month from Yuri Hime Comics

Kämpfer Vol. 2 is now available from DMP on their emanga platform or Kindle.

UDON Entertainment has announced the license for the Kill la Kill manga. I’m reading the first volume in Japanese right now and with the 20 pages I’ve read it seems pretty exactly like the anime.

Takemiya Jin tweeted a link to her new doujinshi titles on Comic Zin. She’s got 5 new ones this year.
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Yuri Novel

Mori Natsuko has a new lesbian novel and this time, it’s illustrated by none other than Morishima Akiko. You can bet I’ll be getting Atashi no Kanojo (あたしの彼女).

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Other News

YNN Correspondent Grisznak spotted these Riddle Story of a Devil goods and wanted to share the news with you.

Japanese publishers are finally announcing a more global push to stop anime and manga piracy.  Manga-Anime Here is a visual site that helps fans find legit sources for the anime and manga they love. It’s not organized well, but the idea is a good one, I think.  Getting a  librarian to organize it would be a great idea.

Folks interested in LGBTQ life in Japan, might want to take a look at Coming Out Letters (カミングアウト・レターズ),  which is a collection of letters from students who are coming out and their parents and teachers to whom they are confiding.

The transcript of the Making A Living in Manga in Japan panel at SDCC, moderated by Deb Aoki, with panelists Lilian Diaz-Pryzybl, Felipe Smith and Jamie Lynn Lano is up on ANN. If you have any interest in becoming a manga artist, or in the industry in general, this is well worth reading.

Bleeding Cool has coverage of the first SDCC panel on Trans issues in media.

Did I post this yet? Well, if I did, I’m posting it again: Check out this magnificent “ninja techniques” video with two high school girls that is really a C.C. Lemon commercial. It’s a hoot.

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That’s a wrap for this week! Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. Not to the comments here, please, or they might be forgotten or missed. There’s a reason for this madness. This way I know you are a real human, not Anonymous (which I do not encourage – stand by your words with your name!) and I can send you a YNN correspondent’s badge. Thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network!