Archive for the Yuri Network News Category


Yuri Network News – September 5, 2009

September 5th, 2009


So much great Yuri news this week!

Yuri Anime

November is going to be a bang-up month for Yuri fans, with Sasamekikoto in Japan and El Cazador here, and now we have yet another thing to look forward to: Arca Jeth (and many other people!) want you to know that Sentai Filmworks announces that they’ll be releasing Blue Drop in November as well. It’ll be coming out as a season box set, for a reasonable price. Can’t ask for better. :-)

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Yuri Manga

YNN correspondent Sean G. is pleased to note that the new Udon Press editions of the Silent Mobius manga has begun. Volume 1 is out, and full of Rally Cheyenne goodness.

And in case you hadn’t heard the news, Dark Horse will be putting out a Cardcaptor Sakura and Magic Knight Rayearth in omnibus editions.

Also in November, Sylwia says that the Comix Grrrlz website is publishing their first Polish lesbian comic book anthology. Their project is not concentrated on manga style arts. “We want to publish a book contains different art styles and different views at sappho themas (also from male perspective).” Release date will be in November. As soon as they can, they’ll put a page up on the website for sales. Keep an eye open for this, as it joins the Dutch Open-Minded collection as the second European Yuri doujinshi.

YNN Correspondent Katherine H. reports that Volume 1 of Naomura Tooru’s Shitsurakuen is coming out on September 18. Fans of Utena should take note, because it has some similarities.

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Yuri Drama CD

Katherine also joyously proclaimed to the Yuricon Mailing List that a Aoi Hana Drama CD is on the way.

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Other Yuri News

Simon B says that Animate says the Aoi Hana fanbook has been delayed to the 8th.

Prism Comics is proud to announce that it’s accepting submissions for the 2009 Queer Press Grant, with a deadline of October 1, 2009. The annual grant was established by Prism Comics to assist in the publication and promotion of LGBT comics. Deadline October 1, 2009 See their website for details.

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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.)

Thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network!

 





Yuri Network News – August 29, 2009

August 29th, 2009

As the endlessy rainy days of summer (here, at least) draw to a close, we look at bright sunny days of Yuri!

Yuri Magazine News

Based on the number of magazines that are covering Yuri and GL, I think we can say that Yuri is just about the new Black. There was Davinci last week and this week:

YNN Correspondent Katherine reports that the September 2009 issue of Manga Erotics F is going to be a “special edition” Aoi Hana issue with some bonus Aoi Hana content by Shimura-sensei! Plus, according to the Aoi Hana website Goods Page, an Aoi Hana official guidebook will be coming out in September. The street date is September 4, but I don’t see an entry on Amazon JP for it yet.

George R. also wants you to know that the September issue of Newtype has an 8-page article on “Girls x Girls!” about how relationships between girls are now the rage in anime. (Now!?!) He says “They start with K-On! pointing out that it led the “Girls Anime Movement” in ’09, but that this century has seen an unpredicted rise of “bishoujo anime” or “moe anime” in contrast to the previous harem anime. For K-on!, they discuss the relationships between the main girls as, “laughing, crying, spending time together in a warm, firm friendship.”

Aoi Hana is used as an example of “Sincere Love” between girls, pointing out that Maria-sama ga Miteru brought this to the fore for modern fans, and also discussing some of the attraction of a pair of girls compared to a hetero-couple. They also call out couples in Kannazuki no Miko, Strawberry Panic, Natsu no Arashi and Sasameki Koto as examples.

Kanamemo shows “Comical Bonds”, where “girls activities are loved by the god of laughter.” A friend saw this and the previous and commented, “Oh, we’ve got dramatic Yuri and comical Yuri.” Here they call out couples in Kore ga watashi no Goshujinsama, Ichigo Mashimaro, Hidamari Sketch, and Bamboo Blade.

KITTY GIRL-AND shows “Admiration able to be born from strife,” where the line is blurred between joining forces to fight and fighting for the sake of love. Here they call out couples in Card Captor Sakura, Kiddy Grade, Strike Witches, and Ga-rei Zero.

To Aru Majutsu no Index is used to show “Girls anime has endlessly broadening possibilities,” where they talk about other ways “Girls Anime” can turn. Here they call out couples in Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru, Maria+Holic, Saki, and Taisho Yakyuu Musume.

Finally, Sengoku no Basara takes the last two pages to make the point that “relations between guys are fine too.”

In KC Dessert, a manga magazine targeted toward older teen girls that often has sexual relationships and deals with relationship “issues,” there are a number of Yuri and related stories these days. At least one deals with a MtF Yuri love story. Here’s a link to the September Special Volume.

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Yuri Anime

Well, not that it’s brimming with Yuri or anything, but YNN Correspondent George R. reports that a third season of Hidamari Sketch appears to be on the way.

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Other Yuri News

AnimeVice has subbed clips of the recent Phonix Wright Takarazuka show. Avoid the “chicks playing guys?!???? It’s unpossible!” comments and enjoy the clips.

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Snatches of Yuri

This is here because I honestly can’t remember if I posted it yet – Maria-sama ga Miteru: Little Horrors is out and filled with stories about characters that are not “our” Yamayurikai, with a Yamayurikai wrapping.

Man, if Degurai didn’t look so repulsive, I’d probably get it, because it sounds like crack. Girls’ school, crazed lesbians, food…something like that.

Tadaima Benkyou-chuu is neither erotic nor moe, Yurina Hibi says, which already makes me happy, but Volume 2 seems to heat up a bit into a strong case of Girls Love.

Corpse Party – Blood Covered looks less Yuri than horror, but if you like that mixed with moe, it could hold high appeal for you.

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That’s a wrap for the week.

Become a Yuri Network Correspondent by sending me any Yuri-related news you find. Emails go to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com.

Thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network!





Yuri Network News – August 22, 2009

August 22nd, 2009

Well, the results of the YNN logo contest are in and yes, I was going to let you vote but when it came time, I decided I wanted to make sure the one I liked best won. lol And then, I couldn’t decide between two of them! So…it’s a tie. I’ll be switching randomly back and forth between the two.

So, officially announcing the winners of the YNN logo contest – congratulations to Lissa Patillo and Mari Kurisato!

Lissa’s logo captures the soft feminine side of our Yuri Network:

Mari’s logo nails our hard-boiled side. (Yes, double entendre intended, Duh.)

I’m having “correspondent” badges created for all of *you* who write in – you’re the Yuri Network. Proudly display your badges on websites, in emails, on your social media profiles, etc.

As for our winners, they will each receive their very own Women Make Comics t-shirt, in a style, size and color of their own choosing. The proceeds go to charity, so it’s a win-win all around!

Many, many thanks to all the folks who sent in an a logo idea, your time and effort on our behalf is greatly appreciated by all.

Now…onto the News!

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Yuri Anime

Sal, one of our Yuricon Mailing List members, is very excited to report that A1c, (I believe they make games) is planning a new Yuri hentai anime imprint called “Chu-Chu.” Their first planned title is Sono Hanabira ni Kuchi Dake wo Anata to Koibito Tsunagi, based on the Sono Hanabira game. The idea of more uber-moe, lolicon hentai does not thrill me to the core, but I am not, as has been previously established, the audience they are going for. :-)

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Yuri Manga

Happily, I *am* the audience for the next bit of news. According to the Kodansha Manga lineup, the first collected volume of Gunjo has an official street date of October 23, 2009. This is a manga about an actual lesbian (damaged yes, as so many humans are) written by an out Japanese lesbian artist put out by a major publisher. I would love to see through-the-roof sales. And even better, crazy overseas numbers that are large enough to be a blip on Kodansha’s radar. :-)

Morishima Akiko-sensei is doing a book signing in Tokyo on August 29, to celebrate the fact that her books Hanjuku Joshi and Ruri-iro Yume are on sale this month!

Oh, and I canNOT forget this week – Morinaga Milk’s GIRL FRIENDS Volume 3 will be out in September. As always, you can order it through the Yuricon Shop.

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Snatches of Yuri

Haven’t had a chance to review this series yet – and may not, because I don’t feel there’s really even enough to comment on. However, I know that some folks think Umi Monogatari is Yuri, so here’s a link to the first volume of the manga, which runs in Comic Blade.

Speaking of Comic Blade, the first volume of Amano Kozue’s Amanchu! is also out in September. It’s about two girls. The rest is up to you. :-)

And for those of you who loved the art from First Love Sisters the artist, Shinonome Mizuo, has a series called Carbonard Crown out from Action comics (home of Girl Friends, among others.)

Also interesting, the September volume of Da Vinci, a regular everyday Japanese women’s magazine, has a special “Girls Love” edition. This is not as out of the blue as it sounds. Da Vinch is the magazine that serialized Takeuchi Sachiko’s Honey & Honey and I want to become a man! comic essays. Once again they are stepping into the LGBT-supportive spotlight. Good for them.

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I guess that’s it. I’m off to breakfast and train spotting. Have a great Yuri week!

Become a Yuri Network Correspondent and let me know what Yuri news you come across. Send emails to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com.

Thanks to all of you – you make this a great Yuri Network!





Yuri Network News – August 15, 2009

August 15th, 2009

There’s just under a week left in the YNN logo contest, so if you have a logo you’d like to send in, get it in by August 20th! I’ll run entries next Saturday and you can pick the one you like best.

Now – on to the news!

Yuri Manga

Yuri Monogatari 6 has finally made it on to Amazon Japan, so if your Japanese penpals are looking for a copy, they can now order it locally!

Some titles that you ought to keep your heads up for are:

Octave 3 – We’ll finally get to see what happens after Yukino makes her decision at the concert.

Tsubomi 3 – There’s been some excitement about this volume, as artist Ohishi Masaru has been added to the lineup.

Choir 2 – No one really cares about this, but the first volume wasn’t that sucky and the girl got the girl, so Vol. 2. Let’s see if that develops at all.

And Girlfriends 3 – So, now we can wallow as Acchan tortures herself. ;-)

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Yuri Anime

Komatsu-san of Ultimo Spalpeen tells me that in the UK there is some noise about a reissue of Sailor Moon on DVD. He’s wondering if/when the US will follow suit – well, we’re wondering too! Funimation had thrown Sailor Moon onto a wish list poll and had an overwhelming response to it. They have said that they cannot get it yet, but are looking into the possibility. I say we keep up the pressure and remind them every other month on Twitter. ^_^

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Yuri Drama CD

Anonymous says that a “Rakka Ryuusui Variety CD is coming out this weekend for Comiket 76 (14-16 August). Details can be found here.

Those who can’t get it at C76 (most of us) can probably get it on 26 August from the Animate Shop.

From the little that I know, there is at least a new drama track as well as a duet between Akiho and Minatsu. My suspicion is that there’s going to be some light Yuri between Akiho and Minatsu, and Yuu and Akatsuki.

The voicing cast are the same as the previous Drama CDs:
Nakahara Mai as Hayama Akiho
Endou Aya as Hokaze Minatsu
Matsuoka Yuki as Kusaba Haruka
Kaneda Tomoko as Shimotsuki Mafuyu
Sawashiro Miyuki as Gojyou Yuu
Nabatame Hitomi as Ayase Akatsuki”

Thanks, Anonymous for the tip!

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Become a Yuri Network Correspondent and let me know what Yuri-f’avored news you come across. Send emails to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com. If you send your news tip in as a comment, I might forget. Email is a better way to remind me to post your news. :-)

Thanks again to everyone who contributes and makes this a great Yuri Network!

 





Yuri Network News – August 8, 2009

August 8th, 2009

It’s a lazy summer day, let’s start off with news for the lazy!

Yuri Anime

The Anime Network has announced that in celebration of National Lazy Day on August 10, they are offering all of its online content, including “premium” content, for free. There a number of Yuri offerings in their catalog – they are an ADV company after all.

YNN Chief correspondent Sean G also wants to add that ADV has added Revolutionary Girl Utena to their Anime Network Cable VOD, Satellite VOD
Also from Sean “per Right Stuf’s site, a My-Otome Complete Collection box is out 10/20 as part of the ‘Anime Legends’ series. Run time seems to suggest this is just the TV series, not including the OAVs.”

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Snatches of Yuri

You probably dont even remember this manga, but almost exactly a year ago, I reviewed a title called Kaprekar, about two girls who are so close that when they kiss they become a magical being and defeat the bad guys. It’s up to Volume 3 now. The girls really love one another. They kiss and defeat magical beings. And they are still in debt. The end.

For those of you who just can’t get enough of that good ole’ not quite ambiguous Yuri in Light Novel form here’s another series for you – Otome Unmei Ayameno, which appears to be about school girls. No, really.

Don’t think the moe crowd is being forgotten yet. Your love of toddler-esque art is still the meme du jour. Enjoy yourself with >Sekai Seifuku Kirara Jogakukan, a series about Yuri among schoolgirls…etc, etc.

Another Ryuu magazine comic series (Ryuu is right up there with Mangatime KR for having loads of Yuri or Yuri-ish stories) Hinagiku Junshin Jogakuen is more of the same but different. It’s also getting a *lot* of play on the Yuri blogs, so I’m guessing it might be closer to having some actual relationship.

If I’m reading this right, Deragui is about a high school girl who falls for a girl who likes to eat a lot.

As an aside, some years ago I stopped reading mysteries when I noticed that all the detectives now needed a “hook.” This one was “ex-cop with a dark past” and that one was a “cookbook writer who just falls into trouble” and I gave it all up as a bad job. Yuri is sort of heading in that direction now. There’s *so* many schoolgirl Yuri stories that it’s in that “vampire schoolgirl Yuri” and “girls with names that are colors Yuri” phase. :-)

Just to change the pace, Fura Furu, while the series seems to be about girls, not women, does not appear to be a typical Yuri schoolgirl story. In fact, it looks kind of intriguing. The first volume appears to be hard to find, so I’m linking to the second volume, which is available. It’s a Mangtime CR 4-koma, so you know basically what it’ll be like.

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That seems like enough for today. The sun is shining, the air is clear, I don’t want to spend all morning writing this report. :-)

Remember, send in a news item to anilesbocon01 at hotmail dot com and become a YNN correspondent. We couldn’t do it without you!