Wow, it’s Saturday already! What a week. What a month! Geez, it’s going to be a crazy year. ^_^ Tons of news this week as I catch up on a backlog!

Yuri Manga

Saborouta’s Citrus has made it to Volume 5 in English and Volume 6 in Japanese.

Volume 4 of 2DK, GPen, Mezamashitokei (2DK、Gペン、目覚まし時計。) is going to hit shelves next week and it’s going to raise some eyebrows! Ohsawa Yayoi’s adult life series has just taken a very interesting turn. ^_^

LGBTQ Comics

YNN Correspondent Brendan B has written in to share some exciting news. “The series Superwoman from DC has a pair of supporting characters named Natasha Irons and Traci 13 (some teen superheroes from the 90’s) who have now been reimagined as a couple. It made me really happy to see and I just thought some people might be interested to know. (Also sidenote a rare example of a black/Asian interracial couple since I rarely see that in fiction either.)” I’d like to also note that Superwoman is being written right now by Phil Jimenez, who also contributed to LGBT Comic anthology Love is Love (which is available in print and also digitally on Comixology and Kindle).

And while we’re talking DC, I want to mention that Mariko Tamaki (Skim, This One Summer) is working on Supergirl with Joëlle Jones right now!

If you liked Jem and the Holograms (or liked the idea of Jem and the Holograms, but not the actual thing itself) Kim & Kim, Volume 1: This Glamorous, High-Flying Rock Star Life looks like it’ll be for you!

For our Japanese friends, you can get Nakamura Kiyo’s Rezu to Shichinin no Kanojo-tachi (レズと七人の彼女たち) on Kindle or read it online for a per-chapter fee on Note.mu.

Yuri Articles

YNN Correspondent Mudakun of Hearts of Furious Fancies, reports on “A fan translation of a discussion by three shonen-ish magazine types about Yuri-ish titles.”  You can find the original on Akiba Blog.  He has this to say about it, “At least One editor-san seems to be worried that Yuri was too “removed” from their readership’s understanding or experience for the reader to have much sympathy (I’m abstracting here), where I’ve been under the impression that the distance is what makes these tales attractive to jaded male-gaze types (like me).”

In my experience of Yuri fandom fans are very invested in the couple, but it’s not surprising that the editor would “other” it to make it make sense to him. ^_^

Via Jennifer Robertson, The Japan Times has reported on a symposium at the California Institute of the Arts:  Female animators breaking down male-dominated cartoon-women stereotypes. It’s a refreshing look by western female animators at some of the tired tropes of women in animation.

LGBTQ Podcast

In case you missed it, this week’s ANNCast was a lively discussion about LGBTQ representation in anime and manga. Hope you’ll take a listen.

LGBTQ Webcomics

YNN Correspondent Michaelangelo H wants you all to know about Flipside, by Brion Foulke, about a lesbian couple, Maytag and Bernadette. 

Chii on Twitter, posted a little 4-panel strip about the differences between Yuri and Lesbian and BL and Gay. ^_^ The accompanying blog post also discusses the differences in LGBTQ culture and BL and Yuri fandoms. (In Japanese.) 

Yuri Games

Michaelangelo also wants you to know that game company Winter Wolves has two Yuri projects in the works.  One of them is a Yuri dating sim called Summer in Trigue.  The other is a Yuri version of an already-released otome game called Nicole. 

Live-Action News

I’d completely forgotten, but March will see an actual Silent Mobius Stage adaptation! All I care about is whether Rally Cheyenne looks suitable. She does. ^_^ If you’re in Tokyo and can see it, do let us know how it goes!

Yuri Goods

You need this FiguartsZERO Sailor Moon Crystal figurine of Sailor Uranus. I know you do. Heck, I know *I* do.

Resistance News

I start my week now with a call to my spineless and disinterested Representative. How about you? Check out 5Calls.org to help you communicate with all 5 of the offices your Senators or Representatives maintain.

Also, let me be plain about this – resistance is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Be kind to yourself. Stop reading news when it becomes too much for you. Get as many hugs and cookies as you can. Walk away from non-entertainment media when you have to, do not feel guilty about that.  You’re allowed to take a break and have some fun.

I attended a protest this week calling for a local town to be the Sanctuary city it is (the Mayor is on board, but ICE agents have been harassing people. This has been true since I was in college.) We protested in front of City Hall, then marched down the main street. While this was going on, the city police force were holding traffic for us and being very supportive. It wasn’t a big deal, but it gave me a ray of hope, especially since most of the protesters were PoC. It always makes me happy when the police refuse to participate in displays of white supremacy. In my own town, the police told George W. Bush and the Mayor at the time to pleasure himself when they wanted to deputize the police as ICE agents. ^_^

Celebrate every single victory, no matter how small or ephemeral. If you have any positive news from your corner of the globe, please feel free to share. Good news helps us be not overwhelmed by despair. ^_^

Know some cool Yuri News you want people to know about? 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

Very exciting news out of Brazil! YNN Correspondent Pâmela P. wants everyone to know that Newpop publisher has announced that Philosophia by Amano Shuninta and Sunset Orange Lips by Rokuroichi will be released in Brazil (link in Portugese).  She says, “I am very happy because its the first time Yuri-centred manga will come to Brazil” and I have to say, I’m thrilled, as well!  How exciting for Portugese-reading Yuri fans!

Mildred Louis’s delightful magical girl warrior webcomic Agents of the Realm has achieved a first print volume!  If you’re not reading it, you definitely should take a look. Manga-influenced, but not a ripoff at all and a full roster of diverse characters.

Kurata Uso’s online Yuri collection Linkage (リンケージ 完全版) is getting the Perfect Volume treatment from Ichijinsha.

Comic Natalie tells us that Shounen Gahosha’s Ours GH has a new series called  KuroYuri Gakuen Oooku Gakka (クロユリ学園大奥学科) that looks like a wacky Yuri harem comedy set at a exclusive school for girls.

Comic Natalie also has news of a collected doujinshi volume for Tsukiko’s Futari no Beya, series, called Onedarishitemite (おねだりしてみて).

Yuri Anime

If you haven’t been watching, YNN Correspondent Michaelangelo H wants to let you know that Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, which is streaming on Crunchyroll, is indeed quite Yuri. The manga is available in English from Seven Seas. And Funimation just announced the dub cast, according to ANN.

Komatsu-san at Crunchyroll highlights the baton passing video from the Mahou Tsukai Precure‘s  Cure Miracle to Kira Kira PreCure ala Mode‘s Cure Whip.

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Yuri Events

The full video from my University of Michigan lecture is up on Youtube. I’m not actually in much of it, as I was walking in front of the room and not at the lectern. ^_^

Yuri Drama CD

Innocent Grey, creator of the Flowers Le Sur Printemps VN, has a new Drama CD, Uru no Shoujo Original Drama CD, “Uru no Shoujo” Ten ni  Musubu Yume-“ (「虚ノ少女」オリジナルドラマCD 「虚ノ少女-天に結ぶ夢-」).

Kickstarter Watch

UNDERCITIES is a short story anthology that focuses on queer narratives in an urban fantasy setting, featuring queer and POC creators.

Other News

The Prism Queer Comics Grant is accepting submissions until March 1, 2017. Get those submissions in!

Teen Vogue has been a leading voice in the Resistance (and you can support them for an unprecedented $5 subscription) and among their voices is the brilliant Lauren Duca. Today I want to share her message to her internet trolls. It’s substantially the same position I have taken for the 15 years I’ve been writing here. Duca’s article is worth reading if you’re a woman with an opinion online or know one. ^_^

YNN Correspondent Jenna M. suggests we all take a look at the Indivisible Guide to  help us resist, as well. I’ve had this downloaded for some time and it’s excellent, if depressing that we need it.

Kara Dennison at Crunchyroll News has the scoop on the new Rose of Versailles Valentine’s Day collaboration at Takashimaya’s Shinjuku store.

I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this site before, but Manifesto on Moral Mansex is a NSFW Tumblr on BL manga that makes me laugh (along with Terrible Real Estate Agent Photos and McMansion Hell) and I wanted to share it with you.  We could all use a laugh. Enjoy!

Know some cool Yuri News you want people to know about? 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!

Sailor Moon News

The fourth season of Sailor Moon Crystal has been announced, according to Rocket24News, as part of the official 25th anniversary of the series.  At this point, we have to just assume that they’ll be completing the series. Then they’ll have to figure out something new for the 30th Anniversary. 

Here’s a piece of amazing news – ANN Reports that the Sailor Moon Musical is coming to Anime Matsuri in Houston Texas! I think that’s spectacular. The cast includes several former Takarisiennes, including Yamato Yuga who plays Tuxedo Mask and Shiotsuki Shuu who plays Sailor Uranus. This is a fantastic chance for American fans to experience a Seraamyu event.

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Yuri Manga

I’m pleased to report that the independent Yuri anthology Galette (ガレット創刊号) is now available for pre-order on Amazon JP and will be shipping mid-February. This book includes illustrations and manga by Takemiya Jin, Hakamada Mera, Amano Shuninta and many others.

Takashima Hiromi’s Kase-san and Morning Glory, a book that made Top Ten here on Okazu is hitting western bookshelves in English at the end of February.

Momono Moto has a new collection called Akane-iro Kiss. (茜色のキスは屋上で)

Yasuda Kousuke is a new name here on Okazu. His book Watashi no Kanojo no Otomari Eiga  (私と彼女のお泊まり映画 1) appears to be about two college students who have a standing “Movie night” date. So half movie review, half Yuri manga.  ^_^

Morinaga Milk’s Hana to Hina no Houkago  (ハナとヒナは放課後) continues into a Volume 3, with a lovely cover. ^_^

Goofy body switch with a heart manga Swap⇔Swap, (すわっぷ⇔すわっぷ) gets a second volume, which is pretty amazing as they clearly ran out of content by the end of Volume 1.

LGBTQ Comics

YNN Correspondent Mariko S want to make sure you know about the IDW anthology by some leading lights in the comics industry, Love is Love. It was created to raise money for the families of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting victims and has been so popular that the first printing sold out!

Women’s comic pioneer, Roberta Gregory, has been named as a possible honoree at the Eisner Hall of Fame this year. This is fantastic news for those of us who grew up with her life-changing Bitchy Bitch. ^_^

And while I was looking for a link to Love is Love, I found this absolutely awesome-looking illustrated history of LGBTQ activism called Queer: A Graphic History by Dr. Meg-John Barker and Julia Scheele.

I know we’ve mentioned this before, but Marvel has a queer Latina superhero, America Chavez and it’s worth checking her book out.

Thanks to Mr. Mochizuki, who I met out in Michigan, I learned about another LGBTQ comic running in a mainstream comic magazine in Japan, but this one really surprised me. Sorairo Flutter (そらいろフラッター) by Okura and Hashii Koma, is about bisexuality. That in itself is interesting, but it is running in Gangan Joker magazine, which shocked the heck out of me. It is a pretty “otaku-ish” magazine, which spends much more time on violence and treating women shitty than it does, usually on young men’s feelings. Count me surprised, but very pleased with this.

Other News

I haven’t read it, but if you want an attendee perspective of my lecture at University of Michigan, Patricia F. Anderson has passed along a Storified version of her live-tweeting “Alt-Manga, Queer Manga”! Thanks Patricia!

James Whitbrook blew my mind with this fantastic article about character detail in Steven Universe.

I keep meaning to pass this along. Anime Feminist, which is a blog you should be following, has an interview with Masaki C. Matsumoto, queer and feminist activist, which you should be reading. ^_^

We’ll wrap up today with  a reading suggestion from YNN Correspondent, Guest Reviewer, Patron and dear friend Bruce, Daughters of the Samurai by Janice P. Nimura. Bruce has this to say about it: “It’s about a small group of provincial girls who were somewhat randomly selected by the Meiji government in 1871 to go to America, get some western schooling, and return to help establish women’s education in Japan. Shipped overseas with no family, no English, and no idea what they were doing (one was only six), three of the original five ended up kicking butt at Vassar and Bryn Mawr, and on return were instrumental in the development of Japanese women’s higher education. The description sounds a little dry, but it’s a fascinating cross-cultural story of some truly extraordinary women. Great book.”

Know some cool Yuri News you want people to know about? 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

ANN has the report that a banner at a sumo tournament has announced the 13th Volume of Rose of Versailles (ベルサイユのばら,), which will be out at the end of this month in Japan. Check out the article for images and a discussion of sumo banners. ^_^

Seven Seas has another pile of licensing announcements, one of which I was absolutely gobsmacked by. According to ANN, they’ve licensed Cutey Honey-a-Go Go!, my favorite iteration of the Cutey Honey franchise. I reviewed it in 2007 and said, “Bar none, this is my *favorite* version of Honey.”

The OASG has an article on 20 manga you should keep an eye out for this year. A number of Yuri titles are on it, but there’s *so* much Yuri coming out this year, they barely scratched the surface. Bookmark the Yuricon Store because we’ll make sure it’s all there!

Teku Mahiru has a new Yuri manga series beginning in Comic Heaven, Kimi to 6 jikan no Koi wo shita (君と6時間の恋をした」).

Yuri Anime

Crunchyroll News has the report that the new Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Reflection movie is confirmed for July 2017.

The cast for NTR: Netsuzou Trap has been announced, according to ANN. 

Via YNN correspondent Jst, ANN has the news that Nozomi has announced the Revolutionary Girl Utena anime set on Blu-Ray. 

Live Action

Silent Mobius, the sci-fi paranormal adventure series by Asamiya Kia is getting a live-Action stage play adaptation. Initial staff and cast members have been named, but roles are not yet assigned, according to ANN.

Crunchyroll reports that the live-action Saki adaptation has taken an ad out in a sports paper, with cast in costume. 

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Yuri Webcomic

Hanna-Pirita Lehkonen has created a lovely little Rapunzel-inspired comic. 

Nakamura Kiyo (aka Ching) is lunching a new, tongue-in-cheek action webcomic on Note.mu, Miboujin Sentai Ranger (未亡人戦隊 喪レンジャー)

Other News

Teen Vogue weighs in on Sailor Moon with 15 Times Sailor Moon was the Feminist Icon We All Needed.  The article contains some inaccuracies, but I give them kudos for the effort.

And, on the other side of the aisle, via Matt Thorn on Twitter,  an article on whether gay men read BL in Japanese, has been translated to English. This spawned a conversation between myself, Matt and Jason Thompson in which we vehemently, virulently, mostly agree with each other. ^_^ 

And also of interest in BL,  Kamome Hamada is launching a BL comic based on a real person’s real life story. So, more LGBTQ than BL. ANN has the report. 

 Via YNN Correspondent Elizabeth F, the next season of the Young Justice cartoon might be acknowledging it’s LGBTQ characters, according to James Whitbrook on i09.

Crunchyroll has a report about a class at the University of South Carolina on Reading and Writing About Magical Girls. 

Amazon.com (US) is launching a paid anime streaming service. One more entry in a crowded field. Whether another paid service can succeed where so a number of free services (Crunchyroll, Daisuki, Viewster) and paid services (Neon Alley, Anime Network) already exist remains to be seen. I assume they expect Amazon users to go to them first.

Know some cool Yuri News you want people to know about? 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!