Archive for the English Manga Category


Yuri Manga: Yuri is My Job, Volume 3 (English)

July 8th, 2019

In Volume 1 and Volume 2, we met and learne about Hime’s inner life – or lack thereof – and, Kanako, Hime’s best/only friend who believes in Hime’s goal of marrying rich and living a comfortable life. But why would such a shy and retiring girl like Kanako even be friends with someone so shamelessly extroverted as Hime?

As we get into Volume 3 of Yuri is My Job! by Miman, it’s Kanako all the way down. How she met and became friends with Hime, and why she feels such intense loyalty to someone who, by her own admission, lies constantly, it’s all explained…to some extent. The rest of the story is Kanako’s own obsessive tendencies…tendencies that really worry Sumika.

As the senior member of the cafe staff, Sumika takes it upon herself to prioritize the harmony of the cafe over any one person’s needs. We get a tantalizing glimpse of her past and a situation involving employees in a romantic relationship and the fallout of that situation.

But for Kanako, she has a number of hurdles to jump. For one thing, her monomania means that she won’t speak directly to anyone else on the staff other than Hime, a situation that becomes that much more difficult when jobs have to be redistributed as a result of the chef calling in.

And then there’s the “Blüme” contest. Hime is shooting for the position, despite being told how inappropriate her desire is. Worse, in Sumika’s opinion, Kanako is going to support her. The politics of the situation are surprisingly complicated and everything is in turmoil. Sumika worries about the cafe and the customers, while Hime has to be reigned in and Kanako is forced to address her obsession.

Once again the author’s notes are excellent, really explaining the process and limitations of scripting an ongoing series.

Ratings:

Art – 7
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Yuri – 4
Service – 2

Overall – 8

Yuri is My Job! is a rich and thoughtful drama and a ridiculous comedy of manners rooted deeply in 20th century Yuri tropes.





Yuri Anthology: Whenever Our Eyes Meet… (English)

June 28th, 2019

A little over a year ago I had the pleasure of reviewing Anoko to Me ga Autabi Watashi ha Shakaiin Yuri Anthology (あの娘と目が合うたび私は 社会人百合アンソロジー). Today I have the even greater pleasure of reviewing the translated edition, Whenever Our Eyes Meet…!

The place of anthologies in the west are still pretty shaky. People are sometimes confused by the idea of a scene, or a concept being the point, rather than a fully developed story. Japanese anthologized stories are so often just a scenario or setup to something that we are then supposed to imagine the rest of, rather than a complete story. But for a glimpse of the variety in jousei Yuri manga being created in Japan, this is a great collection. My favorites remain the same as in the JP edition. Quoting myself:

The volume starts off really strongly with a lovely cover image and opening story by Harukawa You. In the opening story, a graphic designer is hired to do a CD cover design for an indie singer whose schtick is wearing a horse head. What is hidden underneath the mask is a really lovely young lady who admires her work.

I really enjoyed irua’s “Everyone’s Missing Out” in which a unloved boss turns out to have a secret supporter among the employees. I still enjoy this one, especially as the boss is middle aged.

Seta Seta’s “Stopped Meter” was a ridiculous story I liked about a female cab driver finding herself driving someone she knew a long time ago in another job.

And Yuki Yukiko’s ”Hand-delivered Love Letter,” about a woman who works at a shipping company and her charming and beautiful customer, was a terrific end story for the book.

Yen did another lovely job, and Leighann Harvey’s translation was seamless, but for one complaint which is not her fault. I will stick to my guns and say that Yen translating “Yuri” in the title is pointless. Yuri is a genre term and does not need translation. You don’t have to translate the word “daikon” in a recipe, either. It’s called a daikon. Yen’s refusal to acknowledge that we’ve worked long and hard to get that term recognized is a pain point for me and exactly why I do not tend to count Yen as “allies” in the manga industry. Queer folks and our allies understand how hard we fight for our words and how much it takes to have them recognized. Yen’s management does not and will not recognize this because this is not their fight and they don’t “get” why it’s important. Nice people, who do a great job, but not necessarily on our side.

Ratings remain the same as for the JP edition:

Art – Variable but generally good
Story – Surprising variety, considering
Characters – Generally likable
Service – Not really
Yuri – Yes

Overall – A solid read, let’s give it an 8

Realistically, I’m no more interested in falling in love with a coworker than a classmate, but at least they are all adults. ^_^





Yuri Manga: Yuri is My Job, Volume 2 (English)

June 21st, 2019

The tropes of Yuri are alive and well at Liebe Academy Salon, served up with a nice cake and tea set. ^_^

Hime has always been more concerned with style than substance. When she came to a new school, all she wanted was for everyone to love her. Despite herself, she became friends with Yano, a girl who spoke her mind. With her, at least, Hime could be herself. But, Hime warned her new friend, Hime always lies.

Yano’s and Hime’s friendship becomes entangled with class relationships and both of them end up lying to protect each other. In the end, they destroyed their friendship and both feel as if they were victimized. Now, years later, Yano is Hime’s graceful, beautiful “onee-sama” at the Liebe Academy Salon and while Hime feels as if she’s the one who ought to be angry, its Yano’s anger at Hime that fills up the spaces of Yuri is My Job, Volume 2 by Miman, out from Kodansha Comics.

Tensions rise as the “Blüme” popularity contest approaches and Hime, despite playing a first-year shoots for the top, igniting turmoil among the staff.

Yano is full of rage at her version of the past, and Hime is full of desire to be liked, Kanako only desires to see Hime shine, while Chibana just wants everyone to work together in harmony. For a cafe concept wrapped around young ladies at a respectable and staid private school, there’s a lot of high emotions on display here – and its affecting their business.

The art has settled in by this volume and, as I said in my review of the first volume in English, I quite like the larger format for ease of reading.   A pleasant bonus for readers is Miman-sensei’s afterword, which contains some interesting procedural content – always a nice thing when creators let us see behind the screen so to speak. Diana Taylor’s translation really captures all the various emotions of the story.

Volume 2 is a sink-or swim volume for readers. Either we are all in on this multi-leveled commentary on Yuri manga or not. I, obviously, am all in. ^_^ I’m about to start on Volume 5 in Japanese, and find I’m way more invested in the characters than I would have expected – Yano, in particular. The girl who seems likely to be the obstacle to Hime’s happiness may well be the key to the whole story.

Ratings: 

Art – 7
Story – 8
Characters – 8 Although they are often hard to like, they are well-crafted
Yuri – 4 The cafe concept is Yuri, the story is getting there
Service – 2 Still goofy Yuri fandom service

Overall – 8

The cafe clientele is visibly both more mixed gender and also fascinatingly androgynous. ^_^





Yuri Manga: MURCIÉLAGO, Volume 10 (English)

June 18th, 2019

MURCIÉLAGO, Volume 10 almost seems relaxing when it’s compared with the mayhem of previous volumes. When a giant shark yacks up a human arm, it sets Kuroko into the middle of a religious boondoggle, but that’s only what gets the gang to the location they need to be in.

More than anything else, this volume is almost wholly about Hinako and her multiple obsessive pursuits. What is the deal with Hinako? So far, we’ve only had portents and implications, but here in Volume 10 we can say with absolute confidence…that we have no idea. ^_^; She is obsessed with food, beetles, is a competent, if bizarre, ninja and she drives like she’s in Crazy Taxi and otherwise who or what they fuck is going on with her is unknown.

Almost shockingly, we get a genuine moment of sincere affection between Chiyo-chan and Kuroko. That’s almost immediately supplanted by arm-yakking giant shark and Kuroko perving on a girl with a large chest, so all remains normal in this volume.

But seriously, if we are reading Volume 10 of this “violence Yuri” series, we don’t need to be convinced to show up. Giant sharks are nice, but we’re here for the dead bodies and predatory lesbians.

Ratings:

Art – Well, it’s not getting worse
Story – 8
Characters – 8, although Hinako has been given an extra helping of weird along with her maguro
Service – 4 Shockingly low for this series
Yuri – 7 Chiyo and Kuroko’s moment was so sweet…until the shark yacked up the hand and died.

Overall – 8

As I said in my review of this volume in Japanese, “[n]ot *quite* as awesome as Giant Snakes, but Giant Sharks are cool too. ^_^”





Yuri Manga: I Married My Best Friend to Shut My Parents Up (English)

June 17th, 2019

Let’s start this week off with a manga that veered closeish to addressing LGBTQ life. That’s right, we’re talking Kodama Naoko’s I Married My Best Friend to Shut My Parents Up.

Machi’s parents are pressuring her to get married – because that is what should be done. And she’s just not interested. Her friend Hana needs a place to live while her apartment is renovated and she thinks she’s got a good idea – she and Machi will pretend to be a married couple. Surely that will get Machi’s parents off her back, one way or the other. Machi agrees, with significant reservations, while Hana gleefully starts playing house with the woman she clearly loves.

As I said in my review of the Japanese edition,(the title of which I read as I Fake Married my (Female) Friend Because of My Annoying Parents,)  “But if the idea of a fake same-sex marriage of convenience isn’t going to bother us, then the idea that the actual relationship between Hana and Machi is horribly unfair, is just fine. (-_-) ”  Hana is happy enough, but Machi, a character uncomfortable with herself her whole life, has no idea how to be a good friend to Hana, much less a good partner.

Machi’s character has a lot of developing to do, and we’re happy for her that she does it. Hana is there not just as a catalyst, although to call Machi’s development an “awakening” might be going a step too far. The end result is that Machi and Hana build a relationship that works for them and the Japanese readership learn (presuming they didn’t already know) about the Shibuya same-sex relationship certificates. As I say, this story veered cloeseish to addressing some real issues as Machi faces down derision and homophobia from her parents.

The last part of the book is a separate short about two girls on track team, their emotions around their own abilities…and each other. I think this story would have benefited from being longer and more nuanced, but “nuanced” is not Kodama-sensei’s strong point.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 7
Characters – 9 for Hana
Service – 2 Some light romance/sexual discomfort
Yuri – 7
LGBTQ – 4 Mention of the real-world same-sex partnership certificates, but no discussion around it

Overall – 7

One could consider this a LGBTQ manga, but I’m still disposed to thinking of it as Yuri. I’m not sure why exactly – perhaps because it doesn’t feel like a sincere attempt to address those issues or that the issues were exposed only as a byproduct of a gag plot complication or maybe my discomfort with the artist’s take on relationships has colored my opinion. I cannot put my finger on it, and I’ve been thinking about it since I read this in Japanese the first time, last year.