Archive for the Magazines Category


Galette, No. 20 (ガレット)

February 16th, 2022

Galette, No. 20 (ガレット) wraps up the 5th year of this crowdfunded, creator-owned magazine. In these past tumultuous years, they’ve put out 20 issues of the magazine, 18 issues of Galette MEETS and almost a dozen collected volumes. A pretty amazing feat especially as their main method of sales, comic markets, have been severely hamstrung for 3 years now and the pandemic (and shifting crowdfunding sites) caused havoc in their fundraising.

I follow a lot of creators on their Pixiv Fanboxes and the pandemic has wreaked havoc in another way, too. Creators are suffering, folks. Their opportunities have been cut off, a lot of them are depressed, and the lack of funds is hurting them, too. It’s pretty rough to read posts sometimes. If you can support your favorite creators by throwing them a buck or two on their crowdfunding sites, please do.

So here we are at an amazing moment in time, Galette has been in print longer than any Yuri manga magazine except Comic Yuri Hime! Even if it were to fold this year, it has done a lot and every one involved should be really proud.

Galette No. 20 (ガレット) features a full half dedicated to Hakamada Mera’s series Aikata System (相方システム), the first two volumes of which I have reviewed here on Okazu.

As always I really enjoyed Kitta Izumi and Momono Moto‘s Liberty, and Morinaga Milk’s Watashi no Kawaii Neko-chan, which has been licensed by Seven Seas as My Cute Little Kitten.

But tops for me this issue was the final chapter of a series that I have been following since the beginning,  Sora-iro Melancholic, which ended with an epilogue that dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s. It was a perfect ending to that series, the first volume of which I have also reviewed! ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 8

Another fine volume of Galette! This one is not up on Bookwalker, I don’t know if it will be, but you can get it on US Kindle in Japanese, as well as Amazon JP in print and digital.

The 5th anniversary volume is now up on Amazon JP, and I can’t wait to see what it offers.

 
 




Comic Yuri Hime, February 2022 (コミック百合姫2022年2月号)

February 2nd, 2022

Comic Yuri Hime, February 2022, was full of surprises, not the least of which there were no excruciating boob mechanics in semelparous. Not one. But there was a lot of new stuff and old stuff and good stuff!

It begins with another great faux-collage portrait by Isshiki, of two unnamed protagonists who tell us not to decide if it’s requited love or not on our own.

The book opens with a surprising chapter of inori’s “Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou.” The tone of the story shifts from love comedy to political intrigue as we meet the commoner movement against noble privilege and income inequality. Following this is the first chapter of the new edition of the original Watashi no Oshi ha Akuyaku Reijou. -Revolution- (私の推しは悪役令嬢。-Revolution-) now out from Ichijinsha!

Takashima Eku’s “Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau” is always a breath of fresh air, as Himari and Yori go one a date in between their various obligations and the members of Lorelei talk over their pasts…and their futures.

BIG question answered in this chapter of “Watashi no Yuri ha Oshigoto desu.” We get the beginning of the story when Nene and Youko met. Youko also likes women she says and offers to be a sounding board for Nene’s unrequited like for (an entirely clueless) Sumika. We know this will end in chaos. But at the end of the chapter, in the present day, we see Youko’s text to Nene that she misses her…and Nene’s response that she does too.

Toribami begins to understand that her job as lead in the dance is going to have to be outside the dance too, as Kiki continues to doubt herself – and their partnership – in “Odoriba ni Skirt ga Naru.”

Sempai closes the gap in Usui Shio’s “Onna Tomodachi to Kekkonshitemita,” bringing both Ruriko and Kurumi back on the same page about simply enjoying each oher’s company…and money and other big decisions.

In ” Lonely Girl ni Sakaraenai,” Sora celebrates quite probably her first happy Christmas party with Ayaka’s family and their friends…and is a little overwhelmed by it.

There are no weird boobs bouncing or painted on clothing in “semelparous” and more people are smiling in “Citrus+.”

And Kon-san remains magically sensitive to Inui-sensei’s needs in “Kyou no Htitotsu no Shita.”

Ohi-sensei draws her and Fuuka’s first meetup and their subsequent first time hanging out for a while together in “Pillow Talk ha Fuku o Kite.”

As always there are many stories I have not mentioned, some of which I enjoyed, others I didn’t. You may notice I almost never mention the 18+ content that is running in the magazine. I’ve kind of gone off porn, but that doesn’t mean its bad. So far it hasn’t been for me. But Comic Yuri Hime is holding steady at 500 pages, three out creators and a lot of great stuff for just about all tastes.

Ratings:

Overall – 9 An excellent volume. Here’s to a year of excellent Yuri!

The March issue is in stores now in print and digital. ^_^





Comic Yuri Hime, January 2022 (コミック百合姫2022年1月号)

December 21st, 2021

After the text-heavy cover story for 2021, Comic Yuri Hime, January 2022 (コミック百合姫2022年1月号) treats us to a new image-heavy, story, this one by, I believe the characters are pronounced Isshiki (一色). The cover has an underlying texture with image and lettering as a spot gloss over, which makes for a really interesting feel that aligns with the collage look of the layered art. The title lettering has returning to a a funky font. I’m mentioning all of this because I really like this. A lot. I love that they are coming up with wholly new design aesthetics every year and using the cover as art and story as well as basic information. Remind me to tell them this next time I fill out the monthly questionnaire.

Following this is information about the Comic Yuri Hime Pop-Up Shop that opened in Akihabara, and has now moved to Nagoya. You can absolutely buy goods on the online shop, if you have either a buying service or shipping service, like Buyee or Tenso. Of course I bought some stuff. ^_^

The manga gets off to a fantastic start with “Watashi no Yuri ha Oshigoto desu!” by Miman. We step right into Nene’s backstory and…wow. First of all, Nene is the first lesbian character in the story and she’s not shy about it. Secondly, we are quickly approaching a reckoning with the woman who broke her heart and I’ve got my popcorn ready. This issue was great – Nene’s long been my favorite character – but yeah, cannot *wait* for the February issue!

In  Takeshima Eku’s “Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau,” Yori is trying to understand her own feelings about Himari, including the jealousy she’s now experiencing. Part of what makes this story so good is Yori is very honest with herself and Himari.

“Kimi to Shiranai Natsu ni Naru” finally has caught up to itself. Bike returned, Megumi and Haru get dinner (at last!) and a new friend to help the celebrate their summer of freedom.

You know I don’t usually talk about Citrus, but this issue someone actually smiled!

“Kaketa Tsuki to Donuts” is heading for a climax, and so, inevitably, both Asahi and Hinako doubt themselves. Which makes  a perfect double header with Usui Shio’s other series, “Onna Tomodachi Kekkonshitemita.” Hopefully that one only has a 2-chapter funk to deal with.

I also don’t usually bother to talk about “semelparous,” but this page had me howling with laughter. I know some folks like this, but I just cannot take it at all seriously. This is comedy, surely?

And finally (for me), Inui Ayu continues her tale of how amazing her girlfriend is in “Kyou mo Hitotsu Yane no Shita.” ^_^

CW reminds me (thank you!) that this issue also has the beginning of an essay by Pikachi-sensei about life with her girlfriend.  ^_^ It really feels like a tipping point has been passed. 

As always this is merely a selection I particularly enjoy. There are other stories I like and others I don’t, but I am confident you’ll find something you like.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

Lesbians in two issues in a row. Smiling faces in Citrus. It’s already a great new year for Comic Yuri Hime!





Comic Yuri Hime December 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年12月号)

December 12th, 2021

Comic Yuri Hime, December 2021 (コミック百合姫2021年12月号) was a terrific end to a year of pretty darn good Yuri manga!

To begin with “One Hundred Years Distance,” Hanna Ren’s science-fiction time-travel plague-focused cover novel wraps up with a message for all of us to get vaccinated, wear masks, wash our hands and care for one another. Japan gains a new Youtuber, as Shizuka send her message across time from 1921. Kesshin’s art was wonderful,I really enjoyed this story, but oh my goodness did I dislike the teeny-weeny font size.  Still, it was the best of the shousetsu this time around.

Takeshima Eku’s “Sasayakuyouni Koi o Utua” has moved into a new arc that I will not spoil, but the stakes are completely different than “does Himari love Yori?” now and it’s way more interesting. We’re seeing more of Yori’s real self and watching her learn to ask for help.

“Kimi to Shiranai Natsu ni Naru” by Keyyang had a pretty weak start, in my opinion, but seems to have found itself and is now ready to fly! Having been stranded, our two protagonists head to a relative’s home. In a call to her aunt, Hi-chan and Haru take the leap from lovers to engaged and their lives instantly become brighter. NOW I’m ready to see what happens.

I…loved…”Suszume-chan to Mahou no kiss,” a zombie story by Nimu. Just a fantastic short story.

“Lonely Girl ni Sakarenai” is now, finally, addressing Ayaka’s problem, the source of the entire story – that she is terrible at taking tests.

“Onna Tomodachi to Kekkon Shitemita,” by Usui Shio was kind of frustrating, in part because it was realistic. Kurumi and Ruriko are starting to see the cracks in what is an unbalanced relationship.

Low-key one of my fave stories this year has been “Odoriba ni Skirt ga Naru” by Watane Yuu. Kiki has an honest and loving talk with her former partner – and forever best friend, Shion. Now, Kiki and Michiru can move forward together as dance partners.

As always, there were many more stories in this issue I read and either enjoyed or didn’t. This was a strong and varied volume that topped of a year full of a lot of stuff I loved and a lot I would be happy if you scoured out of my brain. In other words, something for everyone. ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 9

One of the most solid years I can remember since 2011 or so.The January 2022 issue is already out, I have already read it and cannot *wait* to review it!





Galette No. 19 (ガレット)

November 14th, 2021

Galette No. 19 (ガレット) magazine is, happily, still chugging along with quality series by popular Yuri manga artists. This issue is probably the smallest we’ve seen so far, which had me worried, but apparently, the team is persisting through the various challenges of crowdfunding a magazine during a pandemic, when the shows that sustained sales have until recently dried up.

One of the main points of success for Galette was the various streams of income it was able to generate, between online and in-person sales. I know all too well how nearly impossible it is to have a major stream of income cut off in publishing. That said, the comic shows are coming back. Winter Comiket is scheduled to be in-person this year. Attendees will have to be vaccinated or prove they have a negative PCR test. (If it were my event, I’d have a vaccination booth outside the event, to encourage folks to get those vaccines.) Comiket is kind of a strange animal, with all the side doors open in Tokyo Big Sight, it’s inside, but also open to the outside, which might make people a little less concerned. However, there are always a *lot* of people at Comiket. But, I digress.

There are 5 continuing stories in this volume, a few of which are now into a second volume and ought to see collected tankoubon soon.

Additionally, this volume includes one of the Galette team’s “Collaboration” projects, with a paired manga and a short story, a concept I quite like. It feels very much a throwback to doujinshi circle works where folks would do a similar collaboration around a theme or a story. In this collaboration, the story comes first and the manga finishes up.

This is followed up by the editors’ notes and an ad for the 5th anniversary issue No. 20, which hits shelves in Japan this coming week. I’ve already seen the cover on the pre-order for crowdfunding backers; honestly Pen’s covers have been consistently one of my favorite parts of the book! ^_^

Ratings:

Overall – 8

I’m really hoping that the return of comic markets will bring in renewed vitality for Galette. It’s still totally worth getting, but I’d still love to see it consistently over 200 pages, and hope to see some of my fave artists return to its roster. ^_^