Archive for the Magazines Category


Yuri Magazine: Comic Yuri Hime June 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年6月号)

June 11th, 2019

It’s my great pleasure to be able to discuss with you another solid issue of monthly magazine Comic Yuri Hime for June 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年6月号).

A news series has begun, and based on the opening color pages, I will be wholly ignoring “Yurimeguri yuimeguri.” Aside from childish faces on too-adult bodies and bathing scenes it appears to have little going for it. This is a series who knows it’s own audience and doesn’t care about me. I am convinced that it was commissioned to be turned into an anime, which I will also ignore.

I’m quite fascinated by the nothings-going-on of Miman’s “Watashi no Yuri ha Shigoto desu!” because really, nothing much can be going on, since our cast is approximately 7 people, a pair of which are taken up with each other. So we turn back to Yano, who is deeply struggling as is Hime. It’s been established that they each believe they were the victim, and from our perspective they were both also the bad guy. But what they have not yet had is the conversation they need to work through all of this. And really, after holding onto it for so many years, would it even be possible to talk this through? Yano doesn’t think so – she can neither forgive, nor forget.. Hime seems to believe there is nothing to forgive. This is going to have to come to some kind of a head.

“Luminous Blue” by Iwami Kikyoko is edging slowly, but inexorably, towards a crisis that we have been able to see coming for months.

I still really like Takeshima Eku’s “Sasayaku Youni Koi o Utau” for reasons I cannot define. Perhaps that everyone seems so drama-free and just enjoy each other’s company?

FLOWERCHILD’S “Warikitta Kankei desukara” is meant to make me feel uncomfortable…and so it does.

Hisona’s “Goodbye Dystopia” is meant to make me feel nostalgic and fails. But it feels so much like something is about to come to an end in that. I hope it’s not the series.

In “Itoshi Koishi” Hina is going to have to decide what to do with her life. Imma gonna guess and say she’ll study baking or cooking because, we’re headed there. In a weak moment, seduced by chocolate and Hinano’s adorableness, Yayoi breaks down and gives her an adult kiss. I’m waiting patiently for what I believe will eventually be an actual coming out scene in this manga. It’s got the right setup.

“Ikemensugi desu Shiki-senpai” has now entered conventional romance territory, and I kinda like it. By necessity, both Shiki and Hina end up coming out-ish and realize that they really, really, really want to be together. I’m all for it.

Ratings:

Overall – 8

As every other month, these are not the only stories in the magazine, nor even all the ones I read. I am following all but three of the current serializations, and those you could not pay me to read. ^_^ So, something for everyone.

A solid volume and another one on the way. I’ve just gone through the July issue and if anything, I think it was even a little better.

 

 

 





Yuri Manga: Comic Yuri Hime May 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年5月号)

May 16th, 2019

Due to a conflict with a recent update, the Yuricon Store is not currently functional. We’ll get it back up as quickly as we can, but in the meantime, links on Okazu will go straight to Amazon or Amazon JP. We apologize for the inconvenience.

It seems a lifetime since I read Comic Yuri Hime, May 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年5月号).

The first story, by Usui Shio, “Kaketa Tsuki to Donuts” tells a bittersweet story of the sacrifices a woman makes in her life to be correct and popular; the breakdown she has over her inability to be what society expects of her and the coworker who comes to her rescue. Will it be love? We’ll have to tune in to find out. (No, obviously not, it runs in Comic Yuri Hime for pity’s sake. It will be love, duh. ^_^)

Although it appears to be yet another high school love story, I am really liking Takashima Eku’s “Sasayaku You ni koi o Utau” about a girl and the lead singer she’s fallen for – and who is shocked that she’s falling back.

Iwami Kiyoko’s “Luminous Blue” is heading for a confrontation between various pieces of this love triangle and I don’t see any way around it.

Okay, it’s time to talk honestly about Kodama Naoko’s “Uminekosou Days.” I do not dislike it. I actually kind of like it. But can I just admit that I hate the main fetish here? Mayumi has run from a relationship with a guy with whom she didn’t (couldn’t? wouldn’t?) have a child. And that relationship and the idea of having a child (or not…it’s not really clear whether she wants to and can’t or doesn’t want to,) is haunting Mayumi here in this tiny village in nowhere. This is why I have never loved anything Kodama-sensei writes, even when I like it…it always centers around a compulsion or fetish and won’t move past it. I hope to heavens that this series moves past this, because I actually *want* to root for Mayumi and Rin.

Flowerchild offers two different teacher x student things. “Idola the Coward” is another cute workplace story, by Kayoko, whose art reminds me of something.

Ah…ha! “Itoshi Koishi” by Takemiya Jin has cracked the “coming out” wall. I have been waiting to see this story from her for years. Hanano and Yayoi are making their New Year’s hatsumode when they run into a bunch of Hana’s classmates. Hana, under pressure, lies and says Yayoi is a relative. The older woman is totally understanding, but Hana is devastated by her own internalized homophobia. Yayoi asks Hana if she’s afraid her friends will reject her. Hana says they *know* she’s seeing someone older…and she thinks at least one has figured it out, but…she finds herself, yes, scared. She decides she’s going to tell them. Soon.

This is the narrative we almost never see in Yuri manga. Watch this space as it develops.

“Scarlet” wraps up the current arc and we learn of the promise between Fine and Iris.

In “Goodbye Dystopia” nothing important is said, but as we walk away from Asami’s story, we are clearly about to head into Mizuki’s.

Ratings:

Overall – 9

As always there are many more stories I didn’t mention and some I didn’t read, (and some I did, but this review had gotten so long I wanted to wrap up!) and overall this was a really strong issue of Comic Yuri Hime, that ought to appeal to just about everyone, from moe Yuri fans, to folks looking for fetishy stuff or those looking for adult life Yuri and it’s even edging towards having a lesbian character.





Yuri Manga: Cotton Candy

April 11th, 2019

Hamano Ringo’s Cotton Candy was the first of the Galette collected volumes to be printed. I feel a little bad that it’s taken me this long to get around to it because, like it’s name, it’s very sweet.

There’s nothing objectionable at all, about the collection but for me the stand out story is the first, the titular “Cotton Candy.” This three-part story follows two girls who share a commute to school. They don’t really talk much, but after one has a run-in with a male schoolmate, and is rescued by the other, they become friendly. Mii often goes to a local coffee shop to talk over her experiences and feelings with the owner, Bun-chan.The older woman is a good confidant and helps Mii figure out how she feels about Hinako, as those feeling amble past friendship into attraction. More importantly, Bun-chan tell Mii that she, too was in the same position, because she likes women. This opens Mii-chan’s eyes and she is able, after some initial hesitation, to make her feelings known. When it turns out that they are returned, Mii brings her new girlfriend to the coffee shop to meet Bun-chan.

For what I think are obvious reasons, I really like this story. ^_^ Adult role models show young people that they are not outliers, not weird, not alone. There is nothing I want to see more of in Yuri than this…not even a sports series. ^_^

Hamano-sensei’s art is old-school cute without being moe. Lots of cute kids and bright smiles, school settings and sweets. It’s all kind of innocent and…nice.

Ratings:

Art – 8 It’s definitely old-school and I like it
Story – 7 School life
Characters – 8 Likable and cute
Service – Not really. 1 but on principle only – the most service-y thing in the book is a filler image of two girls in their pjs.
Yuri – 7 First love, crushes, exactly what you’d expect

Overall – 8

Again, like the confection it’s named after, it’s not filling, but the memory of sweetness lingers.





Yuri Manga: Galette, No. 9 (ガレット)

March 27th, 2019

Galette, No. 9 (ガレット) is just such a genuinely lovely book, that it took me a long time to read it because I kept paging through it admiring the actual thing itself. Every issue the cover illustration by pen just enchants me.

There a quite a few color pages; inside cover, photos and illustrations, including two absolutely charming pieces, of a lovely white lily themed piano duet 2-page spread by  Murasaki Noa (I’m probably wrong on the family name and welcome correction on  that) and Kabocha’s joyful fireworks illustration. These made a terrific mid-issue break.

This issue includes Petit Galette and a comic from the Galette Meets series, in addition ongoing stories from Morishima Akiko, Morita Miyuki, Yatosaki,  Haru Amano Shuninta and others, as well as one-shots by a number of other regular contributors.

It’s a strong line-up, with a nice variety of art, although the story lines have seemed to settle back into school life more often than not. Nonetheless in my opinion, Galette is always well-worth the money I’ve spent supporting and purchasing it. This one I was pleased as punch to be able to buy at Comitia this winter, which just made it that much better. ^_^ I believe in Galette so much, in fact, that I’ve upgraded my support on the Fantia crowdfunding page for the magazine. I quite like the Gold course, as it provides me with PDF versions of the magazine and Meets. (Sorry, Erin, we won’t be next to each other in the credits anymore. :-( )

Ratings

Overall-9

As always, Galette is available digitally on JP Kindle and US Kindle. Volume 8 is available at the end of this month on Bookwalker.

 





Yuri Manga: Comic Yuri Hime April 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年4月号)

March 26th, 2019

Comic Yuri Hime April 2019 (コミック百合姫2019年4月号) begins with a new story by Takeshima Eku, “Sasayakuyouni Koi wo Utau” about a girl falling for an aloof schoolmate who rocks out on the guitar. Whether or not I will like it  remains to be seen, but this is a strong opening chapter with great visuals.

“Citrus+” begins this issue and May did, actually, look moderately less miserable, so that’s an improvement!

Let me be really honest with you, I’m reading this magazine for two stories right now. I read them and then go back to the beginning and see if anything else was good. The first of these is “Hayama-sensei to Terano-sensei ha Tsukiatteiru,” which is like a balm to my soul. In this issue, we explore the positives and negatives of hickeys. This series is so charming and goofball lovey-dovey I can barely stand it. ^_^

Yuama’s “Ikemensugi Shiki-sempai” is not one of the two I rest my subscription upon, but it is lovely. Shiki’s earnestness is adorable.

“Uminekosou Days” had less breast jokes than typical and along with what seems to be an obvious adult romance brewing in the background, we are introduced to a school life romance in the foreground.

“Tsurezure Biyori” was, as always, sweet and kind of fluffy and life-y.

“Watashi no Yuri ha  Shigoto desu!” added a new complicating factor to Hime and Yano’s relationship. Because of course it did. ^_^;

The other series upon which my subscription rests, Hisona’s “Goodbye Dystopia,” did something I did not expect; it’s making Mizuki confront Asami’s past, which is poking her all over about her own. I always like the time-less/place-lessness of this story.

And, as always there are many other series I am reading, but not commenting upon or, simply not reading. Another solid issue and a perfect story-before-bedtime read. 

Ratings:

Overall – 8

The May issue is available and waiting for me at the bookstore. ^_^ Auugh, monthly I cannot cope with you!